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Birkbeck, University of London
From The Student RoomTSR Wiki > University > Choosing a University > University Guides > Birkbeck, University of London
 Part of the University of London, Birkbeck is a world-class research and teaching institution, though it is mainly a place for mature students and part time students so for many people reading this guide Birbeck is not a place for you to consider. Birkbeck's roots lie in the Mechanics' Institution tradition. In 1823, Dr George Birkbeck and his supporters launched London’s first-ever Mechanics’ Institution dedicated to the education of working people. Today, Birkbeck actively encourages applications from working students without traditional qualifications. All of its undergraduate degrees are offered on a part-time basis (so they take four years to complete instead of three years), and all classes are taught in the evenings, which means that a large number of undergraduate students at Birkbeck are working and studying at the same time. At postgraduate level, the picture is more complicated. Birkbeck has an impressive research profile, so it offers a wide range of Master's degrees, offered both part-time and full-time (two years part-time; one year full-time). And all of its 16 Schools offer supervision for MPhil/PhD study, which students can undertake either on a part-time or full-time basis. Birkbeck also offers over 900 certificate, diploma and short courses, on a wide range of topics. Faculties and Schools at BirkbeckBirkbeck is divided into four Faculties, which between them account for all 16 Schools at Birkbeck. They are:
FacilitiesThe completion of an £18.5 million extension project has revitalised the look and function of the main Birkbeck building and created a new entrance. The nine-storey, glass-fronted extension block, designed to reflect the architectural character of the University of London precinct, has given Birkbeck 45 per cent additional space. This houses the five-floor library and also contains a suite of four new lecture theatres, plus additional laboratories and teaching rooms. Disabled access has also been improved with refurbished lifts to all floors. Beside the Torrington Square entrance, you will find the Learning Information Centre, comprising an information centre for general course enquiries, a learning and professional development advice centre, the library front desk and the Café on the Square. The Café overlooks the newly landscaped gardens of Torrington Square and is a great place to have a cup of coffee and meet friends. LibrariesThe Birkbeck Library, which brings together all of Birkbeck's library facilities in one place, covers five levels of the main building on Malet Street. The entrance is on the ground floor, and the upper levels can be accessed by stairs or a lift. Useful links: IT and ComputingITS are responsible for central IT infrastructure, and provide a number of systems, including email for staff and students, telephone services, the College Network including wireless, Web services and a Virtual Learning environment (WebCT). In addition, ITS maintains eight workstation rooms around the College, which are open access except when used for teaching. Room Booking Timetables are published three weeks in advance on the web and are available for the current week on each room's door. Note that the computers in the Library, whilst accessed with your ITS username and password, are maintained by the Library and thus may have different software available to those in ITS rooms. All students on a degree course have access to computers in the Library and ITS workstation rooms. Those on short courses with the Faculty of Lifelong Learning are likely only to have access to computers in the Library, but may upgrade to full access on payment of a small fee. Useful link: Sports/gym facilitiesAs a Birkbeck student, you are entitled to a discount to join the University of London Union Energybase (right next door to Birkbeck) and you are also entitled to become a member of ULU's sports clubs and societies. Useful links: WelfareThe Birkbeck Students' Union offers the following welfare support: an Advice Centre, Counselling, and Skills for Study programme. Useful links: HealthcareBirkbeck subscribes to the Gower Street Practice, located just around the corner from the Malet Street main building at 20 Gower Street. Useful link: ShopsBirkbeck is located at the heart of the University of London in Bloomsbury (WC1). This part of central London gives you excellent access to shopping areas, including:
Everywhere else in London is easy to get to from Birkbeck, via public transport. RestaurantsBirkbeck is surrounded by a huge choice of restaurants, cafes and bars. BanksYou will find all the major banks within walking distance of Birkbeck, many of them on Tottenham Court Road. TransportBy public transport It's easy to get to Birkbeck by all forms of public transport. Birkbeck is surrounded by tube and mainline rail stations. Many bus routes pass down nearby Gower Street or go via Russell Square. On your bike An extensive network of cycle routes lead to Birkbeck, and there are ample cycle rack facilities around the Malet Stree building including a number of lockable cycle bins. In your car If you are planning your journey by car, please bear in mind congestion charges; our central London location also means that parking facilities are not only limited but may be expensive. View driving directions from your location to our main building in Malet Street. Useful link: Careers serviceCurrent undergraduate and postgraduate students at Birkbeck can use the services offered by the University of London Specialist Institutions' Careers Service. Useful link: SocialBars and pubsThe newly refurbished George Birkbeck Bar, on the fourth floor of the main Birkbeck building, is open 11am-11pm in term time for coffee, drinks and snacks. Not surprisingly, the bar is usually busy in the evenings, as students come out of class and head straight to the bar. There are also loads of bars and pubs all around Birkbeck, so no shortage of night life after you've finished your class. EventsBirkbeck offers a lively programme of lectures, workshops, conferences, film screenings and other events that are open to the public. Useful link: Clubs and societiesIn any given year there are around 20 active Societies at Birkbeck, some of which have been going for years. Most of these are traditionally centred around a particular department or subject area, although there are some cultural groups and sporting clubs. Any student is eligible to join any society, so don't feel you have to be doing a degree in e.g. history, to join the History Society, or that Law Society is only for law students! Not so! The societies are run by students and are funded by the Students' Union so that students can get more out of their time at Birkbeck. Alternatively, as an undergraduate/postgraduate student at Birkbeck, you are entitled to join the University of London Union clubs and societies. Useful links: Birkbeck Students' Union Clubs and Societies AccommodationBirkbeck has an arrangement with University of London Housing Services, who can help our students find accommodation. Useful link: Information on University of London Housing Services ResidencesBirkbeck has a limited quota of places in the University of London Intercollegiate Halls of Residence. Priority is given to full-time postgraduate students who have not previously lived in the UK. Useful link: Information on University of London Halls of Residence Student unionBirkbeck Students' Union promotes welfare issues, represents students' interests on College committees and provides social activities via events and societies. Useful link: Birkbeck Students' Union web site LocationBirkbeck's location is great, right in the heart of Bloomsbury, close to major shopping areas and lots of cultural centres, including the British Museum and the British Library. Covent Garden and Theatreland are within walking distance, as are major shopping areas such as Oxford Street and Regent Street. Teaching qualityFor the past three years, Birkbeck has been voted 'top university in London' in the National Student Survey. The teachers at Birkbeck know all about combining study with other responsibilities and do a lot to help students succeed at their studies. Useful link: Press release on the 2007 National Student Survey results Applying to BirkbeckThinking of applying to Birkbeck? Why not read some Personal Statements which were used for applying here? Other Birkbeck ArticlesWhy not read these other Birkbeck Articles? Links | 
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