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Birmingham City University

Birmingham, United Kingdom

  • Cost of Living£ 16,248
  • Tuition Fee From£ 13,500
  • Country Rank#86
  • Batch Strength21,703
  • Global Diversity8.5%
  • Gender Ratio37:63

Overview

About

Birmingham City University is a public university located in Birmingham, England. Originally founded as a technical college in 1843, it was granted full university status in 2007. With over 24,000 students from 80 countries enrolled, Birmingham City University is one of the major universities in the Birmingham metropolitan area. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across four academic faculties and has partnerships with major businesses and organisations in the region. It focuses on skills for employment and a history of innovation and aims to provide students with relevant training and an enriching learning environment in the heart of Birmingham.

Talking about its history, in the 20th century, Birmingham College of Commerce was founded as a division of Birmingham Central Technical College (CTC), with its main campus located on Edmund Street. At Gosta Green, HM officially opened a new CTC. The College of Commerce relocated there in the early 1960s after The Queen in 1955. The CTC's technology departments evolved into the first College of Advanced Technology in the UK in 1961, and Aston University was founded there in 1966. However, the College of Commerce remained independent before joining the Polytechnic. 

The University changed its name to Birmingham City University in 2007 and got a new logo, which was a modified version of the tiger crest used by the University of Central England in Birmingham, which was itself derived from the Birmingham College of Commerce, one of the founding institutions of the Polytechnic. In order to build a campus that is fit for the future, Birmingham City University started making significant investments in its properties and infrastructure in 2011. The Curzon Building, which houses business, law, and social science courses as well as new library, IT, and student support facilities, opened in 2015, and the new music building for the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire opened in 2017. These three significant new developments are located on the City Centre Campus. 


The City South Campus has completed a new addition to house courses in education, sports, and life sciences. The faculties are the Faculty of Arts, Design, and Media; Faculty of Business, Law, and Social Sciences; Faculty of Computing, Engineering, and the Built Environment; Faculty of Health, Education, and Life Sciences. Additionally, the university awards eligible international undergraduate students with merit-based scholarships. Additionally, Birmingham City University houses international students in different in-campus student accommodations.

Ranking

Birmingham City University is ranked 501 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and has an overall rating of 4.0 stars according to student reviews on Studyportals. The university's standing in the “THE” global university rating has increased. It was ranked by Times Higher Education between 801 and 1000 last year, but this year it has risen to 601-800. This is a substantial increase because the university must have made progress in the three main areas that determine THE's global university rankings: teaching, research, and citations. In 2020 and 2021, Birmingham City was ranked between 801 and 1000 in the QS (Top Universities) global university ranking. 

 

We can see that Birmingham City University is well-liked in the UK by looking at its ranking there. Since 2017 and 2019, respectively, The Complete University Guide and The Guardian have ranked it among the top 100 universities in the UK. Birmingham City rose from 95th place in 2017 to 84th place in 2021 according to The Complete University Guide. In a similar vein, The Guardian raised its university rankings, moving it from 105th place in 2017 to 83rd place in 2021. It means that the university has improved in the key areas that make up The Guardian's university ranking: entry requirements, student-staff ratio, career prospects, and value-added services. Cheek out the latest Birmingham City University ranking below. 

 

  • #1001-1200 - QS - World University Ranking 2024 
  • #90 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - University Ranking UK
  • #95 - The Guardian 2024 - University Rankings

 

Course Rankings

If we talk about the course's ranking, we can see that the ranking publishers favour its business, engineering, and computer courses. Since 2017, The Complete University Guide's rankings for accounting and finance and business and management studies have placed it among the top 100 programmes in the UK. Similar to that, The Guardian has 2017 and 2020 respectively ranked it lower below the top 100 in the UK for Accounting & Finance and Business, Management & Marketing.

It has also been ranked among the top 100 engineering programmes by both rating publishers. Its Electronic & Electrical Engineering programme has been recognised by The Guardian at position 23 in the UK for 2021, an impressive improvement of 18 points from the previous year. In the past five years, The Complete University Guide has ranked it among the top 100 computer science programmes in the UK.

