How to apply for undergraduate courses

We have different application routes For full-time and part-time courses

Here you can find guidance on how to apply for a full-time or a part-time degree at Birkbeck. If you are an international student requiring a Student visa, you should also refer to our visa deadlines.

Birkbeck students

Full-Time Applications

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is an independent organisation that manages university applications in the UK. Anyone who wants to apply to study a full-time degree anywhere in the UK has to apply through UCAS, including all Birkbeck applicants.

You can start applying for UCAS courses as soon as the courses are published online (around May each year, for courses starting the following year).

Do I have to apply through UCAS?

You have to apply through UCAS for the following courses at Birkbeck:
- A full-time undergraduate degree (BA/BSc/LLB)
- A full-time undergraduate degree (BA/BSc/LLM) with foundation year
- A full-time foundation degree
- A full-time certificate of higher education.
It doesn’t matter which country you live in, or your age and educational background, or when you left school.
If you are applying for a four-year or six-year part-time undergraduate degree, or a part-time foundation degree, you make your application directly to Birkbeck.

How do I apply through UCAS?

All UCAS applications are made online. To apply, you need to go to the UCAS HUB section of the UCAS website. You will have to register and give them a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you complete an application form. As UCAS is a centralised service, you only complete one form.
Birkbeck's UCAS code is B24.
You can track the progress of your application on the UCAS website.

I don't have the required UCAS tariff

The UCAS tariff only applies to you if you have recent relevant qualifications. If your Level 3 (such as A Levels, BTECs, HNCs) qualification was taken over three years ago, the UCAS tariff will not apply. Do always take account of your whole application, not only your previous qualifications, so make use of the personal statement to highlight your ability and commitment to become a successful student.

How many courses can I apply for through UCAS?

You can apply for five courses at any five universities. You can also apply to more than one course at your university of choice, although you may only be offered a place on one course. Typically, students apply for similar courses at their chosen universities, as this demonstrates commitment to, and passion for, a subject area. It also makes writing the personal statement more straightforward.
You don’t have to apply for your courses all at the same time and can return to add additional courses. For example, if you apply for a course with a January deadline, but, after that deadline, you want to apply to another course, you can if all five options have not been used.

How do I write a UCAS application?

We advise that you set aside plenty of time to fill in and double-check your UCAS application form before you submit it. You will have to include your educational history, your qualifications (including predicted grades for any pending examinations) and your employment experience, and write a personal statement. Check the UCAS website for advice on personal statements.
If you are applying for a 3-year full-time degree through UCAS, you should not name a particular university in your personal statement as you may be applying to other institutions as well.
Come and meet us for application advice.
Use the personal statement tool to help write and receive feedback on your personal statement draft.

Costs

UCAS currently charges £27.50 for up to five choices. Schools, colleges and education centres can advise on payment, while those applying independently can pay online.

Deadlines

2025 entry: 29 January 2025 is the first UCAS deadline and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then.
Birkbeck welcomes applications outside this first UCAS deadline, so you can still apply through UCAS after that, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.

UCAS Extra

UCAS Extra runs from February until early July and gives applicants who are holding no offers a further opportunity to make additional applications. Any courses that accept applications via UCAS Extra will be posted on the UCAS website.

Clearing

30 June is the final UCAS deadline and applications received after this date are automatically entered into UCAS Clearing.
Find out more about applying to Birkbeck through Clearing.

Do I apply for student finance through UCAS?

No, student finance applications are completed online through Student Finance England.
We advise that you complete this application at the same time or immediately after your UCAS application, to ensure that it is processed - and that you receive the full amount of loan you are eligible for - before the start of the academic year. Find out more about student loans and financial support.

What happens once you apply

UCAS will provide Birkbeck with access to your application, which will be reviewed by an academic member of staff, who may award you a place to study at Birkbeck.
If you are successful, confirmation will be sent to UCAS, who will then update your UCAS HUB account with the confirmation details. UCAS will send you a confirmation letter once your place has been officially confirmed.
If you submit your application ahead of the January deadline, you will receive notification of our decision by early May at the latest.
If you apply after the January deadline, you will be considered a ‘late applicant’ and we will notify you of our decision by July at the latest.
If you receive an offer from us, you will be invited to an Offer Day in March, to visit Birkbeck's campus in Bloomsbury, central London, and meet staff, current students and other applicants.
Decisions on applications made through Clearing in August are usually made at the time of application. Please note that during Clearing you need to be available in person to speak with Admissions Tutors and to make decisions.

Part-Time Applications

You can start applying for part-time courses as soon as the courses are published on Birkbeck's website, around May each year, for courses that start in the following Autumn.

