Skip to main content

Entry requirements and how to apply

There is nowhere better to study than London: 100,000 international students from more than 125 countries study here.

Birkbeck's unique evening teaching means that you can study alongside London's working professionals and pursue an internship or part-time work opportunities during the day. 

Guidance for international students and agents

  • If you are an international student, this page offers you all the information you need to help with your application.
  • If you are an agent, please go to the StudyLink agent portal


Information for Agents

  • From 24 April 2025, if you are an agent applying on behalf of an international student, you should use Birkbeck’s agent portal to apply for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
  • Agents can contact the Global Recruitment team and Veridiana Ribeiro if you have any issues or queries. 

October 2026 intake: application deadlines

Main deadlines (for nationals who require a Student visa but are not required to submit financial documents before CAS. 'Differential evidence requirement' applicants.)

  • Application deadline: 20 July 2026
  • Offer conditions met, including non-academic and CAS deposit funds received: 10 August 2026
  • Final CAS: 1 September 2026.

Deadlines for nationals who require a Student visa and who must submit financial documents and attend a credibility interview before CAS.

  • Application deadline: 13 July 2026
  • Offer conditions met, including non-academic and CAS deposit funds received: 3 August 2026
  • Pre CAS checks: Financial document submission and attend credibility interview: 17 August 2026
  • Final CAS: 1 September 2026.

Deadlines for UCAS, OnCampus or INTO applicants

  • Application deadline: 20 July 2026
  • Offer conditions met, including non-academic and CAS deposit funds received: 1 September 2026
  • Pre CAS checks: Financial document submission and attend credibility interview: 7 September 2026
  • Final CAS: 14 September 2026.

Students who do not require a visa, Home and International

  • Undergraduate full-time programmes application deadline: 23 September
  • Part-time undergraduate applications and full-time postgraduate programmes application deadline: 29 September

Deadlines for pre-sessional English programme

  • Application deadline: 30 June 2026
  • Offer conditions met, including enrolment on Pre-Sessional: 7 July 2026
  • Pre-CAS check (Full-time students only): 13 July 2026
  • Final CAS: 27 July 2026

January 2027 intake: application deadlines

Main deadlines (for nationals who require a Student visa but are not required to submit financial documents before CAS. 'Differential evidence requirement' applicants.)

  • Application deadline: 9 November 2026
  • Offer conditions met, including non-academic and CAS deposit funds received: 23 November 2026
  • Final CAS: 14 December 2026.

Deadlines for nationals who require a Student visa and who must submit financial documents and attend a credibility interview before CAS.

  • Application deadline: 26 October 2026
  • Offer conditions met, including non-academic and CAS deposit funds received: 9 November 2026
  • Pre CAS checks: Financial document submission and attend credibility interview: 7 December 2026
  • Final CAS: 14 December 2026


Academic entry requirements

  • Undergraduate degrees

    • Our students come to us with a wide assortment of qualifications and experience, and we believe that this variety adds to the Birkbeck student experience. We welcome applications from students with no previous qualifications or those with no recent experience of higher education. The full entry requirements for all our undergraduate courses are specified on each course page.
    • View our online list of countries to check the equivalencies for your qualifications. 
    • Our approved agents in your country may also be able to advise you on the equivalence of your qualification. 
    • If you do not know the equivalence of your qualifications, make an application and include as much information as possible about your qualification. We will then assess your eligibility. 

  • Master's degrees

    • For most master's degrees, we require the equivalent of a UK Bachelor's (undergraduate) degree (class 2:1 or 2:2, with honours). You must also meet our minimum English language entry requirements. 
    • View our online list of countries to check the equivalencies for your qualifications. 
    • Our approved agents in your country may also be able to advise you on the equivalence of your qualification. 
    • If you do not know the equivalence of your qualifications, make an application and include as much information as possible about your qualification. We will then assess your eligibility. 

  • MPhil/PhD degrees

    • For most MPhil/PhD degrees, we require the equivalent of a good UK Master's degree. 
    • You must also meet our minimum English language entry requirements. 
    • View our online list of countries to check the equivalencies for your qualifications. 
    • Our approved agents in your country may also be able to advise you on the equivalence of your qualification. 
    • If you do not know the equivalence of your qualifications, make an application and include as much information as possible about your qualification. We will then assess your eligibility.


English language ability


How to apply for your course

Birkbeck offers full-time courses to international students in a wide range of subject areas and at all levels of university study - undergraduate, postgraduate and MPhil/PhD. Birkbeck also offers a range of distance-learning courses across all levels of study, which international students can undertake.