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Birkbeck, University of London

Ranked
Bloomsbury, United Kingdom
301–350th in World University Rankings 2025
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About Birkbeck, University of London

Basic information and contact details for Birkbeck, University of London

institution

The philanthropist George Birkbeck founded the London Mechanics’ Institute in 1823 to provide education to working class people in the capital.

In what was considered radical at the time, the Institute allowed artisans and craftsmen to learn about science, art and economics. Seven years after it first opened its doors, the Institute began to admit women - one of the first institutions in the country to do so.

By 1858 Birkbeck had become a popular choice for students who wanted a university education but who could not afford to study full-time.

Remaining integral to Birkbeck’s ethos – now part of the University of London – is the belief that higher education should be available and accessible to those from all socio-economic backgrounds.

Today, it specialises in a university education that allows students to work and build their career, or to pursue other interests while they study. Most teaching is in the evenings, although it is increasingly introducing daytime teaching.

Birkbeck is also a renowned research institution: 83 percent of its research was rated "world-leading" or "internationally excellent" in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

Birkbeck provides an extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses and tuition from its business and law schools and faculties of science, and humanities and social sciences that attract students from London, the wider UK and over 100 countries across the world.

Its main campus in the heart of Bloomsbury is located close to other leading London universities, world-class research resources, as well as museums and art galleries, including the British Museum, the British Library and the Wellcome Collection.

Birkbeck’s Careers and Enterprise service works with students to help them make the connection between their experience, education and future ambitions.

Among Birkbeck’s most notable alumni is Ramsay MacDonald, the first Labour Prime Minister, the poet and playwright TS Eliot, social reformer Annie Besant, and Isaac Rosenberg, the First World War poet who was killed in the battle of the Somme.

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Rankings

Select the type of rankings below to see stats

World University Rankings 2025
20406080
Teaching 34.7
Research Environment 32.2
Research Quality 77.8
Industry 64.6
International Outlook 91.6
262830323436201620172018201920202021202220232024202533.527.430.527.927.628.730.530.434.734.7

Breakdown via year: Teaching

Ranking positions 2016 to 2025
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Key Student Statistics

A breakdown of student statistics at Birkbeck, University of London

gender ratio
Student gender ratio
57 F : 43 M (1)
globe fill
International student percentage
41% (1)
student per staff
Students per staff
15.1 (1)
student
Student total
7625 (1)

Based on data collected for the (1) World University Rankings 2025

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Subjects Taught at Birkbeck, University of London

See below for a range of subjects taught at Birkbeck, University of London

Physical Sciences601–800th

  • Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences
  • Physics and Astronomy
  • Mathematics and Statistics

Social Sciences301–400th

  • Sociology
  • Politics and International Studies
  • Geography
  • Communication and Media Studies

Law201–250th

  • Law

Business and Economics301–400th

  • Economics and Econometrics
  • Business and Management
  • Accounting and Finance

Arts and Humanities91st

  • Languages, Literature and Linguistics
  • History, Philosophy and Theology
  • Archaeology
  • Art, Performing Art and Design

Psychology86th

  • Psychology