Birkbeck, University of London is an institution which continues to change lives. In 2023 the university marks its 200th anniversary. Established in 1823, Birkbeck is a world-class research and teaching institution, well known for being London’s premier evening university. Most classes take place in the evening, and this makes Birkbeck stand out from the crowd. Birkbeck students have the freedom and flexibility to use their daytimes however they like - a benefit that has become the university’s trademark.
Evening study means not having to make the choice between getting a job or going to university – students can do both, which means more school leavers and college students are choosing to study here. Students can use daytime freedom to take an internship role or gain relevant work experience, all of which helps them to stand out in an increasingly competitive graduate job market.
With a global reputation for high-quality research, Birkbeck is part of the prestigious University of London in Bloomsbury, Central London. All facilities and support services are tailored towards evening study, including an in-house careers service to help students find work at university and after graduation.
Birkbeck takes pride in the wide variety of competitive degree programs that it offers. Students can choose from more than 100 full-time and part-time undergraduate courses. There are also short study courses, certificates of higher education, and more than 200 postgraduate programmes available. Birkbeck has one of the most comprehensive offerings of evening courses found at any university in the UK.
There is also an option to apply for a degree with a foundation year, which is ideal if a student doesn’t meet the entry requirements for a chosen degree, or feels they need more support at university.
Classes are held between 6pm and 9pm, with full-time study (three or four evenings a week) taking three years, or part-time study taking four to six years. As a guideline, students can expect to study alone for two hours for every hour of face-to-face teaching. Reviewers rate the courses and teaching staff highly.
Interested? Order a prospectus to find out more about the uni and the courses on offer.
GET PROSPECTUSStudents can apply to study at Birkbeck through UCAS (for full-time, three-year evening-taught courses) or directly to the institution (for part-time evening-taught courses, offered as both four-year and six-year courses). Reflecting the diversity of its student body, Birkbeck welcomes a variety of alternative admission pathways, for those who may not have traditional entry qualifications. Decisions are based on the university’s own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience, and take into account:
The university understands that many applicants will not hold a UCAS tariff score, however, the admissions team will consider all recently completed qualifications which have a UCAS tariff equivalent. These include A-levels, IB, GNVQs and BTEC programmes.
Birkbeck encourages applications from students without traditional qualifications and welcomes students from all educational backgrounds. The university’s admissions tutors take into account the knowledge and skills that applicants have developed outside the classroom, as well as previous qualifications.
Full information about the UCAS tariff points required for admission can be found on course-specific pages.
UCAS TARIFF CALCULATORSend a message directly to the uni to learn more about their entry requirements.
ASK A QUESTIONFinding the right accommodation is a significant factor for any students when it comes to having a comfortable and enjoyable university experience. Birkbeck is committed to helping students find the right place to live. Students can apply for rooms in the University of London halls. Students looking into accommodation within the private housing sector will benefit from the valuable free professional advice on offer at the University of London’s Housing Services, and there is a huge range of housing options to choose from including shared flats, studio apartments, and alternative co-living spaces.
Many Birkbeck students are already living in London, taking advantage of Birkbeck’s unique after-hours timetable by working during the day and studying in the evening. Some choose to live at home or in private accommodation, but full-time students can also apply to live in the University of London’s intercollegiate halls, including its new Garden Halls which are conveniently located right on Birkbeck's doorstep.
Birkbeck’s main campus is situated in Bloomsbury, in the heart of central London, and provides everything its students need for academic success and personal development, all within convenient walking distance. The campus contains cafes, coffee shops and the students’ union bar, plus a cinema that offers free screenings and the Peltz Gallery exhibition space. Also on campus is Birkbeck’s recently refurbished five-floor library, with plenty of space to study in peace and a huge archive of books and journals, as well as thousands of digital resources available online.
Birkbeck students can also enjoy a wide range of sports, music and social facilities at Student Central, the University of London’s Union (ULU), located in Malet Street. ULU is a comprehensive hub of services and resources, and features multiple cafés serving hot and cold food, a stationary shop, a bar, and a fully equipped gym on the lower ground floor which includes the largest swimming pool in Central London.
Find out more about the accommodations and facilities in person at the uni.
