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Student life at Birkbeck

As a Birkbeck student, you can choose the university experience you want. The majority of our courses are offered in the evening, so you can combine working in the day with studying in the evening.

As well as our evening teaching, a select number of courses offer teaching sessions during the daytime or online, so there are opportunities to fit study with us around your other commitments.

As a Birkbeck student, you can make the most of our central London location, right in the geographic and academic centre of the city, and join our famously friendly, welcoming and diverse community.

We will be with you every step of the way, offering academic support and pastoral guidance whenever you need it.

CENTRAL LONDON CAMPUS

  • Our campus in Bloomsbury, central London, is a lively student-centred area that’s home to a number of other universities and colleges of the University of London, including UCL and SOAS.
  • Our campus offers all the facilities you need and is well-served by public transport, making it easy to get to and from the university.
  • We are surrounded by world-famous museums and galleries, which can supplement and enhance your studies.

SOCIAL LIFE

  • Birkbeck has a range of cafes, coffee shops and a bar, as do the other nearby University of London Colleges. Torrington Square is also home to the popular weekly Bloomsbury Farmers’ Market, where you can try an exciting range of cuisines.
  • With the West End, Soho, Covent Garden and King’s Cross on our doorstep you can take full advantage of London’s shops, restaurants, bars, theatres and clubs.

STUDENTS’ UNION

  • We have our own Students' Union (SU), which represents students’ interests via campaigns related to the environment, equality and extended student services.
  • The SU's societies and clubs are a great way to spend time engaged in activities you love, and maybe discover one or two new ones. You can join clubs for sports including climbing, football, rowing and scuba diving. Societies cover academic interests and cultural groups.
  • The SU is a great place to meet students across other courses and departments and experience the essence of our university. You could even represent Birkbeck by becoming a Student Councillor, or appearing on University Challenge!

EVENTS

TEACHING SPACES AND LIBRARIES

  • Our library is spread across five floors of the main Birkbeck building and offers a range of online and physical resources to support your study. 
  • As well as making use of our own library, as a Birkbeck student you will be based in an area of London with one of the world's greatest concentrations of libraries - including the British Library and Senate House Library - many of which Birkbeck students can access.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

LEARNING SUPPORT

  • Moodle, our online learning environment, allows you to chat with your lecturer and other students about classes and topics. If you miss a class, you can access material and join the discussion online. You may also be able to watch videos of your lectures.
  • Our Learning Development Service supports undergraduate and postgraduate students in every area needed to become a successful student, including free workshops, accessible learning materials, and one-to-one meetings.
  • We offer English language and academic writing courses for undergraduate students. 

ACCOMMODATION AND LIVING COSTS

TERM DATES AND CLASSES

  • The academic year at Birkbeck runs from October to July and consists of three terms: Autumn, Spring and Summer.
  • Some courses are taught over two terms - usually the Autumn and Spring terms, with revision and examinations in the Summer term - while others are taught over all three terms.

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