PhD at Imperial College after MSc course in Earth Science?

If your grades were good enough in the undergrad, and your application is strong, you don't even need the MSc to get into a PhD program (though it will make things easier). I'd try applying to PhDs at the same time, and connect with some of the profs at the university. Save your money if you can.

I knew a lot of people who did MScs then their supervisors just asked them to stay on for a PhD afterwards (mine asked me too, but PhDs are useless so I didn't). So yes, the MSc will help you get into a PhD at Imperial, but there is still a chance you don't need it.

Cheers for your answer. The thing is I am French and I already have a French degree equivalent to MSc level. My degree, however, is far from having the reputation of the one at the IC, and it's not from the UK either. I contacted a professor from the IC for a PhD a few months ago and never got any reply so... I guess I don't have much of a choice if I want to do a PhD in the UK or the USA later on.

Why do you say that PhDs are useless? I guess it all depends on what you like and what you want to do with your life and career. I think that working and focusing mainly on a science topic that you like, and having a stable life in London for example, is a choice as respectable as going for an industry career, be sent in a location you don't want to and have to deal with a lot of management and sometimes lazy and pain in the a** colleagues (I know what I am talking about, I am currently working in a company). So please, keep an open mind