Birkbeck, University of London, London
Greater London - Inner London, England | Estd in 1823 | Government University
CWUR Rank : 747 | QS Rank : 374
About Birkbeck
Birkbeck is part of the esteemed University of London, established in 1823, in Bloomsbury, central London. Later, the university merged with the University of London in 1920. It is famous for offering high-quality research and teaching.
All Birkbeck students have access to all University of London facilities, including a large range of libraries and study spaces, along with free membership in Student Central and the University of London Student’s Union. Birkbeck University has an acceptance rate of nearly 76%. The student-faculty ratio of the university is 14:1.
For international students, Birkbeck University sets the IELTS eligibility criteria according to the programme requirements, that one opts from. Moreover, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diplomas, or A-levels are also accepted by Birkbeck University.
The university requires specific GPA scores depending on the course or subject; the academic percentage is compared to the 10-point GPA scale. The university also accepts the state board requirement, ranging from 60% to 80%. In addition, the university also accepts the PTE Academic, TOEFL: IBT, International Baccalaureate (English A and English B, respectively), Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English, Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, and so on.
The university's focus on research and commitment to flexible learning (part-time and evening courses) contribute to its positive standing among universities in the UK.Birkbeck University provides a diverse range of research and creative programmes and is classified among the best universities for its academic excellence and distinguished faculty. It also provides a dynamic learning environment for those seeking flexibility in a fast-growing society.
The average cost of undergraduate courses for international students at the university is INR 18.7 L (£17,620) for the 2023-2024 study year and postgraduate courses, the tuition fees range from INR 19.1 L to INR 21 L (£18,030 to £19,830) for the academic year 2023–2024 and 2024–2025
Birbeck University is considered one of the most innovative universities in the field of research, as it holds 24% of the IRS publications that cater to the field of research. The university consists of five schools.
The university accepts undergraduate applications through UCAS. The application fee at UCAS is INR 2.9K (£27). Schools, colleges, and education centres can advise on payment, while those applying independently can pay online.
More than 65,000 notable alumni of the university are in more than 130 countries, specialising in fields like poets, writers, artists, social reformers, even politicians and many more. Birkbeck University has been awarded a silver award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), the new system for rating university teaching by the government.
Read More: Benefits of studying in UK
Birkbeck Highlights
Birkbeck Ranking and Stats
Birkbeck University of London is one of the prestigious universities ranked higher for its educational enhancement and specialisation in the research and innovation field. As per the QS world ranking, the university ranked in 374th place; furthermore, it also secured its ranking at 301-350 on the Times Higher Education ranking. Here is the breakdown of the subject ranking of the university by the QS world ranking by subjects and the Times higher ranking.
In the subject-specific ranking, the university ranked 51-100 for philosophy, 190 for arts and humanities, and 151-200 in psychology in the QS World University ranking.
Parametric Score and Ranking 2023
| Domain | Year | Score | Rank | Rank Band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2019 | NA | NA | 44.0–46.3 |
| Overall | 2020 | NA | NA | 42.4–44.4 |
| Overall | 2021 | NA | NA | 43.6–45.5 |
| Overall | 2022 | NA | NA | 44.1–46.0 |
| Overall | 2023 | NA | NA | 45.0–46.9 |
Birkbeck Courses
Birkbeck University provides a wide range of courses, especially in the fields of humanities research and social science, from the undergraduate to the professional level. Nearly 277 undergraduate and 476 postgraduate courses are available at the university. For distance students, the university has various part-time and online courses.