 

Ranking For Business Courses

 

  • #90 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Business and Management Studies UK
  • #95 - The Guardian 2024 - Business and Management
  • #61 - The Guardian 2024 - Guardian Economics Rankings

 

Ranking For Engineering Courses

 

  • #43 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Civil Engineering Ranking
  • #57 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering 
  • #68 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Mechanical Engineering Ranking
  • #39 - The Guardian 2024 - Civil Engineering

 

Ranking For Law Courses

 

  • #77 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Law Rankings
  • #99 - The Guardian 2024 - Guardian Law Rankings

 

Mass Communication & Media Courses Courses

  • #38 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Communication and Media Studies Ranking
  • #40 - The Guardian 2024 - Guardian Journalism Rankings
  • #17 - The Guardian 2024 - Guardian Media and Film Studies Rankings

 

Humanities & Social Sciences Courses

  • #72 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Psychology Rankings
  • #67 - The Complete University Guide 2024 - Sociology Rankings
  • #94 - The Guardian 2024 - Guardian Sociology and Social Policy Rankings

Year

QS Ranks

US News Ranks

2023

#1001 - 1200

-

2022

#1001 - 1200

-

2021

-

-

Facilities

The campus and facilities of Birmingham City University have received a £340 million investment. They make sure you have the greatest learning environment possible, whether it's the cutting-edge Parkside Building, which has the highest concentration of TV studios between London and Salford, or the simulated operating room and hospital wards at the City South Campus. View the numerous Birmingham City University facilities listed below.

 

Libraries And Information Services

  • There are almost 62 million library materials available including books, journal articles, e-book chapters, and conference proceedings.
  • Curzon Library is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • The library's customer service is certified to the Customer Service Excellence level.
  • When students are encouraged to enrol, they are given access to a personal email account.

 

Other Services And Facilities

 

Student Support - Personal, helpful, and responsive assistance is provided through school offices. Staff are available to address course-related issues and refer students to additional specialists as needed. Inquiries can also be submitted online.

 

Financial Advice - Cash, work, and making money go farther are all topics on which advice and help are provided. During National Student Money Week, a variety of events are held to assess students' financial wellness. Financial and childcare advisers are available at the university.

 

Study And Social Spaces - Different break-out and social behaviour rooms with food amenities are available across the campuses.

Notable Alumni

Alfred Edmeades "Fred" Bestall
Alfred Edmeades "Fred" Bestall
Writer
William Joseph Haywood
William Joseph Haywood
Architect
Kevin Warwick
Kevin Warwick
Biomedical engineering

Courses

Admission

Acceptance Rate

Birmingham City University acceptance rate is around 52%. Therefore the university presents a reasonable chance of admission for prospective international students. While not highly selective, the university's admission process still seeks to enroll qualified candidates who demonstrate strong academic backgrounds and potential. Roughly half of international applicants receive offers of admission each application cycle. 

Learn More About: Birmingham City University Acceptance Rate

 

Birmingham City University Fees

Being a student abroad can be a big change as well as a challenge. Students have to manage their finances as well as pay the heavy tuition fees that come with it. Birmingham City University fees differ from course to course. After seeing the tuition cost, students may feel intimidated, but what they don't know is that there are numerous financing options available. These aiding funds not only cover tuition fees along with living expenses and other additional costs that come with studying abroad. To have a brief idea of how much course fees might cost, check out the fees with their duration below!

  • Bachelor Nursing - Adult: £16,085 /Yr
  • Master of Business Administration [M.B.A]: £18,557 /Yr
  • M.S: £5,624 - 18,557 /Yr
  • M.B.A: £16,870 - 18,557 /Yr
  • B.H.A: £16,085 /Yr
  • B.Sc Nursing: £16,085 /Yr

 

Birmingham City University Entry Requirements

Once you've identified the course you want to apply for, it's critical to confirm that you meet the course's entry requirements, which might include both academic and non-academic components. Check out the Birmingham City University entry requirements below:

Application Portal

  • UG: UCAS
  • PG: University website

Acceptance Rate

52%

English Language Requirement

  • IELTS: 7.5
  • TOEFL: 110

Additional Documents

  • Transcripts
  • 2-3 LORs
  • SOP
  • Resume/C.V
  • Financial Proof

 

Know More About: Birmingham City University Admission Guide

 

Birmingham City University Placements

Depending on a student’s course requirements, they will then have to complete a placement or might decide to do one willingly while attending the university. These are usually brief placements that will complement their curriculum and allow them to balance their studies with gaining the necessary experience.

Student tutors and the Careers Team will provide students with complete support for any placement through lectures, seminars, workshops, and one-on-one counselling.

