Which course is right for me?
Our courses could take you to the next stage of your education or career. The guide below will help you choose the right level of study at university.
Birkbeck offers a vibrant learning environment which provides support for anyone who has the ability and drive to achieve an excellent university education. You'll benefit from our central London campus, combined with interactive, online learning materials which can be accessed on campus, at home, at work or on the move. You'll find more information about all our courses in our online prospectus.
You'll also need to decide which subject, or subject area, to study and we have courses covering over 30 subject areas: from archaeology, bioinformatics, theatre and performance to law, sports management and Korean studies. Use our course search to browse the subjects you're interested in.
Non-degree study options
We have two non-degree study routes if you don't want to study for a degree, or if you already have a degree, either undergraduate or postgraduate, and you want to study a subject for personal interest.
Short courses
- We offer over 160 individual short courses, everything from biocomputing to football analytics and from global politics to Japanese cinema. Most are taught on one evening a week so they're easy to fit into your busy schedule - check the module timetable so you're aware of any daytime sessions, including Saturdays - and the majority have no formal entry requirements. Many of these short course credits can be built up to complete a full certificate, and these can be the starting point that leads to undergraduate study.
Certificate of Higher Education
- Certificates are stand-alone University of London qualifications, which also offer a flexible route into an associated undergraduate degree. They are taught at first-year degree level, as a mixture of compulsory and optional modules, and they're usually taught on one evening a week – check the module timetables so you're aware of any daytime sessions, including Saturdays.
Undergraduate Study Options
We have two main undergraduate study routes, depending on whether you have the necessary entry requirements to study for a first degree.
Undergraduate degrees (BA, BSc, LLB)
- We offer over 90 BA, BSc and LLB degrees and the majority of our undergraduate degrees take place in the evening, but we also have a selection that offer daytime study. You can complete your studies full-time over three years or part-time over four years. Some of our degrees can be studied part-time over six years.
Our usual entry requirements for full-time undergraduate degrees are A-levels CCC-ABB/96-128 UCAS points - more details can be found on individual course pages. Part-time undergraduate degrees usually have fewer formal entry requirements, usually a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent, although there may be GCSE or A-level requirements on some courses. You’ll need to demonstrate the ability and willingness to undertake a degree.
Undergraduate degrees with Foundation Year (BA, BSc, LLB)
- Undergraduate degrees with foundation year studies are ideal if you don't meet the entry requirements for your chosen undergraduate degree or you need extra help to build your confidence and core skills first. You'll spend one year undertaking compulsory modules to prepare you for studying at undergraduate level, before advancing onto the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree at Birkbeck.
Our usual entry requirements for an undergraduate degree with foundation year are 48 UCAS points – you'll find more details on individual course pages.
Read more about our degrees with foundation year.
Postgraduate study options
We have various postgraduate study routes if you want to add to your existing knowledge for both career and personal development.
Graduate certificates and diplomas
- If you already have a university qualification, or substantial work experience in a subject, and want to extend your knowledge, graduate certificates and diplomas can provide a refresher course before starting a full master's degree. These courses are taught at final-year undergraduate level. Browse our graduate certificates, diplomas and postgraduate certificates.
Postgraduate Certificates/Diplomas
- These qualifications allow you to study the same modules that make up the master's degree, giving you a more in-depth understanding of the subject, but you complete fewer modules and don't write a dissertation. Browse our graduate certificates, diplomas and postgraduate certificates.
Master's degrees (MA, MSc, LLM)
- You can choose from over 150 MA, MSc and LLM courses, most of which are taught on campus, while others are taught online. Browse postgraduate degrees for more details of attendance options.
- We also have a number of flexible master's degrees UK which let you study on campus or remotely online from home, work or other locations. Our virtual classrooms let you learn, study, network and get support, no matter where you're based in the UK.
- You can also study a specific academic subject at advanced postgraduate level with our MRes degrees (Master of Research), giving you experience of advanced research and a highly useful postgraduate qualification. Find out more about research degrees.
Research degree options
We offer research degrees in 34 subject areas, under the supervision of world-renowned researchers, thinkers and practitioners working in a stimulating research culture.
If you're keen to take your research to a higher level, find out more about the type of research degrees (MRes, MPhil and PhD) available.