About Birkbeck

Birkbeck, University of London was founded in 1823 and has grown and evolved over the course of two centuries to have among the most diverse student bodies of any university in the UK. Birkbeck has over 1000 international students representing more than 150 nationalities enrolled in various courses.

Birkbeck is a world-class research and teaching institution and is part of the famous University of London, one of the largest and most highly regarded universities all over the globe. Students of Birkbeck gain a prestigious University of London qualification. Birkbeck has three faculties offering courses: Business and Law, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science.  Research activity at Birkbeck is recognised for being innovative, cross-disciplinary and socially and politically engaged, with 83 percent of its research assessed in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 classed as world leading or internationally excellent.

Birkbeck provides learning on campus with high quality online learning materials. This allows students to fulfil their ambitions without putting their life on hold. Birkbeck offers an attractive combination of evening study and a central London location, giving students exceptional opportunities and the full experience of life at a vibrant city-centre university.

Birkbeck offers a friendly, welcoming environment for students and will be with them every step of the way, offering academic and pastoral support and guidance whenever they need it. The support to, and enabling of, diverse life choices draws many students from around the world to Birkbeck.

Graduate outcomes

Data analysis from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in 2021 showed that Birkbeck graduates’ salaries are among the highest in the UK after completing their chosen course. 85 percent of graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation.

Birkbeck placed third among all non-Russell Group universities, and first among multi-faculty institutions for the likelihood of its graduates earning over GBP 30,000 a year.

Many students work, volunteer or intern during the day which means graduates are better placed to get ahead in a competitive job market.

The careers and enterprise service provides students with the up-to-date knowledge and transferable skills demanded by employers. 

Services include one-to-ones with a career advisor, bespoke career programmes, careers workshops and events, CV, application writing and interview preparation, jobs and micro-placements and freelance and entrepreneur support.

What's new

Birkbeck is part of the University of London, one of the world's largest and most highly regarded universities. Set up over 200 years ago, the university offers innovative, research-led teaching by world-class academics.

Birkbeck offers full-time courses to international students in a wide range of subject areas and at all levels of university study - undergraduate, postgraduate and MPhil/PhD.  The university also offers a range of distance-learning courses across all levels of study, which international students can undertake. 

With many classes held 6pm-9pm, students are free to study, work, or volunteer alongside study. From September 2024, Birkbeck will be offering a range of UG and PG daytime programmes, taught between 2pm – 5pm, offering even more flexibility to students. The university boasts one of the most diverse student bodies of any university in the country, with over 1,000 international students from 150 countries.

Students reported very positive experiences about teaching and learning resources in the 2023 National Student Survey, submitted by undergraduate students

Courses are taught at the conveniently located central London campus in Bloomsbury, which is surrounded by world-famous museums and galleries, such as the British Museum.

The lively student-centred area is also home to a number of other universities and colleges of the University of London, including UCL (University College London) and SOAS. With the West End, Soho, Covent Garden and King’s Cross all nearby, Birkbeck is one of the best universities for students who want to enjoy all the buzz of central London areas.