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  • Geology (BSc) (Full-time evening)
  • 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
      • Three evenings a week.
      • October–July.
  • Duration
      • Three years full-time.
  • Entry requirements
      • Under 21: A-level grades of BBB (or Scottish Higher Grades of BBBC). GCSE Mathematics with a minimum grade C.
      • Over 21: we welcome applications from mature students and each application will be assessed on its merits. If you are 21 years of age or over, we may waive the requirement for formal qualifications and will make our own assessment of your skills and knowledge.
      • Credit for earlier studies available.
      • UK applicants may be invited to attend an interview.
  • Fees and funding
  • Location
      • Central London.
  • Teaching

    • Through lectures and practical classes in the evenings, supported by lecture notes and videos on our online learning environment. The department has pioneered the use of video lectures and 'videocasts', which are made available to all students.

      Find out more about our study support and student facilities.



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Geology (BSc) (Full-time evening) - 2013/2014 entry

Accredited by the Geological Society as a recognised professional qualification, this course provides an introduction to a range of disciplines, from geophysics to palaeontology, and from volcanology to sedimentology. You will be taught by internationally distinguished researchers who are experts in their field. As well as attending this course at Birkbeck in central London, you can also study by distance learning via our online learning environment. So you can access course materials and recordings of lectures wherever you are in the world – and whenever it suits you.

This course is also available for part-time study.

  • Professional bodies that recognise this course
    • Accredited by the Geological Society as a recognised professional qualification.
  • Course structure
  • Study resources

    • We are part of the Birkbeck/University College London Research School of Earth Sciences, providing access to a large research group on environmental and other issues.

      Find out more about our research facilities.

  • 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.

    • To speak to an independent careers advisor, booking onto one of our Future Focus — Careers Workshops
  • Further details

    • Fieldwork programme

      We are one of the few departments that meets that Geological Society's recommendation of a minimum 85 days fieldwork in the BSc programme. This is a commitment that many full-time courses do not match and at present we are only one of a few geology programmes that does. It's one of the strongest features of our degree and gives our students an added confidence by comparison with graduates of more classroom based programmes. No amount of classroom discussion on the subject of ancient sea-beds, for example, can really compare to the experience students have when they discover for themselves the evidence of wave ripples and fossils recorded in the rocks of a landscape.

      Each year students attend one major residential field course of 10–14 days. They also attend weekend field classes and they have to undertake a substantial amount of field research on their own. Field courses are designed to complement the lecture programme and lab-based practical classes. In the field, students have the opportunity to cement their theoretical understanding of topics in geology with practical experience. At the same time they develop the skills they need to pursue independent research. We regularly update our field itineraries to keep up with changes in our curriculum. Currently, we take students to the Isle of Skye (Year 1), North-West Scotland or Greece (Year 2) and Morocco and the Canary Islands (Year 3).

      Find out more about our research facilities.

  • Apply now
    • How to apply
      Applications for entry will only be considered through UCAS.
    • Online application
      Apply via UCAS – see their website for details.
    • Our Application Workshop will give you an overview of what Birkbeck looks for in an undergraduate degree application and includes practical writing exercises to help you write a more effective personal statement
  • Key information set

    • Welcome to Birkbeck, London's evening university: Number 1 in London for teaching and student satisfaction (National Student Survey 2012).

      Birkbeck specialises in part-time, evening study. The Key Information Set has been developed for full-time, daytime courses. We are providing some additional information about our evening courses to help you make an informed choice.