Student life at Birkbeck
Studying in the evening doesn’t mean you can't get the full student experience of life at a vibrant city-centre university. As a Birkbeck student, you can choose as much or as little of the standard university experience as you like. You might work during the day, study, undertake an internship - or do something completely different.
Birkbeck offers a unique combination of evening study and a matchless central London location, right in the geographic and academic centre of the city, giving you exceptional opportunities.
Birkbeck offers a famously friendly, welcoming environment and we will be with you every step of the way, offering academic support and pastoral guidance whenever you need it. Many people are drawn to Birkbeck because we support and enable diverse life choices.
CENTRAL LONDON CAMPUS
- Our campus in Bloomsbury, central London, is a lively student-centred area that’s home to a number of other universities and colleges of the University of London, including UCL and SOAS.
- Our courses are taught on our Bloomsbury campus, which offers all the facilities you need and is well-served by public transport, making it easy to get to and from the College.
- We are surrounded by world-famous museums and galleries, which can assist in your studies.
STUDENTS’ UNION
- We have our own Students' Union (SU), which represents students’ interests via campaigns related to the environment, equality and extended student services.
- The SU's societies and clubs are a great way to spend time engaged in activities you love, and maybe discover one or two new ones. You can join clubs for sports including climbing, football, rowing and scuba diving. Societies cover academic interests and cultural groups.
- The SU is a great place to meet students across other courses and departments and experience the essence of the College. You could even represent Birkbeck by becoming a Student Councillor, or appearing on University Challenge!
SOCIAL LIFE
- Birkbeck has a range of cafes, coffee shops and a bar, as do the other nearby University of London Colleges. Torrington Square is also home to the popular weekly Bloomsbury Farmers’ Market, where you can try an exciting range of cuisines.
- With the West End, Soho, Covent Garden and King’s Cross on our doorstep you can take full advantage of London’s shops, restaurants, bars, theatres and clubs before and after your evening classes. We are one of the best universities for nightlife.
EVENTS
- There's always something going on at Birkbeck, from public lectures to conferences to seminars. Visit our events feed.
- We also have our own award-winning cinema at 43 Gordon Square, which hosts regular free film screenings, and the Peltz Gallery in our School of Arts hosts curated displays, exhibitions and events.
- We also have annual events and event series, such as Arts Week, Science Week and the One World Festival, and dedicated extra-curricular trips for international students.
CONNECT ONLINE
- Birkbeck has a presence across all major social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We use these channels to keep you up to date with what’s happening at Birkbeck, including our #BBKresearch, news and events. Follow us and share your #BBKlife with us.
TEACHING SPACES AND LIBRARIES
- Birkbeck contains all the teaching spaces, laboratories and facilities you need to get the most from your time with us.
- Our own richly resourced library is spread across five floors of the main Birkbeck building, and we are situated in one of the world’s greatest concentrations of libraries - including the British Library and Senate House Library - many of which Birkbeck students can access.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
- Our student services teams are here to support you before, during and after your studies at Birkbeck.
- We can help you with general advice, mental health support, counselling, career support, and disability and dyslexia support.
LEARNING SUPPORT
- Moodle, our online learning environment, allows you to chat with your lecturer and other students about classes and topics. If you miss a class, you can access material and join the discussion online. You may also be able to watch videos of your lectures.
- Our Learning Development Service supports undergraduate and postgraduate students in every area needed to become a successful student, including free workshops, accessible learning materials, and one-to-one meetings.
- We offer English language and academic writing courses for undergraduate students, including pre-sessional English short courses.
ACCOMMODATION AND LIVING COSTS
- While most of our students live in private accommodation, we also offer student accommodation. Birkbeck students can access places in University of London intercollegiate halls and with a number of private providers. Free professional advice is available from the University of London Housing Services.
- You can also arrange a homestay with a host family if you’d like to experience the local lifestyle and language in a unique way.
- Find out how much it costs to live and study in London.
TERM DATES AND CLASSES
- The academic year at Birkbeck runs from October to July and consists of three terms: Autumn, Spring and Summer.
- Some courses are taught over two terms - usually the Autumn and Spring terms, with revision and examinations in the Summer term - while others are taught over all three terms.