LONDON S EVENING UNIVERSITY. Under- graduate PROSPECTUS ENTRY DEGREES & CERTIFICATES BY FLEXIBLE EVENING STUDY

Transcription

1 LONDON S EVENING UNIVERSITY Under- graduate PROSPECTUS ENTRY DEGREES & CERTIFICATES BY FLEXIBLE EVENING STUDY

2 Studying at Birkbeck has changed my life. It has offered new insights and a new way of thinking and perceiving. My degree at Birkbeck has boosted my confidence, and it has helped me get my current job. It opens a new door to the world. Vicki BA Linguistics and Culture

3 Change your life Get a better job, a bigger income and a broader outlook. Work during the day and study in the evening. Whatever your age, background or motivation, join a university voted number 1 in London and ranked amongst the world s top 1%. A great university: ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world Recognised as a global elite university, Birkbeck is ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings Over 90% of Birkbeck academics are research-active and many are renowned world-class experts in their fields. Birkbeck promises you: prestigious University of London qualifications valued by employers everywhere inspirational teaching with some of the world s top academics a great student experience with highly motivated and supportive fellow students exceptional careers development with Birkbeck alumni the majority of whom are career professionals in London the chance to build your career in the day, study in the evening and change your life. With a loan and Birkbeck financial support, you can afford to go to university Most undergraduate and certificate students can get government student loans to cover the full cost of tuition fees. With a loan, you won t have to pay anything upfront to study. We also have great financial support packages, including fee waivers and cash bursaries. See pages for details. Study in the evening, build your CV and achieve your ambition Birkbeck offers the unique opportunity to fit university studies around busy lives. Nearly all teaching takes place between 6pm 9pm allowing you the flexibility to work during the day and build your CV by studying for a University of London qualification in the evening. Many students experience a boost to their careers while studying as employers reward improvements to work quality and impact with promotions. A qualification from Birkbeck is also recognised by employers as evidence of commitment to achieve and succeed. Complete your degree in 3, 4 or 6 years Our undergraduate degrees are all taught in the evenings and you can choose to complete in 3, 4 or 6 years. International students can apply to study on our 3-year undergraduate degrees, as these are classified as full-time. All applications (from both Home and Overseas students) for our 3-year full-time evening degrees are via UCAS (the central universities admissions service) see ucas.com for details of how to apply. You apply directly to Birkbeck for our 4-year and 6-year part-time evening degrees. See page 15 to find out more about full- and part-time degree study. Complete a certificate at your own pace Certificates of Higher Education are all part-time, mostly taught in the evenings, and classes usually meet just once a week so they re easy to fit around your busy schedule. You can study at your own pace, build up your credits and gain a prestigious University of London qualification. You can also use these to progress to degree study at Birkbeck. You apply directly to Birkbeck for these courses see pages for more information about certificates). Change your life 1

4 Number 1 for teaching As a Birkbeck student, you re getting the best faceto-face teaching and learning experience. Birkbeck has consistently ranked number 1 in the annual National Student Surveys and was voted number 1 for teaching in the 2012 survey. Our academics are experienced in supporting students who are balancing evening study alongside work or other commitments. Our evening teaching is designed with you in mind, and we provide all the facilities and support that you would expect, including a library that s open late, a student centre and excellent computing facilities. Evenings are when Birkbeck comes alive, when students arrive from across London to study with us. Prestigious University of London qualifications valued by employers everywhere As a member college of the University of London, Birkbeck shares its standards and we award internationally recognised University of London qualifications. By studying with us, you can feel confident that you are studying at one of the world s leading research-intensive universities and getting the best higher education. Join highly motivated students who aim to succeed More than 18,000 students study with us every year. They are hard-working, determined to achieve and excited about being in a Birkbeck classroom. They are also very supportive and you ll have the chance to make new friends and professional contacts with students who have real-life professional skills and backgrounds. The mix of ages, backgrounds and occupations is a unique advantage of studying at Birkbeck and makes a rich learning environment for students. Student life at the heart of the University of London Birkbeck s main campus is situated in the University of London s central London campus in Bloomsbury, WC1. We are surrounded by other colleges, including University College London (UCL), the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), and the School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. In addition, the University of London Union (ULU) a well-known music venue is right next door and you can access all of ULU s excellent sports and social facilities, including a large indoor swimming pool. All this makes for a lively student atmosphere on a citycentre university campus. Campuses in Bloomsbury and Stratford, with excellent transport links With Birkbeck you have the choice of studying in central London (Bloomsbury, WC1) or in Stratford in east London. Both campuses offer all the facilities you need as a university student and are well served by public transport, making it easy to get to and from the College. Our central London campus is surrounded by Tube and mainline rail stations, including Russell Square, Tottenham Court Road, Euston and King s Cross. Many bus routes pass nearby and you ll find an extensive network of cycle routes leading to Birkbeck, as well as a number of London cycle scheme docking stations (see map on page 228). Within easy walking distance are some of the world s most famous museums and galleries, including the British Museum and the British Library. The West End shopping areas of Oxford Street and Covent Garden are also a short walk away, as are the lively bars, restaurants and clubs of Soho and Chinatown. Our state-of-the-art new campus in Stratford in east London opens in autumn Based at the heart of Stratford, University Square is a unique partnership between Birkbeck and the University of East London. And you ll find that it s easy to get to and from class, as Stratford station just 5 minutes walk away offers excellent transport links, including Docklands Light Railway (DLR), Tube, rail and bus services. It s also easy to get to and from Birkbeck s main campus in central London just 20 minutes by Tube. See pages for more information about our courses in Stratford. Radical beginnings In 1823, George Birkbeck started an education revolution in London by establishing a Mechanics Institute a college specifically for working people. The foundation of Birkbeck meant that, for the first time, London s artisans, craftsmen and skilled workers could acquire formal training in science, art and economics. In 1920, Birkbeck officially became part of the University of London on condition that it should continue to make the best university education accessible to all. Championing evening higher education for all is still our central mission, as is our commitment to being intellectually adventurous and socially radical. 2 Change your life

