Birkbeck is a world-class research and teaching institution, a vibrant centre of academic excellence and London’s only specialist provider of evening higher education. We encourage applications from students without traditional qualifications and we have a wide range of programmes to suit every entry level. Our academic reputation also attracts many traditional full-time postgraduate students.

Over 19,000 students study with us every year. They join a community that is as diverse and cosmopolitan as London’s population. Find out more about what our students have to say.

World-class research environment
According to the 2008 RAE results, Birkbeck ranks in the top 25% of UK multi faculty HEIs.

The RAE rated the quality of research in a range of subjects at 159 Higher Education Institutions in the UK. Initial analysis shows Birkbeck submissions from Earth Sciences, Psychology, History, Classics and Archaeology and History of Art, Film and Visual Media were rated in the top 5 nationally. All 17 Birkbeck submissions had at least 60% of their research classified as 'internationally recognised', whereas 11 of 17 had the majority of their research categorised as 'internationally excellent' and 'world leading'.

Find out more about our research here.

London’s top university
Birkbeck is recognised for providing the highest quality teaching that is informed by our outstanding research excellence. This is proven by our number one position in the UK’s National Student Surveys. In 2007, Birkbeck beat every higher education institution in London for overall student satisfaction - find out more about the National Student Survey results here.

To find out more about what it's like to study at Birkbeck, watch interviews with our students or read short profiles of each.