Birkbeck, University of London - London

Sarah Abdel Rahman

I did a certification at BBK and found the experience rather disappointing, unfortunately. I needed a reference to apply for further training and was ghosted by my primary tutor for months. Then I couldn't log into my online profile similar experience of no response…
I have now completed my training (in July 2024) and have been waiting for my certificate since (it is now Jan 2025) - I had to call several times, chase, and leave messages and was told it should be with me in the next 6 months - that means I would have received my certificate a year after I completed my course. Maybe I got unlucky but this university seems to be an admin nightmare. I applied to several other universities and all responded within days and the one I studied at and paid thousands of pounds to can’t be bothered…

Eurus Holmes

The philosophy department has gone downhill, which is sad given many famous professors once belonged here. Now you get some classic studies prof (sofia conelL) taking an ai course and failing you with her incompetent assessment.

M Teodoro

If you are a student who just wants to focus on their studies, then Birkbeck is the right uni for you. However, if you're looking for a holistic uni experience such as having extra curricular activities, then stay away from Birkbeck. This year, the university has removed any support to sports clubs and made it difficult for students who wanted to represent the university in external competitions such as BUCS. It is disappointing for us, students, who just want to have a holistic student uni experience like many other students from different universities. The Student Union also doesn't have a voice - so we're not sure why they're even there in the first place. No support from them and they're not even advocating for the interests & welfare of their student members.

Jacque Dawkins

I enjoyed my time at Birķbeck. Very supportive. On the whole, loved the teaching. Only one class did I regret. Lecturer was a waist if time as she had poor class management skills. Would definitely do another course there.

Elio Micosa

I would personally discourage anyone from enrolling in the Psychodynamic Psychotherapy MSc. In my experience, the program seemed to align with 'gender critical' views, which made me feel unsafe in myself and less confident in the theories we were being taught and expected to apply with our clients. I felt deeply uncomfortable as a person of colour, both due to the readings assigned and the group work we participated in. In my opinion, racist comments were not taken seriously by staff members.

I attempted to raise complaints in class and through more formal channels but felt dismissed. I did not feel supported or safe within the course, and I found that other queer students and students of colour I spoke to expressed feelings of discomfort as well. While psychoanalysis has the potential to engage in progressive discussions around race, gender, and social issues, in my view, this course took a more conservative approach. I believe a lot of my issues lay with the counselling department, however, I found Birkbeck as a whole to be unsupportive as a queer person of colour.

Robert Ossant

I studied three years at Birkbeck for a History of Art BA and then did a further year of study for my MA. The evening set up meant I could still work and the courses were so engaging that I felt refreshed rather than exhausted. The vast majority of the lecturers are extremely knowledgeable and teach their subjects with passion.
I could not have got my degrees at a conventional university and am forever grateful for the unique teaching system at Birkbeck.

AB

Would definitely not recommend this university. I did not feel welcomed at all, i felt like an outsider. The only time i felt included was in the classrooms, once in a while, when people noticed that i wasn’t talking. Even when i tried to communicate, i still did not feel involved in my classes. Most of the time i was by myself. When i emailed for issues, it would take a week or two weeks, sometimes longer to hear back from them, so ridiculous! I even emailed to the student complaints, and i have not heard back from there till now lol. They are not fast at responding to inquiries, barely received any help from my teachers, on their website they have the courses but it does not look like a lot of courses. I was meant to be doing two courses, i did one full course (both short courses) and i did not want to continue one of the other courses. I told the department MONTHS before and politely, and i was told to contact the fees service and i was eligible for a refund .

Firstly i would like to say that the fees department were rude, blunt, and not straightforward. One woman even shouted at me when i asked her “why can i not receive my refund” and i stayed calm on the phone. She kept yelling “You will not receive it” without any proper reason. I emailed the department again, and they told me more than 3 times, i am eligible, and i have not received it so i left it. Then later on i receive an email from the department that they have taken the money from my details, so that is why i did not receive a large amount of money in my account as refund, therefore no longer being eligible for the refund. Miscommunication honestly ! Why did you let me know that i was eligible for a refund at the start just to find out months later after requesting for a refund that i am “apparently” not eligible, without any proper reason. Avoid this uni.

Lauren Fuller

Strongly discourage anyone from working here. They can claim they are a welcoming and inclusive workplace but all seemed to go down hill after a senior member of staff left.