How to start the application process

Find your course on the Birkbeck website and click 'Apply now'.
This will take you to the My Birkbeck site. You will be required to create a My Birkbeck account. (If you have already started your application, log in to My Birkbeck). Please make a note of the email account you used to create your Birkbeck account.

Applicant portal

The Birkbeck Applicant Portal enables direct applicants to view the status of their application, respond to offers (accept or decline), upload documents, update their contact details and withdraw their application. On submitting an application, an email is automatically sent to the applicant with login details and a link to the Portal login page.

The application form

You need to follow our onscreen instructions to complete the application form and upload supporting documents. You can save your part-completed application and return to it later. Please make sure you click the submit button to complete your application. Once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to make any changes.
Visit us at an Open Evening for application advice or come along to a Get Started workshop.
Use the personal statement tool to help write and receive feedback on your personal statement draft.

Page 1: Your personal details

You will be asked to provide your personal details, home address and to confirm your residency status. As part of confirming your identity, you must provide an accepted form of photographic identification - usually a valid passport. If you are not a UK, EU/EEA national you must also provide visa documentation to confirm you have valid leave to remain in the UK.
We ask you to upload a scan of your photographic identification. Please see below for accepted proof of identity.
Please note: Section 14 of the Terms and Conditions of Study at Birkbeck, University of London requires your registered name(s) (as listed on your identity documentation), to be used on your student record. This includes middle names, and will be the name that appears on your final award certificate. If your name has changed since you were awarded previous qualifications needed for entry, you will be asked to provide evidence of their name change. e.g. a marriage certificate, deed poll documentation or statutory declaration.

Page 2: Your qualifications

You will be asked about your current studies, if any, and your previous qualifications. You will also be asked to upload certificates or transcripts of your previous qualifications, where relevant.
If English is not your first language, you will be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency. If you have not yet taken an English test, please continue with your application and you will be asked to upload the English test results prior to being invited to enrol. Please check our approved English language tests and qualifications.

Page 3: Your work experience

Please have your employment history to hand, with a brief overview of your responsibilities in each job or role. You may take these from your CV. Birkbeck values all your skills and experiences, not only your academic qualifications, so this information is important for your application. We also ask you to list relevant professional qualifications or training courses.

Page 4: Funding/sponsorship

This is an optional section for students who are being sponsored (for example, by their employer) or applying for a scholarship or grant. You do not need to complete this section if you will be applying for a student loan through Student Finance England, or if you are funding the course yourself.

Page 5: Your personal statement

You will be asked to write a personal statement that describes your academic abilities and your commitment to succeeding on the course you are applying for. You should aim to write an engaging, concise and well-structured statement:
- The purpose of the personal statement is to demonstrate that you have the intellectual ability and the commitment to be a successful student on the course that you're applying for. You should give examples of where you can demonstrate success, whether that's academic or in the workplace. Keep the examples factual, and try to relate them to the course and the skills required to be a successful student.
- Some students are afraid of coming across as boasting when they talk about their achievements. Others have concerns that their achievements are not impressive enough. Don’t let either worry to put you off applying. Show your achievements in the best possible light. We want to see your potential in your application, we don’t expect you to be a complete student at this stage.
- If you have an active interest in the subject you are applying for then mention them here. For example, perhaps you have attended free lectures and events; you regularly make visits to places or read certain publications. Maybe you have had a long-standing interest in the subject and you want to take it to the next level. This is your opportunity to show how you have been engaging in the subject you wish to study.
- If you are applying for a 4-year part-time undergraduate degree, your application will be direct to Birkbeck. As our classes take place in the evening, Birkbeck is different to other universities. Our Admission Tutors will be looking for indications that you have considered how you will be able to study successfully. You could, therefore, state why you are choosing to study in the evening. For example, you may be working or have other commitments during the day and the evening model allows you to continue with your work.
- If you wish to study a postgraduate course in a different subject area to that you studied as an undergraduate, first look at the entry requirements for the course that you're interested in, as some courses have more specific requirements than others. Our admission tutors will be looking at your whole application, and your professional experience will be considered alongside your previous studies. Use your personal statement to highlight how your professional experience or your personal interests may relate to the new subject area that you wish to study.
- Get help from our personal statement tool.

Page 6: Referees

Some courses may require a reference who can talk about your suitability for the course you are applying for. You will be contacted if your course requires a reference.
Referees should comment on your study and analytical skills, subject-specific knowledge and skills, and readiness for degree-level study in your chosen subject.
Ideally, at least one of your referees should be someone who knows your academic or written work well, such as a previous tutor. However, many of our students completed their undergraduate degree many years ago and have lost touch with their tutors. If this is the case, then we recommend that you contact the school that offers your course to request to use an alternative referee, such as an employer or former employer, or someone you’ve worked with in a voluntary capacity. Referees should comment on your study and analytical skills, subject-specific knowledge and skills, and readiness for degree-level study in your chosen subject.

