Rankings of Birkbeck, University of London

Birkbeck, University of London (BBK) was established in 1823, and takes a different stance towards admissions than many other universities. Applicants are encouraged by BKK to apply even if they don’t possess the traditional qualifications normally required, as applications here are also considered based on an assessment of your knowledge on the subject, and any work experience you might have. Being located in the very centre of London, students will have all the advantages of the city’s public transport connections, as well as the chance to live in such a diverse and vibrant city with all that it offers.

Latest ranking updates for Birkbeck, University of London
  • March 2024: Scimago Institutions Rankings update. Birkbeck, University of London achieves place 1173.
  • December 2023: Urap announced latest results of URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance with Birkbeck, University of London in position 1230.
  • December 2023: Birkbeck, University of London ranks 741 in the latest QS World University Rankings: Sustainability from British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK.
  • October 2023: Publication of GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking (Textile Science and Engineering). Ranking position #301.
197 Bachelor and Masters - Course Catalogue Admission advice for international students

Historic rankings in TOP global university rankings

Chart Data

Subject rankings

Education

    • #23 
    • #201 
    Education
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #27 
    • #298 
    Education
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #31 
    • #301 
    Education
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Languages & Literature

    • #20 
    • #251 
    Linguistics
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Law

    • #21 
    • #126 
    Law
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #38 
    • #401 
    Economics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #27 
    • #151 
    Geography
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #19 
    • #52 
    History
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #22 
    • #151 
    History
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #11 
    • #100 
    Psychology
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #8 
    • #101 
    Psychology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #24 
    • #151 
    Psychology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #28 
    • #296 
    Psychology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #25 
    • #151 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #31 
    • #251 
    Sociology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Highest subject rankings for Birkbeck, University of London

History URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#52 
Social Studies & Humanities
Law THE World University Rankings by Subject
#126 
Law
Education GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#201 
Education
Linguistics QS World University Rankings By Subject
#251 
Languages & Literature

Student Ratings for Birkbeck, University of London

Student satisfaction:
4.1 (based on 668 student ratings)
Google ratings:
4.0 (based on 327 student ratings)
Facebook ratings:
4.2 (based on 341 student ratings)

“The majority of seminars and lectures are given at times I would consider fairly late in the evening, between 6pm and 9pm in most cases. You can expect to see the same faces around campus most of the time, which I liked because you tend to cross paths with people from your course and you naturally hang out and study together as a result.”

“One of the best features for me has been the university’s location, as there are plenty of students in the area due to a number of other universities also being located nearby. This gives the area a young and energetic vibe. I have to give special thanks to their career services team, who helped me organise my CV in the best way possible given my limited experiences at the time.”

About Birkbeck, University of London

PROS

  • Evening and weekend timetable options for those who already have lots of obligations to keep up outside of their academic life.
  • Some students mention that BBK university is characterized for its superb cultural diversity and central location.
  • Students tend to agree that professors give the support that learners need, including repeating class topics when required, or giving feedback appointments.

CONS

  • Many students complain about how the student union could do more to promote social events, as there is not a lot to get involved with on campus.
  • There’s not much of a nightlife scene, which may be important for those looking for the traditional university experience.

Key facts

Foundation year:
1823
Telephone:
+44 20 7631 6000
Address:
Malet Street
WC1E 7HX, London
England UK
Website:
https://www.bbk.ac.uk
Social:
Nobel prize laureates:
Maurice Wilkins (Birkbeck, University of London, 1962)
 
Sir Alexander Fleming (Birkbeck, University of London, 1945)
 
George Paget Thomson (Birkbeck, University of London, 1937)
 
Arthur Harden (Birkbeck, University of London, 1929)
 
Owen Willans Richardson (Birkbeck, University of London, 1928)
 
Archibald V. Hill (Birkbeck, University of London, 1922)
 

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • Mphil / PhD
  • Stella’s Starting Study Vlog
  • Top reasons why students choose Birkbeck, University of London
  • “How has the Birkbeck experience been for you?”
  • Birkbeck's Student Experience
  • Studying for a PhD at Birkbeck - Veronika Akhmadieva

NSS Aggregate Student reviews

Below you see the results of Birkbeck, University of London for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK universities.

