Global Buddies
Global Buddies connects Birkbeck alumni with international applicants holding an offer to study with us, to help them transition to London and settle in. For Autumn ‘25, the scheme is also open to international applicants who have been invited to enroll to programmes starting in September 2025.
International students face additional challenges when coming to live and study in London. The aim of Global Buddies is to welcome students to the Birkbeck community and support their shift to life in the UK during their first term of study.
This programme is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate international student offer-holders, and to Birkbeck alumni who wish to volunteer. Global Buddies is a great way to connect incoming members of our international student body with Birkbeck’s fantastic alumni community.
Alumni - Share your experiences
As a Global Buddy you can make a real difference to a student's Birkbeck journey by:
- Welcoming students to Birkbeck
- Signposting students to services, support and opportunities at Birkbeck
- Sharing tips for how to make the most of their time at Birkbeck and living in London
- Encouraging students to get involved with student life
- Enabling students to practice conversational English.
This programme is for Birkbeck graduates only.
Incoming Students - Gain support from Alumni Community
As a participant on the Global Buddies programme you can expect to:
- Connect with a Birkbeck alum and gain extra support as you embark on this new journey
- Have a point of contact that you can meet with before and during your first term
- Learn firsthand about university life at Birkbeck and student life in London
- Get advice on any challenges you may face as you navigate the transition of moving abroad
Programme Timeline - Autumn 2025
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opens for alumni and incoming students | 28 August 2025 |
| Volunteer and student registrations close | 15 September 2025 |
| Global Buddies matches announced | 19 September 2025 |
| Mid-programme check-in | 23 October 2025 |
| End of Autumn programme | 12 December 2025 |
Programme Timeline - Spring 2026 – For January 2026 starters
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opens for alumni and incoming students | 24 November 2025 |
| Volunteer and student registrations close | 12 January 2026 |
| Global Buddies matches announced | 16 January 2026 |
| Mid-programme check-in | 23 February 2026 |
| End of Spring programme | 27 March 2026 |
The Importance of Connecting with a Buddy:
“When I started at Birkbeck, the university didn’t have a formal mentoring programme but I still managed to get a mentoring relationship with Professor Daniel Monk (Professor of Law at Birkbeck), who gave me a lot of support. I want to make sure nobody is left behind. We need to share opportunities and share experiences. You never know when you will need someone you know at some point in the future.”
Philippe Mandangi, mentor and Birkbeck alumnus