5 I had a eureka moment in the first lecture and thought I can do this. Birkbeck has been instrumental in that it has completely changed my life. My learning needs had not been identified before, and I had developed mechanisms to cope, but I was not fulfilling my potential. Now I am receiving the individual support I need. The course is going very well and I gained top grades in my last exam. I am very hopeful and everyone said you are more than capable. Dayna, BSc Business and Management

6 Contents Change your life page 1 Get a place at Birkbeck: your step-by-step guide page 5 Got your place. Now change your life page 6 Student loans and how they work page 8 Birkbeck financial support: what you can get page 10 Come and meet us: open evenings, workshops and advice sessions page 12 Full-time and part-time evening degree study explained page 15 Choosing the right entry level: certificates and degrees explained page 19 Teaching, coursework, and English language and learning support page 23 International students page 26 Studying in Stratford page 28 Student services page 31 Our courses page 36 How to apply and enrol page 206 Entry requirements page 211 Fees, related costs and payment options page 214 Supplementary information page Contents

7 Get a place at Birkbeck: your step-by-step guide You re just steps away from getting your place at Birkbeck and starting out on your new journey and we ll help you every step of the way. STEP 1 Choose Birkbeck A global elite, top 1% research institution page 1 University of London qualifications by evening study page 1 The best teaching page 2 STEP 2 Choose your course Award types: Certificates of Higher Education, Foundation and BA/BSc/ LLB evening degrees page 19 Course listings pages Choosing between 3-, 4- or 6-year degrees page 15 Working and studying page 24 STEP 3 Get advice Come and meet specialist advisors, academics and Birkbeck alumni at open evenings, workshops and advice sessions page 12 STEP 5 Make your application How to apply for a course page 206 Accepting your place and enrolling on your course page 207 STEP 6 Finance your studies Student loans page 8 Fee waivers and cash bursaries page 10 Fee discounts for union members page 11 Pay monthly, at no extra cost page 11 STEP 7 Get ready to study Get Ahead with our summer workshops page 23 Support once you ve started page 25. STEP 4 Entry requirements General page 211 English language page 212 International applicants page 212 STEP 8 Your bright future starts here Career development with successful former students page 6 Specialist one-to-one careers advice page 7 Get a place at Birkbeck 5

8 If you asked my current employers, the fact that I demonstrated my interest and my passion made a difference in the competitive recruitment process. The evidence of my work at Birkbeck was certainly a contributor to getting this role. Andrew Williams, Global Chief Information Officer, Save the Children International Got your place. Now change your life A bright new you, a bright new future it all starts here. Whatever your age, background or motivation, you re joining one of the world s best universities and Birkbeck can help you achieve your ambition. Realise your potential, get the job you ve always wanted Get a place on the course that s right for you at Birkbeck and you ll be on your way to realising your potential, changing your life and getting the job you ve always wanted. Your prestigious, internationally recognised University of London qualification is highly regarded by employers and will have a direct impact on your future career and earning potential. Research shows that many students experience a significant boost to their careers and personal development even before graduation. 30% of those who took part in a recent survey said they were awarded a pay increase or promotion while studying; and over 70% found their confidence and job performance improved during their studies. Develop your career with top London professionals Most of our former students are based in London, building successful careers in major corporations, City firms and institutions, as well as some of the world s most prestigious arts and cultural organisations, global NGOs and government bodies. They include high-ranking Civil Servants, MPs and highly successful entrepreneurs and CEOs. Our alumni are committed to, and passionate about Birkbeck, and are actively engaged in sharing their professional experience and expertise with current students. You can meet alumni at open evenings, through mentoring schemes, employability seminars and other professional development events. These are great opportunities to learn more about what employers really want, how to get into particular sectors or industries, or to hear more about what entrepreneurship involves and what social enterprise means. Birkbeck alumni include: Juliet Davenport, Chief Executive, Good Energy Group PLC Trevor Williams, Chief Economist, Lloyds Bank Sarah Weir OBE, Chief Executive, The Legacy List Ed Davey, MP and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Jenny Rowe, Chief Executive of the UK Supreme Court Professor Glaucius Oliva, Institute of Physics of São Carlos, University of São Paulo and Director of Brazil s prestigious Science without Borders programme Leslie Morphy OBE, Chief Executive, Crisis Carole Souter CBE, Chief Executive, Heritage Lottery Fund Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England Rob Williams, silver medallist 2012 London Olympics for rowing. 6 Got your place. Now change your life

