Birmingham City University one of the top public institutions in UK, established in 1971. The university operates across five academic campuses and enrolls around 24,000 students from 80 countries. Students can pursue foundation programs, short courses, part-time programs, integrated masters, studying abroad, distance learning programs, undergraduate programs, and graduate programs at Birmingham City University.
With 53% acceptance rate, the university is moderately selective and accepts students with academic excellence and professional skills. Students need 50% or above academic scores for admission across various levels in Birmingham City University. 90% of the research projects undertaken at the university influence the external world positively also the education given increases the employability of the students in the outside world. The university has industry partnerships with some prestigious companies namely Microsoft, BBC, Cisco, Sony, SAP, and Jaguar Land Rover to name a few. Around 94.3% of the graduates of Birmingham City University are employed within six months of their graduation.
Explore: Birmingham City University Student Profiles
Birmingham City University Rankings
Birmingham City University is one of the top 1000 universities in the world. Some of the popular rankings of the university according to reputed ranking agencies are as follows:
| Ranking Type | Rank |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings, 2023 | #1001-1200 |
| THE World University Rankings, 2023 | #501-600 |
| Best Gobal Universities by U.S. News and World Report | #89 |
| Best Gobal Universities in Europe by U.S. News and World Report | #30 |
Explore the following comparisons between Birmingham City University and other top ranked universities in the world:
Birmingham City University Campus
Birmingham City University campus operates from 3 locations and up to 3 other additional sites. Campuses and learning sites in the university include City South Campus, University House, City Center Campus, Birmingham School of Art, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and School of Jewellery.
Students can get involved in social and athletic activities at Birmingham City through over 100 student societies, sports clubs, and media groups, controlled and governed by the Birmingham Student Union –BCUSU. There are 18 different sports teams (men and women) available to all students. These sports clubs compete at the national level, and student-athletes are eligible for several sports scholarships. Some athletic facilities include courts for badminton, cricket, volleyball, basketball, etc, workout studios, weather pitches, the Doug Ellis Sports Center, state-of-the-art City South Sports Center, and the Pavilion, which is home to several sports pitches.
Birmingham City University Campus Facilities
Some major facilities in Birmingham City University are as follows:
- A 4 million GBP purpose-built acting school
- Robotic laboratory
- Blue screen music, and film studio
- Curzon Library
- Human Physiology, and Performance Laboratory
- 500-seat concert hall and 5 public performance spaces
- Video production laboratory
Birmingham City University Accommodation
Eight residence halls are available as ensuite and standard, provided by the university for students and they are located outside and within the City Center Campus. University Locks and Jennens Court are located on the City Center Campus while the others are just a walk away. Disability support is provided in accommodation for students who are disabled or that have medical needs.
Some basic amenities provided at the university include a gym, Wi-Fi, laundry, study rooms, TV, pool table, tennis table, iron, ironing board, 24-hour security, bike storage, vacuum cleaner, microwave, kettle, and toaster. Rooms at Birmingham City University has a room with features such as a bed, mattress cover, mirror, waste paper bin, wardrobe, chair, desk, drawer, shelves, under-bed storage, and pinboard. The cost of living on campus ranges between 6,400 to 7,012 GBP per annum (6.5 to 7.12 lakhs INR).
Birmingham City University Programs
There are a plethora of programs offered at Birmingham City University and they are foundation programs, undergraduate programs, short courses, graduate research programs, graduate taught programs, part-time programs, integrated masters, studying abroad, and distance learning programs. These programs offered at the university are offered through 19 schools under four faculties. There are 368 undergraduate and 312 graduate taught programs offered in different entrance years. The university also offers 27 graduate research programs to the international students.
The university also offers an executive MBA taught in a part-time and blended delivery study modes that expose students to first contact with lecturers who have worked in top companies like Ford, Aviva, JP Morgan, Barclays, Zurich International Solutions, amongst others. Some of the most popular programs offered by the university are listed in the table:
Birmingham City University Admissions
Birmingham City University is moderately competitive with an acceptance rate of 53%. The university looks for students with a combination of academic excellene and leadership potential. Given below are the basic entry requirements to be fulfilled by international students seeking admission at Birmingham City University.
Undergraduate Admissions
| Application Portal | UCAS |
| Application Fee | Single Course: 22.50 GBP (2,285 GBP) | 27 GBP (2,700 INR) |
| Academic Requirement | Grade 12 certificate | 55-65% minimum aggregate |
| SOP | Personal Statement |
| Additional Requirements | Portfolio | Interview | Prior record of employment |
Graduate Admissions
| Application Portal | Birmingham City University Online Application |
| Application Fee | Not required |
| Academic Requirement | 2:2 honours degree or equivalent (50-60%) |
| LOR | Academic or professional LOR |
| Additional Requirements | Professional qualification in appropriate field | Work experience | Essay (If required) |
Birmingham City University Cost of Attendance
An estimation of the basic living cost of the students at Birmingham City University which covers most expenses including average tuition fees is provided below:
| Expense Type | Annual Cost (GBP) | Equivalent Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | 5,700-13,200 | 5.79 to 13.41 lakhs |
| Accommodation | 6,400 to 7,012 | 6.5 to 7.12 lakhs |
| Food | 2,600 | 2.7 lakhs |
| Gas, Electricity | 2,080 | 2.1 lakhs |
| Insurance for personal belongings | 15-117 | 1,500 to 11,000 |
| Books and supplies | 450 | 45,000 |
| Laundry | 240 | 24,300 |
| Books/stationery/binding/photocopying | 450 | 45,700 |
| Journals/Magazines | 36 | 3,600 |
| Transportation | 390 | 39,600 |
| TV licence | 150.50 | 15,280 |
| Mobile telephone | 240 | 24,300 |
| Leisure/social activities | 600-960 | 60,900 to 97,500 |
| Kitchen utensils, plates and cutlery | 35 | 3,500 |
| Police Registration | 34 | 3,400 |
Birmingham City University Scholarships
Institutional scholarships offered at Birmingham City University are only available to self-funding students and they are cannot be mixed; one aid, the one with a higher value, is allowed at a time. International students at Birmingham City University are eligible for several financial aids and they are scholarships, student jobs, bursaries, discounts, and grants There is prompt payment of 300 GBP that international students are eligible to when they pay their tuition in full before travelling to the United Kingdom or during enrolment there. It applies to tuition fees when scholarships, if any, have been deducted from it. Some of the scholarships for international students in the UK are as follows:
- Non-EU International Undergraduate scholarships: These are entrance scholarships awarded to self-funding international students. It carries an amount of 2,000 GBP and it is applied towards the cost of tuition fees. Successful applicants will be chosen based on academic background. Exempted programs from this scholarship are ACCA and Conservatoire courses (Music and Theater).