Birkbeck Fees
| Courses | Duration | International Student | Local Student |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.A.(Hons)(62 courses) | 3 years-4 years | ₹19.13 L - ₹23.30 L/yr | ₹9.80 L/yr |
| M.Sc.(55 courses) | 1 year | ₹19.10 L - ₹26.06 L/yr | ₹10.39 L - ₹17.22 L/yr |
| M.A.(34 courses) | 1 year | ₹21.00 L - ₹23.74 L/yr | ₹11.44 L - ₹13.60 L/yr |
| B.Sc.(Hons)(33 courses) | 3 years-4 years | ₹19.13 L/yr | ₹7.35 L - ₹9.80 L/yr |
| M.Phil.(22 courses) | 4 years | ₹15.77 L/yr | ₹5.07 L/yr |
Birkbeck Cost Of Living
The tuition fees at Birkbeck University vary as per the choice of course by the student, from undergraduate to graduate level. The average cost of undergraduate courses for international students is INR 18.7 L (£17,620) for 2023-2024. Similarly, for postgraduate courses, the tuition fees range from INR 19.1 L to INR 21 L (£18,030 to £19,830) depending on the year of study: 2023–2024 and 2024–2025.
Birkbeck University accepts four types of fee payments.
Through Birkbeck's secure payment site
Through the Convera payment page
Through TransferMate
Through Flywire
Cost of Living
You will need sufficient funds to pay your tuition fees. Additionally, at least INR 12.7 L - INR 13.8 L (£12,000-£13,000) will cover living costs for one calendar year. This should be enough to cover accommodation, food, local travel, and a modest social life.
The university even offers accommodation scholarships for international students to help them manage their living expenses.
International Students House scholarship
Goodenough house scholarships
Estimated off-campus cost of living.
Particular | Cost |
Room | INR 2.4 L |
Utility Bills | INR 33.2 K |
Travel | INR 19.7 K |
Meal | INR 2 K |
Is it expensive to study in the university?
Birkbeck University provides accommodation waivers and fee waivers in tuition fees through their scholarship programmes that ease the expenses of the students. Students applying to the university can access the availability at Birkbeck for rooms in the following University of London Halls.
Bonham Carter and Warwickshire House
College Hall
Connaught Hall
Garden Halls
Handel Mansions
International Hall
Nutford House
Birkbeck Admission and Application
Students with degrees awarded by top universities such as the University of Mumbai, the University of Delhi, the University of Calcutta, the Indian Institute of Technology, and the University of Pune can be accepted with high second-class or high second-division marks.
How to apply for Birkbeck University of London?
For the undergraduate courses at Birkbeck University of London, candidates can apply through UCAS for the full-time course as well as for the foundation courses.
Candidates applying for the postgraduate courses should directly visit the official website of the university.
Candidates who are applying for a 4-year or 6-year part-time undergraduate course or a part-time foundation degree can directly apply through the university website.
For undergraduate students
Apply through the UCAS application; the Birkbeck University UCAS code is B24.
Create an account at UCAS Hub.
Submit the application form
Write a personal statement. If the student is applying for a 3-year full-time course, then the candidate should avoid mentioning the particular university.
Submit the filled application form.
Pay the application fee.
Once the application is officially confirmed, UCAS will update the applicants on their UCAS HUB account with the confirmation details. UCAS will send a confirmation letter to the candidates.
For postgraduate students
Apply directly through the official website of the university.
Click on the menu tab.
Click on Find a Course under the menu tab, and then search for the programme of choice—an undergraduate, graduate, or professional course.
Select the subject or course.
Click on the ‘Apply Now’ option under the overview section of the chosen subject or course.
Students can now save the selected course and find more information about other interests in the subject or can proceed to continue the application.
Fill out the application form and submit it.
Application fee
The university accepts undergraduate applications only through the UCAS portal. UCAS requires an application fee of INR 2.9K (£27). Schools, colleges, and education centres can advise on payment, while those applying independently can pay online. There are no specific university application fees for postgraduate students applying through the official website.
International candidates who require a student visa for UK to study at Birkbeck need to pay a non-refundable amount of INR 2.2 lakh (£2,000). For programmes beginning in October 2024, the required non-refundable CAS amount will be INR 5.3 lakh (£5,000).
Application deadline
For the UCAS application, the application deadline is January 31, 2024. Birkbeck University also accepts late applications through the UCAS Clearing System in August.
Documents Required
Birkbeck University requires documents to select the applications as per their entry criteria. The document requirements are as follows:
Academics and transcripts or certificates.
