Earth sciences
A field of study in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics
Vocational or degree?Mostly higher educationFewer than 1 in 10 train through vocational routes in the EU: 720 finished vocational training and 91,000 higher education in this field (2024). Figures for the wider field.Eurostat
Do graduates use it?63% in a matching jobof science and maths graduates with a degree in the EU work in a job that matches what they studied. After vocational training: 30% (small sample).All science and maths fields · Eurostat 2024
Do they find work?87% in workof people who finished higher education in the last 1 to 3 years in the EU (2025). Vocational training: 80%. General upper secondary only: 67%.All fields · Eurostat
What you'd learn
Geographic information systemsGeologyGeographyGeographic areasGeographical areas relevant to tourismLocal area tourism industryAviation meteorologyLocal geographyGeodesyGeomaticsMaritime meteorologyGeographical routes+ 13 more
The knowledge areas ESCO files under this field, those most needed by jobs first. Actual programmes vary by school and country.
Where it can lead
28 jobs use what this field teaches.
| Job | Prospects | Pay | Usual study | AI exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meteorologist | Good | Above average | Degree | Significant |
| Geophysicist | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Mineralogist | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Geologist | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Remote sensing technician | Average | About average | Post-secondary | Very low |
| Astronaut | Average | About average | Post-secondary | Very low |
| Cartographer | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Geographer | Average | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Tourist information officer | Average | About average | Vocational | Significant |
| Geographic information systems specialist | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Hydrographic surveying technician | Average | About average | Post-secondary | Very low |
| Tour organiser | Average | About average | Vocational | Significant |
| Mountain guide | Good | About average | Post-secondary | Very low |
| Geology technician | Average | About average | Post-secondary | Very low |
| Tour operator representative | Average | About average | Vocational | Significant |
| Travel consultant | Average | About average | Vocational | Significant |
| Land surveyor | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Tourist guide | Average | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Tourist information centre manager | Limited | Well above average | Post-secondary | – |
| Cadastral technician | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Travel agent | Average | About average | Vocational | Significant |
| Intelligence communications interceptor | – | – | Basic schooling | – |
| Surveying technician | Good | About average | Post-secondary | Very low |
| Meteorology technician | Average | About average | Post-secondary | Very low |
| Private chauffeur | Limited | About average | Vocational | Some tasks |
| Drilling engineer | Good | Above average | Degree | Very low |
| Patient transport services driver | Limited | About average | Vocational | Some tasks |
| Mineral processing engineer | Good | Above average | Degree | Very low |
Jobs that need the knowledge this field teaches (ESCO), closest match first. This is not a record of where graduates actually end up: no EU-wide data says that per field.
Where to study
697 institutions in the EU offer science and maths bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.