Birmingham City University

Located in the heart of one of the UK's most diverse cities, Birmingham City University (BCU) welcomes over 31,000 students from more than 100 countries. BCU offers a truly inclusive and supportive environment where international students thrive from day one.

With over GBP 500 million invested in its City Centre and City South campuses, BCU provides state-of-the-art facilities including biomedical science labs, a simulated hospital ward, crime scene suites, and professional-standard media studios. These resources ensure students gain real-world experience that prepares them for global careers.

BCU's dedicated student employment agency, Opportunity, helps international students find flexible part-time jobs that fit around their studies—offering valuable UK work experience and extra income. Students can also take part in global programmes such as the Turing Scheme and summer schools with partner universities, broadening their horizons and building international networks.

Career support is a cornerstone of the BCU experience. The Careers+ team offers expert guidance on job searching, CV writing, and interview preparation, with continued support for up to three years after graduation.

Birmingham itself is one of Europe's greenest cities, with beautiful parks and gardens. As a major centre for business, culture, and innovation, it offers countless opportunities for personal and professional growth. BCU is committed to supporting students throughout their journey, offering services such as financial advice, visa and immigration support, counselling, and mentoring—ensuring every student can succeed academically and personally.

Birmingham City University (BCU) continues to build on its strong reputation for high-quality teaching. In the UK's Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023, BCU earned an overall Silver rating and a prestigious Gold rating for Student Experience.

The TEF is a national assessment of teaching quality, learning environments, and student outcomes across UK universities. BCU's Gold rating highlights its commitment to creating an engaging, supportive, and enriching academic environment. The university was praised for inspiring students, developing their skills, and offering real-world learning through strong employer partnerships—including the NHS, GlaxoSmithKline, and Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

BCU's teaching excellence is also reflected in its staff, with nine National Teaching Fellows—one of the highest honours in UK higher education—among its faculty.

"We are proud to offer a practice-led, knowledge-applied education that equips students with the skills and confidence to succeed globally," said Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of BCU. "Our focus is on creating a learning environment that is inclusive, innovative, and deeply connected to industry."

The TEF considers factors such as student satisfaction, course completion, and graduate employment. According to the National Student Survey 2023, 84 per cent of students agreed their course developed skills for the future, and over 90 per cent said staff explained things well.

For international students, this recognition reinforces BCU's commitment to delivering a world-class education that prepares graduates for success—whether in the UK or around the world.

BCU is made up of four dynamic faculties, each offering innovative, career-focused courses designed to prepare students for success in the global job market. With strong industry links, professional accreditations, and a focus on real-world learning, BCU equips students with the skills employers value.

Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences (BLSS)

BLSS delivers globally relevant education through four academic colleges:

• Accountancy, Finance and Economics
• Business, Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurship
• Law, Social and Criminal Justice
• Psychology

Home to the Graduate School of Management, the faculty offers flexible, vocationally focused programmes, many accredited by leading professional bodies—enhancing employability worldwide.

Faculty of Arts, Design and Media (ADM)

One of the UK's largest centres for creative education, ADM includes:

• Architecture
• Art and Design
• Digital Arts
• English and Media
• Jewellery, Fashion and Textiles

With strong industry links and accreditations from Creative Skillset and CIPR, ADM prepares students for careers in the global creative economy.

Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences (HELS)

HELS is a leading provider of professional training in:

• Education and Social Work
• Health and Care Professions
• Life Sciences
• Nursing and Midwifery

Courses are taught by experienced practitioners and focus on hands-on learning. The faculty is expanding its life sciences provision to meet global demand.

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment (CEBE)

CEBE leads in technological innovation, offering programmes in:

• Built Environment
• Computing
• Engineering

With accreditations from TIGA, IET, ARRI, and RICS, CEBE connects students to cutting-edge research, global exchanges, and strong industry partnerships.

Entry requirements for international students at BCU differ by course, but there are general guidelines available online that apply across all programmes.

Applicants whose first language isn't English—particularly those who aren't from ‘majority English-speaking' countries are usually asked to demonstrate proof of English language proficiency.

This is through a Secure English Language Test (SELT), like IELTS Academic. However, BCU also accepts a wide selection of other English language qualifications and offers its own online English language proficiency test for international students.

For courses below undergraduate level, applicants normally must take a SELT with one of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved providers, unless UKVI has already accepted their secondary school credentials as proof of English proficiency.

