Study arrangements

At undergraduate level, you can choose between foundation degrees and BA/BSc/LLB degrees.

Almost all of our undergraduate courses start in September / October (check our term dates). However, some of our foundation degrees begin in January.
Check the course descriptions to find out when your course starts.

Most of our undergraduate courses are taught at the main Birkbeck campus in central London (Bloomsbury, WC1).
However, we also offer some courses in Stratford (E15), based at the University of East London's Stratford campus.

A foundation degree is shorter than an honours degree. It is made up of eight modules (240 credits in total), after which it may be possible to progress to the full BA/BSc by completing an extra 120 credits (normally the final two years of study of a BA/BSc degree).

Our undergraduate degree programmes are taught on a modular basis, with two or three modules taken each year. Degrees are normally made up of some compulsory modules and some that you will be able to choose.

All of our teaching methods are designed to meet the particular needs and circumstances of our students. At Birkbeck, classroom teaching in class may include formal lectures, seminars, practical classes and tutorials. Increasingly you will also find the use of active learning methods, such as individual and group projects, problem-solving exercises and case studies.
Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. These aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. In some science subjects, for example, a formal lecture will be followed directly by a practical laboratory session on a related topic.
Discussion classes and seminars give you the chance to study a selected aspect of your subject in depth and to exchange ideas with fellow students. These typically require preparatory study.
Active learning methods enable you to develop transferable skills – the general capabilities that help people to succeed in a variety of jobs and situations, such as communication and presentation skills, report writing and critical thinking.

Formal teaching takes place in the evenings, outside normal working hours, between 6pm and 9pm. You can normally expect to attend Birkbeck two or three evenings a week during term-time.
Check our online course descriptions for details of attendance requirements for individual courses.

Formal teaching takes place in the evenings, outside normal working hours, between 6pm and 9pm. You can normally expect to attend Birkbeck three to four evenings a week during term-time.
Check our online course descriptions for details of attendance requirements for individual courses.

Independent private study is a vital part of preparing for lectures and seminars, and following them up after class. The amount needed varies both with the topic being studied and with your own speed of work, but realistically you should plan to spend at least an hour in private study for each hour you spend in the classroom.
It is worth noting that practical classes and fieldwork play an important part in many science programmes. Geography and earth science students, in particular, travel widely (both independently and with their tutors) during vacations and at weekends to undertake fieldwork, as well as survey and mapping projects.
To get a better idea of what will be expected of you in terms of time you will need outside class time, please speak to the relevant academic school or department when you're applying (you will find contact details on the course listings - see 'Contact for enquiries').

All undergraduate modules include some form of assessment, and the results are normally accumulated towards the final degree result. You will be awarded 30 credit points for each completed full module. A total of 360 credits are required to complete a BA/BSc/LLB degree.
Assessment normally consists of a combination of coursework and examinations. Our online course listings usually tell you what assessment methods are used - check under 'Assessment' on the listing itself.
Formal examinations are, in most cases, held during the day. If you work during the day, you will need to plan and arrange daytime attendance. If you have a disability or dyslexia, you may be eligible for special arrangements for examinations.
The majority of examinations take place between May and June, Monday to Friday. Your school or department will be able to confirm the schedule for you once it's been set, as well as provide you with information about the likely number of examinations and their approximate dates at the beginning of each year.

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