University of Birmingham: Rankings, Courses, Cost, Career Support & More

As the UK’s second-largest city, Birmingham made a significant impact on Britain’s industrial and technological development over the past three centuries. Branded ‘the city of a thousand trades’ and ‘the engine room of the UK’ it was one of the fastest-growing cities in the world during the 19th century.

Fast-forward to the 21st century, Birmingham is still an industrial powerhouse and a center for academic excellence too. This city is also known for the University of Birmingham, a top-notch UK University that's part of the Russell Group. Eager to know more about this UK University for higher education abroad? Well, then you just must read on.

Table of Content

1. About the University of Birmingham
2. University of Birmingham – Global Rankings
3. Popular Courses to Study at the University of Birmingham
4. Intakes & Eligibility Criteria for International Students
5. Cost to Study at the University of Birmingham
6. Scholarships to Study at the University of Birmingham
7. Student Life & Support at the University of Birmingham
8. Career Services at the University of Birmingham
9. FAQs

About the University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham was founded in 1900 by Queen Victoria as a part of her Royal Charter. It is one of the country's oldest and most prestigious universities ranked in the top 100 for public research and teaching.

It is one of the Russell Group Universities and also one of the first civic Universities to accept students regardless of their background. It is located in Birmingham, which is considerably affordable compared to cities like London, Edinburgh, and Manchester.

Here’s where it stands in the global rankings.

University of Birmingham – Global Rankings

The University of Birmingham, which is one of the top public Universities in Birmingham, ranks high in most of the global ranking platforms. It ranks high in the world in terms of excellence and overall academics. Here’s a list of the rankings according to QS World University Rankings, US News Rankings, and Webometrics.

Here are the rankings according to:

1. QS World University Rankings 2025

• The University ranks #=6 as per QS WUR Ranking by Subject
• #12 in Europe University Rankings - Northern Europe
• 18^th in European University Rankings
• When it comes to global stance it ranks #=80 in the world.

2. US News Rankings 2024

• Ranks #10 in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom
• Ranks #31 among the Best Global Universities in Europe
• Ranks #94 in Best Global Universities

3. Webometrics Rankings 2024

• Ranks 44^th in the country overall.
• Ranks 119^th in excellence.
• Ranks 207^th in the continent.

Curious to know the popular course offerings of this high ranked University? We will see that next.

Popular Courses to Study at the University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham offers over 600 taught Masters and Masters by Research opportunities enabling students to pursue their interests and develop skills related to their career aspirations. For those looking for Bachelors study the University offers 350 course options across a wide range of subject areas.

Let’s have a look at the popular course offered at both levels of study.

Having checked the popular courses offered by the University, let’s find out the intakes and entry requirements in the next section.

Intakes & Eligibility Criteria for International Students at the University of Birmingham

The University offers 2 intakes for students. These include the January intake and the September intake. September intake is more popular than the two as January intake offers only a limited number of courses.

Time to check the eligibility criteria for different study levels at the University of Birmingham.

For Masters

• Students need 60-65% of their Bachelor’s degree from a recognized University.
• International students need an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no band less than 6 in each skill.

For Bachelors

• Indian Students need 80-85% in their 12^th board. The required percentage or score varies depending on the board.
• Academic requirements may vary based on nationalities which can be checked on the university website.
• International students need an IELTS score of 6 to 6.5 depending on the course option with no band less than 5.5 in each skill.

These entry requirements are subject to change depending on the course. The University also accepts up to 10 backlogs.

Knowing the eligibility criteria brings students one step closer to studying at the University. The next question after finding that out is the cost to study in UK at the University of Birmingham which we will take a look at in the upcoming section.

Cost to Study at the University of Birmingham

The cost to study at the University of Birmingham varies depending on the level of study and the type of course a student chooses.

The cost for each level of education is as follows:

• For Masters: £22,110-£37,800 per year.
• For Bachelors: £23,660- £32,400 per year.

The University also offers scholarships to international students based on their academic caliber. We will look into some of the scholarships offered by the University of Birmingham in the upcoming section.

Scholarships to Study at the University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham increased international scholarship funding to approximately £3 million, rewarding outstanding achievement and helping more international students to study with them.

It is further complemented by additional funding opportunities from individual Colleges and prestigious partners like Chevening and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

Additionally there would be £4,000 scholarships for international students who are studying with the University in September 2025, and awards of up to £5,000 exclusively for Indian students.

Here are the details of a few scholarships for international students at the University of Birmingham:

1. Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme

This scholarship is a joint initiative between the UK Department for International Development and UK Universities to come together and support students from developing commonwealth countries who could not stay in the country without some support. There are 2 awards for this scholarship for the year 2024-25.

• Scholarship Type: Academic
• Level of Study: Masters
• Scholarship Value: Coverstuition fee waiver, stipend, round trip airfare, immigration health surcharge costs, one off-arrival allowance payment, thesis expenses, and study travel grant.
• Application Deadline: The application deadline for this scholarship will be announced soon.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates should be from a developing country and should not be residing in a developed country during the time of application.
• Should not be enrolled in studies for 1 year or more in the developed country.
• Neither they nor their families should be able to pay for their studies in the UK.
• They should agree to return to their country after the award ends. The only exception is for students who intend to pursue PhD after their course.
  

2. 125^th Anniversary Scholarships for International Students

• Scholarship Type: Academic
• Level of Study: Masters
• Scholarship Value: £4,000, £5,000 for Indian students
• Application Deadline: The application date for next year will be announced soon.