9 Access to high-quality careers advice The Specialist Institutions Careers Service (SICS) part of the Careers Group, University of London is located next door to Birkbeck. It offers a career planning and development service to students at all stages of their careers. Specialist careers advice at Stratford All Birkbeck students can also access the specialist, independent education advice service based at our new campus in Stratford (east London). See page 29 for more information. Services include advisory interviews, psychometric testing, a Careers Development Programme to help you with career planning, interview preparation and applications, and an alert service which notifies you of forthcoming events and vacancies. For further details, call , sics@careers.lon.ac.uk or visit careers.lon.ac.uk/sics Becoming an actuary involves lots of statistics and I wouldn t be able to do the job I m doing if I hadn t studied at Birkbeck. The knowledge that I gained from my studies meant that I was able to engage more in the work that I was doing and that helped me learn more. Natalie Jackson, Actuarial Analyst, Bank of England It was tough, but I enjoyed it and I m living with the rewards. It s the CV that gets you the interview, and having a Master s from Birkbeck really got me through the door. Sajjad Rashid, MD, Head of Risk, Central Management Group, Deutsche Bank Hear our graduates talk about how study changed their lives and helped them achieve their ambitions at bbk.ac.uk/changeyourlife Join us on facebook.com/birkbeckuniversityoflondon twitter.com/birkbecknews Got your place. Now change your life 7

10 Student loans and how they work There are no upfront fees for most undergraduate and certificate students, as you can access government student loans to cover the full cost of tuition fees. The government provides loans for eligible students who are studying for an undergraduate degree or Certificate of Higher Education for the first time. This means that you don t have to save up and pay for your course upfront. Your student loan will cover the full cost of your tuition fees. Loans are not dependent on age or income. You can complete your studies before you start to repay your loan. You only start to repay when your income is over 21,000 a year. If for any reason your income falls below 21,000 for example, if you become unemployed or take maternity leave your repayments stop. Repayments will be deducted automatically from your pay packet, like income tax, or through your tax return if you are self-employed. The amount you repay each month depends only on your income, not on how much you borrowed or what the course fee is. This means that you can study the course that s right for you without worrying about the fees. See the table on page 9 for examples of income and typical repayments. Full-time students can apply for maintenance loans and grants to help with living costs, as well as loans to pay their fees. This option is not available to part-time students as part-time study allows you the flexibility to work alongside studying. There are no penalties for repaying the loan early. Any outstanding loan will be written off after 30 years, no matter how much or how little you have repaid. You don t need to apply for your loan before you apply for your course. In fact, you should apply for your course as soon as possible to secure your place; Birkbeck will help you with your student loan application. If you are eligible, you will get the full amount you need to pay your course fees. Note that unlike commercial loans or credit card debt, student loans don t go on credit files. The loan is unlikely to affect your ability to get a mortgage, but the amount of mortgage available may depend on your net income (i.e. income after tax and loan repayments). Please check our website bbk.ac.uk/fees for the most up-to-date information. See page 214 for information about fees. Who is eligible and what is covered Undergraduate and certificate students are eligible for a student loan if they: do not already have an undergraduate qualification (e.g. BA, BSc, LLB, Foundation Degree, Certificate of Higher Education) or equivalent-level qualification are studying at least 25% of a full-time course or modules worth 30 credit points a year are classified as Home or EU students * are not behind in repayments for any previous student loan taken out. 8 Student loans and how they work