BOOK OPEN DAYWhat's it like to study at this institution? Current students and alumni share their opinion...
VIEW 569 REVIEWS WRITE A REVIEWK Kaydene Reviewed 18 Oct 23 Creative Writing MA B9ub9bu... READ FULL REVIEW
M Muhammad Reviewed 16 Sep 23 Psychology BSc (Hons) I studied psychology here at Birkbeck. Lecturers put in 100% effort. All of my lecturers were from well-known institutes such as Kings College, UCL, etc. I assume they were teaching part-time at Birkbeck. And they were brilliant. I loved the library's spaces at Birkbeck. The library is open until... READ FULL REVIEW
Birkbeck considers the wellbeing and happiness of all its students as hugely important, and places much emphasis on student support. The university offers a comprehensive selection of services including financial support, health services and its in-house recruitment agency Birkbeck Talent, which links students and recent graduates with top UK employers.
The student advice and support centre at Birkbeck includes a newly upgraded dedicated student support website, where students can be referred to specialist advisers for in-depth professional assistance. For study assistance, Birkbeck's library has recently been refurbished to include group and silent study areas, comprehensive computing services and IT training.
Orientation events include study workshops, which help new students get the best start to university life, while the Disability and Dyslexia Service aims to ensure that all students participate fully in Birkbeck's courses.
For those needing childcare, Birkbeck offers an affordable, professional evening nursery service at its Bloomsbury campus for children aged two to six.
Students are very happy with the provision of support, both academic and personal.
Find out more about the student support offered on the university’s website.
VISIT WEBSITEBirkbeck is proud of its numerous accolades achieved throughout its nearly 200 year history, and it is no surprise that it ranks among the world’s top 400 universities. Birkbeck sustains a global reputation for the quality of its research and teaching. Six of Birkbeck’s courses have been recently ranked among the top 200 in the world, highlighting the calibre of its teaching faculty and the quality of its course content. Philosophy, Communications and Media, English, Arts and Humanities, History, and Psychology each received a top 200 ranking, placing the university comfortably within the top 40 UK institutions overall.
The university has been recognised for the quality of its research in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), in which 86% of its work was assessed to be of ‘world-leading' or ‘internationally excellent’ standard. This indicates the quality of Birkbeck’s research groups, and the impact the university has on the wider research community.
Having time to relax and make friends with fellow learners is an important aspect of the student experience. Birkbeck has a lively and active students’ union, which organises an exciting yearly program of events for students to get involved with, and provides three cafés and a bar to ensure that its community stays refreshed and relaxed. Next door to Birkbeck is the University of London’s Students’ Union, which hosts a wide selection of spaces and services to which Birkbeck students enjoy free and full access. There is a well-equipped student shop, The Gallery Café, the Library Bar, with freshly prepared food and drinks at student prices, and The Venue nightclub offering weekly opportunities to socialise and unwind.
Birkbeck hosts regular free cinema screenings, and students also benefit from the use of the Energybase gym, which hosts daily free classes and sports the largest swimming pool in central London.
For those looking for extra activities and excitement, the university is within easy walking distance of Oxford Circus and Soho, and everything else that London has to offer.
Extra-curricular involvement is key to a good all-round student experience, bringing opportunities to try new things, meet new people and take on positions of responsibility outside the classroom while socialising with like-minded individuals. The Birkbeck Students’ Union runs a variety of clubs and societies catering to many different interests, hobbies and needs; its Film Society, Running Club and Birkbeck Law Society are just a few of the choices on offer. Students can also join the groups within Student Central, the University of London’s Students’ Union, positioned handily next door to Birkbeck.
Sports enthusiasts will be delighted at the variety of teams to participate in. The students’ union at Birkbeck encourages a welcoming, inclusive culture, regardless of skill level. Favourites include football and rugby, as well as a selection of new options including tenpin bowling. Furthermore, students are encouraged to set up new societies where they are not already available, and the Birkbeck and University of London students’ unions are often able to provide funding and organisational support.
Well-positioned in the heart of arguably the greatest student city in the world, Birkbeck’s campus puts its students in a prime position to enjoy London life. There is a host of world-famous galleries and museums on its doorstep, including the British Library and the British Museum. A short walk leads to the sights and sounds of the West End, Soho and Covent Garden with a multitude of restaurants, bars, clubs, shops, theatres, and other cultural activities to enjoy.
