Birkbeck (Detailed Info)

Founded: 1823.

Structural features: Part of London University.

Location: In London University's central precinct in Bloomsbury.

Getting there: Easily reached by underground (near Russell Square, Goodge Street, Warren Street and Euston stations), mainline stations (Euston, St Pancras, King's Cross) and close to bus routes.

Special features: Provides degree-level teaching and research facilities for students 'engaged in earning their livelihood during the day' - so primarily part-time by evening study.

Academic features: Languages available to all humanities students (most take at least one).

Awarding body: London University.

Main undergraduate awards: FDeg, BA, BSc, BSc(Econ), LLB.

Length of courses: 4 years part-time.

Library & IT facilities: 345,000 books; 3000 periodicals. Annual expenditure on information provision, £68 per (FTE) student. Late opening hours designed to provide good study conditions for part-time students. Also access to main London University library next door in Senate House. Access via terminals and micros to both college and university computers; college central computing service produces range of technical bulletins, regular newsletter and advisory service.

Other learning facilities: Languages and film centre; self-tuition elements to several language programmes, with language laboratory and computer-assisted packages; expanding collection of recordings in major european languages, sound-recording studio and tape facilities.

Study abroad: No formal arrangements for periods abroad but french, spanish and earth sciences departments have european links.