Boy has this place changed! There is a really neat cafe on the right as you come in. The staff are really helpful. On the left is the information area where you can find out about all the courses that the college has to offer. The library is past the security barrier and you need a Birkbeck student ID or pay a daily fee of £6 to gain access. Very bright. Much better then it was 20+ years ago. read more

Birkbeck College - Former main entrance of Birkbeck. The new one is on the other side of this building. - Adult Education Near Me - London, XGL

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Birkbeck has all the potential to be amazing but sadly remains truly frustrating. I wish I didn't have to say so and I do write this relunctantly but unfortuntaley, this has been my experience. From day one, the Law School's administration has been a shambles. Information was confusing and chaotic and while you're bombarded with a plethora of emails and updates, including notifications and retractions or corrections of said notifications (can't admin staff just get things right first time round?! and WHY so much unnecessary communication?), getting to the information you actually want and need usually seems long winded. Some staff members really do try their best (and I've had some lovely tutors) but there's this feeling that the college (or at least the Law School) does not run as a well oiled machine, which does not fill me with confidence. Having previously studied at Sussex University, I am not entirely satisfied with the quality of teaching and/or resources at Birkbeck - for one the library could be better. The Mooting program however, is great and perhaps it has encouraged the two stars. Secondly, for the exorbitant tuition fees that are charged, the teaching level doesn't correlate. You spend half the time feeling like the law program is being thrown at you at high speed (which is very overwhelming) and the other half trying not to drown in the pit of chaos. The main building does look a bit dated and some rooms are run down. Saying that however, the new group study area is a plus and is quite relaxed. I have pretty much pulled up my sleeves and rolled with the punches to get through my course because the alternative would be to let these distractions derail me. Birkbeck is not all bad at all however, the bad tends to outshine the good and that much frustration isn't good for anyone's studies. As I work full time, I'm pretty much stuck at Birkbeck but for anyone not tied to studying during in the evening, go elsewhere. read more

Hmm. Birkbeck. I take a couple of classes here. The place is nice in the kind weather, but seems like such a grey campus for being so close to several nice squares (especially Russell Square). The quad area outside of the main building is a nice place to dodge errant tennis balls being thrown around and take a seat on the green grass. Eat a sandwich if you want to. No one's pressuring you to not eat your sandwich wherever you want to eat it. You can eat your sandwich standing or sitting, no judgement here. Speaking of food, outside SOAS there is a vegetarian krishna food table that gives away lots of food for free every day. You can just stroll on up to it (or the que) and they give you a huge plate of food. Based on every single person telling me they didn't like it, though, I'm staying away from there. To some people, free is free so you might want to try it. The area around the aforementioned Russell Square is my favorite part of Birkbeck rather than the area around the main building. My classes are 3 hours long, so when there is a 20 minute break in the class, we all stroll out into the square and grab some grub at the Russell Square Cafe. It's incredibly peaceful. I like donuts. Birkbeck's main building has a cafe on the ground floor, but the prices aren't so good. So I'd recommend bringing food onto campus (Russell Squ cafe is also a bit pricey). There are many coffee shops leading up to the school. That's another thing, Birkbeck is in the center of London, easily accessible via underground by way of the Russell Square and Goodge Street tube stations. So if you're looking for a centrally located school, LOOK NO FURTHER. Stop looking. I take classes at both London Met and Birkbeck; and everything at Birkbeck is so much nicer. But that's to be expected. #TeamBirkbeck read more

Birkbeck College have some great creative writing courses. I recently completed an introduction to creative writing tutored by Raul Peschiera. We explored prose as well as poetry. Raul was engaging and quirky and I looked forward to our weekly sessions. The classes were informal with critiques on our work and weekly homework goals. My only criticism is that the course went on for 4 months and so lost a lot of momentum, however I do feel more confident in my writing skills after completing the course. Birkbeck offers other more intensive part-time courses (such as the Certificate of Higher Education or the Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing) which gear one towards studying for an MA. read more

