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How to apply for Short Courses and Cert HE courses

Short Courses

Every spring, we publish full details of our short courses online, including dates, times and venues of classes.

  • You enrol directly onto the short course(s) you wish to study.
  • Short courses are filled on a ‘first come, first served’ basis - so apply early.
  • There is usually no formal selection process, although some modules may have prerequisites and/or other requirements, which are specified online.
  • You can take one or two short course modules each year, building up your credits to gain a certificate of higher education, if you wish.
  • You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees on a certificate. Note that student loan regulations require students to be studying modules worth at least 30 credits a year.
  • You will have to submit your passport or another acceptable form of photo ID, and, if appropriate, documentation, to confirm your eligibility to study in the UK, if you are not a UK or EU national.
  • Complete and submit your application online.

Certificates of Higher Education (Cert HE)

The application process is different for each type of certificate. You can apply for programme enrolment or modular enrolment.

Programme Enrolment (Cert HE)

Modular Enrolment (Cert HE)

  • You enrol directly onto the short course modules you wish to study. You take one or two short course modules a year - the certificate web page will specify any compulsory modules you have to complete and which order you should take them in - and build up your credits to complete a modular Certificate of Higher Education. Note that modular Cert HEs are not eligible for student loans for study commencing January 2027 onwards.
  • Complete and submit your application online.

What happens after you apply?

You will normally receive a confirmation email with your applicant reference number within 48 hours of submission. Please quote this on any correspondence with the College.

Once you submit your application, your application will be checked and assessed. If it is not complete, then we will contact you to provide additional information before making a decision.

  • Selection process

    Some programmes require applicants to submit samples of writing (e.g. Creative Writing) or complete a test/interview. This will be stated on the course webpage and you will be contacted separately once you have applied. 

  • Turnaround time

    The application process - from submitting your application to the College making a decision - usually takes between three to four weeks. However, this can vary, depending on the time of year, the programme and whether you are required to attend an interview and/ or take an entrance test and/or submit supporting documents, such as transcripts and certificates.

    If you are interviewed, you should be notified of our decision about one to two weeks after your interview. Offers are made by admissions tutors, subject to a final check of your eligibility by Registry Services and, for students with unusual qualifications, subject to the approval of the College Admissions Panel.

  • Enrolment

    Once you accept the offer of a place, you will receive information from the school that organises your course and formal instructions on how to enrol. For courses starting in October, enrolment opens late June and in November for January start courses. You are encouraged to enrol as soon as possible to enjoy the full benefits of studying at Birkbeck.  

  • Accepted proofs of identity

    All students are required to provide an accepted form of photographic identification. 

    eVisas require a share code. When generating a share code, please press the green ‘Start’ button at the bottom of the share code web page. You will have three options to choose from: ‘Right to work’, ‘Right to rent’, and ‘Something else’. Please select option 3: ‘Something else’

    UK and Irish Nationals

    • A current passport showing that the holder is a British or Irish citizen. 
    • If you do not hold a valid passport, we also accept the following documentation when accompanied by a photocard driving licence; Armed Forces Identity card or a Post Office PASS card:
      • birth/adoption certificate (showing the place of birth of the holder's parents) 
      • certificate of naturalisation 
    • Additional documentation, such as a deed poll certificate or marriage certificate, may be required if you have changed your name. 

    Permanent Residents

    Most applicants will now have an eVisa which demonstrates their residency status in the UK. Please ensure you provide your share code so that we can verify your status.

    Will also accept:

    • a biometric immigration document issued by the Home Office to the holder indicating that the person is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK or has no time limit on their stay in the UK. The document must be valid (not expired) at the time the ID check is made
    • a valid passport or other travel document endorsed to show that the holder is exempt from immigration control, is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, has the right of abode in the UK, or has no time limit on their stay in the UK.
    • no time limit card issued by the Home Office (current or expired) to a non-EEA national who is a family member of an EEA or a Swiss national

    Non-UK/Irish Nationals 

    Copies of the following documents will be accepted:

    • a valid passport, plus
    • evidence of immigration status: 
      • an eVisa demonstrating the right to study for at least the first two months of the programme. Please ensure you provide your Share Code so that we can verify your status.
      • Evidence of submitting an in-time visa application.
      • For applicants entering as Visitors, please refer to our Standard Visitor visa page
      • Birkbeck welcomes applications from forced migrants. Please refer to our Forced migrants page for more information.
      • A current vignette, endorsement, eVisa or other Home Office record showing that the applicant is exempt from immigration control will normally be accepted as evidence of exemption. Where there is reason to believe that the exemption may be linked to an ongoing role, employment or family relationship, the University may request additional evidence confirming that the applicant continues to meet the relevant exemption category (for example, a letter from the relevant employer, organisation or government department).

    Student visas

    Students who require Student visa sponsorship should submit a copy of their current passport and if already in the UK, evidence of their current UK immigration status.

    Eligible students will issued with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to apply for a new Student visa.

Please see our terms and conditions of study.