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  • Earth Sciences (MRes / Postgraduate Diploma)
  • 2012/2013 entry
  • Contact us
  • Assessment

    • Year 1: coursework.

      Year 2: research project and thesis.

  • Attendance
      • Two evenings a week.
      • October–June.

      • Optional interval between Year 1 and 2 of MRes degree.

  • Duration
      • MRes: two years part-time.
      • PgDip: one year part-time.
  • Entry requirements
  • Fees and funding
    • Fees (2012/13)
      • Part-time (home/EU students): £3975 pa 
      • Part-time (overseas students): £6875 pa
  • Location
      • Central London.
  • Teaching

    • Lectures, seminars and tutorials are supplemented by laboratory studies and fieldwork. Postgraduate students benefit from a vigorous programme of formal and informal research seminars and close attention to research supervision. The department also has strong industry contacts.

      Find out more about our study support and student facilities.

Earth Sciences (MRes / Postgraduate Diploma) - 2012/2013 entry


  • Overview

    • This programme teaches the fundamentals of modern research in the earth sciences. Year 1 covers a broad spectrum of techniques in the earth sciences, and in Year 2 you will specialise in a particular area through a research project. Those who do not wish to, or who cannot, continue are awarded the Postgraduate Diploma upon successful completion of Year 1.

      The programme is ideal if you want to undertake a limited amount of supervised research on a shorter timescale than for an MPhil or PhD. This type of Master’s degree is rapidly becoming a prerequisite qualification for entry into the earth science professions, all of which contain a strong element of research work. As well as a range of laboratory and IT skills, the degree teaches practice in organising a research project and publishing its results.

  • Why study this course at Birkbeck?
      • Develop a range of research skills and try your hand at practical research.
      • Ideal if you want to develop your laboratory and IT skills in preparation for a career in research.
      • Forms part of the UCL–Birkbeck Research School of Earth Sciences, facilitating access to a wide range of research resources and expertise.
  • Course structure
    • Year 1

      Three compulsory modules:

      • Frontiers in Earth Sciences
      • Individual Directed Reading
      • Research Techniques in Earth Sciences

      Year 2

      Research project and thesis.
  • Study resources
  • Further study opportunities
  • Careers information

    • Many of our graduates have found employment in the oil, mineral and groundwater industries; others have established strong academic careers. Still others continue to pursue an interest in geology as amateur researchers, combining their love of landscape with a newly enriched scientific understanding of the earth.

  • Further details
    • Earth science research

      In the 2006–2007 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences was third of all environment and earth science departments in the UK, and one of only three to have an average score higher than 3.0. All our staff were ranked as 2* or better; 80 per cent were ranked 3* or 4*.

  • Apply now
    • Application deadlines and interviews
      • You should apply as early as possible.
      • Please note that intake is every other year; next intake is for the 2012–2013 academic year.
    • Online application
      You can apply online from the link below.