Birkbeck College is the continuing education branch of the University of London. There are a few Qype entries for it since, as a college, there are several offices and classroom locations. I've taken five evening classes from Birkbeck over several years: four of these were for a Certificate in Philosophy and one was in the Psychology of Advertising. All have been very good: lecturers are great, the classrooms (I had several, most of which were actually in the LSE) were appropriate and not with too many students. read more

I've just finished a taught MA with Birkbeck and the experience was great! The courses were challenging, most of the lecturers were top class, and overall it was a brilliant two years. I studied part time as I work full time and I found the College to be very understanding of the stresses and strains of people in my situation. The library is quite good and the access to online resources was a huge bonus as I couldn't always visit in person. That the library was being refurbished during my time will help future scholars but I found the closure of summer 2007 inconvenient as my dissertation was due in September. Luckily Birkbeck's location encourages use of other local resources. I would recommend evening study to anyone. It has changed my life for the good and I'm sure it will be beneficial to others. read more

Part of the university of london. A place where any one can join and get a degree in london. In the evenings on a part time basis.

This is where I did my study abroad program, and I lived in the immediate area and spent alot of time in this building. It doesn't have much of a physical presence, it's a night school for working types mostly, I think. Everything had that patina of benign neglect that I actually really dig. There's a cafe in the basement that serves some classic english tea. Forget about the coffee. KILLER- and I mean- KILLER locations- something to take note of if you are thinking about this place for your study abroad. It certainly ain't Oxford University, though. read more

I'll admit it upfront - I'm biased. I work and study at Birkbeck and think it's the most amazing university. Where else in London can you get a first class degree without having to give up your job and become tens of thousands of pounds in debt? Birkbeck is such an inspirational place. Students working all day, then giving up their evenings to learn and develop themselves. I'm studying economics, and although it can be a challenge to fit it all in, the end result will be worth it, I know. The tutors are supportive and recognise that we all have work and families too, so do take that on board when setting work. I'd encourage absolutely everyone thinking about studying for a certificate, a short course, a degree or beyond to register here - it really will change your life! read more

I did a part time Diploma in Archaeology course at Birkbeck which I completed in 2007 and was taught in 2 different locations, I also took a shorter 2 term course once i completed the diploma which was taught at The Museum of London. I found the teaching and support from all but one tutor was excellent and I had no reason to complain at all so I would consider studying there again. read more

I'm currently in my second year of Certificate of Higher Education in Psychology at Birkbeck with the view to go onto a full time degree , and all I can say is if I had known how Birkbeck would treat it's students, or how inconsiderate and unhelpful the lecturers were, or how much of a conveyor belt it felt, I'd have chosen the Open university over Birkbeck in a heartbeat! I decided to go with Birkbeck because they said that they offered students support and I had thought that the lectures would be an advantage. Not so, they don't give you revision classes before your exams, they won't allow practice exams, they throw information at you for 2-3 hours and if you don't somehow figure out what it all means by the next lesson - you're doomed! Some lecturers are so advanced themselves that they are just unable to 'step down' to the beginners level to help us to understand fundamental concepts. You simply cannot begin the marathon without the appropriate training and someone needs to tell these people. Even though I am passing my courses, I can't believe I'm paying to be bullied and made to feel like I'm an idiot simply for asking questions. Save your money, go to a different uni. This one is more concerned with appearances! I might start a blog to document the journey so any current students with similar grievances don't feel like they are on their own or like its them that's failing, rather than the university that's failing them! Search in due course! read more

Your review helps others learn about great local businesses. Great teaching, however the support aspect, is very poor ive been lied to , if it wasn't for my tutor I wouldn't of received the support needed. They allow abusive individual to remain studying at the campus. They tired to frame people who complain about this woman fees disability and student finance tell half trues and the NUS who are suppose to support you dont. This is a closet racist institution. Know your stuff and seek a second option. Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.Great read more

The Science department is a disgrace and the quality of teaching is abysmal. I did a postgraduate degree in the Biological Sciences department, however I found one the chemistry lecturers to be racist. I will never recommend anyone to this University read more

