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  • Geology (Certificate of Higher Education with Distance Learning option)
  • 2013/2014 entry
  • Contact us
  • Assessment

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

  • Attendance

    • 1-3 evenings a week, October–June. Also available via distance learning.

  • Duration

    • Minimum 2 years part-time.

  • Entry requirements

    • Over 21: flexible entry requirements, subject to interview.

      Under 21: normal university entry requirements, but no specific A-levels.

  • Fees and funding
  • Location
    • Central London or by distance learning.
  • Teaching

    • Face-to-face lectures are supplemented by Moodle, a web-based environment where you can access course materials and videos of lectures. Moodle can also be used as a distance learning alternative with supplementary web-based material.

      You can attend weekend field classes alongside students taking the BSc Geology.

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Study at Birkbeck  | Certificates and short courses  | Certificates and short courses, 2013/2014 entry: browse by subject (A-Z) | Geology (Certificate of Higher Education with Distance Learning option)

Geology (Certificate of Higher Education with Distance Learning option) - 2013/2014 entry


  • Overview

    • This course caters for everyone's interests, covering a wide range of geological sub-disciplines and many aspects of the earth sciences: from earth history to geochemistry and the principles of sedimentology. You can enrol with little or no experience and exemptions are available for students who have relevant qualifications. This course is very flexible: it's offered part-time at Birkbeck, or you can study it by distance learning, wherever you are in the world. You can also take part in field classes, if you want to put your skills into practice.

  • Course structure and modules

    • To gain the Certificate of Higher Education, you must successfully complete the following modules, worth a total of 120 credit points. This will normally include the 30-credit module Introduction to Geology and six 15-credit modules from the first and second years of our BSc Geology.

      Year 1 Compulsory modules:
      • Introduction to Geology (30 credits)
      • Earth History (15 credits)
      • Foundations of Mineralogy (15 credits)
      Year 2
    • Compulsory modules:
    • Igneous Petrology*
    • Metamorphic Petrology*
    • Principles of Sedimentology*

      plus a choice of one module from the following:
    • Assessed Field Techniques 1*
    • Introduction to Geochemistry*
    • Geophysics*
    • Invertebrate Palaeontology*
    • Structural Geology.*

      • * 15-credit half-modules.

  • Further study opportunities

    • You can go on to BSc degrees or Graduate Certificates in geology and earth sciences.

  • How to apply/enrol

    • Programme application certificate: you apply online for this certificate in the same way as for a degree course.

      You must complete an application form and you must apply for the whole programme.

      We suggest you apply as early as possible. Interviews by arrangement.