About Birkbeck, University of London
Birkbeck, University of London is a unique research-intensive institution specialising in evening education for mature and working students. Located in Bloomsbury, central London, it offers flexible part-time and evening study options alongside full-time programmes, with world-class research in psychology, humanities, and social sciences.
Key Information
Student Statistics
- • 13,000 total students
- • 3,000 international students
- • 40 student societies
Location
- • Located in London
- • Public university
- • Established 1823
Subject Rankings
Academics & Faculties
Degrees Offered
Bachelor, Master, PhD, Foundation, Certificate
Popular Subjects
PsychologyLawBusiness ManagementHistoryEnglishEconomicsComputer ScienceFilm Studies
Student-Staff Ratio
14 : 1
Faculties & Departments
School of Arts
English and Humanities, History, Classics and Archaeology, Cultures and Languages, Film, Media and Cultural Studies
School of Science
Biological Sciences, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Psychological Sciences, Computer Science and Information Systems
School of Social Sciences, History and Philosophy
Applied Linguistics and Communication, Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, Geography, Law, Management, Philosophy, Politics, Psychosocial Studies
Entry Requirements
Undergraduate
Academic: ABB - CCC depending on programme
Alternatives: IB: 28-32 points depending on programme, Access to HE: Pass with appropriate credits, Work experience and mature student entry routes
IELTS: 6
R 5.5 / W 5.5 / L 5.5 / S 5.5
TOEFL iBT: 79
Personal statement • Interview for some programmes • Work experience valued for mature students
Postgraduate
Minimum Qualification: UK Honours degree (2:1 or 2:2 depending on programme)
GPA: 2.7
IELTS: 6.5
R 6 / W 6 / L 6 / S 6
TOEFL iBT: 89
Two references • Research proposal for PhD • Professional experience valued
Fees & Funding
Tuition (International)
- Undergraduate: £16,000
- Postgraduate: £17,000
- Foundation: £14,500
Living Costs (Annual)
- Accommodation: £10,000
- Food: £3,200
- Transport: £1,500
- Entertainment: £1,300
- Other: £1,000
- Total: £17,000
Scholarships
Birkbeck International Scholarship
MeritMerit-based scholarship for international students.
Value: £5,000 (Partial)
International students • Strong academic achievement
Anniversary Scholarship
MeritCompetitive scholarship celebrating Birkbeck's founding principles.
Value: £3,000 (Partial)
Outstanding applicants • All programmes
Birkbeck Bursary
Need-basedFinancial support for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Value: £1,000 (Partial)
UK students • Household income below £25,000
Campus & Facilities
Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HX
Central London campus in the heart of Bloomsbury's academic quarter, surrounded by world-class libraries, museums, and cultural institutions. Modern facilities in historic surroundings, integrated with the University of London community.
Size: 5 acres
Facilities
Academic
Main Building (Malet Street), Clore Management Centre, Gordon Square facilities, Science laboratories, Computer suites
Research
Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities, Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Law School Research Centre
Student Life
Birkbeck Students' Union, The Bar (student bar), Café and study spaces, University of London Union access
Libraries
Birkbeck Library
Purpose-built library with collections supporting all programmes, extended evening hours.
09:00-23:00 (extended during term)
Senate House Library
Access to one of the UK's largest academic libraries as part of University of London.
09:00-21:00
Sports Facilities
University of London Sports Facilities
Access to ULU fitness centres, swimming pools, and sports facilities.
Bloomsbury Fitness
Discounted access to local gyms and sports facilities.
Student Services
Student Advice Service
Support for financial, housing, immigration, and welfare matters.
advice@bbk.ac.uk
Disability and Dyslexia Service
Support for students with disabilities and learning differences.
disability@bbk.ac.uk
Careers Service
Career guidance tailored to working professionals and career changers.
careers@bbk.ac.uk
Accommodation
Intercollegiate Halls
University-managedAccess to University of London intercollegiate halls across central London.
Cost: £180 - £280 (per week)
Self-catered and catered options • Central London locations • Social events • Mixed university community
Distance: 10-30 minutes
Contract: 40-51 weeks
Private Halls Partnership
PrivatePartnerships with private student accommodation providers.
Cost: £200 - £350 (per week)
En-suite studios • Modern amenities • 24/7 security • Social spaces
Distance: Varies
Contract: 44-51 weeks
Limited college accommodation; most students arrange private or intercollegiate halls. Apply early through University of London housing services.
Accommodation advice service, housing support for international students.
Student Life & Support
Clubs & Sports
Clubs: 40
Teams: 15
Cultural Activities
- Evening Events — Weekly
- Birkbeck Arts Week — Annually
- Research Seminars — Throughout the year
International Support
- Visa support: Yes
- Language support: Yes
- Orientation: Yes
- Buddy program: Yes
- Contact: international@bbk.ac.uk
Health & Wellbeing
- Medical centre: No
- Counselling: Yes
- Disability support: Yes
- Emergency: +44 (0)20 7631 6000
Careers & Outcomes
Employability Rank
350
Graduate Outcomes
Employed: 82%
Further study: 10%
Unemployed: 5%
Average Salary
£32,000
per year (graduate)
Top Employers
NHSCivil ServiceBBCLaw firmsFinancial servicesLocal governmentCharitiesEducation sectorPublishingCultural institutions
Career Services
- Careers and Enterprise: Tailored support for working professionals and career changers.
- Evening Careers Events: Career fairs and employer events scheduled for evening students.
- Alumni Network: Connections with successful Birkbeck graduates in various fields.
Location & Transportation
Nearest Airport
London City Airport
14 km • 40 minutes by tube
Public Transport
- Underground: Russell Square (Piccadilly), Goodge Street (Northern), and Euston Square (Circle/Met/H&C) all within 5 minutes. • £2.80 single (Oyster)
- Rail: Euston, King's Cross, and St Pancras stations within 10-minute walk. • Varies by destination
- Bus: Multiple bus routes along Tottenham Court Road and Gower Street. • £1.75 single
Local Area
Bloomsbury is London's academic and literary heartland, home to the British Museum, universities, publishing houses, and beautiful Georgian squares.
Cost of Living: High
Attractions: British Museum, British Library, Senate House Library, Russell Square Gardens, West End theatres
Shopping: Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Street (nearby), Covent Garden (nearby), Independent bookshops
Entertainment: West End theatres, British Museum events, Bloomsbury pubs, Arts cinemas, Literary events
Additional Information
Accreditation
Royal Charter, University of London member, AMBA (MBA), BPS (Psychology), Bar Standards Board (Law)
Partnerships
- Academic: University of London — Member of the University of London federation with shared resources.
- Research: Francis Crick Institute — Collaborative research in biological sciences.
- Cultural: British Museum — Research partnerships and student access.
Research Highlights
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development — World-leading research into how babies and children learn. (2024)
- Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities — Internationally renowned centre for humanities research and debate. (2024)
- Crystallography Research — Continuing legacy of Dorothy Hodgkin's Nobel Prize-winning work. (2024)
Notable Alumni
- Ramsay MacDonald — First Labour Prime Minister of the UK (1894)
- Jonathan Sacks — Chief Rabbi of Great Britain (1971)
- James Callaghan — Prime Minister of the UK (1938)
Metadata
Source: Birkbeck, University of London official website, QS Rankings 2025, HESA data 2023/24
Last Updated: 2025-12-03T00:00:00Z
Verified: Yes
Contact Email: profiles@ukuni.io