University of Birmingham

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:

• #76 – QS World University Rankings (#14 in the UK)
• Top 100 – Financial Times and Economist Business School world rankings
• Founding member of the elite Russell Group
• #11 in the UK Times Higher Education World University Rankings

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 the UK's second biggest city, and the youngest city in Europe, where under-25s make up almost 40 percent of the population. A vibrant and inspiring place to live, it is rich with culture and diverse communities.

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

The city is very well connected. Students can reach London in less than an hour and a half, or explore the nearby countryside. Birmingham International Airport connects to destinations all around the world.

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 and social sciences to medicine, science and 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. This strong research culture directly benefits students, who are taught by academics that are working at the very forefront of their fields.

Teaching at the university is designed to combine academic excellence with practical, real-world applications. A mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials with hands-on learning, tailored to each subject, helps students to get the best level of understanding and experience. This is all supported by modern facilities and digital learning tools.

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

Academic colleges

• College of Arts and Law – champions the role of culture, history, ethics and law in tackling the world's biggest problems through interdisciplinary courses
• College of Engineering and Physical Sciences – comprises seven academic Schools working across the frontiers of science and engineering
• College of Medicine and Health – brings together healthcare-related research and education including medicine, medical sciences, dentistry and nursing.
• College of Life and Environmental Sciences – explores life's diversity and evolution and home to departments such as biosciences and sport, exercise, and rehabilitation sciences
• College of Social Sciences – connects education, research, and real-world impact to tackle today's social and policy challenges

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.

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, with a range of accepted providers.

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 in any category
• 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

The green and spacious campus 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, 7 minutes to the city centre using the University train station.

Campus facilities include:

• Libraries – with more than 2.1 million printed resources and 500,000 online books
• Bramall Music Building – a 450-seat auditorium
• Barber Institute of Fine Arts – a 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.

Postgraduate High Fliers Scholarship

The Postgraduate High Fliers Scholarship offers GBP 5,000 as a tuition fee discount to international students who choose to study their master's degree at the University of Birmingham in September 2026.

The scholarship is available to all nationalities but must be living in (domiciled) one of the following countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Eligible students do not need to apply. Anyone meeting the criteria will have the scholarship automatically deducted from their tuition fees.

Future Skills Scholarship for India

The Future Skills Scholarship has been created to support Indian students enrolling on selected, career-focused master's programmes at Birmingham. There is over GBP 3 million committed to this fund in total, with awards ranging from GBP 9,125 to GBP 12,500.

Courses covered include subjects such as business analytics, marketing, data science, advanced engineering management, public health, international relations and a range of law programmes.

Postgraduate Chancellor's Scholarship for India

The Postgraduate Chancellor's Scholarship for India is available to high-achieving students applying for postgraduate study starting in September 2026. Awards are made based on academic merit and the applicant's Statement of Purpose. Students must have accepted an offer from the university, selecting it as their firm choice, and paid their deposit by 31^st May 2026 in order to be considered.