You'll receive support from the Birmingham City University placements department with:

  • How to find a job and where to look for one
  • Which job possibilities would be best for you
  • Applications resumes, and interview practice

Employability Teams At The School

When students finish their degree, the Employability Teams assist in finding internships and placements to increase student employability. The employability team at each institution makes sure that the placement relates to a particular student’s study. 

Team for employability:

  • Communicate and collaborate with regional and international employers to identify and market opportunities.
  • Give students one-on-one support in the form of guidance on their applications and resumes, mock interviews, assessment centres, and psychometric testing.
  • Conduct group sessions for students and schedule employer meetings on campus.

Scholarship

Birmingham City University is a modern and innovative institution providing a range of scholarship opportunities for students looking to study in the UK. These scholarships are available to undergraduate and postgraduate students and are designed to provide financial assistance to help cover tuition fees and living expenses.

 

Some of the top scholarships available at Birmingham City University include:

  • Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to international students who have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership potential. It provides a 50% reduction in tuition fees for the first year of study.

 

  • Birmingham City University India Outstanding Achievement Scholarship: This scholarship is available to Indian students who have demonstrated academic excellence and are looking to study for a postgraduate degree at Birmingham City University. It provides a £3,000 tuition fee waiver.

 

  • Birmingham City University South Asia Outstanding Achievement Scholarship: This scholarship is available to students from Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka who have demonstrated academic excellence and are looking to study for a postgraduate degree at Birmingham City University. It provides a £3,000 tuition fee waiver.

 

UniScholars is a leading scholarship consultancy providing free counselling and assistance to students seeking a scholarship at Birmingham City University. Their team of experienced professionals can guide students through the application process, help them identify suitable scholarships, and provide expert advice on maximising their chances of success.

 

These are the scholarships offered to international students at Birmingham City University:

Name Of The Scholarship

Grant

Non-EU International Undergraduate Scholarships

£2,000

BCU Achievement Scholarships

£3,000

Non-EU International Postgraduate Scholarships

£2,000

Finances

Studying abroad can be an exciting and life-changing experience, but it can also be expensive. Most international students rely on scholarships, personal savings, and student loans to fund their education. UniCreds, a leading online platform for study loan for abroad, can help you finance your education at Birmingham City University. UniCreds offers a range of collateral-free loans that can help you cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and other education-related costs. With UniCreds, you can get your loan application approved quickly, so you can focus on your studies without worrying about finances. So, if you are an international student planning to study at Birmingham City University, UniCreds can be your go-to platform for education loans

 

Accommodation

Birmingham City University offers various quality student accommodations near the campus, providing students with comfortable, safe, and convenient living options. Private student accommodations in Birmingham are preferred over university-run options due to their variety, quality, and affordability. Students can choose from various living arrangements tailored to their specific needs.

 

We have listed some of the best Birmingham City University accommodation properties below:

  • iQ Studios 51: Located at 30 Bagot Street, this property offers a range of top-notch, airy studios with spectacular city views. With the university campus just a 6-minute bike ride away, it is perfect for students seeking spacious quarters with complete privacy.

 

  • The Heights: This Birmingham City University accommodation is within easy reach of the university campus and the city centre. It offers a range of en-suites and studios for students to choose from.

 

  • iQ Penworks House: This affordable accommodation near Birmingham City University is just a 5-minute bike ride from the campus. Residents can easily access the rest of Birmingham with a bus stop and train station within a comfortable distance. The property offers en-suites for students.

 

  • Onyx: Located at Lancaster Circus, this property is a 10-minute walk from Birmingham City University. It offers a range of high-quality en-suites and top-rate studios. Situated in a bustling area, students can enjoy popular entertainment and leisure hubs in the city without having to travel far

Cost of Living

Birmingham is about in the centre of the UK, making relocation from elsewhere in the country reasonably affordable. Birmingham is clearly more inexpensive than London, yet London has a distinctive character and is well-known around the world. However, both cities offer excellent educational opportunities and vibrant student communities. Below we have listed down the cost of living in Birmingham by keeping in mind the essential expenses that will help you do the budgeting & create the right plan for your expenses:

Items

Cost

Off-Campus Accommodation 

£680

On-Campus Accommodation

£608

Transportation

£60

Food Cost

£390

Entertainment

£42

Groceries

£112

Clothes

£70

Total Cost of Living with Off Campus Accommodation 

£1,599

Total Cost of Living with On Campus Accommodation 

£1,527

Annual Cost of Living

£19,188

The above data is sourced from Cost of Living in Birmingham on UniAcco.

FAQs