About the university
Birkbeck was founded in 1823 to give working Londoners a chance at higher education, and it is a member institution of the University of London. Its graduates receive University of London degrees.
What sets Birkbeck apart is evening teaching. Most classes run in the evening, so the day is free for self-study, internships or part-time work within Student visa limits, and you study alongside London professionals. It is strong in business, computing and data science, law, psychology and the arts.
Indian students choose Birkbeck for a central London campus at fees below many London universities. Most data, computing and business master's courses cost £24,000 to £26,340 for 2027/28, and students domiciled in India have received an automatic £3,000 Vice-Chancellor's scholarship on master's courses.
The campus is in Bloomsbury, next to the British Museum and the British Library and close to Covent Garden. Birkbeck students can use University of London facilities, including its libraries and Student Central, the students' union.
- Founded
- 1823, by George Birkbeck, to educate London's working people; part of the University of London
- Type
- Public university in Bloomsbury, central London
- Students
- More than 4,000 undergraduates and more than 3,000 postgraduates (Birkbeck); 6,245 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data
- International students
- 42% of students (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 15.6 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Teaching
- Most classes are in the evening (many start at 6pm); some courses offer afternoon options
- Intakes
- October for most master's courses; January as well for some, such as Data Science and International Business Management
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=354 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
326–350 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £24,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- October 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each sub-test)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £24,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- October 2027
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each sub-test)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £24,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- October 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each sub-test)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £24,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- October 2027
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each sub-test)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £24,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- October 2027
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each sub-test)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £24,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- October 2027
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each sub-test)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £24,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- October 2027
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each sub-test)
- Postgraduate
MSc International Business Management
- Fee / year
- £24,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- October 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each sub-test)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Data Science | 1 year (full time) | £24,000 | ≈ ₹29.3 lakh |
| MSc Business Analytics | 1 year (full time) | £24,000 | ≈ ₹29.3 lakh |
| MSc Data Science and AI | 1 year (full time) | £24,000 | ≈ ₹29.3 lakh |
| MSc Computer Science | 1 year (full time) | £24,000 | ≈ ₹29.3 lakh |
| MSc Advanced Computing | 1 year (full time) | £24,000 | ≈ ₹29.3 lakh |
| MSc Applied AI | 1 year (full time) | £24,000 | ≈ ₹29.3 lakh |
| MSc Data Analytics and AI | 1 year (full time) | £24,000 | ≈ ₹29.3 lakh |
| MSc International Business Management | 1 year (full time) | £24,000 | ≈ ₹29.3 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Birkbeck, University of London with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- Full-time bachelor's and taught master's
Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship
Value: £3,000 off the first year of a full-time master's; £1,000 a year (up to £3,000) for a full-time bachelor's
Eligibility: New international fee-paying students domiciled in India (also Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam). Applied automatically at enrolment. Published for autumn 2026 and January 2027 starters; check the page for 2027/28.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Postgraduate, January 2027 start
Birkbeck International Excellence Scholarship (January intake)
Value: £3,000
Eligibility: International students starting a postgraduate course in January 2027. Check the page for eligible countries and deadlines.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Full-time taught master's
Chevening Scholarships
Value: Full tuition fees and living costs
Eligibility: Indian citizens with at least two years' work experience and leadership potential.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Postgraduate
Commonwealth Scholarships
Value: Varies by scheme
Eligibility: Commonwealth citizens, including Indian citizens, through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- CBSE, CISCE and Maharashtra boards: 65% for a CCD offer, 70% for BBC and 75% for AAB.
- West Bengal State Board: 55% (CCD), 60% (BBC) or 65% (AAB). Other state boards: 70% (CCD), 75% (BBC) or 80% (AAB).
- If you do not meet these levels, you can take a foundation course and progress to a Birkbeck bachelor's degree.
Postgraduate
- Courses that ask for a UK 2:2 need a high second-class degree, 55% or equivalent from India. Departments may consider lower marks from top institutions.
- Birkbeck's India page uses the UK NARIC 10-point scale: 6.50–7.99 is first class and 5.50–6.49 is second class.
- A provisional degree certificate is accepted if it is no older than 18 months, together with your final transcript.
- MSc Data Science and MSc Computer Science are designed for graduates new to computer science. For MSc Data Science, suitable applicants are invited to take an online aptitude test.
