What is the best way to get into palaeontology in the UK?

[itsallyellow]

Presuming A levels need to be taken in something like Biology, Chemisty, Geology. Is there a course at university to follow these that can be taken? Then from there. Every time I try to search it comes up with all the USA stuff.

[ecoman]

Try your local church, bell ringing is getting quite popular these days ;)

[Buenchico]

I'm wondering if ABers should set up a fund to buy ecoman a new dictionary :-)

What search string have you been putting into your search engine? Simply putting 'palaeontology uk university' (without the quotes) brought up plenty of useful references. Here's the relevant link for the University of Leeds:
http://earth.leeds.ac.uk/earth.htm
Their requirements are a minimum of 3 A-levels, of which at least 2 should be from these: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography or Geology. You'd need to study for 3 years for a first degree in Geological Sciences then for a further year for a masters degree in, say, Geochemistry. After this you would be eligible for consideration to join to the palaentology research programme, working towards your doctorate in this field.

Here are some further relevant links:
University of Greenwich: http://www.gre.ac.uk/schools/nri/earth/
University of Manchester: http://www.seaes.manchester.ac.uk/
The Palaentological Association (general information about careers and study):
http://palass.org/index.html


Hoping that something here is helpful to you.

Chris


PS: I've seen some of the mathematics involved in Earth Sciences and I'd strongly recommend taking Maths at A-level if you want to be able to make sense of some of the stuff that you'll come across. (That's not just because I used to teach A-level Maths!)

[gen2]

I did geology at university for two years. Some students went in with maths and sciences (as I did) and others from a geography background. I must say that I endorse Buenchico's recommendations. Those of us with maths/science coped far better with the course.

[itsallyellow]

Thanks both, this is very useful. I just have to work on my maths then.

[Sligachan14]

You'll need to bone up for it !