Studying at university

Coronavirus update: We understand that in the current climate you may have concerns about how the COVID-19 situation may affect your studies. Visit our coronavirus information page to find out how the situation could affect your studies. 

Undergraduate study

You may have already thought about university, but aren't sure where to start. From choosing a subject and writing your personal statement to the application process and getting ready to study, we're here to help, no matter what stage of the journey you're at.

View our upcoming undergraduate drop-in sessions.

Before you apply

• Why university?
  • You can choose to go to university at any time in their life. But why would you want to? And what would your personal motivation be?
  • Watch our 'Why go to university?' video.
  • There are many things to take into account when deciding to study. We're here to offer guidance on starting your learning journey and what help and support is available to you.
  • Watch our 'Making a decision about university' video.
  • We also recommend the following resources when starting out with free learning:
    • Birkbeck online events
    • TED Talks
    • FutureLearn
    • OpenLearn
    • Podcasts, e.g. BBC Sounds
    • TUC
    • Unionlearn
    • Museums and cultural organisations, e.g. Google Arts and Culture
    • Books and articles, e.g. from your local library
  • Unionlearn from TUC has a useful list of resources on study skills.
• Personal statements
  • A vital part of the university application process is the personal statement. Whether you are applying to study full or part-time, you will need to write one as part of your application.
  • Writing one can seem daunting, especially if you are staring at a blank document. Watch our 'Personal statements' video for help.
• Extra information
  • If you still have questions about whether you would like to study at Birkbeck, there is plenty of information available for applicants. 
  • To get an idea of what studying at Birkbeck is like, you can chat to current students via Unibuddy.
  • If you are worried about the cost of studying, take a look at the financial support page for details on government student finance and how Birkbeck can support you.
  • Any questions for Birkbeck staff, please contact our Student and Applicant Service who will point you in the right direction.

Applying to Birkbeck

• Once you've chosen your course and prepared your personal statement, you are ready to apply. All applications to Birkbeck are done online, either via the UCAS website or directly through the Birkbeck website. 
  
• Watch our 'Applying to Birkbeck' video.
• You can also read more about our entry requirements. 

Getting ready to study

• Study skills
  • Get ready for studying at university level and practice some of the study skills you will need. We also have general advice on getting ready for university.
  • Watch our 'Getting ready to study' video.
• Extra information
  • If you are a parent and are concerned about childcare while you study, you can read about Birkbeck's childcare service. 
  • University can be a stressful time for a lot of students, however Birkbeck has a dedicated mental health services team on hand to support you while you study.
  • Birkbeck believes that having a disability should not be a barrier to studying at university. For more information on how we support our students with disabilities, our Disability and Dyslexia Service team are here to help.
  • Moving city or country to study in London can feel daunting. Take a look at what accommodation options are available to you.
  • If you'd like to get a feel for what student life is like, you can read all about the Birkbeck experience.

Postgraduate study

The following videos cover the different types of postgraduate study available, how to apply, fees and finance, and how to prepare for study at postgraduate level. Birkbeck also runs a variety of postgraduate drop-ins where you can speak to your department or current students.

Types of study

• Are you wondering what the difference is between a MA and MRES, or what is a postgraduate certificate? 
• Watch our 'Types of postgraduate study' video. 

Application and fees

• Once you’ve decided on your course, the next step is to think about how to fund your studies and how to apply. 
  
• Watch our 'Application and fees/finance' video.

Preparing for study

• Join us for some tips and activities that can help you take that step up to postgraduate study and manage your studies alongside other commitments. 
  
• Watch our 'Preparing for postgraduate study' video.