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10 reviews of Birkbeck College in English

cameronrb1
London
1 review

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Review of Birkbeck College from 30 April 2013

I'm just at the end of a 4 years Psychology BSc and have enjoyed every minute. There were a few complaints from people along the way, mainly from those who expected to be nursed through the programme and most of those have dropped out now. Both the staff and the students I have met have been fantastic, its been a truly inspiring experience. I'm a working 43 year old father of two with lots of life experience. I think some people who are working expect the same sort of 'service' from academia as they would at marks and spencer's. It doesn't work like this, you have to use your initiative, be proactive and make efforts to engage with your subject and your tutors. It won't come to you, which is an expectation that I saw many students have who are used to being treated as a customer in the outside world. Yes you're paying for it but that doesn't entitle you to have your hand held, you have to reach out and grab a hold of your chosen subject.

The only advice I can give if you are considering studying at Birkbeck as a working or mature student is make sure you have the allocation of time and ultimate desire to complete the course of your choice. This may sound obvious but I couldn't believe how many people on my course moaned about not having any time to do the work and the 'lack of support'. Its simple, go to the lectures, read the suggested reading, do the assignments and turn up at the exams. Oh and its £2 a drink in the George Birkbeck bar!!

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Bruce_D1956
London
10 reviews

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Review of Birkbeck College from 3 January 2013

I am in the second term of my first year of a Masters, and I am absolutely fed up with the place already. The administration and organisation is just awful - it would be more professional if a bunch of half-wit three year olds ran the department. It's utter chaos, and it's impossible to get hold of even basic - but essential - information about the course. If you are informed of something, you can guarantee that you'll subsequently be told something different; you just don't know where you are with anything. You'd think, being part-time students, they'd try and make life easy for us - wrong; I'm so frustrated, and it's causing me so much unnecessary stress. Also, for two elements we are taught by PhD students: I don't pay to be taught by PhD students. Plus, the attitude of the staff stinks; they treat students like dirt - it's as if we are an annoyance, and they expect the worst from us (and they actually let us know such), so they treat us like rubbish with no respect. This, ironcially, includes the Education Officer, who is supposed to help you with your studies; the standard of a half-day course of theirs I attended was awful, the Officer's attitude was abysmal from the outset, and we were spoken to like children. As someone who works my socks off, and is trying to get the best mark possible - I find this approach by staff insulting. And good luck trying to spend some face-to-face time with any member of staff - they don't have time for you, and let you know such. You'd think - as per every other educational establishment I've attended - that they'd revel in students who taken an interest, and want to do well. Think again. Let's not forget that we're actually paying for this debacle. I asked my Personal Tutor how I make a formal complaint; instead of asking if I'd like to meet - or if they could help, they couldn't have cared less (and couldn't even be bothered to tell me how I submit the complaint). This is the fifth post-school establishment I have studied at, and it's by far the worst. Even my local little college did a much better job at evening classes. If there were somewhere else I could study part-time, I'd be leaving pronto. As it is, I'm stuck here - but it'll be an absolute test of staying power and patience to get through the four years. It pains me to give them a penny of my hard-earned cash.

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Reviewman7
London
1 review

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Review of Birkbeck College from 27 November 2012

Well, I have been a Birkbeck student for the past 2 years and there have been several modules I have undertaken which have been so poor I had to quit them. Teaching quality is very variable, also because the university is open to EVERYONE who have no qualifications you can have some very strange people in your lectures. I have experienced rascist views being aired during lectures!
My lastest module is spanish which I have recently withdrawn from (as did 13 other people out of a group of 20) because the profesora was inept. She could not control the class never mind teach basic spanish.
There were actually 2 polish girls who screamed and dominated throughout lectures (imagine sitting through 6 hours a week of this)
Insulted by fellow students and the lecturer? GTFO! Looking for a refund

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robertscott2
London
2 reviews

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Review of Birkbeck College from 31 May 2012

I did a part time Diploma in Archaeology course at Birkbeck which I completed in 2007 and was taught in 2 different locations, I also took a shorter 2 term course once i completed the diploma which was taught at The Museum of London. I found the teaching and support from all but one tutor was excellent and I had no reason to complain at all so I would consider studying there again.

