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.
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.
If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses, foundation programmes and language support services to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.
Volcanoes are a significant hazard on Earth, with eruptions impacting nearby populations and the biggest eruptions potentially having global repercussions. The processes that control the nature of these eruptions are determined by what happens in the Earth as magma evolves. Studying igneous rocks presents the only chance to understand processes deep in the Earth. Our Mineralogy and Volcanology Certificate in Higher Education will give you the tools you need to understand these processes through an introduction to geology with an emphasis on minerology and volcanology.
Our teaching philosophy is based around flexibility, allowing you to fit your studies 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.
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Year 1 Compulsory Modules
Earth's Interior Geology
Foundations of Mineralogy
Introduction to Geochemistry
Methods in Earth and Planetary Science
Year 2 Compulsory Modules
Igneous Petrology
Year 2 Option Modules (Choose one)
Earth's Resources and Raw Materials
Global Tectonics
Metamorphic Petrology
Volcanism in the Solar System
Please note: some option modules are offered in alternate years.
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.
Graduates can pursue careers in the oil, mineral and groundwater industries, journalism or education. This certificate can also be useful in becoming a mineralogist, volcanologist, higher education lecturer or journalist.
We offer a comprehensive Careers Service to help you advance your career, while our in-house, professional recruitment consultancy, Birkbeck Talent, works with London’s top employers to help you gain work experience that fits in with your evening studies.
Insurance – Single: 300 GBP per year
