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  • Planetary Science with Astronomy (BSc) (Part-time)
  • 2013/2014 entry
  • Contact us
  • Assessment

    • 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 exam and are assessed solely on work performed in the field.

  • Attendance
      • Three evenings a week part-time.
      • October–June.
      • Optional geology field trips.
  • Duration
      • Four years part-time.
  • Entry requirements
      • Over 21: ideally two A-levels with some science background, but you can be admitted under mature student regulations without these qualifications if you demonstrate evidence of an interest in the subject, and a propensity for study, on being interviewed.
      • Under 21: a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.
  • Fees and funding
  • Location
      • Central London or by distance learning.
  • Teaching

    • Mostly through evening face-to-face lectures or, for distance learners, through materials distributed in electronic format (either via CDs or the internet).

      Find out more about our study support and student facilities.



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Planetary Science with Astronomy (BSc) (Part-time) - 2013/2014 entry

This is a very exciting time for planetary science, with new data being returned by spacecraft from the Moon, Mars, Venus and Saturn, with forthcoming missions to Jupiter, Pluto, several asteroids and a comet, and with planets now being discovered orbiting other stars. There is also considerable scientific interest in the likelihood of life elsewhere in the universe. Learn more about all this and develop your knowledge of the solar system and its astronomical context. You can also study this course by distance learning, wherever you are in the world.

This course is also available for full-time evening study.

  • Course structure
  • Study resources

    • We are part of the Joint Birkbeck/University College London (UCL) Research School of Earth Sciences, and our courses benefit from being taught by active researchers.We are also members of the UCL/Birkbeck Centre for Planetary Sciences. The Centre hosts a NASA Regional Planetary Image Facility, which contains an archive, unique in the UK, of NASA planetary science image data, and this will be used extensively for teaching and project work.

      Find out more about our research facilities.

  • Further study opportunities

    • We offer an MRes/PgDip in Earth Sciences.

      Students who obtain first- or upper second-class degrees will be qualified to undertake PhD research in the earth or planetary sciences.

  • Careers information

    • Graduates go on to careers as in industry, in engineering, and in education.

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

    • Alternative programmes

      If you already have a BA/BSc, you may want to consider taking one of our one–two year part-time Graduate Certificates instead. They can be used as preparation for Master's study by graduates in other subjects, and although you will still have to pay a higher fee, they can be completed more quickly than a BA/BSc.

  • Apply now
  • 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.

      Fees:
      The Key Information Set (KIS) for this degree course shows the annual fee for a 3-year, full-time degree. This is a 4-year, part-time evening degree and the annual fee is lower than the fee shown in the KIS. See 'Fees and funding' in the left hand menu for the correct fee for this course.

      Years of study:
      The KIS presents all degrees as 3-year courses. Birkbeck's standard part-time, evening degree is a 4-year course.