Those who do not meet the required SELT standard can take part in the university's own pre-sessional English courses. These programmes focus on developing essential skills in general and academic English. Students will practise grammar, reading, writing, listening and speaking. In addition, learners are introduced to aspects of British culture, supporting both language development and cultural understanding.

As the UK's second-biggest city, Birmingham is home to over 75,000 students and like any major city, it's important for students to stay alert and make safe choices when travelling around.

BCU is committed to ensuring students feel secure and supported throughout their studies, and promotes a culture of mutual respect and inclusion. Respecting others is a key value promoted across campus life, and BCU works hard to ensure all individuals feel safe and can experience university life with dignity, regardless of background, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

The university's security services operate all year, around the clock. The team conducts campus patrols, oversees an extensive CCTV network, and works in partnership with university-assigned officers from West Midlands Police to maintain a safe environment.

In addition to physical safety, BCU offers robust wellbeing support. Students have access to counsellors, mental health professionals, and advisors for money management and childcare guidance. The university encourages students to seek help early when needed.

UK police officers are approachable and available for both emergency and non-urgent support, including online assistance. Students expecting family or friends upon arrival in the UK should pre-arrange all meeting plans and confirm contact numbers in case of travel delays.

World-Class Facilities

Birmingham City University (BCU) has invested over GBP 500 million in its campuses to create cutting-edge learning environments that support students from around the world in achieving academic and career success.

Curzon Building

Located at the City Centre Campus, Curzon supports Business, Law, Social Sciences, and English students. It features psychology labs, a mock courtroom, the City Trading Room, a large library, and The Hive—an innovative collaborative lecture space.

Parkside Building

Home to the Faculty of Arts, Design and Media, Parkside includes industry-standard TV and radio studios, post-production suites, and a green screen studio. It also houses the Parkside Media House and creative exhibition spaces.

Millennium Point

A hub for Computing, Engineering, and Built Environment students, this facility includes a makerspace, rapid prototyping labs, and flexible project areas. It also hosts the award-winning Thinktank Science Museum.

STEAMhouse

This GBP 70 million centre for Computing and Digital Technology connects students with businesses through residencies and real-world projects, encouraging innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

City South Campus

Located in Edgbaston, this GBP 41 million campus supports Health, Education, and Life Sciences. It features advanced simulation spaces, including a mock operating theatre, hospital wards, and a virtual radiotherapy suite.

Specialist Centres

• Alexander Stadium: A centre for Sport and Exercise Science with GBP 5 million in new labs and teaching spaces.
• Royal Birmingham Conservatoire: A GBP 57 million facility with world-class performance and rehearsal spaces.
• Ruskin Hall: A historic building offering rehearsal and study spaces for acting students.
• Vittoria Street: Europe's largest School of Jewellery, located in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter.

Students also benefit from Birmingham's rich public resources, including Europe's largest public library.

Birmingham City University is constantly evolving to enhance the student experience and prepare graduates for global careers. With a GBP 500 million investment in its campuses and facilities, BCU is expanding and upgrading learning environments across disciplines—especially at its City Centre Campus.

In 2018, BCU opened a GBP 41 million extension to its City South Campus in Edgbaston. This cutting-edge facility features specialist labs for Sports and Life Sciences, a sports therapy clinic, a new sports hall, and an environmental chamber that simulates extreme climates for elite athlete training. It also includes modern classrooms and collaborative learning spaces for education students.

In 2022, BCU further expanded its healthcare training with advanced simulation equipment that mirrors real hospital settings. Students now train in a mock operating theatre, birthing room, and virtual radiotherapy suite—gaining hands-on experience in a safe, realistic environment.

Millennium Point, home to computing, engineering, and built environment students, recently underwent a GBP 6.5 million upgrade. It now features flexible project areas, a makerspace, and rapid prototyping tools to support innovation and creativity.

The Curzon Building at City Centre Campus, which houses Business, Law, and Social Sciences, received a GBP 63 million investment. It includes a mock courtroom, psychology labs, and a City trading room—offering students real-world learning environments.

In November 2024, BCU opened the new Centre for Future Homes facility, at Millennium Point. Funded by UKRI's Regional Innovation Fund, the new centre provides the perfect test bed for students to immerse in the latest electric heating, ventilation, and insulation system technologies. This initiative supports BCU's 2030 strategy, enhancing student skills, promoting inclusive research, and driving regional growth through practical, future-focused innovation.