Overall student satisfaction
70 /100
73 total respondents
Chart Data
Source: National Student Survey NSS 2023. The Overall student satisfaction data point is from 2022 (latest available year). The Office for Students made the unfortunate decision to discontinue collecting overall student satisfaction data points per course.
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

THE Student Experience Survey by Times Higher Education

Times Higher Education has surveyed 20251 undergraduate students in the UK about their study experience. 54 students of Birkbeck, University of London participated in the survey.

Below you'll find the results for each of the survey questions for Birkbeck, University of London in comparison to the average for all UK universities.

Overall score: 74.5

Chart Data
Source: Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2018
Data is from 2018 which was the last year for which the survey was published. Survey was discontinued after 2018. Details of Methodology

Student composition of Birkbeck, University of London

Students by level of study Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on January 2023
undergraduates:
4800
postgraduates:
2810
Total:
7610
Students by subject Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on January 2023
Business and Management:
1285
Psychology:
1175
Law:
765
Computing:
640
History:
565
English Studies:
490
Biosciences:
390
Economics:
320
Languages and Area Studies :
315
Politics:
295
Geography, Earth and Environmental Studies:
235
Mathematical Sciences:
190
Philosophy:
160
Creative Arts and Design:
105
Sociology:
100
Education and Teaching:
70
Performing Arts:
55
Chemistry:
40
Archaeology:
35
Anthropology:
30
Social Policy:
5
Foreign students by nationality Academic year 2020/21 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on January 2023
United States:
125
China:
100
India:
50
Saudi Arabia:
30
Pakistan:
25
United Arab Emirates:
25
Japan:
20
Canada:
20
Turkey:
20
Switzerland:
20
Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China):
20
Russia:
15
Taiwan:
15
Nigeria:
15
Brazil:
15
Korea (South):
15
Indonesia:
10
Singapore:
10
Iran:
10
Malaysia:
10
Albania:
10
Australia:
10
Vietnam:
10
Lebanon:
10
Qatar:
10
Morocco:
10
Iraq:
5
Israel:
5
Kuwait:
5
Bahrain:
5
New Zealand:
5
Syria:
5
Trinidad and Tobago:
5
Argentina:
5
Chile:
5
Tunisia:
5
Azerbaijan:
5
Belarus:
5
Georgia:
5
Moldova:
5
Norway:
5
Cameroon:
5
Egypt:
5
Ghana:
5
South Africa:
5
Uzbekistan:
5
Uganda:
5
Afghanistan:
5
Bangladesh:
5
Cambodia:
5
Kazakhstan:
5
Nepal:
5
Philippines:
5
Sri Lanka:
5
Thailand:
5
Source: Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on January 2023

Campuses of Birkbeck, University of London

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FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London ranks #0 in England UK in our meta ranking of 112 university rankings. See rankings of all 382 universities in England UK.

Birkbeck, University of London ranks #0 in London in our meta ranking. See rankings of all 90 universities in London.

Birkbeck, University of London achieved #56 in THE China Subject Ratings Overall. This is the university’s highest ranking in the 112 rankings tracked on our website. See all rankings for Birkbeck, University of London.

Birkbeck, University of London achieved the highest ranking for Social Studies & Humanities. It is ranked #51 in QS World University Rankings By Subject (Philosophy). See all subject rankings for Birkbeck, University of London.

A large number of university rankings include surveys among academics on reputation. In our meta ranking of 112 university rankings Birkbeck, University of London ranks #0 among universities in London and #0 among universities in England UK. See all rankings of Birkbeck, University of London.

In our meta ranking Birkbeck, University of London ranks #0 among all universities in England UK and University of Oxford ranks #1. See all rankings of universities in London. Apart from rankings you may also want to see the ratings from students who attended the universities.
197 Bachelor and Masters - Course Catalogue
Admission advice for international students