LOR or Reference
A personal statement
Resume
English proficiency test
A copy of the passport.
Some of the courses require a writing test or interview.
For postgraduate programmes, the university requires specific GPA scores depending on the course or subject, compared to the 10-point GPA scale. The university also accepts the state board requirement, ranging from 60% to 80%.
International students are required to submit GRE or GMAT scores. Candidates can upload the report to the online application system.
The GPA scores to Percentage
GPA Scores | Percentage |
8 -10 | 75–100%; English translation or equivalent: First class with distinction |
6.50-7.9 | 65-74%; English translation or equivalent: First class. |
5.50-6.49 | 50–64%; English translation or equivalent: second class. |
4.50-5.49 | 40–49%; English translation or equivalent: third class/pass. |
Entry requirements at the Birkbeck University of London
Entry Requirement | Minimum scores and Grades |
Higher Secondary XII | 60 to 80% |
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma | 28- 30 |
Students with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or A-levels will be considered for direct admission to our undergraduate degree programmes.
Certificates accepted:
Higher Secondary Certificate
All India Senior School Certificate
Higher School Certificate
Indian School Certificate (ISC)
Intermediate Certificate
The pre-university course is awarded upon completion of Standard XII.
Birkbeck Scholarship
Birkbeck University provides many scholarships for postgraduate programmes for international students. The scholarship amount is directly applied as a discount on the first-year tuition fees. For international candidates living in India or Nigeria, a tuition fee reduction of 10% is available for the full-time postgraduate course. Here is a list of the scholarships Birkbeck University has offered to full-time postgraduate students.
Scholarships for International students for postgraduate courses
Scholarships | Awards |
Birkbeck Business School Master's Scholarship | INR 1.1 L (£1,000) |
Birkbeck International Excellence scholarships | INR 1.1 L to INR 3.2 L (£1,000 to £3,000) |
Chevening Scholarships | tuition fees and living costs provided by the UK Government (through the Chevening Secretariat), with a contribution towards fees from Birkbeck, University of London. |
Read More: Scholarships in the UK
Birkbeck Eligibility
The English language requirement for Indian students at Birkbeck University of London may vary according to the choice of programme. To offer higher chances of enrolment for Indian students, the university has accepted various state boards of the country as well as many other certificates. For all non-native English-speaking students, the university sets a minimum IELTS exam score level that can differ depending on the level of the courses, from undergraduate to graduate. In addition to the IELTS exam, the university also accepts the PTE Academic, TOEFL: IBT, International Baccalaureate (English A and English B, respectively), CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English), CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English), and so on.
The exam scores for the English proficiency test are divided as per the standard and higher requirements of the university. Here is the list of the exams accepted for Indian students.
Estimated exam requirements for international students.
Exams | Standard Requirement | Higher Requirement |
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English | 176 (169 in each sub-test) | 185 (176 in each sub-test) |
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English | 176 (169 in each sub-test) | 185 (176 in each sub-test) |
IELTS | 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 in sub-tests) | 7.0 (minimum of 6.5 in sub-tests) |
Pearson Test of English (Academic) | 62 (60 in each sub-test) | 68 (62 in each sub-test and 67 in writing) |
PSI: Skills for English | B2 Pass with Merit | C1 Pass |
TOEFL: IBT | 79 (reading: 18, writing: 23, Listening: 19, speaking: 19) | 94 (reading: 19, writing: 24, Listening: 20, speaking: 20) |
International Baccalaureate English A | 4 in both standard and higher level | 5 in both standard and higher |
International Baccalaureate: English B | Standard level 5 Higher level 4. | Standard level 5 Higher level 4 |
AS or A Level in English Language or Literature | Grade C | Grade C |
The PSI is considered equivalent to IELTS 6.5 for the standard requirement, and the higher requirement score is equivalent to an IELTS score of 7 and is only accepted if taken outside of the UK.
The university does not accept TOEFL Home Edition, and the exams should not be longer than two years.
