Adventures in the past: How to study palaeontology and what to expect

Palaeontology is much more than digging up fossilised bones, it is a journey back in time to the deepest past of our planet. If you have always been interested in dinosaurs, fossils, extinct creatures or the evolution of life, then a degree in palaeontology could be just the thing for you. But what does a degree programme like this actually look like? What requirements should you have? And what does your future career look like? In this blog article, I will take you on a journey through the study of palaeontology, from initial considerations to career opportunities.

What is palaeontology actually?

Palaeontology is the science of fossilised life forms from past eras. The aim is to reconstruct the life of the past using remains such as bones, shells, traces or even DNA. Palaeontology overlaps with various other disciplines – from biology and geology to chemistry, physics and computer science.

So you don’t just study dinosaurs, but also tiny microfossils, extinct plant species or the environmental conditions of prehistoric times. The big question is always: How did life on earth develop – and why?

Requirements for the Palaeontology degree programme

If you would like to study palaeontology in Germany, you should have some important interests and skills:

• Curiosity about the past: You should have a genuine interest in geological history, fossils and the theory of evolution.

• Scientific understanding: A sound knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics is helpful – at the latest when it comes to geological dating, isotope analyses or bioinformatic evaluations.

• Patience and precision: working with fossils requires a sure instinct. Good powers of observation and perseverance are required in the field and in the laboratory.

• Good knowledge of English: Many specialised texts and research papers are written in English – you should be able to read and understand them easily.

A special numerus clausus (NC) is not required for palaeontology at most universities. The degree is often studied via geosciences or biology with a focus on palaeontology.

Course of study: How the palaeontology degree programme is structured

In Germany, there are hardly any pure palaeontology degree programmes at Bachelor’s level. You usually start with an undergraduate degree in geosciences, biology or geobiology before specialising in palaeontology in the Master’s degree. Universities offering such programmes include the universities of Bonn, Tübingen, Munich, Erlangen-Nuremberg and Greifswald.

Bachelor programme

In the first semesters you will learn the basics:

• Geology (rock science, stratigraphy)

• Biology (zoology, botany, genetics)

• Chemistry and physics

• Mathematics and statistics

• First introduction to palaeontology

You will spend a lot of time in the lecture theatre, but you will also get to know the first layers of rock and fossils on excursions. In practical exercises you will learn how to microscope, prepare and identify fossils.

Master’s programme

You can focus specifically on palaeontology in your Master’s degree. This is where it gets really exciting: you will analyse fossils, interpret ecosystems of past geological eras, reconstruct habitats and work with modern techniques such as CT scans, isotope geochemical methods or 3D scans of fossils.

Semesters abroad and research projects are often part of the degree programme – for example on excavations in France, Morocco or even Mongolia. You will conduct your own research, write academic papers and possibly prepare your first publication.

Studying Palaeontology in the UK

If you’re fascinated by the secrets of dinosaurs, the evolution of life on Earth, or the study of fossil traces, a palaeontology degree in the United Kingdom offers an exciting and rewarding path. The UK is one of the world’s leading countries in palaeontological research and provides students with an excellent combination of solid theory, practical training, and international networking.

The UK has a long and significant history in palaeontology. As early as the 19th century, British researchers like Mary Anning and Richard Owen (who coined the term “Dinosaur”) laid the foundations of modern palaeontology. Today, this tradition continues at prestigious universities that host specialised institutes, extensive fossil collections, and cutting-edge research facilities.

Degree Programmes and Specialisations

While standalone palaeontology degrees are rare, most UK universities offer combined programmes such as “Geology with Palaeontology”, “Earth Sciences”, “Biological Sciences with Palaeontology”, or “Natural Sciences” with a palaeontological focus. These programmes are interdisciplinary, giving you insights not only into fossilised life but also into geological processes, evolutionary biology, ecology, and climate history.

Some of the most renowned universities for palaeontology include:

• University of Bristol: An internationally leading centre for palaeobiology. The “Palaeontology and Evolution” course offers specialised training with direct access to research and fieldwork.

• University of Birmingham: Offers “Palaeobiology and Palaeoenvironments” with a strong focus on applied geoscience and computational analysis.

• University of Edinburgh: Combines earth sciences and biology with a strong emphasis on field trips.

• University of Leicester: Known for its research into mass extinctions and micropalaeontology.

• Imperial College London: Focuses on geoscience excellence with optional palaeontology modules.

Course Structure and Content

A typical Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in the UK lasts three years (four years in Scotland) and is modular in structure. Common topics include:

• Introduction to geology and palaeontology

• Study of invertebrate, vertebrate and microfossils

• Evolutionary biology and palaeoecology

• Stratigraphy and sedimentology

• Biostatistics and computer-assisted reconstruction

• Fieldwork and excavation techniques

A Master’s degree (MSc or MRes) focuses more strongly on research. You’ll often work in small teams on specific projects, analyse fossils, publish scientific papers, or develop new methods to reconstruct extinct species.

