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University of Birmingham

Flag_GB icon United Kingdom
Overview

Overview

The University of Birmingham invites bold, independent thinkers to join one of the UK's largest student communities. It's home to more than 10,000 students who come from 150 countries.

Birmingham is one of the top universities in the world, with achievements including:

  • #84 – QS World University Rankings (#14 in the UK)
  • Top 100 – Financial Times and Economist Business School world rankings
  • Member of the elite Russell Group
  • Founding member of Universitas 21

The university is known all around the world for its pioneering research. Students benefit from trailblazing discoveries that have impacted both local and international society.

There's something for everyone at Birmingham. Study options include undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research degrees. Subject areas range widely from international development and politics to mental health nursing.

Birmingham city

The city of Birmingham is a diverse and vibrant place to live. It's one of the largest cities in the UK, and the youngest in Europe – under-25s make up almost 40 percent of the population.

At the heart of this modern city is a long, cultural heritage, and students have plenty of opportunities for world-class shopping and nightlife, as well as many museums, theatres, and parks to visit. Birmingham is a highly multicultural city, welcoming people of all faiths, and is home to hundreds of mosques, churches, temples, and synagogues.

The city is very well connected, so students can reach London in just two hours or get to the countryside quickly. Birmingham International Airport connects to destinations all around the world.

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What's new

What's new

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

The university was a proud partner sponsor of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and has marked the occasion by providing a generous master's scholarship in partnership the UK Department for International Development (DFID). The award aims to help international students with their financial concerns, encouraging them to study in the United Kingdom.

The scholarship is available to all citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries enrolling on a selection of Birmingham's degree courses, and covers full tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, air travel to and from the UK, and several other benefits. Applications for students who will be studying in the UK starting in September/October 2024 are open, and are submitted online.

Birmingham and the Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games took place in Birmingham city from 28 July to 8 August 2022. Birmingham was an ideal location for the games because is at the centre of the UK, and it had already hosted several world-class international events.

The university was used as the main campus village for the games, and numerous athletes and spectators visited the campus. The games provided many opportunities for the university and local area, including opportunities for student volunteering.

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Teaching quality

Teaching quality

World-leading research institution

The University of Birmingham is known globally for its immense contribution to research. As an original member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities, Birmingham undertakes leading work across a broad range of disciplines, from the arts to engineering.

Birmingham is also one of the founding members of the global network of research-intensive institutions, Universitas 21. It has also produced 10 Nobel Prize winners, each who have pioneered work that has transformed the world.

Teaching excellence

In 2018, the university achieved a Spotlight Award in the Global Teaching Excellence Awards (GTEA), for its ‘exemplary vision for achieving teaching excellence across the whole institution'.

Students are taught by academic staff who are involved in world-leading research, giving learners an immersive and insightful educational experience.

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Department structure

Department structure

Those who study at Birmingham get the chance to be part of a world-leading academic community. More than 900 options are available, covering undergraduate, postgraduate taught and research, and integrated foundation study programmes.

Academic colleges

  • College of Arts and Law – home to Birmingham Law School

  • College of Engineering and Physical Sciences – home to departments such as computer science and metallurgy and materials

  • College of Medical and Dental Sciences – home to Birmingham Medical School

  • College of Life and Environmental Sciences – home to departments such as biosciences and sport, exercise, and rehabilitation sciences

  • College of Social Sciences – home to Birmingham Business School

The university also offers the following courses:

  • Postgraduate distance learning

  • Continuing professional development

  • MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)

There is also the Birmingham International Summer School (BISS). This provides opportunities for international students to get a taste of university life in the UK.

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Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Academic criteria

The University of Birmingham welcomes undergraduate applications from students with A levels or equivalent qualifications. Entry criteria for each programme will differ depending on its subject area and the requirements set out by each department. Students can find the entry requirements on the specific web page of their chosen course.

English language criteria

International students will need a good level of English language proficiency to study at Birmingham. This can be shown through an English language test.