This scholarship is for international students studying Masters courses in September 2025. The eligibility criteria for this scholarship have not been updated on the website yet. Students can check the website at a later date for more details.

3. The Elite Dual Career Athlete Pathway

• Scholarship Type: Sports
• Level of Study: Masters & Bachelors
• Scholarship Value: £3000 along with other services and benefits
• Application Deadline: The application deadline for this award will be announced soon.

This scholarship is to provide sector-leading dual career support that is like the UK Sport World-Class Performance Program for the individual needs of high-performing student-athletes at the University.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants should be student-athletes at a junior international standard within an Olympic or Commonwealth sport.
• Students from any nationality and level of study can apply
  

4. Global Masters Scholarships

• Scholarship Type: Academic
• Level of Study: Masters
• Scholarship Value: £2,000
• Application Deadline: The application date for next year will be announced soon.

The Global Masters Scholarship is offered to international students to break geographical barriers and enable students with high academic performance to pursue their education.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants should have received or applied for admission to a Master’s degree at the University.
• Should be classified as ‘domiciled’ in one of the countries listed on the website.

These are some of the scholarships for international students at the University of Birmingham. So far, we have covered all the academic aspects of studying at the University. It is time to look at some aspects of student life beyond academics.

Student Life & Support at the University of Birmingham

As we have seen so far, the University of Birmingham offers excellent academics for its students. What makes it one of the top universities in UK is the overall student experience it offers. Let’s explore.

1. Guild of Students (Student Union)

All the students at the University of Birmingham are a part of the Guild of Students which is the student union. The union helps students to study, develop skills, and socialize with fellow students making their University experience memorable.

2. Sports

The University appreciates and fosters potential for sports and has many international scholars in the field of sports along with world-class fitness facilities.

3. Academic Skills Center

The Academic Skills Center at the University supports students and helps them to develop skills that are necessary for their academic journey. The center helps them develop mathematical, academic, writing, digital, and general study and research skills.

4. Accommodation Support

The University offers accommodation options as well as support to find the right kind of accommodation on campus as well as off-campus.

5. Disability Services

The University has a disability center that supports students throughout their time at the University. The University offers a Reasonable Adjustment Plan to help students inform their requirements to the University. They offer special mentors, exam adjustments, a disabled student allowance, and various kinds of guidance and awareness campaigns.

6. Childcare Facilities

Apart from services to students the University also offers care for toddlers on campus with its Maples Day Nursery. Apart from this, there are other facilities known as the Elms and one known as the Oaks. This facility is for children from the age of 6 weeks to 4 years.

After a preview of student life and support at the University, it is time to see how students are supported to kick-start their careers.

Career Services at the University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham works closely with industry leaders to create a real impact on the future of the world. It is considered to be the UK's most preferred University by the country's leading graduate employers as per High Fliers Graduate Market in 2024.

To support students with their recruitment, the University organizes events like:

1. Recruitment fairs

The University organizes employer relations fairs at different times of the year for different subjects. The autumn fair is an exclusive fair that offers recruiters a chance to interact with graduates. These fairs help students gain knowledge of work opportunities available after completing their course and network with employers to explore work opportunities.

Similarly, some fairs are subject based like STEM, Business, and Law Fairs that help students to educate themselves about the professional direction they want to take after completing their course.

2. Employer Insights Events

These events are employer-led and provide the scope to meet with employers who share insights about their organizations, industry, and the recruitment process. These events are great for students who are looking for internships, placements, and other work opportunities.

Employers host sessions on campus like webinars with Q&A or teach employability skills through workshops. Students can benefit from smaller group interactions with one-on-one appointments, live chats, an online platform, and a virtual events module.

3. Business Incubation, Training and Support

The University of Birmingham offers a wide range of incubation and training programs to help new businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs. These programs include Enterprise OD which helps researchers who wish to innovate without having to associate with a company. It also offers incubation assistance from entrepreneurs on the campus.

There are other incubators as well like Unit 9, Biohub, and Medici that offer facilities, equipment, and other kinds of support for various research and entrepreneurial needs of students.

To conclude, the University of Birmingham offers a diverse range of programs and opportunities for international students. For students contemplating their Higher Education in this high-ranked university, connecting to renowned study-abroad consultants like KC Overseas can be invaluable. Our UK Experts offer end-to-end support to study in the UK for international students.

So, connect to our experts and start your applications for the upcoming intakes.

FAQs

Q1. How do students apply to the University of Birmingham?

Ans: For Masters: Applications are made via the online application system.

For Bachelors: Applications are made via UCAS

Q2. Is there an Application Fee?

Ans: No, there is no application fee.

Q3. What happens after the student has applied?

Ans: The University will review the applications which are then processed on a rolling basis.

Q4. How many credits does a student need to take during study placement?

Ans: If the course is for one year, students must take 60 UK credits per semester which is 120 UK credits in total.

Q5. What is CAS and when do students get it?

Ans: The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies Number (CAS number) is issued directly through Admissions for students who have been attending Birmingham for more than 6 months.

If students are applying for entry in September, the CAS numbers will be issued between mid-June and by the end of July, mid-June is when visa applications can begin. Students can apply for a visa 3 months before their study start date and not before.

Q6. Does the University provide student accommodation?

Ans: Yes, the University of Birmingham provides student accommodation.