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Willhemena
London
1 review

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Review of Birkbeck College from 15 April 2012

The Science department is a disgrace and the quality of teaching is abysmal. I did a postgraduate degree in the Biological Sciences department, however I found one the chemistry lecturers to be racist. I will never recommend anyone to this University

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Comment 3 comments on this review show all

ASPIRINGRESEARCHER, 16 April 2012:
Hi there,
Can you please specify what programme you studied? I applied to them to do a MRes in Structural Molecular Biology starting this autumn. I know this degree is a collaboration with UCL as part of the ISMB. Would that make a difference?
Many Thanks
Willhemena, 16 April 2012:
Hi
It depends. what lecturer yo get to work with. I don’t want to give too much about my circumstances with the department as the complaint process is on going, but I wouldn’t do a project with any of the Chemistry lectrers. I strongly advise that you seek out a UCL supervisor or go to another University.
I’m currently doing a PhD in another University and the difference in supervison is stark. My current University are very professional and helpful. I’m very diasppointed with Birkbeck
ASPIRINGRESEARCHER, 16 April 2012:
Thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate your comments and will respect your situation. May I ask where you are studying now?
I have applied to do a PhD at a few places (UCL, Cambridge) and have also decided to apply for MRes’s as a backup if I don’t secure a funded PhD. I am awaiting feedback for my PhD applications and also for MRes’s from Imperial, King’s and Birkbeck. If I don’t get if at any of the other places, I was thinking of the Birkbeck/UCL MRes as they have projects and lecturers from UCL teaching on the course and UCL facilities are also available to use. I am limited to looking for studying opportunities in and around central London and Cambridge.
This course does not involve chemistry at all, so no worries there. How did you find the College in general (other facilities).
Thx
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wasteofspace
1 review

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Review of Birkbeck College from 19 April 2011

The 1 year graduate diploma in economics programme one word rubbish, what i can say stay well away from this university. The teaching in economics is of a very poor standard year 2011, the exams were badly written and the topics badly covered, some of the modules are shared between other economic related subjects like finance.

We just had one exam and the paper DID NOT reflect the teaching standards nor the take home questions. If anyone would ask me would i go to birkbeck i would say choose another university, there is no teaching at this place, they could teach monkeys to read those notes and reduce the course fees, the same way they use the monkey probability to mark papers, you’d understand what i mean if you were on that course.

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Rhianto
London
86 reviews

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Review of Birkbeck College from 19 November 2008

I’ll admit it upfront - I’m biased. I work and study at Birkbeck and think it’s the most amazing university. Where else in London can you get a first class degree without having to give up your job and become tens of thousands of pounds in debt? Birkbeck is such an inspirational place. Students working all day, then giving up their evenings to learn and develop themselves. I’m studying economics, and although it can be a challenge to fit it all in, the end result will be worth it, I know. The tutors are supportive and recognise that we all have work and families too, so do take that on board when setting work. I’d encourage absolutely everyone thinking about studying for a certificate, a short course, a degree or beyond to register here - it really will change your life!

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zara77
London
119 reviews

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Review of Birkbeck College from 19 November 2008

Part of the university of london. A place where any one can join and get a degree in london. In the evenings on a part time basis.

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Timinator
Sydney
907 reviews

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Review of Birkbeck College from 27 May 2008

Birkbeck College is the continuing education branch of the University of London. There are a few Qype entries for it since, as a college, there are several offices and classroom locations.

I’ve taken five evening classes from Birkbeck over several years: four of these were for a Certificate in Philosophy and one was in the Psychology of Advertising. All have been very good: lecturers are great, the classrooms (I had several, most of which were actually in the LSE) were appropriate and not with too many students.

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Tyger
Edinburgh
20 reviews

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Review of Birkbeck College from 16 November 2007

I've just finished a taught MA with Birkbeck and the experience was great! The courses were challenging, most of the lecturers were top class, and overall it was a brilliant two years.

I studied part time as I work full time and I found the College to be very understanding of the stresses and strains of people in my situation.

The library is quite good and the access to online resources was a huge bonus as I couldn't always visit in person. That the library was being refurbished during my time will help future scholars but I found the closure of summer 2007 inconvenient as my dissertation was due in September. Luckily Birkbeck's location encourages use of other local resources.

I would recommend evening study to anyone. It has changed my life for the good and I'm sure it will be beneficial to others.

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