11 The loan covers your annual course fees. It does not cover other costs, such as living expenses, books or travel. Your student loan is paid directly to the university and not to you. Maintenance loans and grants for full-time study Full-time students can apply for maintenance loans and grants to help with living expenses, as well as loans to pay their fees. The maintenance loans are available to most ** full-time students; the grants are means-tested. As Birkbeck s 3-year evening degrees are classified as full-time, students on these programmes are eligible to apply for maintenance loans and grants. Maintenance loans and grants are paid directly into your bank account at the start of each term. Maintenance grants are non-repayable, whereas maintenance loans are repayable. After university, your course fee and maintenance loans are combined for repayment. See the repayment examples in the table below. Repaying your student loan Example of monthly repayment amounts: Income each year before tax Monthly salary Up to 21,000 Up to 1, ,000 1, ,000 2, ,000 2, ,000 2, ,000 3, Monthly repayment All Birkbeck students can complete their studies before starting to repay loans: Full-time students will start to repay from the April 3 years after they start. Part-time students will start to repay from the April 4 years after they start. Students on courses shorter than 3 years will start to repay from the April after the course finishes. Interest rates While you are studying, interest will be added to your repayments at the rate of inflation, plus 3% a year. After studying, and when you are earning below 21,000, interest will be added to your repayments at the rate of inflation. After studying, and when you are earning 21,000 41,000, interest on your repayments is on a sliding scale from the rate of inflation up to a maximum of the rate of inflation plus 3%. After studying and earning over 41,000, interest on your repayments is the rate of inflation plus 3%. When and how to apply for your loan Student loans are managed by the Student Loans Company. Apply online to the Student Loans Company through the Student Finance England website: gov.uk/student-finance Applications for loans for full-time study are expected to open in early Applications for loans for part-time study are expected to open around May Register your details on our website bbk.ac.uk/fees and we will send you all the information you need about applying for your loan and let you know when applications open. Need help applying? Our Student Centre team (see page 13) can help you with your student loan application and provide general advice on applying to study at Birkbeck. Not eligible for, or don t want to take out, a student loan? Birkbeck has a generous interest-free payment scheme to ease the burden for students who are not eligible for, or who do not wish to take out, a student loan. Under the scheme, most students enrolling for an undergraduate or certificate programme will be able to pay their fees in monthly instalments at no extra cost. Note that the number of instalments will vary according to when you enrol and the length of your course. The earlier you enrol, the cheaper your monthly payments. Further details can be found at bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/finance * Government funding regulations state that Home/ EU/Overseas status is dependent on nationality and residence, and you should normally have 3 years residency in the European Economic Area prior to the start of your course. For details, see gov.uk/student-finance ** Exceptions apply. Please see gov.uk/student-finance for details of eligibility. Birkbeck s 3-year evening BA/BSc/LLB degrees are classified as full-time study; all other undergraduate programmes (including Certificates of Higher Education, Foundation Degrees and 4-year and 6-year evening BA/ BSc/LLB degrees) are classified as part-time study. Student loans and how they work 9

12 Birkbeck financial support: what you can get We are committed to doing everything we can to help you finance your studies. We offer a range of generous financial support packages to support students in need. You can get: non-repayable cash bursaries paid directly to you to support the other costs of study (such as books, childcare and travel) reduced course fees, resulting in a smaller loan and a shorter repayment period. Cash bursaries Birkbeck has a very generous cash bursary scheme for students with household incomes of less than 35,000 a year. Students with a household income of less than 25,000 a year are eligible for a cash bursary of 1000 each year, and students with a household income of between 25,001 and 35,000 are eligible for a cash bursary of 800 each year. The bursary varies depending on your level of income and how you choose to study. Full details can be found at bbk.ac.uk/fees Reduced course fees The National Scholarship Programme, funded by the government and by Birkbeck, is available to new students with household incomes of less than 20,000 a year. Under this scheme, eligible students are entitled to a reduction of up to 3000 on their first year fees. Students who have previously achieved an equivalent level qualification are not eligible. The normal study intensity of a 3-year degree is 120 credits during the first year. For eligible students, the maximum 3000 fee reduction would be applied to those credits. This ensures that all eligible students receive the same fee reduction, regardless of the intensity of study. The normal study intensity of a 4-year degree is 90 credits a year. For eligible students, the fee reduction would be applied in 2 stages: 2250 for the 90 credits in the first year; and 750 for the first 30 credits of the second year of study. Eligibility In addition to having a household income of 20,000 or less a year, you must: be classified as a Home/EU student * not ordinarily be resident in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland not be sponsored by your employer. And, if you are on a Certificate of Higher Education course, you must be: studying at least 30 credits studying a Certificate of Higher Education programme or module(s) with fees of 1500 or more for 30 credits. (Fees for Certificates of Higher 10 Birkbeck financial support

13 Education starting in the academic year have not yet been set; details will be published on our website bbk.ac.uk/study/ce2014 in 2014.) When to apply for bursaries and fee reductions If you are eligible for a bursary or fee reduction, you can apply from May Tuition fee discount scheme If you are a member of a union that is recognised by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), you may apply for a 10% discount off your tuition fee under our Union Learn Discount Scheme, as long as you are studying at a level that is not lower than, or equivalent to, any existing qualifications you may hold. For details of this and other financial support for undergraduate study, please see bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/finance Payment by instalment at no extra cost You have the option to pay for your module or programme in monthly instalments by direct debit (please note that the first instalment must be paid upfront by credit or debit card). The number of instalments and the amount will depend on the date you enrol and the date of your final class. This means that the earlier you enrol, the more instalments you can pay in. These payments will be requested from your nominated bank account or credit/debit card. Payment by your employer Your employer or other organisation (sponsor) may agree to pay all or part of your fees on your behalf. You must provide written confirmation from the sponsor of their agreement to pay the fee. Birkbeck will then send an invoice to the sponsor. If you are part-sponsored, then you will be liable for the balance of the fees due and may arrange to pay the balance using one of the options outlined above. Arrangements for any partial fee payable by you must be agreed before the beginning of the academic session. Come and get more information at an event There are a number of ways to get the advice you need about financing your studies, including attending workshops and coming to Birkbeck open evenings. Please see page 12 for details of these and other events. * Government funding regulations state that Home/ EU/Overseas status is dependent on nationality and residence, and you should normally have 3 years residency in the European Economic Area prior to the start of your course. For details, see gov.uk/student-finance Birkbeck financial support 11

