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Planetary Science with Astronomy at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 20262026 - 2027
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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.

Open days

3Sep
Birkbeck, University of London - September Open Evening
Undergraduate

Course summary

This is an exciting time to study planetary science with many new discoveries being made by spacecraft throughout the solar system. There is also considerable scientific interest in the possibility of finding life elsewhere in the universe. Our BSc Planetary Science with Astronomy offers you a broad introduction to planetary science and exploration, including its geological, astronomical and astrobiological aspects. Why choose this course?

  • You will be taught by expert planetary scientists and astrobiologists.
  • Our teaching philosophy is based around flexibility, allowing you to fit the degree around your lifestyle.
  • You will develop skills in the manipulation of scientific data and critical assessment of scientific hypotheses and experience actual scientific research.
  • You can study this course from anywhere in the world.
What you will learn You will gain in-depth knowledge of subjects ranging from astronomy and astrobiology to geophysics and remote sensing. On completion of this course you will have gained knowledge and understanding of:
  • the key principles of planetary exploration and the history of space exploration
  • the astronomical context of the solar system and how this knowledge has been obtained
  • the processes involved in the geological evolution of the Earth and the other planets and their moons
  • the current status of our search for life elsewhere in the universe.
How you will learn You can choose to study this course full- or part-time and it is taught both on campus and online. In addition to lectures on campus, we offer you pre-recorded material, live online sessions and post-session activities so you can learn at a time that suits you. The on-campus and live online sessions are held in the evening. This course will be available for both online and on-campus part-time study in 2026-27, with applications opening in October 2025. Foundation Year If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. Highlights
  • We share expertise, facilities and events with UCL, including through the Centre for Planetary Sciences, which is one of the UK’s leading planetary and exoplanetary science centres.
  • You will take part in a geological field trip to gain further practical experience and skills, including in geological mapping.
  • You will have the opportunity to visit an astronomical observatory to gain insights into the methods and instruments of modern astronomy.
  • We have been offering online learning in this subject area for more than 20 years.
  • Birkbeck was ranked in the top 25 universities in the UK for its Earth Systems and Environmental Science research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
Careers and employability On successfully graduating from this BSc Planetary Exploration with Astronomy and Astrobiology you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:
  • experience in the analysis of scientific data and the critical assessment of hypotheses
  • experience in writing scientific reports and in presenting results to colleagues
  • familiarity with software packages and other specialist software tools.
A degree in planetary exploration with astronomy and astrobiology can lead to postgraduate study opportunities or careers in the following areas:
  • the developing field of extraterrestrial resources
  • education
  • museum and library work
  • publishing and broadcasting.

Modules

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

Assessment method

A combination of coursework and a final-year examination, generally in May or early June.

How to apply

14Jan

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.

Application codes

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

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 Geology or Planetary Science with Astronomy may be considered for a place on the BSc, with the possibility of exemption from the first-year modules. FOUNDATION YEAR DEGREES Our ‘with Foundation Year’ route is full-time only and provides you with an additional year of supported study. This is an ideal route if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main full-time degree.

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

International £22540 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

The 2025-26 home fee was £9,535. This fee may be subject to an inflationary increase in 2026-27, depending upon UK government announcements on the tuition fee loan cap. 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.
Planetary Science with Astronomy at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS