Course summary

This MSc Astrobiology is a unique course that provides you with a strong theoretical foundation in the study of the distribution, history and future of life in the universe. It offers you the chance to understand the diversity of potentially habitable environments on Earth, in the solar system, the galaxy and beyond. Why choose this course?

• It is led by experts in astrobiology, including Dr Andrew Rushby who is particularly recognised for his study of the atmospheres and climates of small, rocky planets orbiting distant stars.

• You will also be taught by scientists from the joint Birkbeck/UCL Centre for Planetary Sciences who are highly involved in astrobiology missions, such as NASA and European Space Agency missions to Mars, the outer solar system, and the search for planets around distant stars.

• Astrobiology is a growing area of research, and Birkbeck has already established a world-leading reputation for research and education in this field.

• Dr Andrew Rushby leads this course, bringing to it his specialist knowledge and several years' training and experience at NASA Ames Research Center managing NASA’s Nexus for Exoplanet System Science.

• This course is the first of its kind in England, and only the second astrobiology degree of any kind in the UK.

• The course is relatively new, yet our graduates have already represented Birkbeck on the national and international stage, presenting their research at conferences and symposia such as the NASA Astrobiology Graduate Conference 2024. Many have also been successful in applying to take part in the very competitive European Space Agency ELGRA Gravity-Related Research Summer School.

• We share expertise, facilities and events with UCL, including through the Centre for Planetary Sciences, one of the UK’s leading planetary and exoplanetary science centres.

• 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.

• high-level oral and written communication and presentation skills

• research, evaluation and synthesis skills

• laboratory, field and computer modelling skills

• the ability to critically analyse controversial research while maintaining a fair and balanced perspective.

• science communication, writing and broadcasting

• environmental, geophysical or geotechnical scientist

• data analyst, data scientist or engineer

• software and computing engineer

• laboratory technician

• public and private sector applications in environmental policy, bioremediation, climate change, adaptation and mitigation

• education, teaching and training.