Skip to content
Home Link Logo Bloomsbury Institute London
Apply Now

Birkbeck and Bloomsbury Institute partner to broaden access to higher education

Monday 8th September 2025

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to inclusive, high-quality education and aims to support diverse learners through flexible, career-focused programmes.

Birkbeck, University of London and Bloomsbury Institute have announced a new academic partnership that will see Birkbeck validate Bloomsbury’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes from October 2025. The collaboration marks a significant step forward in both institutions’ shared mission to widen participation and deliver high-quality, career-focused education.

Under the agreement, students at Bloomsbury Institute will graduate with qualifications awarded by Birkbeck, benefiting from the university’s academic rigour and global reputation. The partnership also ensures students have access to flexible learning pathways that support both personal growth and professional ambition.

The two institutions have a longstanding relationship, including a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2021 that outlined progression routes for Bloomsbury students into Birkbeck programmes. Bloomsbury has also leased teaching space from Birkbeck for several years, fostering a collaborative environment that laid the groundwork for this formal validation agreement.

Double Quote Icon

This partnership represents an exciting step forward in broadening access to high-quality higher education. By validating the programmes offered by Bloomsbury Institute we are providing students with internationally recognised qualifications while supporting their personal and professional development.

Professor Sally Wheeler
Vice-Chancellor of Birkbeck

Bloomsbury Institute’s student community has historically reflected  a broad and inclusive profile, with many international and mature learners, and a significant proportion from underrepresented backgrounds. This alignment with Birkbeck’s own student body reinforces the natural synergy between the institutions and strengthens the foundation for future collaboration.

Double Quote Icon

We are delighted to have entered a partnership with Birkbeck to offer our students enhanced learning opportunities and prestigious degrees. This partnership strengthens our mission to deliver flexible, practical, and career-focused education while maintaining the highest academic standards.

Andrew Manning
Chair of the Board at Bloomsbury Institute

Both Birkbeck and Bloomsbury Institute look forward to welcoming new cohorts in October 2025 and to building a long-term partnership that benefits students, staff, and the wider community.

Further information

  • Queries from Bloomsbury Institute staff, students, and external partners can be directed to partnerships@bil.ac.uk
  • For media enquiries, please contact mcsr@bil.ac.uk
  • This agreement applies to new students only. Current students will continue on their existing, validated programmes. Bloomsbury Institute continues to work closely with all partners. Further communications will follow this week to students and staff.