14 Come and meet us: open evenings, workshops and advice sessions Come and meet us at an open evening the perfect opportunity to find out more about studying at Birkbeck and achieving your goals. In addition, there are a number of different ways that you can get the advice and information you need about studying at Birkbeck and financing your course. Open evenings We hold several open evenings each year, where you will find a warm welcome from informative and friendly staff. At open evenings you can meet: lecturers and find out more about the courses they teach former students to discuss what it s like to study at Birkbeck and the positive impact it can have on your life and career special advisers to discuss fees, financial support packages, government loans, and study skills or disability support admissions staff to find out about how to apply, enrol and get your place at Birkbeck. Our open evenings will be held on the following dates: Thursday 5 September 2013 Tuesday 4 February 2014 Thursday 1 May 2014 Thursday 26 June 2014 Thursday 4 September Open evenings are held between 4pm and 7.30pm at the Royal National Hotel (Bedford Way, London WC1H 0DG). Book your open evening place Visit bbk.ac.uk/openeve Send us a message at bbk.ac.uk/ask Call Join us Find out what s happening at Birkbeck and what people are talking about. facebook.com/birkbeckuniversityoflondon twitter.com/birkbecknews 12 Come and meet us

15 Information about student loans and financial support There are a number of ways to get more information about student loans and Birkbeck s financial support packages: Attend one of our regular Financing your course workshops. See bbk.ac.uk/events for details of dates and times. Take part in a student finance webinar (online seminar). See bbk.ac.uk/events for details of dates and times. Come to open evenings and attend student finance presentations and meet specialist advisors. Check bbk.ac.uk/fees for detailed information on student loans and to see if you are eligible to use our online student finance tutorial leave your address to get up-to-date information on finance and our free advice sessions Send us your questions at bbk.ac.uk/ask Contact the Student Financial Support Office on or make an appointment at the My Birkbeck Student Centre. Preparing for university and careers workshops Studying at university can be very different from your previous educational experiences. Come and find out more at one of our monthly Preparing for University and careers workshops. See bbk.ac.uk/tryit for details of dates and times. Not sure which course is right for you? We offer a wide range of undergraduate courses, from Certificates of Higher Education to Foundation Degrees and BA/BSc/LLB degrees. See Choosing the right entry level on page 19 for details of the types of courses in this prospectus. See bbk.ac.uk/ tryit to attend careers advice workshops to help choose the course that s right for you. You can also meet our specialist education advisors at Stratford. See page 29 for details. Need help with getting back into study? We offer a range of Get Ahead workshops to prepare you for university and support you once you re here. See page 23 for details. Need help deciding between full-time and part-time degree study? Our evening taught degrees are flexible and allow you to choose how quickly or slowly you want to study. See page 15 for an explanation of our 3-, 4- and 6-year degrees, or check bbk.ac.uk/ tryit to come along to an advice session on the difference between full-time and part-time study. Get answers to your questions about exams, essays, and English language and study support On pages and you ll find information on entry requirements, English language and study skills support, and how to apply and enrol. More details on application and enrolment are given on pages Drop by our Student Centre You can also find out more at the My Birkbeck Student Centre, where staff can provide general advice and information about studying at Birkbeck. Where: Birkbeck main building, entrance via Torrington Square, London WC1E 7HX. When: Monday to Friday, afternoons and evenings, and Saturday afternoons. Contact: call or send us a message at bbk.ac.uk/ask Check bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck for up-to-date information on opening times. INTERESTED BUT OVERSEAS? Meet our international team You can meet Birkbeck staff at international education fairs in more than 15 countries around the world. For details of when our team is near you, visit bbk.ac.uk/international Contact them on facebook.com/birkbeckinternational twitter.com/birkbeckintl Come and meet us 13

16 I left school at 16 with no qualifications and I always wondered if I could have achieved more. I followed my daughter Sarah s progress with real interest and she was so enthusiastic about studying at Birkbeck. She was being helped and encouraged, and I was impressed by the calibre of her lecturers and the reputation of the university. I decided that I wanted to follow in my daughter s footsteps and enrol at Birkbeck. It was a no-brainer. Birkbeck s reputation and its history also made me want to study here. David and Sarah, BA History and BA History and Archaeology

17 Full-time and parttime evening degree study explained At Birkbeck you have the option to study for an undergraduate degree at a pace and intensity that suits you. In many subjects, you can choose to complete your degree in 3, 4 or 6 years by evening study. The difference between full-time and part-time evening degrees Choosing whether to study over 3, 4 or 6 years is important. Your choice will depend on how intensively you want to study, what your daytime work or family commitments are, and how quickly you want to complete your degree. What courses are available? See the table on pages to see the options available in your subjects. What qualification will I receive? You will receive exactly the same University of London qualification, regardless of whether you choose to study full-time or part-time. The curriculum will be the same, although modules do change from year to year. Full-time: as with typical full-time courses elsewhere, Birkbeck s full-time undergraduate degrees take 3 years to complete. The difference is that at Birkbeck classes take place on weekday evenings. Part-time: our standard part-time evening degrees are designed to be completed in just 4 years; although some subjects also offer a 6-year option. How many evenings will I need to attend class? Full-time, 3-year degrees usually require attendance 3 4 evenings a week. Part-time 4-year degrees usually require attendance 2 3 evenings a week. Part-time 6-year degrees usually require attendance 1 2 evenings a week. What are the entry requirements for a Birkbeck course? See the individual course listings on pages for details of the entry requirements for your course. How do I apply? Full-time: all applications (Home, EU and Overseas) for all full-time, 3-year degrees are made via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). See ucas.com for a full listing of all the courses available and the qualifications you will need. You can also apply via Clearing at Birkbeck. International students can find more information about studying in the UK at ucisa.org.uk and on our international students website bbk.ac.uk/international Part-time: you apply direct to Birkbeck to study for our 4- and 6-year part-time degrees not via UCAS. See pages for further information on how and when to apply. Full-time and part-time evening degree study explained 15