The AS or A Level in English Language or Literature includes the Cambridge International A Levels as well.
The university does not accept the PTE Academic Online Test.
Birkbeck Campus Facilities
Boys Hostel
While most of the Birkbeck, University of London, students live in private accommodations, the university offers student housing for both new and returning students. Accommodations are available in partner halls of residence for full-time students. The weekly cost of a room in a partner hall of residence can be between £200 and £300. Full-time international fee-paying students who apply for a single occupancy room will be guaranteed a room. Students at Birkbeck have full access to the University of London's Housing Services (ULHS), the university's dedicated private housing service.
Library
The Birkbeck Library provides students with all of the resources, facilities, and services they need to maximise their study time. The library is open from 9 am to 11 p.m. daily. Birkbeck is also a member of the SCONUL Access Scheme, which allows certain users to access libraries at other higher education (HE) institutions. If a student needs a resource that isn't available at Birkbeck Library, they might still be able to get it by proceeding to another library through the SCONUL Access Scheme or University of London Access Scheme.
Sports
Though the majority of sports teams at the University of London are organised at the college level, ULU (student central) continued to run its own sports clubs, some of which compete in BUCS leagues. There are many sports clubs run by the student union, such as badminton club, archery club, and swimming club among others.
Transport Facility
There are several ways to get to the university because London has a great public transportation system and is very walkable. In Bloomsbury, Birkbeck is mainly situated between Malet Street and Woburn Square, with a number of institutes, teaching hospitals, and research facilities on neighbouring streets. Public transportation like the bus, train, or London Underground is easily accessible to get to Birkbeck.
Cafeteria
Birkbeck, like the other nearby University of London colleges, has a variety of cafes, coffee shops, and a bar.
These include:
The George Bar (Student Bar) is open from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Terrace 5: Restaurant, open from 10.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Perch Costa Ground Floor
Birkbeck Central Cafe
Torrington Square is also the location of the popular weekly Bloomsbury Farmers' Market, where you can sample a variety of cuisines.
Birkbeck International Office Details
Birkbeck University is one of the top universities in the world and the UK, with excellent academic and research facilities. The university accepts students from more than 120 countries and becomes a part of Birkbeck University. Every year, nearly 7,610 students apply for full-time programmes, of which 41% of students are international students.
Address: Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, Bloomsbury,
London, WC1E 7HX
Contact no.: +44 (0)20 3926 3100
Email: isa@bbk.ac.uk
Is it hard to get into university as an international student?
As per the acceptance rate of Birkbeck University, which is nearly 76%, the university is not so hard to enrol in. It is considered to be a moderately selective university. Nearly 6-7 out of 10 students get a chance to study at the university. The acceptance rate of the particular programme may vary as per the eligibility criteria of the subject chosen by the students.
Birkbeck Gallery
Gallery
FAQ's
No, the selection of the university is moderate, as it has an acceptance rate of nearly 76%. The entry requirement process can be competitive considering its academic qualifications; it may vary as per the student's choice of course.
Birkbeck University’s degrees are highly accepted, especially in fields. Employers also value the practical skills and dedication of the students who graduated from Birkbeck University. The practical approach of the university helps enhance the credibility of its degrees.
Yes, Birkbeck University of London is considered among the best public universities in the UK for its great approach in the fields of research, creativity and innovation. The university allows students to explore a diverse environment with all its cultural aspects and prominent teaching methods.
Birkbeck's specific ranking within London may vary by criteria. As per the QS world ranking, the university ranked 374th place; furthermore, it also secured its ranking at 301-350 on the Time Higher Education ranking.
Birkbeck is renowned for its research programmes at all levels, from undergraduate to professional. The university aims to ease and strengthen access to education with its innovative teaching methods and availability of sources. As being in the centre of London, it is encircled with cultural aspects and source availability for the students. The university is recognised for its unique part-time and evening teaching courses that can help students balance their work and student lives together. It provides an excellent learning environment for students seeking flexibility.