I'm just at the end of a 4 years Psychology BSc and have enjoyed every minute. There were a few complaints from people along the way, mainly from those who expected to be nursed through the programme and most of those have dropped out now. Both the staff and the students I have met have been fantastic, its been a truly inspiring experience. I'm a working 43 year old father of two with lots of life experience. I think some people who are working expect the same sort of 'service' from academia as they would at marks and spencer's. It doesn't work like this, you have to use your initiative, be proactive and make efforts to engage with your subject and your tutors. It won't come to you, which is an expectation that I saw many students have who are used to being treated as a customer in the outside world. Yes you're paying for it but that doesn't entitle you to have your hand held, you have to reach out and grab a hold of your chosen subject. The only advice I can give if you are considering studying at Birkbeck as a working or mature student is make sure you have the allocation of time and ultimate desire to complete the course of your choice. This may sound obvious but I couldn't believe how many people on my course moaned about not having any time to do the work and the 'lack of support'. Its simple, go to the lectures, read the suggested reading, do the assignments and turn up at the exams. Oh and its £2 a drink in the George Birkbeck bar!! read more

I'm on my second short course run by Birkbeck. The first was held at the nearby Wellcome Collection, and was a whiz-bang tour through the history of the human body - how we think of it, how our perceptions of disease and wellness have changed. I'm now enjoying the Developing Your Fiction module, which has helped me get serious about my writing. read more

I am in the second term of my first year of a Masters, and I am absolutely fed up with the place already. The administration and organisation is just awful it would be more professional if a bunch of half-wit three year olds ran the department. It's utter chaos, and it's impossible to get hold of even basic but essential information about the course. If you are informed of something, you can guarantee that you'll subsequently be told something different; you just don't know where you are with anything. You'd think, being part-time students, they'd try and make life easy for us wrong; I'm so frustrated, and it's causing me so much unnecessary stress. Also, for two elements we are taught by PhD students: I don't pay to be taught by PhD students. Plus, the attitude of the staff stinks; they treat students like dirt it's as if we are an annoyance, and they expect the worst from us (and they actually let us know such), so they treat us like rubbish with no respect. This, ironcially, includes the Education Officer, who is supposed to help you with your studies; the standard of a half-day course of theirs I attended was awful, the Officer's attitude was abysmal from the outset, and we were spoken to like children. As someone who works my socks off, and is trying to get the best mark possible I find this approach by staff insulting. And good luck trying to spend some face-to-face time with any member of staff they don't have time for you, and let you know such. You'd think as per every other educational establishment I've attended that they'd revel in students who taken an interest, and want to do well. Think again. Let's not forget that we're actually paying for this debacle. I asked my Personal Tutor how I make a formal complaint; instead of asking if I'd like to meet or if they could help, they couldn't have cared less (and couldn't even be bothered to tell me how I submit the complaint). This is the fifth post-school establishment I have studied at, and it's by far the worst. Even my local little college did a much better job at evening classes. If there were somewhere else I could study part-time, I'd be leaving pronto. As it is, I'm stuck here but it'll be an absolute test of staying power and patience to get through the four years. It pains me to give them a penny of my hard-earned cash. read more

I did the Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing. I had a number of concerns. The staff were very pretentious and prescriptive/formulaic. Their interpretation of the mark scheme was rigid and arbitrary. To be honest we really could not understand why some pieces were marked so differently and had no investigation, comment or response from the academic office. This might seem trivial but with creative writing it is an artistic and emotional endeavour. Some of the staff were clearly more interested in their own careers/egos/cvs than their students and were not always very impartial or supportive. One teacher even admitted that he had to admit he hated the idea that any of his students might be better than him. The two stars are for the students who were lovely, talented, well read, and wrote interesting things. The admin is also not that good. It took three months to collate marks. I am also doubtful there is any truth in the rumour they also have a habit of hiding mis-marked coursework from the double marking because they do not seem that capable. read more