18 How much will it cost? Fees for part-time courses are pro-rata to our full-time courses. See pages for details. What about student loans? The government provides loans for eligible part-time and full-time students, which means you don t have to save up and pay for your course yourself if you are studying for an undergraduate-level course for the first time. Additionally, full-time students can apply for maintenance loans and grants to help with living expenses. This option is not available to part-time students as part-time study allows you the flexibility to work alongside study. See page 8 for full details of how student loans work and to check if you re eligible. What financial help does Birkbeck provide? We have generous financial support packages for part-time and full-time students. See page 10 for details of cash bursaries and fee waivers and to see if you are eligible. Come talk to us Check bbk.ac.uk/tryit to attend one of our advice sessions on choosing between full-time and part-time degree study at Birkbeck. Degree course Years Accounting (BSc) Accounting and Management (BA) Accounting and Management with Finance (BSc) Accounting with Finance (BSc) Applied Accounting and Business (BSc) Archaeology (BA) Arts and Humanities (BA) Biomedicine (BSc) Business (BSc) Business Psychology (BSc) Chemical and Molecular Biology (BSc) Classics/Classical Studies (BA) Community Development and Public Policy (BSc) Degree course Years Computing (BSc) Contemporary Dance as Creative Practice (BA) Contemporary History and Politics (BA) Creative Writing (BA) Criminology and Criminal Justice (BSc) Development Studies with Environment (BSc) Earth Sciences (BSc) Economic and Social Policy (BSc) Economics and Business (BSc) English (BA) Environmental Geology (BSc) Environmental Management (BSc) Environmental Science (BSc) Film and Media (BA) Financial Economics (BSc (Econ)) Financial Economics with Accounting (BSc) French Studies (BA) Geography (BSc) Geology (BSc) German (BA) Global Politics and International Relations (BA) History (BA) History and Archaeology (BA) History and International Relations (BA) History of Art (BA) Iberian and Latin American Studies (Spanish or Portuguese) (BA) Information Systems and Management (BSc) Japanese and Film/Media (BA) Japanese and History (BA) Japanese and Journalism (BA) Japanese and Management (BA) Journalism and Media (BA) Language and Film/Media (BA) 16 Full-time and part-time evening degree study explained

19 Degree course Years Language and Global Politics (BA) Language and History (BA) Language and Management (BA) Language and Politics (BA) Law (LLB) Linguistics and Language (BA) Management (BA) Mathematics (BSc) Mathematics and Accounting (BSc) Mathematics and Economics (BSc) Mathematics and Management (BSc) Mathematics and Statistics (BSc) Modern Languages (BA) Philosophy (BA) Planetary Science with Astronomy (BSc) Politics and Government (BA) Politics, Philosophy and History (BA) Professional Studies (BSc) Psychology (BSc) Psychosocial Studies (BA) Social Sciences (BSc) Statistics and Accounting (BSc) Statistics and Economics (BSc) Statistics and Management (BSc) Theatre and Drama Studies (BA) Theatre Studies and English (BA) A global elite university Birkbeck ranks among the top 1% of universities in the world. Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2012 Not sure you re ready for a degree course? See Choosing the right entry level on page 19 for information about our other undergraduatelevel courses, including part-time Certificates of Higher Education and Foundation Degrees. Full-time and part-time evening degree study explained 17

20 Birkbeck gives you the chance to study in the way that suits you. I wasn t particularly inspired at work and I wanted something to stimulate me. The fact that Birkbeck s course is modular worked perfectly for me because it meant I could enrol for one module and see if I liked it and if I could handle the work. I could also choose the way I studied and I really liked that flexibility. Some people choose to do more than one module at a time as they want to finish the course as quickly as possible, while others just want to do it at their own pace and enjoy it. Stefanie, Certificate of Higher Education in Psychology

