Our Strategy - Shaping the Future 2026-2031 - Birkbeck, University of London

Shaping the future 2026-2031 sets out Birkbeck, University of London’s strategic aims for the next five years, the ways in which we will work to achieve them, and how we will know when we have done so. We will continue to offer opportunity to everyone for the benefit of all, building on over 200 years’ experience of transforming lives through flexible and inclusive education, inspired by world-leading research.

Shaping the Future 2026-31

Birkbeck is a change-making university driving positive social and economic transformation.

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Birkbeck's Vice-Chancellor, Sally Wheeler, outlines our strategy for the next five years

Find out more about our values and aims, as we build on the past 200 years to shape a transformative future for our communities and stakeholders.

Read our strategy report

Our ambition

We will ensure that by 2031 Birkbeck is recognised as the leading university for flexible learning in London and beyond, offering people-centred education that adapts to the needs of students, as well as employers, and delivers excellent outcomes for our diverse community of learners.

We will work with businesses, industry and communities, building relationships that support both innovation and our civic role.

We will pursue world-leading research that addresses current and future societal challenges from multiple disciplinary perspectives with a particular focus on five key themes:

News: Birkbeck placed in top 4% of all universities for 2027 QS World rankings

We value

Empowerment

Over 200 years of adaptation with purpose and innovation with integrity, supporting students and staff to thrive through change.

Student-centred education

Education that fits around students’ lives and embraces new technologies including HyFlex learning to allow students to choose when and where to study.

Diversity and community

A learning community that celebrates and empowers its inter-generational and multicultural student and staff body.

Excellence

World-class research and teaching that create measurable and positive social change.

Curiosity and Innovation

Creating a space for questioning, challenge and innovation in the classroom and beyond.

Sustainability at Birkbeck

Discover how we’re bringing together operations, research and education to build a more sustainable world.

Our strategic aims

Offer a transformative, flexible education

A Birkbeck education ensures that students can study, belong and succeed whether they are starting, changing or enhancing their careers.

Sustain a co-creative and inclusive culture

A community where students and staff work together to shape learning, research, and university life.

Deliver collaborative and impactful research

World-leading research and innovation that encourages curiosity, drives change, informs policy, supports employers and improves lives.

Strengthen our influence, civic partnerships and global reach

Rooted in London, connected to the world, we build on our strong civic and industry partnerships to extend Birkbeck’s reach globally as a university that changes lives.

Secure financial and environmental sustainability

We will secure a sustainable financial position, while safeguarding our environment and building on our heritage, to provide excellent education opportunities.