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1823-2023

Birkbeck's 200th anniversary

We have been transforming lives for more than 200 years. Join us as we celebrate our history and look to the future.

Birkbeck's 200th anniversary

Birkbeck is incredibly proud to have commemorated its 200th anniversary in 2023. Find out how Birkbeck celebrated this landmark - remembering our revolutionary inception and looking to our future plans. Join us to explore how we've been transforming lives for nearly two centuries.

OUR 200-year HISTORY

Learn more about Birkbeck's history, including its foundation meeting in a London pub, the early admission of women to the College, notable Birkbeckians, and our former officers.

BIRKBECK EFFECTS

To commemorate the College's bicentenary, we're gathering incredible stories from our vibrant and diverse community, highlighting their achievements and impact on the world. Capturing inspirational people, transformational stories and excellent research, 200 Birkbeck Effects have been contributed by our Birkbeck community and selected to feature on our website, across social media and on campus.

Read more of our inspiring Birkbeck Effects.

BIRKBECK TODAY

Many organisations do not survive 200 years, but even fewer do so in a manner that their founders would recognise.

Since Dr George Birkbeck created the London Mechanics’ Institution in 1823, the organisation that is now Birkbeck, University of London, has been the gateway for ambitious people to study in the evening. In doing so they change their own lives - and have an immediate impact on business, the economy and our entire society.