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Evening study explained

Evening learning that fits into your life

Birkbeck is different. Our full-time and part-time courses are designed to help you balance your studies with work or other commitments outside of university. The majority of our courses are offered in the evening, with classes held between 6pm and 9pm. A select number of courses allow you to choose teaching sessions in the evening or in the daytime.

The reasons people choose to study in the evening are as individual and varied as the people you’ll sit next to in class: young people who want to gain experience in the workplace while they study; working Londoners looking for a promotion or career change; people who missed out on university the first time around; or those who are simply passionate about their subject.

Supporting evening study

At other universities, students who combine study with work or other commitments are unusual. At Birkbeck, we have been supporting students to do this for over 200 years. We know the conventional university model isn’t right for everyone and that you may be juggling many aspects of your life, and so need flexibility and understanding. 

It’s not just the staff who will support you; your fellow students will also understand the competing demands on your time, as they will be going through the same thing. 

All our facilities and support services are available in the evening and our campus is as busy in the evening as it is in the daytime. The library is open late, as are our cafés and food outlets.

SCHOOL LEAVERS AND COLLEGE STUDENTS - IMPROVE YOUR JOB PROSPECTS 

44%* of Birkbeck students are full-time undergraduates aged under 21. An increasing number of highly motivated school leavers and college students want to get ahead in a competitive job market by experiencing the workplace and boosting their careers from the outset. By studying in the evening at Birkbeck, they can gain invaluable workplace experience while they study, rather than waiting until they graduate.

When you walk into a Birkbeck classroom, you’ll be surrounded by committed, enthusiastic students from many backgrounds, careers, cultures and age groups. The wealth of workplace and real-world experience and opportunities to network and collaborate are unrivalled.

Most of our students work, intern or volunteer during the day, which means that Birkbeck graduates are better placed to get ahead in a competitive job market. They are recognised and highly valued by employers for their maturity, independent-mindedness, focus and determination. That’s why 84.7% of Birkbeck students are in work or study 15 months after graduating.

Families and supporters

Studying at Birkbeck in the evenings is both enjoyable and intense. For students often balancing study, work and family commitments, the support of families, friends and supporters is often vital to their success.

*Figure represents 2023/24 academic year