The campus is easy walking distance from a number of well-connected tube stations, making commuting to lectures really quick and easy. Students can also walk to Euston and Kings Cross St Pancras mainline stations, with rail links to the rest of the UK and Europe for weekend getaways with fellow students, or visits to family and friends.
Students have nothing but positive things to say about Birkbeck’s central London location, which allows them to easily travel to their studies in the evening after meeting their personal or professional commitments during the day.
See the campus and city for yourself in person by booking an open day place.
BOOK OPEN DAYStudents know that job offers increasingly depend on gaining relevant work experience; Birkbeck's evening teaching lends itself perfectly to those who wish to work in the day. The university also provides extensive support services, including its own specialist recruitment agency, Birkbeck Talent, which helps current students and graduates find work with some of London's best employers.
A Careers and Employability Service also provides comprehensive careers, recruitment and employability advice as well as events and information, including one-to-one appointments, career fairs, and workshops organised throughout the academic year.
Birkbeck students have been incredibly positive about the active careers service at the university, praising the quality of advice and guidance that makes the process of finding work placements so much easier.
As may be expected, many of Birkbeck’s student reviewers are already in employment, but those who have sought advice about their future careers have found their services extremely helpful and effective.
Students are encouraged to explore their options for funding support while studying at Birkbeck. The university has a financial support scheme for undergraduate students enrolling on new full-time and part-time degree programmes. The scheme includes a range of support services to help applicants prepare financially for a course, and to assist with any financial issues that may be experienced throughout the academic year.
Students currently enrolled may also be eligible for hardship funds, depending on their economic circumstances, and students are encouraged to check the university website to familiarise themselves with key eligibility requirements and application dates.
Birkbeck also offers a new lifelong learning guarantee discount on tuition fees for postgraduate applicants who completed their undergraduate degree at the university.
Other financial support options and scholarships on offer include the Birkbeck Cash Bursary scheme, which offers eligible students non-repayable awards to help them cover the costs associated with study, such as travel, printing and books.
Students can also apply for a number of accommodation scholarships through external organisations. Each offers a particular award value and applies its on eligibility criteria.
Further details are available via the university’s Student Advice Service.
Birkbeck offers flexible payment options and other sources of funding, alongside government loans for undergraduate students. Full information can be found within individual course descriptions on the university website.
Fees for courses vary, depending on the choice of subject and study format. Birkbeck offers a unique and highly versatile portfolio of courses, many of which are delivered in alternative formats such as evening classes, blended learning, distance learning and various forms of part-time attendance, and this is reflected in the associated course fees.
Additionally, there are variable fee structures for students with different residence statuses. Home students pay a different rate to overseas students, and the fee status of EU students can fall into either category. The criteria for this can be complex, and prospective EU applicants are encouraged to check the residence requirement information on the Birkbeck website.
Typically, full-time home students pay £9,250 per year for undergraduate degree courses.
Send a message directly to the uni to learn more about their scholarships and bursaries.
ASK A QUESTION
You'll be shocked by the number of clubs and societies on offer at Birkbeck, University of London. There's something for everyone! As well as being able to pick different clubs and societies, most courses let you choose modules at different points through your degree.
As well as personalising your course through optional modules, you may have the chance to do a work placement during your studies. Developing your professional skills through work placements is a great way to add to your CV and boost your employability.
If you want a job you love (and who doesn't?), getting a job in a field you're passionate about is a great place to start. By studying a subject you really enjoy, you'll be qualified for a range of jobs relating to that subject, which you'll hopefully love.
For those who aren't ready to give up on education after an undergraduate degree, you'll have the opportunity to progress to postgraduate study such as a master's or even a PhD.
Birkbeck, University of London's accommodation is designed to be as straightforward and stress-free as possible. All your bills are included in your rent, you'll have free WiFi and your rent also includes security and maintenance.
You'll have access to communal areas like kitchen and dining facilities, where you can socialise with other students you're living with. Disabled students will find several rooms adapted in accessible halls to suit a range of access requirements.
