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- Published: 26 September 2025
- Updated: 25 September 2025
Renowned for its rich history, outstanding academic quality and world-changing inventions, The University of Birmingham is not only a university but also a cradle of creativity and innovation. Join IDP to discover the University of Birmingham's top majors and why it's a dream destination for millions of international students.
1. About the University of Birmingham
Established in 1900 under the Royal Charter, The University of Birmingham (UoB) is one of the oldest and most prestigious research universities in the United Kingdom. The school's slogan, "Per Ardua ad Alta" (Through the Striving to Reach Heights), reflects the university's educational philosophy by encouraging students to constantly strive to conquer the pinnacle in academics and research.
As of 2025, the university has approximately 38,000 students enrolled, including thousands of international students from more than 150 countries, creating a diverse and dynamic academic community. The University of Birmingham is also a member of the Russell Group, the UK's leading group of research-intensive universities, and regularly appears at the top of prestigious rankings.
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2. Outstanding achievements of The University of Birmingham (UoB)
The University of Birmingham boasts a number of notable achievements, establishing its position as one of the UK's and the world's leading educational and research institutions.
The university is one of the members of the
, a group of leading research-intensive universities in the UK, which contribute largely to the nation's scientific research.
Ranked in the top 100 best universities in the world, ranked #76 by QS World University Rankings 2026.
Birmingham Business School is one of the few schools in the world to achieve "Triple Crown" accreditation from the Association for the Development of Higher Business Schools (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA), and the European System for Quality Improvement (EQUIS).
Ranked #93 out of over 2,000 universities globally and #11 out of 162 universities in the UK (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025)
Ranked #94 in the world out of over 1,500 universities in 81 countries, and #10 out of 87 universities in the UK. (U.S. News & World Report 2026)
The university boasts 10 Nobel Prize-winning scientists, many Olympians, and well-known politicians.
The University of Birmingham is responsible for the invention of pacemakers, artificial heart valves, the first artificial vitamin C synthesis, and the development of cavity magnetron technology – the foundation for radar and microwave ovens. The university has also been involved in historic scientific discoveries such as the Higgs Boson or Gravitational Waves, and has pioneered research on antimicrobial resistance.
3. Strengths of the University of Birmingham's curriculum and disciplines
The University of Birmingham offers students a range of flexible programs that meet a wide range of career goals and orientations, ranging from:
Undergraduate & Postgraduate Taught
Postgraduate Research
Online Learning courses, allowing students to learn from anywhere in the world
Short Courses and Vocational Education
Higher and Degree Apprenticeships
Conversion courses, which allow students to transfer to a Master's degree in another major.
The university stands out for many high-quality training fields, attracting a large number of international students such as:
Medicine & Dentistry
Business and Management
Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Computer Science
Liberal Arts
Education
4. University of Birmingham Entry Requirements
To study at The University of Birmingham, international students need to meet a number of basic academic and language requirements. Specific criteria may vary by discipline and level of study. Here are the general requirements that you need to meet:
4.1. Undergraduate program:
Completion of high school or equivalent Foundation Year
The academic GPA is satisfactory depending on the major.
Minimum IELTS 6.0 - 6.5 or equivalent English certificate.
4.2. Postgraduate Taught:
Graduated from university with a corresponding Bachelor's degree, with a good score or higher.
IELTS requirements are usually between 6.0 - 6.5, depending on the industry (Medicine, Law, Education may require higher).
Some competitive disciplines may require additional relevant work experience.
Depending on the school and major, you may be required to provide a Letter of Recommendation, Personal Statement, research experience, or extracurricular activities to comprehensively assess your abilities.
To find out about the right field of study for you as well as the entry requirements for each program, please contact IDP for the most accurate advice.
5. Tuition Fees for Studying at The University of Birmingham
The cost of studying at The University of Birmingham depends on the level of study and the field of study. Here are the reference tuition fees for international students in 2025-2026:
Undergraduate: usually ranges from about 22,000 GBP to 28,500 GBP/year
Postgraduate programs: usually range from about 23,000 GBP to 30,000 GBP/year, especially in Medicine, Dentistry, and Engineering, which often have higher tuition fees.
Postgraduate Research: approximately GBP 21,000 - GBP 30,000 per year, depending on the field of study.
In addition to tuition fees, you also need to plan for additional living expenses when studying abroad in Birmingham (including housing, food, transportation, insurance, etc.) of about 10,224 GBP/year. For the most accurate information, you can immediately contact IDP for advice on the specific tuition fee of the field of study you are interested in.
6. University of Birmingham Scholarships (UoB)
To encourage and support international students, The University of Birmingham offers a range of valuable scholarship programs, applicable to both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Some typical types of scholarships can be mentioned:
Name of Scholarship | Level of Education | Scholarship Value |
125th Anniversary Scholarships for International Students | Apply for Undergraduate, Postgraduate | 5,000 GBP |
See more: Summary of the latest automatic study abroad scholarships in the UK 2026
Find the right major for you at the University of Birmingham (UoB)
With a long history, academic reputation and world-class teaching quality, The University of Birmingham is one of the ideal study abroad destinations in the UK. If you're looking to study in the UK, don't hesitate to contact IDP to:
Advice on choosing a school and major:
Suggesting a study program that suits your goals and abilities. IDP always organises study abroad seminars that take place throughout the year. You can meet directly with school representatives and consider scholarships on the spot.
Admission Guide:
Detailed instructions for you to complete your application accurately and completely, ensuring that all requirements of the University of Birmingham are met
English Certificate Preparation:
Support you to register for the IELTS test with many attractive offers.
Scholarship Assistance:
Stay up-to-date with the latest scholarship information and guide the application process to increase your chances of receiving a scholarship.
Visa consulting:
Assist in preparing documents and guiding the process of applying for a UK student visa
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