Birkbeck is London’s evening university, with classes taking place between 6pm and 9pm. This unique evening study gives Birkbeck students the freedom to use their daytimes however they like.
An increasing number of school leavers and college students are choosing to study at Birkbeck, as evening study means you don’t have to choose being getting a job and going to university. You could use your daytimes to work, intern or gain relevant work experience, which will help you stand out in the competitive graduate job market.
With a global reputation for high-quality research, Birkbeck is part of the prestigious University of London, and has two campuses, one in Bloomsbury, central London and one in Stratford. All facilities and support services are geared around evening study, including an in-house recruitment service to help you find work at university and after they graduate.
Birkbeck students on Whatuni say:
“Brilliant fun, highly beneficial and exciting.”
“It’s been amazing so far - so interesting, great lecturers and has made me like studying.”
“As a mature student, I am enjoying the modules and my lectures very much.”
Because Birkbeck's courses are taught in the evening, its students have the opportunity to work or to intern during the day and further their career before they graduate. Birkbeck 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, events and information, including one-to-one appointments and workshops.
As may be expected, many of our student reviewers are already in employment, but those who have required advice about careers have found the available services helpful.
Birkbeck students were incredibly positive about the active careers service at the university, praising the advice and guidance which made it easier for them to find work placements.
Birkbeck students on Whatuni say:
“BBK careers does a lot to help you find employers.”
“Job adverts and workshops are very visible.”
“A series of workshops throughout the academic year and an in-house careers clinic, Birkbeck talent, also is another initiative that puts students directly in touch with potential employers. Not just any employer but those who seek Birkbeck students in particular as they would usually be quite good at time-managing multiple commitments not just studies.”
Birkbeck offers more than 100 full-time and part-time undergraduate degrees, including the option to apply for a degree with foundation year, which is ideal if you don’t meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree or if you feel like you might need more support at university. Students can also study short courses, certificates of higher education, foundation degrees and choose from over 200 postgraduate programmes.
Classes are held between 6pm and 9pm - you can study full-time (three or four evenings a week) over three years or part-time between four and six years.
As a guideline, expect to study on your own for two hours for every hour of face-to-face teaching you get. Most reviewers rated their courses and lecturers highly.
Birkbeck students on Whatuni say:
“High level lecturing with up to date research.”
“Lectures are top in their fields, current and always respond to emails and when you need them.”
"The lecturers are very good and course programmes are well structured and delivered."
Birkbeck’s Students’ Union is lively and active, with three cafes and a bar. Student Central, the University of London’s Students’ Union, is located right next door to Birkbeck and houses the University of London student shop, The Gallery café, The Library bar and The Venue nightclub.
Students can also use the Energybase gym in Student Central, which hosts free classes every day and has the largest swimming pool in central London. Birkbeck also puts on regular free cinema screenings. If you fancy something more, you’ll be in easy walking distance of Oxford Circus and Soho, and everything London has to offer.
Birkbeck students on Whatuni say:
“Many of the reps are friendly, engaged and proficient.”
"University facilities are good and I enjoyed the students' union."
"The students' union is amazing and very diverse."
Many of Birkbeck's students will already be living in London as they are studying in the evening. While many students choose to live at home or in private accommodation, full-time students can apply to live in the University of London intercollegiate halls, including its new Garden Halls, right on Birkbeck's doorstep.
Birkbeck also has an agreement with private provider UNITE, which entitles full-time students to apply for places in their halls of residence near both Birkbeck's campuses in Central London and in Stratford. This agreement with UNITE entitles students to discounted rates in some of the halls.
Birkbeck students looking at the private housing sector also benefit from valuable free professional advice from the University of London Housing Services.
Birkbeck students on Whatuni say:
"Catered accommodation , great location. Very satisfied."
"The accommodation is in an excellent location in Central London with good security and a good atmosphere for studying."
Birkbeck’s main campus is located in a bustling, student-centred hub in Bloomsbury, central London, that’s home to a number of other universities and colleges in the University of London, including University College London (UCL) and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). This campus has its own cafes, coffee shops, exhibition space (the Peltz Gallery) and an award-winning cinema with free screenings. It’s also home to the weekly Bloomsbury Farmer’s Market. The main building on Malet Street houses the George Birkbeck bar, and Birkbeck’s richly-resourced library which spans over five floors.
As Birkbeck is part of the prestigious University of London, students also benefit from access to all University of London shared facilities. This includes a large range of libraries and study spaces, plus access to Student Central, the University of London Students’ Union, which has excellent and affordable sports, swimming, music and other social facilities, and is located right next door to Birkbeck.
Most courses are taught on the main Bloomsbury campus, but programmes are also offered in Stratford, east London (E15). Birkbeck has been running courses in Stratford for 10 years and the state-of-the-art campus, University Square Stratford brings Birkbeck’s unique model of evening study closer to people who live and work in east London.
Birkbeck students on Whatuni say:
"Everything required, all resources available."
