Skip to main content

South Africa

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

The English language requirements for our courses are provided on individual course pages as minimum IELTS scores, however we accept many other tests and qualifications.

Please visit our English language requirements page for more information. 

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Applicants from South Africa can be considered for direct entry with a National Senior Certificate (with matriculation endorsement).

  • A-level ABB = 128 UCAS tariff points = comparable offer: State Board: 66666 (with grade no less than 3), IEB Board: 66655 (with grade no less than 3)
  • A-level BBB = 120 UCAS tariff points = comparable offer: State Board: 66665 (with grade no less than 3), IEB Board: 66555 (with grade no less than 3)
  • A-level BBC = 112 UCAS tariff points = comparable offer: State Board: 66655 (with grade no less than 3), IEB Board: 65555 (with grade no less than 3)
  • A-level BCC = 104 UCAS tariff points = comparable offer: State Board: 66555 (with grade no less than 3), IEB Board: 55555 (with grade no less than 3)
  • A-level CCC = 96 UCAS tariff points = comparable offer: State Board: 65555 (with grade no less than 3), IEB Board: 55554 (with grade no less than 3)
  • A-level CCD = 88 UCAS tariff points = comparable offer: State Board: 55555 (with grade no less than 3), IEB Board: 55544 (with grade no less than 3)
  • A-level CDD = 80 UCAS tariff points = comparable offer: State Board: 55554 (with grade no less than 3), IEB Board: 55444 (with grade no less than 3)
  • A-level DDD = 72 UCAS tariff points = comparable offer: State Board: 55544 (with grade no less than 3), IEB Board: 54444 (with grade no less than 3)
  • A-level DDE = 64 UCAS tariff points (for Foundation year entry) State Board: 55444 (with grade no less than 3), IEB Board: 44444 (with grade no less than 3)

Applicants with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or A-levels will be considered for direct admission to our undergraduate degree programmes. IB requirements range from 28 to 30, depending on the course.

Applicants with a Senior Certificate are not normally considered suitable for direct entry. They could consider applying for a four-year course with foundation programme in their field of interest. Upon successful completion of the foundation year, students will automatically progress on to our three-year degree. Our four-year foundation programmes offer a joint confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) for all four years of study.

Alternatively, applicants can opt for a foundation course from our partner OnCampus London, which offers guaranteed progression onto Birkbeck's bachelor programmes. Foundation programmes from other providers will also be considered.

Postgraduate Entry Requirements 

To be considered for direct entry to a Master's degree at Birkbeck, applicants from South Africa would normally be required to have successfully completed a Bachelor’s Degree (Honours), Professional Bachelor’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Technology (BTech) from a recognised institution. (A standard bachelor's degree is considered comparable to a UK Bachelor's degree (Ordinary) and would not be suitable for entry to a Master's.)

The marking scheme used at university level differs depending upon the institution. There are two systems in operation.

South African degree classification:

  • 1st class (75-100%; alternative name: Distinction; English translation or equivalent: 1st)
  • 2nd class division 1 (60-74%; alternative name: Pass; English translation or equivalent: 2:1)
  • 2nd class division 2 (52-59%; alternative name: Pass; English translation or equivalent: 2:2)
  • Third (50-51%; alternative name: Pass; English translation or equivalent: Third class)
  • Fail (0-49%; alternative name: Fail; English translation or equivalent: Fail).

A standard bachelor's degree is considered comparable to a UK bachelor's degree (Ordinary) and would not be suitable for entry to a Master's.

Please note that all applications are considered on an individual basis and you may be admitted to a Master's programme with a lower-level degree if you have work experience relevant to the degree applied for.

If you do not meet these criteria, you can apply for OnCampus London's Master's Foundation programme, which is available for two- or three-term progression onto a wide range of Master’s degrees at Birkbeck. Foundation programmes from other providers will also be considered.

Research degrees Entry Requirements

The usual entrance requirement for a research degree is a Master’s degree from a recognised university; schools may accept students with high grades in the undergraduate degree.

Applicants are strongly urged to contact potential supervisors within the department before submitting a research application.

Our representatives in your country

Please get in touch with our in-country representatives if you have any queries.

Global Education

IE Abroad

More information

International partnerships

Contact the Birkbeck international team

Financial support

  • As an international student, you will be expected to self-finance your studies, so before you apply to join a programme you should be aware of the fees that you will be required to pay and any discounts or bursaries that you may be eligible for. 
  • Birkbeck is committed to providing advice and support to help you finance your studies. 
  • We offer a number of scholarships specifically for international students. Some are offered directly by Birkbeck, others are offered in partnership with other organisations.
  • You may be eligible to apply for faculty and school funding linked to your programme of study.
  • Birkbeck offers flexible payment options that allow you to spread the costs of your fees across the year at no additional cost. 

Online events

  • Our open events and taster sessions are a great chance to find out more about your chosen course and studying at Birkbeck, University of London.
  • A taster session will provide you with a more in-depth view of the College and your chosen school.

Talk to a current student

Take a virtual campus tour

  • Explore the campus from the comfort of your home and visit our learning facilities, social spaces and local amenities. 

South African students at Birkbeck