21 Choosing the right entry level: certificates and degrees explained This section explains the different types of undergraduate study you can do at Birkbeck and how we can help you choose the course and entry level that s right for you. Whatever the subject you re interested in, and whatever your reasons for studying, we can help you get back into education. We have a wide range of evening courses and, depending on your previous educational experience or qualifications, you can choose to enter university at the level that s right for you: Certificate of Higher Education Foundation Degree BA/BSc/LLB degree. At Birkbeck, we encourage applications from students without traditional qualifications. If you re over 21, you won t need formal entry requirements to study on most of our Certificates of Higher Education and undergraduate degrees. A wide range of subjects Birkbeck has a curriculum that is both wide-ranging and intellectually challenging. We have 5 academic Schools: Arts Business, Economics and Informatics Law Science Social Sciences, History and Philosophy. At undergraduate level, we teach around 50 Certificates of Higher Education, 9 Foundation Degrees and 70 BA/BSc/LLB degrees. Certificates of Higher Education Our Certificates of Higher Education are University of London qualifications in their own right. They can also be used to progress to BA/BSc/LLB degrees. Certificates normally consist of a combination of compulsory and option modules and are taught at first-year undergraduate level. As they are taught parttime, usually in the evenings, they are ideal if you are studying at university level for the first time, or if you are returning to formal study after a break and are not ready to start on a degree programme. As University of London qualifications, these certificates will also support your career development. Certificate study will give you the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding to get the most out of your degree studies and reach your full potential. Learning and study skills support form an integral part of many of these programmes, making them ideal if you are returning to formal education after a break. Choosing the right entry level 19

22 There are 2 main types of certificate course: Modular Certificates of Higher Education These flexible, part-time courses are normally made up of some compulsory modules and some modules that you are able to choose (option modules). You can study at your own pace, taking 1 or 2 modules each year, building up your credits to gain a Certificate of Higher Education. (Note that student loan regulations require students to be studying modules worth at least 30 credits a year. See Student loans and how they work on page 8 for further information.) Alternatively, if you don t want to undertake a full certificate or degree programme, you can just study individual modules as a short course. Module, class, enrolment and fee details will be available on our website (bbk.ac.uk/study/ce2014) from spring Programme Certificates of Higher Education These awards require you to complete an application form to be considered for entry to the whole programme of study. They can be made up of compulsory and option modules, or all compulsory modules. They normally require completion in 1 2 years. We also offer several Certificates of Higher Education that will prepare you for direct entry to degrees in particular subjects, such as law, science and social sciences. These certificates are available in the following subjects: Higher Education Introductory Studies (One-Year Fast-Track) (see page 116) offers pathways in: social sciences; social work and social care; nursing, midwifery and health studies; business studies; and arts and humanities. If English is not your first language, the core Approaches to Study module is offered with an English language support option. Legal Methods (see page 155) provides a thorough grounding in the range of skills required to study law at degree level. If you successfully complete this course, you can progress directly to the Birkbeck LLB and gain credit for one LLB module. Life Sciences for Subjects Allied to Medicine, Mathematical Studies, and Physics and Mathematics (see pages 194, 162 and 169) provide excellent academic preparation for a wide range of BSc degrees and related professional training. See How and when should I apply? in the individual course listings on pages to check whether the certificate course you are interested in studying is a programme application certificate or a modular enrolment certificate. Foundation Degrees Foundation Degrees are another alternative entry point and are shorter than traditional 3-year fulltime BA/BSc/LLB degrees. Our part-time evening taught Foundation Degrees normally take 2 years and 2 terms to complete. They are designed to equip you with the practical and key transferable skills required by today s employers, such as team-working, problem-solving and IT proficiency. Designed to meet the needs of mature, non-traditional students, Foundation Degrees do not normally have formal entry requirements. These programmes are made up of 8 modules (worth 240 credits in total), after which it may be possible to progress to the full BA/BSc by completing an extra 120 credits (normally the final 2 years of study of a BA/BSc degree). BA/BSc/LLB degrees: choice of 3-, 4- or 6-year programmes At Birkbeck, you have the option to study for a first degree at a pace and intensity that suit you. We offer around 70 BA, BSc and LLB programmes, and in many subjects you can choose to complete your studies in 3, 4 or 6 years by evening study. See pages for details to help you decide between full-time and part-time degrees. On completion, you can progress to postgraduate study, choosing from over 150 Master s degrees (MA/MSc/LLM) at Birkbeck. How programmes are organised Both certificate and degree programmes are taught on a modular basis. Most will have some compulsory modules and some that you are able to choose. Some programmes may have only compulsory modules. For further information about how individual programmes are organised, see pages More detailed course descriptions are online at bbk.ac.uk/study/ug2014 (BA/BSc/LLB/Foundation Degrees/programme Certificates of Higher Education) and bbk.ac.uk/study/ce2014 (modular Certificates of Higher Education). All modules include some form of assessment and carry credit points. To gain an award, you must successfully complete the required number of credits and modules, as specified in the programme regulations. Credit points for different awards are: 20 Choosing the right entry level

23 Credits Certificate of Higher Education 120 Foundation Degree 240 BA/BSc/LLB degree 360 Studying a different subject or changing direction at Master s level (MA/MSc/LLM) We have a wide range of postgraduate certificates and diplomas that normally take 1 2 years to complete and can be used as qualifying or refresher courses before you embark on a full Master s degree. For details of all these courses, see our postgraduate prospectus at bbk.ac.uk/study/pg2014, call , or visit bbk.ac.uk/request to be sent a printed copy. Need help deciding on the entry level that s right for you? Check bbk.ac.uk/tryit to attend one of our advice sessions. Alternatively, make an appointment to meet one of our education advice and information specialists in Stratford. See page 29 for details. One of the best-regarded institutions geared for parttime study is Birkbeck, University of London. Daily Telegraph, August 2012 Choosing the right entry level 21