"Good library facilities."
"The facilities are good, rooms are tidy and organized and the library is one of the best I have ever seen in my life, a lot of subjects, articles and journals available."
Birkbeck’s main campus is located in the heart of intellectual London, surrounded by other universities and within walking distance of world famous museums and galleries such as the British Museum and British Library. The West End, Soho, Covent Garden and King’s Cross are right on the doorstep, so you can take full advantage of London’s shops, restaurants, bars, theatres and clubs before and after your evening classes. Commuting to and from lectures couldn’t be easier, as it’s within walking distance of many tube stations, including Russell Square, Tottenham Court Road and Euston.
Across the city in east London, Birkbeck also offers courses at University Square in Stratford. This part of London has undergone massive redevelopment in recent years and is a thriving hub for creative, new media and digital industries. There are a range of sporting, retail and cultural facilities nearby, including the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Westfield shopping centre, Theatre Royal Stratford East and the Picturehouse Cinema.
Students had nothing but positive things to say about Birkbeck’s location in the heart of London.
Birkbeck students on Whatuni say:
“What one would expect of London. Fun, chaotic, stifling and there is endless choice events and other forms of entertainment, while you have a chance to take advantage of the ample amounts of green space that dot the capital. Around Birkbeck, one is spoilt for choice.”
“Unprecedented and incomparable.”
"I'm really enjoying the city life with my family."
Birkbeck Students’ Union runs a variety of clubs and societies, catering to a variety of different interests, hobbies, and needs – Film Society, Running Club and Birkbeck Law Society are just a few. Students can also choose to join a range of clubs and societies within Student Central, the University of London’s Students’ Union, right next door to Birkbeck.
The SU also allows Birkbeck students to get involved in sport teams in a welcoming, inclusive manner, regardless of skill level, from favourites including football and rugby, to new options including tenpin bowling.
Birkbeck students on Whatuni say:
“Accessible and enjoyable.”
"Sports clubs especially are brilliant & inclusive"
Birkbeck offers a comprehensive range of student services, including financial support, health services and its in-house recruitment agency Birkbeck Talent, which links students and recent graduates with top UK employers.
Its student advice and support centre includes a newly upgraded dedicated student support website. Students are referred to specialist advisers for in-depth professional support. Birkbeck's library has been recently refurbished with group and silent study areas, comprehensive computing services and IT training.
Orientation events include study workshops to help new students get the best start to university life, while the Disability and Dyslexia Service aims to ensure that all students can participate fully in Birkbeck's courses.
Birkbeck offers an affordable, professional evening nursery service at its Bloomsbury campus for children aged two to six.
Students were very happy with the provision of support, both academic and personal, at Birkbeck.
Birkbeck students on Whatuni say:
“Very helpful with any funding issues.”
“Enough possibilities to get help.”
“Support from staff & student mentors has been great.”
Fees for courses vary, depending on what you study and how you chose to study it, and full information can be found on individual course descriptions.
With no upfront fees for most full-time and part-time undergraduate students and fantastic financial support packages, there's never been a better time to study at Birkbeck.
Birkbeck offers flexible payment options and other sources of funding, alongside government loans for undergraduate students.
Birkbeck has a financial support scheme for undergraduate students enrolling on new full-time and part-time degree programmes. It includes a range of support services to help you prepare financially for your course, and to assist you with any financial issues you may experience throughout the academic year.
The Birkbeck cash bursary scheme (UK/EU students) helps students studying for a foundation degree, degree with foundation year or certificate of higher education with the costs of study, such as purchasing books, printing and travelling to lectures.
Current students can also access hardship funds for unforeseen changes in circumstances. Details of the financial support available to existing students can be found on the Birkbeck website.
10% discounts on fees are available for members of a union recognised by the TUC, and for Birkbeck graduates wanting to do a postgrad course at the university - although students are eligible for only one of these discounts.
For in-depth advice and guidance on financial support (including the Birkbeck Hardship Fund), please contact the Student Advice Service.
Founded in 1823, Birkbeck is ranked among the world’s top 250 universities and has a global reputation for high quality research and teaching. Students are taught across 19 departments located in one of five Schools:
In 2017, Birkbeck was rated among the world’s top 100 institutions for English and Philosophy; among the top 150 worldwide for History, Psychology and Law; and within the top 200 for Sociology, Communications and Media Studies and Geography; and within the top 400 for Economics by the QS World University Rankings by Subject, which grades over 1100 universities worldwide across 46 different subject areas.
Students can apply to study at Birkbeck through UCAS (for full-time (three-year) evening-taught courses) or directly to the institution (for part-time (four and six-year) evening-taught courses). Reflecting the diversity of its student body, Birkbeck welcomes applications from those who may not have traditional entry qualifications, basing decisions on its own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience, taking into account:
Birkbeck does not expect all of its students to have a UCAS tariff score, however if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence (including A-levels, IB, GNVQs and BTEC programmes), this will also be taken into account.
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