- BCU Achievement Scholarships: Awarded to graduating international undergraduate students, these scholarships have a value of 3,000 GBP and are only eligible for students graduating with a first or second class undergraduate degree. Students who are progressing into a master’s program are eligible.
- Non-EU International Postgraduate scholarships: Similar to its undergraduate counterpart, this scholarship has a value of 2,000 GBP and it is awarded to international students. Selection and award amount will be based on academic background and previous degree grade, and such degree needs to be the equivalent to a United Kingdom degree. Exempted programs are PGCE and PCET, ACCA, Masters in Teaching and Learning/Educational Leadership (MTL/MEL) Conservatoire courses (Music and Theater), and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses in Health. The grades to award amounts are:
- 2,000 GBP for a 1st-degree holder
- 1,500 GBP for a 2:1 degree holder
- 1,000 GBP for a 2:2 degree holder
- 500 GBP for a 3rd-degree holder
Birmingham City University Placements
Birmingham City graduates and students have had placements in some popular companies and some of them include Microsoft, ASOS, Cisco, IBM, BBC, NHS, Dolby, Selfridges, etc. 100% of the university’s MBA graduates had a job or were in further studies six months after graduation. According to Emolument, the average salary per annum of Birmingham City graduates working in the financial services sector is 83,000 GBP and LLM graduates earn 86,000 GBP.
The university provides career support to its students through individual counseling sessions and support in making decisions about their careers. The counselors help students in preparing their CVs and job search functions. Interview techniques and information about available internships and jobs are given to the students. Networking and the ability to market oneself are few areas on which the career support department works closely with students.
The students can have a specific and specialized mentor to help them. Following are the approximate salary scales received by the university graduates:
| Areas | Average Salary (GBP) | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Service | 83,000 | 84.30 lakhs |
| R&D, Pharmaceuticals & Biotech | 56,000 | 56.88 lakhs |
| Compliance, AML, KYC & Monitoring | 47,000 | 47.74 lakhs |
| Human Resources | 50,000 | 50.78 lakhs |
| Sales & Business Development | 45,000 | 45.70 lakhs |
| Public Sectors and Non-Profit | 44,000 | 44.69 lakhs |
Birmingham City University Alumni
The institute has an alumni network of over 100,000 members from 120 countries. The alumni community stays involved with the University such as through reunion events, and mentoring programs, by offering placements, and as international ambassadors. Alumni benefits include special discounted membership to Doug Ellis Sports Center only for alumni, study discounts for alumni who want to further their studies at the university.
The alumni enjoys discounted rate for library access as well as access to university systems and software for 18 months after graduation. Alumni are also provided with freedom to use the university's email for 18 months after graduation as well as the processing of transcripts and certificate services. Some of the notable alumni of the university are:
| Alumni | Designation |
|---|---|
| Charlie Stayt | Broadcaster |
| John Taylor | Musician |
| Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani | Iranian Women’s Rights Activist |
| Shefali Chowdhury | British Actress |
Birmingham City University is one of the greatest universities to study in the UK. The university has a history of industry partnerships with some of the highly renowned companies of the world. From academic excellence to financial assistance, the university cooperates with its students by all means. Due to these benefits, along with excllent employment opportunities, international students from 100 countries seek admission to the university every year.
FAQs
Ques. Is Birmingham City University good for international students?
Ans. Yes, Birmingham City University is one of the top 1200 universities in the world and a renowned public institute in the UK. The university offers a wide variety of courses ranging across various disciplines. With excellent placement opportunities.
Ques. What is the admission application fee of Birmingham City University?
Ans. Birmingham City University accepts undergraduate applications with the UCAS application fee of 22.50 GBP for single course and 27 GBP for multiple programs.
Ques. How do I apply to Birmingham City University?
Ans. Applications to Birmingham City University can be made through UCAS or directly on the University portal.
Ques. Does Birmingham City University offer scholarships?
Ans. Yes. Birmingham City University offers various scholarships across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These scholarships generally range between 500 to 3000 GBP (50,700 to 3 lakhs INR).
Ques. Is it easy to get admission to Birmingham City University?
Ans. Birmingham City University has an acceptance rate of about 53%. This indicates a moderately selective admission policy of the university.
Ques. Does Birmingham City University take interviews for admissions?
Ans. Interview is not a mandatory criterion but the university feels a need a virtual interview may be organized.
Ques. Does this university fall into Red Brick Universities?
Ans. The 6 Red rick Universities are the University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, University of Leeds, University of Liverpool, University of Manchester, and the University of Sheffield.