Page 7: Statistical information

The information collected on this page of the application form will not have any influence on your application. It is used purely for statistical and monitoring purposes, and we are required to collect it.

Declaring a disability

It is, of course, your choice what you include in the personal statement. For example, many mature students who struggled at school have since been diagnosed as dyslexic and they would be able to outline this in their personal statement, should they wish to do so.
If we know from an early stage that you may require support for a disability, we can discuss it with you to make sure that we provide the support required. We encourage you to contact our disability team during the application process, rather than waiting until the start of term.

Closing dates

Some courses specify a closing date, which you can find on the online course page.
We recommend that you apply as early as possible and at least six weeks before the start of term. We try to give equal consideration to all applications received before the end of May (for autumn start courses).
If you are an international student applying from outside the UK on a Student visa, you must submit your course application by a certain date in order to be considered for entry in the relevant term.

HOW TO SUPPLY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

You can choose to supply your supporting documents in the following ways:

Online: we recommend that you attach your documents to your application, as this is the easiest and most efficient way to provide them. You may upload documents during the online application process, or if you have already submitted your application, via the applicant portal. You may upload a maximum of six documents.
Email. You can scan/take a photo of your documents and email them to us as a PDF file attachment - please include your Birkbeck ID number on your email. Please note, restrictions are in place to limit the files we receive to 2MB maximum per email. Your message will fail to reach us if you attempt to send files which exceed this limit. To prevent this you should keep within this file limit and ensure only documentary evidence required in support of your application is sent. These may include:

birth certificate or passport
IELTS English Language certificate
degree certificate or transcript
additional documentation requested by Registry.

Accepted proofs of identity

All students are required to provide an accepted form of photographic identification.
UK
All students are required to provide an accepted form of photographic identification.
- A current passport showing that the holder is a British citizen or a citizen of the UK and Colonies, having the right of abode in the UK.
- 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:
- Additional documentation, such as a deed poll certificate or marriage certificate, may be required if you have changed your name.
EU/EEA and Swiss Nationals
After the 30 June 2021, all EU, EEA and Swiss applicants will have to provide the following, when applying to study at Birkbeck:
- A current passport showing that the holder is a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland and
- Evidence of Pre-Settled or Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, such as a Share Code.
- Students who have been granted a Student visa must also provide their Share Code.
- When generating a Share Code, please press the green ‘Start’ button at the bottom of the Share Code webpage. You will have three options to choose from: ‘Right to work’, ‘Right to rent’, and ‘Something else’. Please select option 3: ‘Something else’
Non-EU/EEA Nationals
- Copies of the following documents will be accepted:

Registration guidelines

UK nationals
- If you hold a valid UK passport, please provide a copy.
- If you do not hold a valid UK passport, please provide either:
- Please provide any documentation by email to the Student Advice Centre.
Overseas nationals
- If you hold a valid passport that is endorsed to show that you are exempt from immigration control, are allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, have the right of abode in the UK, or have no time limit on your stay in the UK, please present your original passport and evidence of exemption to the Student Advice Centre. If your endorsement is in a previous passport, please provide both current and previous passports.
- If you are a forced migrant (seeking sanctuary in the UK), please provide the documentation listed on our website.
- If you hold a current Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), passport, vignette or immigration status document issued by the Home Office that grants you permission to stay for the duration of your course, please present your original passport and documentation.
- If you are the family member of an EEA national, please present your original passport and resident permit, your family member’s EEA passport, and documentation confirming your relationship.
- If you entered the UK via an eGate and plan to study for less than 30 days, please present your passport and boarding pass/flight ticket.
- If none of the above situations apply to you, please email us.
- Please provide any documentation by email to the Student Advice Centre.
- If you are entering the UK on a Standard Visitor visa, please present a copy of the visa stamp in your passport. If you do not have a stamp because you entered the UK using an eGate, please present your passport and boarding pass/flight ticket.
EEA nationals
- If you hold a passport or identity card that shows you are a national of an EEA country or Switzerland, which will be valid for the duration of your studies, please provide a copy.
- If you hold a Residence Card, a Registration Certificate, Pre-settled BRP or other document certifying residence issued by the Home Office, please provide a copy.
- If you do not hold any of these documents, please email us.
- Please provide any documentation by email to the Student Advice Centre.

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 andformal 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.

Contact us

Have a question about your application or the admissions process? Get in touch with the Student Advice team.

Terms of study

P lease see our terms and conditions of study