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Geology at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 2025
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Birkbeck, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Course summary

Geology is a wide-ranging and fascinating subject. On our BSc Geology we cover many areas of interest, including:

  • study of the Earth, its history and development and the evolution of life on its surface
  • the processes that occur within the Earth
  • human interactions with our planet, from finding essential raw materials to assessing risks from volcanoes and earthquakes.
Accredited by the Geological Society of London, the BSc Geology at Birkbeck will introduce you to the dynamic systems within the Earth and at its surface, both at the present day and in deep time. Geology is a practical subject, and the course will include training and experience of geological fieldwork and will allow you to develop your areas of interest in the form of guided project work. Our long-term expertise with distance education allows unrivalled flexibility in your learning style. You will learn knowledge and techniques that enable you to carry out geological fieldwork and laboratory analyses, as well as gaining transferable skills that can be applied to science subjects that involve fieldwork and practical work. Geoscientists develop careers in fields as diverse as geological hazard mitigation, exploration for essential raw materials including water, control and prevention of environmental damage, natural resources conservation, as well as education, outreach and further academic study. Highlights
  • We offer you flexible teaching methods, balancing face-to-face and online learning.
  • Exciting field trip opportunities to famous geological sites in the UK, Greece and Morocco.
  • Accredited by the Geological Society of London as a recognised professional qualification. We are the only university that offers this option through distance learning.
  • We are part of the joint UCL-Birkbeck Institute of Earth and Planetary Sciences (IEPS) meaning we share laboratories, expertise and events, all open to students for research projects. Find out more about our research facilities.
  • Birkbeck was rated in the top 25 universities in the UK for its Earth Systems and Environmental Science research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
  • We have been offering evening study courses in the subjects of Earth and planetary sciences for over 70 years and distance learning for more than 20 years.
Careers and employability Graduates can pursue career paths in the oil, mineral and groundwater industries, academia or geology. Possible professions include:
  • engineering geologist
  • geochemist
  • geophysicist
  • hydrogeologist
  • higher education lecturer.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

A combination of reports on field-based projects, laboratory work and written examinations. Some modules include continuous assessment through written work.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • The Geological Society

How to apply

31Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential. ALTERNATIVE ENTRY ROUTES Students who successfully complete Birkbeck's Certificate of Higher Education in Earth History and Palaeontology, Geology, Mineralogy and Volcanology or Planetary Science with Astronomy will be considered for a place on the BSc, with the possibility of exemption from the first-year modules.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £4625 Year 1
Northern Ireland £4625 Year 1
Scotland £4625 Year 1
Wales £4625 Year 1
International £8810 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Geology at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS