University Name:
See all universitiesBirkbeck
Location: Central London Show on Map
Site: Main campus in Bloomsbury; some courses offered in Stratford.
A top UK research-intensive institution, specialising in evening higher education. A member of the 1994 Group of universities.
Student Population
| Total Students: | 18,671 |
| Undergraduates: | 76% |
| Postgraduates: | 24% |
| FE Students: | 0% |
Undergraduates
| Total undergraduates: | 14,238 |
| Male: | 46% |
| Female: | 54% |
| Full Time: | 0% |
| Mature on Entry: | 96% |
| UK Students: | 94% |
Teaching Staff
560 full and part-time
Broad study areas
Arts, business & management, computer science, economics, law, sciences, psychology, social sciences.
Freshers
| Admission Information: | Flexible entry policy for first-degree students |
| Drop Out Rate: | 18% |
| Accommodation: | Some full-time students housed |
Institution
| Founded: | 1823 |
| Structural features: | A multi-faculty college of University of London |
| Site: | In the heart of University of London’s central precinct in Bloomsbury, central London. Some courses are offered at Stratford, in East London. |
| How to get there: | Easily reached by tube (Russell Square, Goodge Street, Warren Street, Euston Square and Euston stations), mainline stations (Euston, St Pancras, King’s Cross) and well-served by central London bus routes and docking stations for London cycle scheme. |
| Special features: | London’s only specialist provider of part-time, evening higher education, allowing students to earn while they learn. |
Student services & facilities
| Student advice & services: | My Birkbeck student support services cover every aspect of studying at Birkbeck and is the gateway into the institution: from first enquiry, to arrival for the first class, right through to graduation. Services include a dedicated website and helpdesk where students can drop in, or contact by phone or email, and provides advice on eg finance, disability and learning support. SU is affiliated with the NUS and promotes student welfare issues and also provides a counselling service. |
| Amenities: | Restaurant, café and snack bar (open day and evenings); SU bar. Very close to eg UCL and SOAS. ULU (University of London Union) is next door - a well-known music venue and with all major sports and social facilities. |
| Sporting facilities: | All major sports facilities at ULU (University of London Union), next door, including a gym and the largest swimming pool in central London. . |
| Accommodation: | No college accommodation, as most students live at home. Those needing to rent can get advice from University of London Housing Services (ULHS). Full-time students can apply to London University halls of residence (Birkbeck has a quota of rooms). |
Study opportunities & careers
| Library & information services: | Five floor library in main building: 300,000+ books; access to 20,000 electronic journals, ebooks and databases; 376 study places. Open 15 hours/day (until 11.45 pm) 7 days/week, including web/phone/email enquiry services; 24-hour book renewal (web/phone). Information provision, £91 pa spent for each student (FTE). Students may also use the main University of London Senate House Library next door. Networked IT service across campus and from outsidethe college; IT support with technical bulletins, regular newsletter and helpdesk. |
| Other learning resources: | Range of academic and learning support including English language, study skills and essay writing. Courses and workshops on eg note-taking, academic writing, exam revision, research skills, and developing IT skills to enhance presentation of work. |
| Careers: | Comprehensive career planning and development service. |
Money
| Term-time work: | As teaching takes place in the evenings, students are free to work and develop their careers during the day. |
| Financial help: | Fee reductions of £2250 pa for UK/EU students whose family income is up to £20k pa studying their degree over 4 years (less if the course is less intense). Cash bursaries of £750 pa for students whose family income is up to £25k pa, studying over 4 years. Part-time students are now eligible for government loans to cover tuition costs. College hardship funds for students in difficulties. |
| University tuition fees: | Students pay £6000 pa for 4-year part-time first degree courses (£6750 for those leading to professional recognition); £8000 pa full-time (£9000 for professionally recognised courses). Students can pay in eight instalments at no extra cost. |
Courses
Academic features:
Multi-faculty institution teaching 170+ postgraduate, 75+ undergraduate degrees and 60+ undergraduate certificates courses.
Awarding body:
University of London
Main undergraduate awards:
FdA, FdSc, BA, BSc, BSc(Econ), LLB
Length of courses:
4 years part-time; 3 years full-time.
Main subjects offered:
- Accountancy
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Arts Management
- Astronomy
- Biochemistry
- Biological Chemistry
- Biology
- Biomedical Science
- Business Economics
- Business Studies
- Chemistry
- Classical Studies
- Classics
- Community Studies
- Computer Science
- Computing
- Conservation
- Counselling
- Creative/Performance Writing
- Criminal Justice
- Criminology
- Dance
- Development Studies
- Earth Sciences
- Economics
- English
- Environmental Biology
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- European Studies
- Film Studies
- Finance
- Financial Economics
- French
- Garden Design
- Geography
- Geology
- German
- Hispanic Studies
- History
- History/Philosophy of Science
- Horticulture
- Housing Management
- Humanities
- Iberian Studies
- Information Systems
- Information Technology
- International Relations
- Japanese
- Journalism
- Latin American Studies
- Law
- Linguistics
- Management
- Mathematics
- Media Studies
- Molecular Biology
- Multimedia
- Performance Arts
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Portuguese
- Psychology
- Social Anthropology
- Social Policy
- Social Science
- Social Studies
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Statistics
- Theatre Studies
- Web Development/Design
- Youth & Community Work
Student view
Living
Unique college catering primarily for those in full-time employment who wish to gain a London University degree through evening study (most classes are held between 6 and 9 pm). Wide age range but most students are in their 30s and 40s; those without formal qualifications often accepted. Undergraduate degrees take 4 instead of 3 years and students may transfer to full-time study after 2 years. Almost half of students are on postgraduate and research degrees, which can be taken by part- or full-time study. College services cater for both full-time and part-time students: SU office, library and snack bar are open in the evenings and during the day; also restaurant, serving hot meals all weekdays. SU magazine welcomes student contributions. Other facilities include a nursery, lively bar, a freshers’ fair, and over 20 SU-funded clubs and societies, covering a wide range of interests. SU also offers free counselling service, advice centre and Skills for Study programme. Birkbeck students highly motivated, and some manage to put time into union activities, clubs and societies on top of work, study and family life. ULU (University of London Union) is next door with all major sports and social facilities, as are Senate House Library and Waterstone’s university bookshop. Located in the heart of academic London, it is well served by public transport, and nearby shops, entertainment and places of interest abound.
Summary
Housing: Most students have their own accommodation. Can get help from accommodation office, noticeboards. Eats: College snack bars; meal £2+ on campus. ULU and Pizza Paradiso also good. Drink: SU bar good value; ULU also good. Carling is favoured brew. Nightlife: Occasional events in bar. Locals: Very friendly. Sports: All facilities at ULU. Football teams. Travel: ULU Travel is next door. Financial help: Some college assistance possible. Jobs: Some casual work (SU can help). Best features: Variety of students; wide range of age/background. And worst: Everyone has too many commitments to get to know each other – work, study, family...…
Past Students
Baroness McFarlane (Manchester University), Dame Elizabeth Estève-Coll (Vice Chancellor, East Anglia University), Frank Sidebottom (cabaret singer), Sidney Webb (founder of LSE and other things), Helen Sharman (first British astronaut), Laurie Taylor (sociologist and journalist).
More info?
Contact President of SU, President@bcsu.bbk.ac.uk
Open days
21st June 2012
Open evening (4 pm - 7.30 pm) at Stratford campus. This will provide you with information about courses run at that campus only. Booking required; visit www.bbk.ac.uk/openeve to book and for most up-to-date information and venue details.
28th June 2012
Open evening (4 pm - 7.30 pm) at Stratford campus. This will provide you with information about courses run at that campus only. Booking required; visit www.bbk.ac.uk/openeve to book and for most up-to-date information and venue details.
6th September 2012
Open evening (4 pm - 7.30 pm) at Stratford campus. This will provide you with information about courses run at that campus only. Booking required; visit www.bbk.ac.uk/openeve to book and for most up-to-date information and venue details.
20th September 2012
Open evening (4 pm - 7.30 pm) at Stratford campus. This will provide you with information about courses run at that campus only. Booking required; visit www.bbk.ac.uk/openeve to book and for most up-to-date information and venue details.
Contact
Address:
Birkbeck University of London
Malet Street
London
WC1E 7HX
Tel:
0845 601 0174 or 020 7631 6692
Email:
Website:
Student enquiries:
My Birkbeck Student Centre (www.bbk.ac.uk/ask)
Application:
Direct
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