Geology (Certificate of Higher Education)
Cert HE
Key information
Key information for 2026-27
Key information for 2027-28
Course Overview
This Certificate of Higher Education in Geology gives you the opportunity to focus on the study of the Earth, its environments and the processes that formed it. Through this exploration, you will learn essential knowledge about how we can better protect our planet.
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Why choose this course?
- By studying geology you have the chance to help guide governments, industry and society on how best to use the Earth’s raw materials and on the potential for using renewable energy in the most sustainable manner.
- This course can be taken as a qualification in its own right or used as credit to progress to the BSc Geology, which provides a route to becoming a chartered geologist.
- It offers you flexible teaching methods, through on-campus or online classes, or a combination of both, so you can choose study that fits around your work or other commitments.
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What will I learn?
On this Certificate of Higher Education you will learn how to identify the key environmental indicators used by geologists to understand the processes that have produced the Earth, and the effects of human interactions with the Earth. This includes rock, mineral and fossil assemblages, alongside landscapes and geomorphology.
You will also learn important aspects of different scientific disciplines such as biology, geography, physics, chemistry, planetary science, material science, mathematics, cartography, numerical modelling, computer science, sustainability and environmental protection. You will learn how to use these different disciplines to formulate hypotheses, hypothesis tests and process-based solutions that will help humans protect the Earth’s environments through sustainable activities.
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How will I learn?
You can study this course on campus, online or through a combination of both. Classes take place in the evening.
The course is taught through lectures in our state-of-the-art laboratories and lecture spaces, and field classes. Teaching also includes live video-streams, digital lecture notes and the use of our electronic library. We have an extensive collection of rocks, minerals and fossils on site, plus digital archives of topography, landscape and geomorphology and geological maps.
Whether you are studying the course on campus or online, you will have the option to attend a residential field class in South Wales. If you are not able to attend the field class, we also provide a virtual online field course.
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How often will I attend classes?
Part-time: One to two evenings a week, October to July
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Course disclaimer
Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.
Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.
More Highlights
- We offer exciting field trip opportunities to famous geological sites in South Wales.
- This Certificate of Higher Education can lead towards our BSc Geology which is accredited by the Geological Society of London as a recognised professional qualification. We are the only university that offers this option through online learning.
- Students on our geology courses benefit from the research activities of our staff which are integrated into the teaching. They also benefit from our close collaboration with University College London (UCL) whose Earth Sciences department is situated nearby. We share some laboratories and research facilities and collaborate with them on research. Find out more about our research facilities.
- Birkbeck was rated in the top 25 universities in the UK for its Earth Systems and Environmental Science research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
- We have been offering evening study courses in geology for over 130 years and distance learning for more than 20 years.
Modules and Teaching
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Starting in October 2026
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Two years part-time, on campus
Course structure
You must complete modules worth a total of 120 credits.
- Year 1: two compulsory modules
- Year 2: two compulsory modules and one option module
Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Indicative option modules
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Two years part-time, online
Course structure
You must complete modules worth a total of 120 credits.
- Year 1: two compulsory modules
- Year 2: two compulsory modules and one option module
Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Indicative option modules
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Starting in October 2027
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Two years part-time, on campus
Course structure
You must complete modules worth a total of 120 credits.
- Year 1: two compulsory modules
- Year 2: two compulsory modules and one option module
Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Indicative option modules
-
Two years part-time, online
Course structure
You must complete modules worth a total of 120 credits.
- Year 1: two compulsory modules
- Year 2: two compulsory modules and one option module
Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Indicative option modules
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Teaching
We encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching to help ensure you have the best learning experience and provide a range of different modes of learning to help you juggle study with work and other commitments.
What are the methods of 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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How will I be assessed?
A combination of reports on field-based projects, laboratory work and written examinations. Some modules include continuous assessment through written work.
Please see individual modules for more details.
Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.
Entry 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.
Please note: if you require a Student visa and are planning to study this course in the UK you will not be eligible to apply due to UK visa regulations.
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Part-time study
For part-time study our standard requirements are a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.
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What are the English language requirements?
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.
If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.
Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.
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Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)
If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.
Fees
Two years part-time, on campus
Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026
Part-time home students: £4,740 per year
Part-time international students: £4,740 per year
Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027
Part-time home students: £5,025 per year
Part-time international students: £11,780 per year
Two years part-time, online
Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026
Part-time home students: £4,740 per year
Part-time international students: £4,740 per year
Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027
Part-time home students: £5,025 per year
Part-time international students: £11,780 per year
Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see our Fees Policy.
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Birkbeck's Lifelong Learning Guarantee
If you've studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a reduction on the tuition fee of this course.
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Tuition fees and maintenance loans
Eligible full-time and part-time students from the UK don't have to pay any tuition fees upfront, as government loans are available to cover them.
Maintenance loans are also available for eligible full-time and part-time UK students, to help cover living costs, such as accommodation, food, travel, books and study materials. The amount you receive is means-tested and depends on where you live and study and your household income.
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Can I apply for an international scholarship?
We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. View Birkbeck's available scholarships.
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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.
Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.
Careers and employability
This Certificate of Higher Education in Geology equips you with important transferable skills including:
- understanding Earth processes relevant to a wide variety of environmental and resource industries, and to government, civil protection and other employers
- research methods and approaches
- writing and understanding scientific documents, using spreadsheets, carrying out numerical calculations and making key observations that facilitate data collection
- making and interpreting maps, using a variety of cartographic skills and geographic information systems
- independent field surveys, mapping and data collection, and how to work in a team of scientists.
Graduates can pursue career paths in:
- the environmental protection industry
- the oil, mineral and groundwater industries
- the insurance industry
- the hazard and risk industry
- civil protection government institutes
- museums and curation
- tourism for natural environments
- academia
- geology.
Possible professions include:
- engineering geologist
- geochemist
- geophysicist
- hydrogeologist
- higher education lecturer.
You may also wish to continue on to a research degree in geology, hazards and risk, or environmental science.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.
Student Support
Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.
Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.
Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.
Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.
Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.
How to Apply
You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses. For more detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to apply, visit our How to apply page.
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How do I apply to study full-time (UCAS entry)?
If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck you apply through UCAS. Use the Apply now button on this course page which will direct you to UCAS. There you will be prompted to sign in and create an account. You will have to give UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.
The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.
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How do I apply to study part-time?
If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (usually four or six years), you apply directly to Birkbeck online by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply.
Please note that online application opens in September.
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When should I apply?
You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.
You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.
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How can I get help with my application?
Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.
Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.
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International agents
If you are an international agent applying to Birkbeck on behalf of an international student, please use Birkbeck's agent portal.
Related courses
Study routes for Geology (Certificate of Higher Education) (Cert HE)
Please select a study route below to continue your application.
Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.
Important: Applications to study part-time in 2027/28 will open in October 2026.
2026-27
Part-time
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Two years part-time, on campus starting in October 2026
Apply Now Geology (Certificate of Higher Education) (Cert HE) Two years part-time, on campus starting in October 2026 -
Two years part-time, online starting in October 2026
Apply Now Geology (Certificate of Higher Education) (Cert HE) Two years part-time, online starting in October 2026