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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 between getting a job and going to university. You could use your daytime 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, East London. 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:
“Excellent. Would recommend Birkbeck to anyone. Great teachers, really friendly so get to know them and ask them for advice. Students are mature and are there to learn and progress in their lives and careers.”
“Good support and structure, and everyone has been super friendly.”
“Great lectures, teachers, classmates etc.”
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:
“Lots of career and personal development events. Lots of cross-learning opportunities with other departments.”
“Have yet to take advantage of this, but have seen a variety of employability events.”
“Have had emails from careers and employability service.”
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 in 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:
“Teachers are very helpful.”
“Awesome lecturers.”
“Sometimes it's a lot of info at once but very well explained.”
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:
“Constant support.”
“Good.”
“Fun, inclusive.”
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’s main campus is situated in Bloomsbury, right in the heart of Central London. Onsite you’ll find cafes, coffee shops, and the George Birkbeck bar (Birkbeck’s Student Union bar), plus a cinema that offers free screenings and the Peltz Gallery exhibition space. Also on campus is Birkbeck’s five-floor library, containing a wide range of resources and study spaces.
As part of the University of London, Birkbeck students can also access a range of shared facilities including Student Central, University of London Students’ Union – with its sports, music and social facilities.
While the majority of Birkbeck’s courses are taught on the Bloomsbury campus, Birkbeck has also been providing courses at their University Square Stratford campus in Stratford, East London, for 10 years. Facilities at this £33 million state-of-the-art campus include: 300-seat lecture theatre; specialist dance and performance spaces; group and independent study areas; and a 24-7 library.
Birkbeck students on Whatuni say:
“Good, clean halls and toilets. Warm food, the library is improving by increasing study spaces.”
“Excellent library and café.”
“They have a big library, and good self-study areas.”
Birkbeck’s city campus is located in the heart of arguably the greatest city in the world. Study at Birkbeck and you’ll find world-famous galleries and museums such as the British Library and the British Museum on your doorstep.
A short walk will lead you to the sights and sounds of the West End, Soho and Covent Garden – with thousands of restaurants, bars, clubs, shops, theatres, and other cultural activities to occupy your time. The campus is a short walk from a number of tube stations, making commuting to lectures really quick and easy. Also within walking distance are Euston and Kings Cross St Pancreas stations, with their UK and European rail links for when you fancy a weekend away.
Stratford, home to Birkbeck’s second London campus, has undergone a huge regeneration over the past 10 years, with the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Westfield shopping centre and the Theatre Royal Stratford East being just a few developments that have transformed the area in to a thriving hub of culture and sport.
Students had nothing but positive things to say about Birkbeck’s location in the heart of London.
Birkbeck students on Whatuni say:
“Brilliant night life.”
“London is the best city in the world.”
“Londoner born and bred, best city in the world.”
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:
“Diverse, progressive.”
“Haven't joined any, however there are a lot of clubs available.”
“There is a huge variety.”
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:
“Awesome. Really feel valued and cared for as a student.”
“Very good, we have personal tutors, lecturers and learning support.”
“Feedback has always been beneficial.”
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, decisions based 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.
UCAS TARIFF CALCULATOR
NEXT OPEN DAY
15 August 20
UNDERGRADUATE OPEN DAY
BOOK EVENTCan’t make this one?
View all events at this uni
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