Depending on the chosen course, undergraduate students will generally need:

  • IELTS – overall score of 6.0–7.0, with no band lower than 5.5–7.0
  • TOEFL – overall score of 80–95, with no score lower than 19–23 in each band (reading, writing, speaking, and listening)
  • PTE – overall score of 64–67, with no score lower than 59–67 in all four skills
  • Or equivalent

.

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Facilities

Facilities

The campus environment offers a fantastic place to study and call home. There is a friendly community atmosphere, along with plenty of facilities to support living and learning. It's a picturesque location, with several historic red-brick buildings along with many green spaces.

Campus facilities include:

  • Libraries – with more than 2.1 million prints and 500,000 online books

  • Bramall Music Building – 450-seat auditorium

  • Barber Institute of Fine Arts – gallery featuring works by artists such as Monet and Van Gogh

  • Sport and fitness club – state-of-the-art facilities such as a swimming pool and climbing wall

Accommodation

All new international students are guaranteed accommodation in their first year of study. There are three student villages which are safe, friendly and a short walk to campus. Self-catered or meal-plan options are available.

Guild of Students

Birmingham's students' union provides student support, along with many activities and opportunities. There are hundreds of societies and sports groups to join, as well as local volunteering projects.

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Scholarships & funding

Scholarships & funding

Birmingham provides several scholarships dedicated to international students. These are to reward academic excellence and to support overseas students who may have financial barriers.

Awards include:

  • Global master's scholarships – Up to GBP 2,000 for master's study

  • Sports scholarships

  • Dubai campus scholarships

There are also different awards available for students from different regions. This includes outstanding achievement scholarships for students from countries such as Nigeria, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia and Turkey.

Several colleges and departments offer scholarships, including those for undergraduate students studying within the school or department of chemical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering or physics and astronomy.

Students are encouraged to check what awards are available, along with the eligibility requirements.

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10000
International students

Average cost of living in United Kingdom

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101st  / 1250

THE World ranking

Meet our students from across the world
At University of Birmingham
At University of Birmingham
At University of Birmingham
At University of Birmingham
At University of Birmingham
At University of Birmingham
At University of Birmingham
At University of Birmingham
At University of Birmingham
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What our students think about us

Overview
(5.0)
Course Quality
3.5
Campus Safety
5.0
Student Support
5.0
Teaching Quality
4.5
Campus Environment
5.0
World ranking
University of Birmingham University of Birmingham
Rated5/5based on2 student reviews
Customer reviews:
University of Birmingham - by, 2020-02-05
5.0/ 5 stars
University of Birmingham University of Birmingham
Rated5/5based on2 student reviews
Excellent Customer reviews:
University of Birmingham - by, 2020-09-11
5.0/ 5 stars
event image 0 Bicentenary Global Futures Scholarships By The University...
Flag_GB icon GB Accra (East Legon),Accra (Osu),Kumasi,Takoradi, Ghana 14th Dec 2023 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM More info
event image 1 IDP Study World Expo UK in Accra; where study abroad adve...
Flag_IE icon IE Flag_GB icon GB Accra (East Legon),Accra (Osu), Ghana 6th Apr 2024 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM More info
event image 2 IDP Study World Expo UK in Kumasi; where study abroad adv...
Flag_IE icon IE Flag_GB icon GB Kumasi, Ghana 8th Apr 2024 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM More info

To find out more about the information shown here – read about How we collect and display course information. IDP assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site. We always recommend that you speak to an IDP counsellor to get the latest and most accurate advice.

University of Birmingham University of Birmingham
Rated5/5based on2 student reviews
Customer reviews:
University of Birmingham - by, 2020-02-05
5.0/ 5 stars
University of Birmingham University of Birmingham
Rated5/5based on2 student reviews
Excellent Customer reviews:
University of Birmingham - by, 2020-09-11
5.0/ 5 stars

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