Planetary Science with Astronomy

This is an exciting time to study planetary science with many new discoveries being made by spacecraft throughout the solar system. There is also considerable scientific interest in the possibility of finding life elsewhere in the universe. Our BSc Planetary Science with Astronomy offers you a broad introduction to planetary science and exploration, including its geological, astronomical and astrobiological aspects.

Why choose this course?

• You will be taught by expert planetary scientists and astrobiologists.

• Our teaching philosophy is based around flexibility, allowing you to fit the degree around your lifestyle.

• You will develop skills in the manipulation of scientific data and critical assessment of scientific hypotheses and experience actual scientific research.

• You can study this course from anywhere in the world.

What you will learn

You will gain in-depth knowledge of subjects ranging from astronomy and astrobiology to geophysics and remote sensing. On completion of this course you will have gained knowledge and understanding of:

• the key principles of planetary exploration and the history of space exploration

• the astronomical context of the solar system and how this knowledge has been obtained

• the processes involved in the geological evolution of the Earth and the other planets and their moons

• the current status of our search for life elsewhere in the universe.

How you will learn

You can choose to study this course full- or part-time and it is taught both on campus and online. In addition to lectures on campus, we offer you pre-recorded material, live online sessions and post-session activities so you can learn at a time that suits you. The on-campus and live online sessions are held in the evening.

This course will be available for both online and on-campus part-time study in 2026-27, with applications opening in October 2025.

Foundation Year

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

Highlights

• We share expertise, facilities and events with UCL, including through the Centre for Planetary Sciences, which is one of the UK’s leading planetary and exoplanetary science centres.

• You will take part in a geological field trip to gain further practical experience and skills, including in geological mapping.

• You will have the opportunity to visit an astronomical observatory to gain insights into the methods and instruments of modern astronomy.

• We have been offering online learning in this subject area for more than 20 years.

• Birkbeck was ranked in the top 25 universities in the UK for its Earth Systems and Environmental Science research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this BSc Planetary Science with Astronomy you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

• experience in the analysis of scientific data and the critical assessment of hypotheses

• experience in writing scientific reports and in presenting results to colleagues

• familiarity with software packages and other specialist software tools.

A degree in planetary science with astronomy can lead to postgraduate study opportunities or careers in the following areas:

• the developing field of extraterrestrial resources

• education

• museum and library work

• publishing and broadcasting.

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

A combination of coursework and a final-year examination, generally in May or early June.