Birney was educated at Eton College as an Oppidan Scholar. Oppidan scholarships are honorary awards which provide no financial benefit. An Oppidan Scholar is a boy at Eton College who has distinguished himself academically. His older brother, Archie, was already an Oppidan, and President of Pop. Oppidan Scholars have the letters "OS" written after their surname in school lists. Within the school, an Oppidan Scholar is entitled to use the post-nominal letters "OS". "KS"&colon; King's Scholar; "OS"&colon; Oppidan Scholar; "MS"&colon; Music Scholar; "ME"&colon; Music Exhibitioner.