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Studies & Degrees in Paleontology

Paleontology (spelled palaeontology in British English) is the study of past life through fossils. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics describes paleontologists as scientists who study fossils found in geological formations to trace the evolution of plant and animal life and the geological history of the Earth. The subject is much wider than dinosaurs: it covers fossil plants, invertebrates, vertebrates and microfossils, and uses them to date rocks and to reconstruct past climates and environments.

Paleontology combines two sciences. The University of Bristol presents it as the evolution of life explored through a combination of geology and biology. Students therefore take sedimentology, stratigraphy and mapping on the geology side, and evolution, anatomy and ecology on the biology side. They also learn statistics and computing, because modern research relies on quantitative methods. Fieldwork is part of every programme, and paleontologists may spend long periods in remote areas during expeditions.

Qualifications and levels

Few universities offer a degree with paleontology in its name. Most paleontologists first study geology, earth sciences or biology and specialise later.

  • Bachelor's degree in paleontology: the BSc Palaeontology and Evolution at the University of Bristol takes three years full-time. One third of the first year is biology and two thirds earth science; in the third year students carry out a research project and take specialist units. Bristol also offers an integrated master's version (MSci).
  • Bachelor's degree with a paleontology track: the Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP) in Argentina awards a Licenciatura en Biología orientación Paleontología, with branches such as paleobotany, invertebrate and vertebrate paleontology, biostratigraphy and micropaleontology.
  • Bachelor's degree in geology: in Spain the subject is usually taught within degrees such as geology or biology. A bachelor's degree (grado) has 240 ECTS credits. The Grado en Geología of the Universidad de Huelva has 240 ECTS credits and 40 places, and some subjects are taught in English.
  • Master's degree: the MSc Palaeobiology at Bristol takes one year full-time or two years part-time and ends with a research project and a written thesis. Spanish master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits.
  • Doctorate: research and university posts normally require a PhD.

Where to study it

SpainExchange lists six active schools for paleontology: two in Spain and one each in the United Kingdom, the United States, Argentina and Ethiopia.

In the United Kingdom, the University of Bristol's standard A-level offer for the BSc is ABB, including two science subjects. Applicants whose first language is not English need IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in all skills, or an equivalent. The course includes dedicated field courses, for example to Spain, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. For the MSc, the university asks for an upper second-class degree or an international equivalent in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics subject. The MSc fee for 2027 entry is £14,300 for home students and £31,400 for overseas students.

In Spain, the listed schools are the Universidad de Huelva and the Universitat de Barcelona. The geology degree in Huelva is taught on the El Carmen campus, and the price per credit is €12.62 as a public university. In Argentina, the Universidad Nacional de La Plata teaches its degree at the Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; students must show a reading level of English or French. The list also includes Suffolk University in Boston and Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia.

Careers

Paleontology is a small profession, and research jobs are competitive. The Universidad Nacional de La Plata names three outlets for its graduates: basic research in public institutes or universities, teaching, and work for private oil or mining companies, where microfossils are used to date and correlate rock layers. Bristol reports that some of its graduates continue to MSc or PhD level and academic careers, and that popular routes include science education, written, digital and film media, outreach work and museums. The numerical skills also open jobs outside science.

Official statistics do not count paleontologists separately. In the United States they are included among geoscientists, who held about 25,400 jobs in 2025; employment is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Geoscientists typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation, and for some positions employers prefer a master's or doctoral degree.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a degree in paleontology to become a paleontologist?

No. Degrees with that name are rare. Most paleontologists take a bachelor's degree in geology, earth sciences or biology and specialise with a master's degree and a PhD.

How long does it take to study paleontology?

The BSc at the University of Bristol takes three years and the MSc Palaeobiology one more year. In Spain a bachelor's degree in geology has 240 ECTS credits, which is four years of study.

Can I study paleontology in Spain?

Yes, usually as a subject within geology and biology degrees, for example the geology degree at the Universidad de Huelva, and as a specialisation at master's and doctoral level.

Is paleontology only about dinosaurs?

No. It covers all fossil life: plants, invertebrates, vertebrates and microfossils. The Universidad Nacional de La Plata lists paleobotany, invertebrate paleontology, vertebrate paleontology, biostratigraphy and micropaleontology as branches.