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Birkbeck University ? How good is it..

27 replies

bulletpoint · 26/01/2013 10:51

Thinking of applying to Birkbeck for a Masters programme, i don't know much about it so would welcome any views from people with experience, quality of teaching, links with industry etc.

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bulletpoint · 26/01/2013 11:09

Bump

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Copthallresident · 26/01/2013 11:35

I have known someone do a Master's there, Organisational Behaviour, by distance learning, and found it excellent. Every bit as demanding, if not more so than the MBA we did as full time students. They are very good at delivering good teaching in ways that suit their students.

It has a very good academic reputation. In my own (humanities) subject area, I am at a nearby uni, the academic staff at Birkbeck are some of the best in the country. I have attended talks and discussions given by them and read their books, all brilliant.

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bulletpoint · 26/01/2013 11:59

Copthal - Thanks for sharing. That's sounds very positive! I didnt know their teaching was so highly rated. Did you do your MBA at Birkbeck ?

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turkeytwizzlers · 26/01/2013 12:02

I did masters there- was excellent and would recommend. Great teaching and research. Have you been to an open day? Worth going to so you can meet some of the teaching staff etc

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bulletpoint · 26/01/2013 12:10

Turkey - great name! No, i am just about to book an open day visit, i have lots of questions to ask them. Did you do any work placement of experience during your masters?

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turkeytwizzlers · 26/01/2013 12:16

I did a masters in politics - so no! Which one do you want to do?

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LRDtheFeministDragon · 26/01/2013 12:17

I know a couple of people there - they loved it.

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BCBG · 26/01/2013 12:32

Currently on MA there - generally been fantastic although be warned that some courses are actually taught at Westminster Kingsway - not the nicest place and feels like night school. Academic and admin support (as opposed to teaching) varies a lot between courses so it would be best to try and speak to those already studying what you want to do. Would rather not say what I am doing, but yes, it has been a very positive experience for me. I would say go for it!

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bulletpoint · 26/01/2013 12:52

Turkey - voluntary and community sector studies.

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Copthallresident · 26/01/2013 14:48

bulletpoint No, did that elsewhere in London, it was full time / day

Admin at nearby uni I am now at are notoriously terrible!! It would never put me off but it drags down the student satisfaction ratings when the teaching would probably put it top of the league tables. It is something you endure with gritted teeth.

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bulletpoint · 26/01/2013 15:44

Thanks for the point about admin support! I cant remember what they were like back in my degree days (not at birkbek) but i can see how they can make a difference to the whole 'experience'. The curse i'm intending to study is based at Stratford. Thanks for all your helpful comments.

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bulletpoint · 26/01/2013 15:47

'course' not curse Wink

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Clayhanger · 26/01/2013 16:00

It's brilliant. Really well set up for postgrads and way better organised than other London universities (I have experience of this). High quality teaching, the tutors are accessible and a diverse and motivated student body. Birkbeck postgraduate student life is very rich in terms of academic study groups etc. Seating space in the Main library is a bit cramped but you get access to the main London uni library at Senate House. That said, I have no experience of the Stratford campus but I can't believe it's too different. What subject are you considering?

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BBKUni · 28/01/2013 10:38

Hi all. We would like to invite people who is interested to know more about Birkbeck University to the next Open Evening taking place on FEB 7 or you could also see what some of our students have to say about their experience. We hope you find this info useful. Thanks!

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LRDtheFeministDragon · 28/01/2013 11:30

Wow, that's impressive!

Good on you, Birkbeck.

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pippop1 · 31/01/2013 14:59

It's an impressively speedy response, but sadly the grammar is not as impressive.

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Copthallresident · 31/01/2013 22:58

OK? BBKUni may not be brilliant with tenses but they have been impressive in terms of marketing skills, especially in a bit of London academia often described as the academic world's answer to Kowloon, and all the better for that. If you doubt Birkbeck's academic credentials then look at the academics who work there, and their membership of the 1994 group, rather than picking holes in the brilliant attention to promoting Birkbeck.

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pippop1 · 01/02/2013 16:35

I know it's a really good place. That's why I was so surprised at their post.

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LondonMother · 02/02/2013 12:12

Birkbeck rocks!

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PureQuintessence · 02/02/2013 12:24

I agree with Copthall. I checked out Birkbeck as an option for doing my MBA based on BBKUnis post (sadly 3 evenings a week with work and children in primary and secondary is not going to work for me).
You dont have to be a professor, and indeed you shouldn't be a professor to be involved in social marketing strategy. Well done!

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DillyTante · 03/02/2013 08:36

I very nearly applied there to do an online MSc in Occ Psychology as the course material seemed great and they have a great research background. But at over 10k for the programme I just couldn't justify it and went for Coventry at half the price. I hope I don't regret that decision, but a 5k loan vs a 10k loan was a no brainer.

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outtolunchagain · 29/09/2014 18:40

Really interested to find this thread I am considering doing an MA! But it's a long time since I studied my first degree was in 1986 Angry.I don't live in London but am in commuting distance , people keep suggesting the OU but I really would prefer to learn face to face , plus one of the reason s for actually getting on and doing further study is to be me , and not the person who lives in a small town and always does the sensible thing .

My first degree was in politics but I am really interested In The History of Ideas MA but thinking of doing the graduate history cert first to get me back into study and also to see if I can cope .

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HPparent · 02/10/2014 20:00

I was thinking of that MA in a couple of years! I have a rather dusty law degree. I am doing OU at the moment to get some recent study experience and a better grounding in history.

I went to one of the colleges near Birkbeck and it had an excellent reputation back then as well.

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Chippednailvarnish · 06/02/2015 00:13

I'm bumping this as I wondered if the OP did go? Are you happy with Birkbeck so far OP?

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Klajdi · 25/10/2016 23:18

Hi guys. I'm interested in asking some questions about this university.
Is it difficult for non English people to continue a master degree there.

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