You are here: My Birkbeck / Financial support and fees / Fees information / Fees - what if you already have a university qualification?

Fees - what if you already have a university qualification?

If you already have a university qualification and you are thinking of doing another at the same level, you may be affected by the government’s Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) policy and have to pay a higher fee than someone who doesn’t already have a qualification.

From September 2008, the government stopped funding institutions to teach students who are studying for a qualification that is at an equivalent or lower level than a qualification they already have. Birkbeck welcomes and values all students and has campaigned vigorously against this policy. However, the policy has been implemented and, as a result, we will charge a higher fee. This policy applies across all universities in England (not just Birkbeck).

So if you are a UK or an EU national and you already have a undergraduate qualification (or equivalent), such as a BA/BSc degree and you wish to study for another one at the same or a lower level, you will be required to pay a higher fee. This also applies to some courses at postgraduate level, where you will have to pay a higher fee is you have already have an MA/MSc (or equivalent). See our course listings for up-to-date fee information.

Please note: if you are in receipt of the Disabled Students’ Allowance, you will be exempt from paying a higher fee.

 

Are there alternative courses I can take that mean I won’t have to pay higher fees?

Birkbeck wants to support students affected by the ELQ policy and is developing alternative courses that will avoid additional fees.

Three-year, part-time Master’s degrees

If you want to study at Master’s level but have an undergraduate degree in a different subject, we have developed new three-year, part-time Master’s degrees. These take a year longer than a normal part-time Master’s degree and include a foundation year, but as they are taught at Master’s level, you will not need to pay a higher fee if you already have a BA/BSc degree (or equivalent). We currently offer these awards in history, law and psychology.

Graduate Certificates/Diplomas

These can be used as a qualifying or refresher course before you embark on a full Master’s degree and take 1-2 years to complete. They involve study at final-year undergraduate level, so although you will have to pay a higher fee if you already have a BA/BSc degree, they can be completed more quickly than doing another part-time undergraduate degree (which normally takes four years to complete).