Birmingham City University (BCU) is a student-centred institute of higher education. It welcomes more than 30,000 students from over 100 countries, with some 37% of its international students coming from India. Its students thrive in the strong academic and inviting atmosphere the university offers. The UK is the one of the most popular destinations in the world for international students (Commons Library, 2022).
The university is a dynamic learning environment, offering programmes approved by professional bodies. The BCU curricula help students gain hands-on learning and develop skills needed to thrive in the workplace.
Students can choose from a wide range of subjects across its four faculties – the Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, the Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Arts, Design and Media, and the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment. 88 percent of international students were satisfied with their experience studying in the UK in the International Student Barometer 2022.
There are a variety of support services within the university, including accommodation and immigration support, financial assistance, career and job advice, and health and wellbeing support. The Centre for Academic Success helps students improve their academic writing skills through workshops and tutorials.
The university has invested GBP 340 million in its two campuses and facilities. One of the latest developments includes a GBP 57 million Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, which is world-famous and received ‘royal’ status in 2017. Birmingham is the UK’s second-largest city, with a long history of welcoming international students, and there are scores of things to do and see in the city.
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Birmingham City University has been launching careers since 1843 and is dedicated to ensuring that students develop the skills employers need.
The university’s graduates gain an advantage in the job market because it:
Several teams and programmes operate to help make Birmingham City University graduates the most employable in the job market:
Birmingham City University is constantly looking at ways to improve the student experience. Recent changes include:
16,77,746 Undergraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details
18,05,424 Postgraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details
7,24,438 Living costs
5,78,559 To live on campus
The type and level of qualifications students require will vary depending on their chosen course, but there are some guidelines on entry to the university for all international applicants:
Competence in English requirements
International students who are not classified from ‘majority English-speaking’ countries, are usually required to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as the IELTS Academic test. However, BCU accepts a wide range of English language qualifications instead of a SELT. The University also offers its own online English proficiency test.
If prospective students are planning to study a course below degree level, they must take a SELT with one of UK Visas and Immigration's (UKVI) approved English language test providers unless UKVI has already accepted their high school qualification.
Pre-sessional courses
If the SELT result is below the required entry standard, students will be eligible to study the university's pre-sessional courses. Students in pre-sessional programmes will learn general English and introductory academic English.
Students will do writing and reading exercises, as well as studying essential grammar rules, comprehension and speaking. All students will carry out a small project too as they learn about British culture and society.
Courses in-country
The university also offers in-country courses to help students improve their English in their home countries before arriving in the UK.
Birmingham City University has an excellent reputation for teaching and was awarded silver in the most recent Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) in 2020. The TEF – the first scheme of its kind – recognises excellent teaching and learning across the UK’s world-class higher education sector. The government awarded silver grades to universities offering courses with high levels of stretch that ensure all students are significantly challenged and acquire knowledge, skills and understanding that employers highly value.
TEF particularly praised Birmingham City University for its student support, world-class facilities, and teaching staff's professionalism. Currently, nine of its faculty staff are National Teaching Fellows, the most prestigious award there is in university teaching.
“We have worked tirelessly to ensure we provide our students with a practice-led, knowledge-applied education that is interdisciplinary, employer-driven and has a global outlook,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Philip Plowden.
Some factors are assessed, including completion rates, student satisfaction and graduate employment. The assessment looks at teaching, the student teaching environment, and the outcomes they achieve, considering both their subject and their background. Overall, student satisfaction is high with 84 percent of students feeling that their course has developed knowledge and skills for the future and over 90 percent agreeing that staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2023).
There are four faculties at Birmingham City University:
The faculty offers a wide variety of courses, including vocationally focused, and available on a flexible basis. The faculty also supports lifelong learning and equips students with the skills needed to thrive.
Many of the courses on offer have accreditations from professional bodies, an advantage when students seek jobs and further study after leaving university.
The faculty has impressive links with the creative industry, including many high-profile brands and companies. Creative Skillset has accredited a number of the faculty's media courses.
It has the only centre in the Midlands approved by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) to offer their Advanced Certificate and Diploma courses. It runs courses in Hong Kong and Thailand.
The focus of the faculty is on training for health and education professionals. However, its emphasis on life sciences is growing. It has a good record for graduate outcomes, and students are successful in finding employment after studying the practically minded courses. Experienced practitioners teach the programmes and help guide students into their chosen industries.
With close links to industry partners, the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment (CEBE) helps students get involved in the latest research and make real and lasting contributions to their chosen industries.
The faculty also has good international links, allowing students to explore emerging technologies from across the world and offer exchange programmes abroad.
Birmingham City University offers a range of services for all new and continuing students, including help and advice with:
The university’s visas and immigration service offers students a wide range of support, including:
Students can apply for accommodation as soon as they have received an offer from BCU.
International students are guaranteed BCU accommodation for the entire time they are studying. A dedicated university accommodation services team helps students to find the right place for them.
Birmingham City University Students’ Union (BCUSU) is independent of the university but works closely. BCUSU is organised by a team of elected students called Executive Officers and its purpose is to represent students, helping them make the most of their student experience. The city of Birmingham is also a student-centric city with almost 40% of the population aged under 25.
The Students’ Union encourages students to meet new friends through sports teams, societies and media groups. It runs a pub which hosts regular events and social opportunities for students. The students’ union also carries out voluntary work students can get involved with.
The Students’ Union advice centre can offer advice with academic, accommodation and financial matters.
The centre can help with academic writing and study skills through tutorials and workshops, which run throughout the year. This training can help students to adapt to the expectations of university study.