Entry requirements and how to apply

There is nowhere better to study than London: 100,000 international students from over 200 countries study here.

Birkbeck's unique evening teaching means that you can study alongside London's working professionals and pursue an internship or part-time work opportunities during the day. 

January 2024 intake: application deadlines

Main deadlines (for nationals who require a Student visa to study in the UK and who must submit financial documents before CAS)

• Application deadline: 27 October 2023
• Offer conditions met, including non-academic and CAS deposit funds received: 10 November 2023
• Financial document submission: 4 December 2023
• Final CAS: 8 December 2023

Deadlines for ‘differential evidence requirement’ applicants (nationals who are not required to submit financial documents before CAS)

• Application deadline: 6 November 2023
• Offer conditions met, including non-academic and CAS deposit funds received: 20 November 2023
• Final CAS: 13 December 2023

Autumn 2023 intake: application deadlines

Please note, the deadline for the autumn 2023 intake has now closed for international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.

ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

• Our students come to us with a wide assortment of qualifications and experience, and we believe that this variety adds to the Birkbeck student experience. We welcome applications from students with no previous qualifications or those with no recent experience of higher education. The full entry requirements for all our undergraduate courses are specified on each course page.
• View our online list of countries to check the equivalencies for your qualifications. 
• Our approved agents in your country may also be able to advise you on the equivalence of your qualification. 
• If you do not know the equivalence of your qualifications, make an application and include as much information as possible about your qualification. We will then assess your eligibility. 

MASTER'S DEGREES

• For most master's degrees, we require the equivalent of a UK Bachelor's (undergraduate) degree (class 2:1 or 2:2, with honours). You must also meet our minimum English language entry requirements. 
• View our online list of countries to check the equivalencies for your qualifications. 
• Our approved agents in your country may also be able to advise you on the equivalence of your qualification. 
• If you do not know the equivalence of your qualifications, make an application and include as much information as possible about your qualification. We will then assess your eligibility. 

MPHIL/PHD DEGREES

• For most MPhil/PhD degrees, we require the equivalent of a good UK Master's degree. 
• You must also meet our minimum English language entry requirements. 
• View our online list of countries to check the equivalencies for your qualifications. 
• Our approved agents in your country may also be able to advise you on the equivalence of your qualification. 
• If you do not know the equivalence of your qualifications, make an application and include as much information as possible about your qualification. We will then assess your eligibility.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ABILITY

We value our multi-lingual student body and encourage applications from speakers of all languages. Below is a range of ways in which you can demonstrate your English language ability:

• You can be a national of the UK or of a majority English-speaking country.
• You can demonstrate that you have studied at degree level from a UK university or from a university from a majority English-speaking country, within the last three years. Normally we would expect you to have studied for a year or more. Applicants from Canada must have studied mostly in English (75% of the programme).
• You can show that you have worked in a paid or voluntary capacity in the UK or in another majority English-speaking country for an extended period (normally 18 months or more). Normally we would expect you to have done this within the last three years.
• You can show that you have an approved qualification, English language test or demonstrate an equivalent proficiency. 
• If you require a Student visa, you must meet specific English Language requirements specified by the Home Office.

Student VISA APPLICANTS

Applicants who need a Student visa have a separate set of English language requirements, to comply with Home Office regulations. Visit our Student visa English language page for information.

HOW TO APPLY FOR YOUR COURSE

Birkbeck offers full-time courses to international students in a wide range of subject areas and at all levels of university study - undergraduate, postgraduate and MPhil/PhD. Birkbeck also offers a range of distance-learning courses across all levels of study, which international students can undertake. 

• Undergraduate courses: You need to apply for our full-time undergraduate courses via UCAS. 
• Postgraduate courses: You apply directly to Birkbeck for postgraduate study. 
• MPhil/PhD study: Before you apply, you will need to find a suitable academic to supervise your research. Once you find a potential supervisor, contact the school they work in to see whether they can provide appropriate supervision. 
• Distance-learning: You apply directly to Birkbeck for our distance-learning courses.