23Jun
UndergraduateCourse summary
This is a very exciting time for planetary science, with new data being returned by spacecraft from planets within our own solar system and thousands of planets now being discovered orbiting other stars. There is also growing scientific interest in the likelihood of life elsewhere in the universe. With our BSc Planetary Science with Astronomy you will learn more about all of this and develop your knowledge of the solar system and its wider astronomical context. You will study subjects ranging from astronomy and astrobiology to geophysics and remote sensing. You will develop skills in the manipulation of scientific data and critical assessment of scientific hypotheses and experience actual scientific research during project work. Our teaching philosophy is based around flexibility, allowing you to fit the degree around your lifestyle. We embrace new technology and methods to make our degrees accessible to all and have been running remote as well as face-to-face lectures for more than 20 years. This means you can attend classes with our internationally distinguished researchers in our world-class laboratories in London or you can watch live streams/recorded lectures at home using our cutting-edge online teaching platform. You are free to mix both these methods to find the best balance for you. A number of our researchers work on current space missions with access to unique datasets. You will have the chance to work on these data as part of a research project in your final year. We also offer the option to attend a field trip to Pembrokeshire. Highlights
- We offer you flexible teaching methods, balancing face-to-face and online learning.
- Field trip opportunity to a geological site in Pembrokeshire.
- 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 ranked in the top 25 universities in the UK for its Earth Systems and Environmental Science research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
- Our Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences has been offering evening study courses for over 70 years and distance learning for more than 20 years.
- astronomer
- minerals surveyor
- research scientist
- higher education lecturer.
Course details
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. The optional geology field classes do not have a final examination and are assessed solely on work performed in the field.
How to apply
26Jan
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 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.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.bbk.ac.uk/study/2022/undergraduate/programmes/UUBSPSAS_C/#entry-requirements
Unistats information
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 | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £14560 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their programme. Tuition fees for students continuing on their programme in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy.
ADDITIONAL COSTS
There are additional costs for the field trip associated with the module Assessed Field Techniques 1.
The cost of the trip to Pembrokeshire is approximately £600, and includes transport while on location, and accommodation. A full costing will be provided once we have confirmed the number of students going on the trip.
In addition, you will need to equip yourself with field-note books and stationery, compass and hammer, and GPS equipment, hand lens, walking boots and all-weather clothing.
Provider information
Birkbeck, University of London
Malet Street
Bloomsbury
London
United Kingdom
WC1E 7HX
Course contact details
Visit our course pageBirkbeck Student Advice Service
0203 907 0700