- If you do not meet the entry level, OnCampus runs a Master's Foundation programme for progression to many Birkbeck master's courses.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Degree certificate (or provisional certificate) and final transcripts
- Class 10 and 12 mark sheets for bachelor's applications
- English test score
- Personal statement
- Reference
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each sub-test (standard requirement for taught courses). IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted; IELTS Academic Online is not. |
| PTE Academic | 62 overall with 60 in each sub-test. PTE Academic Online is not accepted. |
| TOEFL iBT | Old scale: 79 overall (reading 18, listening 19, speaking 19, writing 23). New scale from January 2026: 4.5 overall. The Home Edition is not accepted. |
| Other tests | LanguageCert Academic (70 overall, 65 in each part) and several others are accepted. Duolingo is not listed on Birkbeck's English tests page. |
| Pre-sessional English | Available for applicants who need to raise their English before the course. |
Accommodation and living costs
Birkbeck has no halls of its own. Full-time students can apply for rooms in the University of London intercollegiate halls through Birkbeck's quota, but demand is higher than supply and rooms are not guaranteed. Intercollegiate contracts are not available for January starters. Independent private halls are the main alternative. Prices below are 2026/27 rates on Birkbeck's hall pages; catered rooms include breakfast and dinner.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| International Hall, single room with shared bathroom (catered)£12,063.60 for the contract | £302per week | ≈ ₹36,794 |
| Garden Halls, standard superior room (self-catered)£12,748.80 for the contract | £319per week | ≈ ₹38,884 |
| Connaught Hall, single room with shared bathroom (catered)40-week contract | £328per week | ≈ ₹39,960 |
| College Hall, single en suite room (catered)£15,206.80 for the contract | £380per week | ≈ ₹46,381 |
| University of London deposit and administration fee | £500one-off | ≈ ₹61,000 |
Campus and location
Birkbeck's main campus is in Bloomsbury, central London, in the heart of the University of London's group of colleges.
- Teaching buildings include Georgian houses once home to Virginia Woolf and John Maynard Keynes.
- The British Museum, British Library, Covent Garden and Soho are within walking distance.
- Access to University of London libraries and free membership of Student Central, the University of London students' union.
- Computer labs with programming and database software are open from morning until late in the evening.
- Evening classes leave the day free for study, internships or part-time work within visa limits.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Because most teaching is in the evening, many Birkbeck students work, intern or volunteer during the day, and Birkbeck runs its own recruitment consultancy to help students find work. After graduating you can apply for the UK Graduate visa; see our UK guide for the current rules.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Students in work or further study six months after graduating | 95% | Birkbeck, Why Birkbeck page |
| Teaching Excellence Framework award | Silver | Birkbeck, Why Birkbeck page |
Studying in the UK
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much does a master's at Birkbeck cost?
For 2027/28 (October 2027 start), most data, computing, marketing and HR master's courses cost £24,000 for full-time international students. MSc Management and MSc Accounting and Finance are £25,500, and MSc Finance is £26,340.
Can international students study part-time at Birkbeck?
Student visa holders must study full time. Birkbeck's full-time master's courses take one year, with classes mostly in the evening.
Is there a January intake?
Yes, for some courses. MSc Data Science, MSc Data Science and AI, MSc International Business Management and the LLM list January starts. University of London halls are not available to January starters.
Is there a scholarship for Indian students?
Birkbeck's Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship has given students domiciled in India £3,000 off the first year of a full-time master's, applied automatically. It was published for autumn 2026 and January 2027 starters, so check the page for 2027/28.
What percentage do I need in my bachelor's?
For courses that ask for a UK 2:2, Birkbeck's India page asks for a high second-class degree, 55% or equivalent.
Does Birkbeck accept Duolingo?
Duolingo is not listed on Birkbeck's English tests page. The standard requirement is IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each part, or PTE 62 with 60 in each part.
Sources
- Birkbeck: MSc Data Science (fees for 2027-28) (opens in a new tab)
- Birkbeck: MSc Business Analytics (opens in a new tab)
- Birkbeck: MSc Finance (opens in a new tab)
- Birkbeck: students from India (opens in a new tab)
- Birkbeck: English language qualifications and tests (opens in a new tab)
- Birkbeck: international entry requirements and how to apply (opens in a new tab)
- Birkbeck: international financial support (opens in a new tab)
- Birkbeck: Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
- Birkbeck: accommodation for full-time students (opens in a new tab)
- Birkbeck: International Hall (opens in a new tab)
- Birkbeck: why Birkbeck (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: Birkbeck, University of London (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.bbk.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details