Geology

The MPhil/PhD programme provides an excellent forum for students to develop and enhance their specialist, as well as more general transferable, research skills. The programme allows you to gain insight into different research methods and to acquire valuable experience both in carrying out large-scale research projects and in teaching.

An MPhil/PhD is an advanced postgraduate research degree that requires original research and the submission of a substantial dissertation of 60,000 to 100,000 words. At Birkbeck, you are initially registered on an MPhil and you upgrade to a PhD after satisfactory progress in the first year or two. You need to find a suitable academic supervisor at Birkbeck, who can offer the requisite expertise to guide and support you through your research. Find out more about undertaking a research degree at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences shares resources, facilities and expertise with UCL’s Department of Earth Sciences, thus offering you access to a unique, world-class research environment.

Our key research interests include:

• clastic sedimentology
• earthquake geology
• environmental geochemistry
• geochemistry
• geochronology
• geomorphology
• geophysics
• paleoenvironmental analysis
• planetary geology
• seismic hazards
• tectonics
• volcanic hazards.

Highlights

• Birkbeck’s research excellence was confirmed in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF), which placed Birkbeck 30th in the UK for research, with 73% of our research rated world-leading or internationally excellent, and in our joint submission with UCL, Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences at Birkbeck were rated sixth, while we achieved 100% for an environment conducive to research of the highest quality.
• The Department is a member of University Geoscience UK, the subject association of geoscience departments, with links to the Geological Society.
• Read about Birkbeck research helping to identify fundamental biological and physical structures and fight disease.

PhD students resident in England can apply for government loans of over £26,000 to cover the cost of tuition fees, maintenance and other study-related costs.

Flexible finance: pay your fees in monthly instalments at no extra cost. Enrol early to spread your costs and reduce your monthly payments.

Fees discounts: If you are a member of a union that is recognised by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), you may apply for a 10% discount off your tuition fees.

The NERC London Doctoral Training Partnership offers fully funded studentships.

The School of Science attracts funding for studentships that ensure researchers of the highest standard can pursue their research with us. Find out more about research funding opportunities at Birkbeck.