Studying Palaeontology in the USA

The United States is one of the most important countries in the world when it comes to the study of fossil life. It is not only rich in spectacular fossil finds – including iconic dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops – but also home to numerous top-tier universities that specialise in palaeontology and the geosciences. If you want to dive deep into the secrets of Earth’s history, studying palaeontology in the USA offers you exceptional opportunities.

In the United States, palaeontology is a highly respected academic field. While many people are especially fascinated by dinosaurs, palaeontology as a science covers much more – from tiny microfossils and fossilised plants to vertebrate bones and traces of life’s earliest forms. American universities offer a wide range of study programmes that include not only classic vertebrate palaeontology but also palaeobotany, palaeoecology, palaeoclimatology, evolutionary biology, and sedimentology.

The Typical Study Path in the USA

A dedicated Bachelor’s degree in “Palaeontology” is rare in the United States. Instead, students usually begin their academic journey with a degree in Geosciences, Biology, Earth Sciences, Anthropology, or Environmental Science, later specialising in palaeontological topics through elective modules, research projects, or internships and field schools.

After earning a Bachelor’s degree, you can pursue a Master of Science (M.Sc.) or enter directly into a Ph.D. programme, which combines advanced coursework with independent research. In the USA, it is common for students to collaborate closely with professors on research projects and begin publishing their own work early in their academic careers.

Top Universities for Palaeontology

Several American universities have an excellent global reputation in palaeontology. Some of the most notable include:

• University of Chicago: Known for evolutionary biologist and palaeontologist Neil Shubin, whose work bridges palaeontology and developmental biology (e.g., Tiktaalik).

• Yale University: Home to the prestigious Peabody Museum of Natural History and a hub for palaeontological research.

• University of California, Berkeley: The UC Museum of Paleontology (UCMP) hosts one of the largest fossil collections in the world.

• University of Michigan: Combines traditional palaeontology with advanced technologies such as CT scanning and 3D modelling.

• Montana State University: Located near world-famous fossil sites and offers students direct access to active dig sites in “Big Sky Country.”

Additionally, there are many specialised research institutes and partnerships with museums like the American Museum of Natural History in New York, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., and the Field Museum in Chicago.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition fees at American universities can be high – often ranging from $20,000 to $60,000 per year. However, there are numerous ways to finance your studies: scholarships, graduate assistantships, fellowships, and research positions are widely available. Students with strong academic performance have good chances of securing funding – particularly in Ph.D. programmes, where tuition is often waived and students receive a monthly stipend.

Field work, laboratory and computer: your daily work routine

Palaeontology is versatile. You won’t just be digging up fossils – although that is of course one of the most exciting aspects. Equally important is the work in the laboratory, where samples are analysed, fossils prepared and data collected. You will also learn to use computer-aided methods, e.g. in the 3D reconstruction of skeletons or analysing the course of biodiversity over millions of years.

Excursions and excavations are an integral part of everyday study programmes. You will be working with hammers, chisels and brushes – often in the open air, in wind and weather. You will often have to deal with very simple things: Muddy shoes, sunburn or long hours on your knees. But that’s exactly what makes it so appealing.

Career prospects: What can you do with palaeontology?

The big question is of course: What can I do professionally with a degree in palaeontology? In fact, the path into research is one of the most common, but by no means the only one:

• Universities and research institutes: With a Master’s degree and usually also a doctorate, you can work in academic research – for example on the evolution of mammals or climate change in the Mesozoic era.

• Museums and exhibitions: Here you will work on the scientific processing of fossils, organise exhibitions or impart knowledge in guided tours and lectures.

• Monument preservation and geoscientific expertises: Geological investigations are regularly required for construction projects. Your expertise is required when fossil finds need to be secured and documented.

• Science journalism and education: If you can write well, you will also find a home in science journalism or in public relations at natural history museums and institutes.

• Energy and raw materials industry: Some palaeontologists also work in industry, e.g. in the stratigraphic analysis of drill cores in oil and gas production.

Admittedly, the labour market is not huge and competition in research is high. But with passion, technical depth and a little flexibility, you can open up an exciting career field.

Conclusion: Who should study palaeontology?

A palaeontology degree is not for careerists who want to earn money quickly. It is a degree programme for explorers, for patient tinkerers and for anyone who wonders what life on our planet once looked like. If you are prepared to put up with cold fingers during an excavation, count microfossils for nights on end or dig through complex scientific articles – then you will find exactly what you are looking for when you study palaeontology: the fascination of a forgotten world.

And who knows, maybe you will be the next person to revolutionise knowledge about life on earth with a discovery. The past is waiting to be discovered by you.