Birkbeck, University of London - London

james

ID: 13910702

I do not write this review easily, I have been at the university for over two years on a part time path way. In summary I would not recommend this university, particularly if you have learning disabilities such as Autism and Dyslexia, as I have. I cannot comment on the experience of those with physical disabilities, but I often feel the attitude and support for those with dyslexia and autism has not changed much since the 90s.

Teaching, 2.5/5:

Some of the lectures are extremely knowledgeable, and work hard to delivery a solid learning experience. However much of the facility's, lecture rooms and IT systems are dated, along with the teaching methods. For many of the lectures you feel as they are only doing the teaching as a side hustle, part time work, which they would rather not be doing. The timetabling of modules means you often have tp double up when you should be studying one per term, not two. and last year this left us with no lectures for the entire summer, almost six months without any course or module to attend.

I have find some of the lectures to be stubborn and arrogant, and stand by the accusation that at least one lecture used personal bias when marking work. Others even comment how lazy they are at marking students work, and then leave you waiting over a month from the due date of results (and I am still awaiting those results!) with no concern for casing students unnecessary anxiety.

Facility's 1/5:

The library was updated (before I started) but is already dated, recent updates are not much of an improvement. they treat you like a child, I got scorned and warned for eating a bag of hairdos! I do not study there now.

The perch cafe s limited and small, the second cafe is likewise, both are overpriced and there to claw money from the hands of the students. A drink,, crisps, sandwich (supermarket meal deal that costs £3.50-£4.50) will set you back closer to £7-8.

There is a Cafeteria/restaurant the food is 2/10, it is not overly priced, but it is a fixed menu which is repetitive and dull. The food is bland and just poor, you would I am confident get better food in prison.

There are no dedicated student spaces, lounges or other facilities to study in or meet friends, they closed it down before I started and no new space has opened,

Overall the university has no concern for students and providing them with clean, modern facility's.

In summary.

I would not study here, the university of Birkbeck has left me feeling uninspired, but I have no option but to finish my degree with them, I wish to undertake a masters, but I will not do that with this university, not even (possibly) if it was free.

Sarah A. R.

I did a certification at BBK (counselling)
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…

Anatoly P.

I really enjoyed my time at Birkbeck earning my Marketing BSc. The teachers and lecturers were always helpful, and I had fantastic support and guidance from my research project supervisor, which resulted in me achieving an 80 mark. Most importantly, I truly enjoyed my work.
I can’t complain at all; however, the only negative experience I had was with a group assignments. Unfortunately, I was, mostly unlucky and got allocated a few times to a lazy students and completely dumb individuals, who always complained and never produced any work, expecting others to do it for them. You’ve got to put in the effort if you want to accomplish your goals and earn great marks! A degree is not for the lazy; it’s mostly a battle with yourself.

M T.

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.

Elio M.

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 O.

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.

Jacque D.

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.

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.