Planetary Exploration with Astronomy and Astrobiology

Planetary exploration, astronomy, and astrobiology together address some of the most profound questions human beings have ever asked: What is the nature of the solar system and the universe beyond it? How did the planets form and evolve? Could life exist elsewhere?

These questions drive some of the most ambitious scientific endeavours of our era, from robotic spacecraft exploring Mars and the outer solar system to telescopes searching for signs of life in the atmospheres of distant exoplanets.

At Birkbeck, which has a tradition of accessible higher education for students with a wide range of backgrounds, this part-time degree provides a broad introduction to planetary science, astronomy, and the young but rapidly developing field of astrobiology. You will study the geological, astronomical, and astrobiological aspects of planetary science, learning how planets form, how they are explored, what we have discovered about the composition and history of our solar system's worlds, and what the conditions for life might be. Birkbeck's London location and part-time structure make this an accessible programme for students who cannot attend full-time, and the part-time format allows you to combine academic study with professional or personal commitments.

Graduates from planetary science and astronomy programmes go on to careers in space agencies, observatories, aerospace industries, science communication, education, and research institutions. The analytical and quantitative skills that the programme develops are also valued in data science, computing, and many other fields that require the ability to model complex systems and draw inferences from large datasets. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in astronomy, planetary science, astrophysics, or astrobiology, pursuing research careers at the frontier of human understanding of the cosmos.