Studying palaeontology allows you to gain an understanding of the deep history of our planet and the origin and evolution of life on Earth. Our Earth History and Palaeontology Certificate in Higher Education will develop your key knowledge and research skills in this field. You will receive basic training in earth sciences with a specialisation in stratigraphy, sedimentology and palaeontology.
Our teaching philosophy is based around flexibility, allowing you to fit your study around your lifestyle. We embrace new technology and methods to make learning accessible to all and have been running remote as well as face-to-face lectures for more than 20 years. This means you can attend classes with our internationally distinguished researchers in our world-class laboratories in London or you can watch live streams/recorded lectures at home using our cutting-edge online teaching platform. You are free to mix both these methods to find the best balance for you. This includes the option to study 100% online from anywhere in the world and receive a University of London qualification.
While not compulsory, there are opportunities to participate in residential field trips as part of the certificate. Currently, we take students to Pembrokeshire, North-West Scotland or Greece and Morocco and the Canary Islands. You may also attend weekend field classes as part of individual modules.
On successful completion of the certificate, there is an option to continue studying on one of our degree programmes.
**Highlights**
- We offer you flexible teaching methods, balancing face-to-face and online learning.
- Exciting field trip opportunities to famous geological sites in the UK, Greece and Morocco.
- We are part of the joint UCL-Birkbeck Institute of Earth and Planetary Sciences (IEPS) meaning we share laboratories, expertise and events, all open to students for research projects. Find out more about our research facilities.
- In our joint submission with UCL, we were rated sixth in the UK for Earth Systems and Environmental Science research (in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF)).
- Our Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences has been offering evening study courses for over 70 years and distance learning for more than 20 years.
Course Details - Modules
For information about course structure and the moules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.
Course Details – Assessment Method
A combination of reports, practical work and written examinations. Some modules include continuous assessment through written work.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
Deadline are not listed for this Course. This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
Application Code are not listed for this Course.
Institution code:
B24
Campus Name:
Main Site
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification 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 click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.
English language requirements
Test
Grade
AdditionalDetails
English Language Entry Requirement Information are not listed for this Course.
Unistats information
Student satisfaction :
0%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs):
0%
Go onto work and study:
0%
Fees and funding
International
4625.0
Year 1
England
4625.0
Year 1
Northern Ireland
4625.0
Year 1
Scotland
4625.0
Year 1
Wales
4625.0
Year 1
Additional Fee Information
Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their programme. Tuition fees for students continuing on their programme in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
As well as fees, you should expect to pay other study-related expenses, for travel to and from College, books, stationery, etc. Birkbeck provides advice and financial support for students who experience hardship in meeting the travel costs of essential fieldwork or study visits.
There are four field trips available as optional elements of this programme, as follows:
- The field trip to the Isle of Skye, Scotland, includes costs for 11 nights’ accommodation (approximately £517, including evening meals), return flights to Inverness (from £100) and a minibus deposit (£120).
- The field trip to Scourie, Scotland, includes costs that usually total around £700.
- The field trip to Greece includes costs for return flights (approximately £300), hotel (approximately £470) and vehicle hire (approximately £100).
- The field trip to Morocco includes costs that usually total around £700 for flights and accommodation.
- In addition, students will need to equip themselves with field-note books and stationery, compass and hammer, and GPS equipment (both optional), hand lens, walking boots and all-weather clothing for Skye and Scourie.
Provider information
Malet Street
Bloomsbury
London
United Kingdom
WC1E 7HX
Career tips, advice and guides straight to your inbox.