24 Having a degree does open doors, so part of my decision to study was about cold hard business. But I think a degree also broadens your horizons personally, as well as helping you to build your confidence. Any time you set yourself a task and you achieve it your confidence grows, and that s certainly true of successfully completing a 4-year degree from one of the top 1% of universities worldwide. Brendon, BA Management

25 Teaching, coursework, and English language and learning support This section explains the most important aspects of studying at Birkbeck, including how often you will need to attend, how you will be taught and assessed, and how to balance work and study. We offer a wide range of English language, study skills and careers support and guidance to help you return to studying. Helping you get back into study Returning to study after a gap can be daunting, and especially so alongside work or other commitments. Birkbeck offers a famously friendly and supportive learning environment: our lecturers have a wealth of experience in supporting and encouraging students, and our students offer each other a huge amount of mutual support. There are a number of ways that we can help you prepare for university and support you during your studies. Get Ahead Stay Ahead workshops Degree students can take part in our free Get Ahead summer workshops, which are designed to help you: discuss expectations and concerns prepare for the critical first term and first year of your degree find out what study skills you need meet other students and get to know Birkbeck. And, towards the end of the first term, you can follow this up with our Stay Ahead programme, which aims to help you settle into degree study and covers topics such as dealing with your first assignment and deadlines, coping with stress, and managing your workload. For more details, visit bbk.ac.uk/ahead Student orientation week In autumn and January each year we run a series of orientation events to welcome new students into the Birkbeck community. Orientation is designed to help you get off to a great start and also to ensure that you get all the information you need to help you during your studies at Birkbeck. Course-specific programme inductions Alongside the general orientation events, more in-depth programme inductions are organised by academic departments, by the International Office (for overseas students), and for those whose classes take place at University Square our campus in Stratford in east London. These inductions will provide you with more detailed information about your particular programme, or the services available in Stratford. Teaching, coursework, and English language and learning support 23

26 Attendance Most formal teaching takes place in the evenings, outside normal working hours, between 6pm and 9pm. Attendance varies, depending on the course you are doing and the intensity of study: if you are taking an individual certificate module, you would normally attend class once a week during term-time if you are taking a 3-year degree, you can expect to attend 3 4 evenings a week if you are taking a 4-year degree, you can expect to attend 2 3 evenings a week. The majority of teaching takes place at the main Birkbeck campus in central London (Bloomsbury, WC1). But we also offer programmes at our new University Square campus in Stratford, east London (E15). See pages for more information about the state-of-the-art new campus in Stratford and the courses we have on offer there. We also offer some of our Certificate of Higher Education modules at educational, cultural and community organisations across London. Term dates for the academic year Autumn term: Monday 29 September to Friday 12 December 2014 Spring term: Monday 5 January to Friday 20 March 2015 Summer term: Monday 20 April to Friday 3 July Teaching All of our teaching methods are designed to meet the particular needs and circumstances of students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. At Birkbeck, teaching in class may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. As a student, you will engage in individual and group projects, problem-solving exercises and case studies. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. These aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. In some science subjects, for example, a formal lecture will be followed directly by a practical laboratory session on a related topic. Discussion classes and seminars give you the chance to study a selected aspect of your subject in depth and to exchange ideas with fellow students. These typically require preparatory study. You will also be able to develop transferable skills the general capabilities that help people to succeed in a variety of jobs and situations such as communication and presentation skills, report-writing and critical thinking. Moodle our online learning environment Moodle enhances your learning by allowing you to view course materials and learning resources online. You can also chat online with your lecturer and other students about classes and topics that have come up for discussion. If you miss a class because of illness or your other commitments, you can access lecture and seminar material and join the discussion online. For further information see: moodle.bbk.ac.uk Independent home study Independent home study is a vital part of studying at university, preparing for classes, and following them up afterwards. The amount needed varies both with the topic being studied and with your own speed of work, but realistically you should plan to spend at least an hour in private study for each hour you spend in the classroom. Note that practical classes and fieldwork play an important part in many science programmes. Geography and earth sciences students, in particular, travel widely (both independently and with their tutors) during vacations and at weekends to undertake fieldwork, as well as survey and mapping projects. Working and studying The vast majority of our students work during the day and come to study with us in the evening; and Birkbeck is geared to supporting the needs of students who are juggling evening study alongside daytime work or other responsibilities. Our flexible approach allows you to study at a pace that suits you. We do advise that when considering the type of course and intensity of study, you also take into consideration the time commitment required to attend classes and undertake private study or fieldwork, so you are better prepared for university study when you start your course. Assessment: essays, coursework and exams Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and normally consists of a combination of coursework and examinations. You will be given time usually approximately 10 weeks for degree programmes to complete coursework and prepare for examinations. Coursework deadlines are very strict. Coursework may include reviews, reports, essays, oral presentations, case studies, journals, logs, scientific and mathematical exercises, and audiotapes or videotapes, depending on the subject matter of the programme. 24 Teaching, coursework, and English language and learning support