University of Birmingham logo

University of Birmingham

Birmingham, UK · Ranking #13

The University of Birmingham is a large public research university in Edgbaston, Birmingham, and a founding member of the Russell Group and Universitas 21. It received its royal charter in 1900, evolving from earlier institutions such as the Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College, and is often cited as the first English “redbrick” civic university. The university teaches around 40,000 students across five colleges: Arts and Law; Engineering and Physical Sciences; Life and Environmental Sciences; Medical and Dental Sciences; and Social Sciences (including Birmingham Business School). It is ranked in the global top 100 and UK top 15, with strong strengths in medicine, law, business, education, psychology, life sciences and engineering. The main Edgbaston campus is a large green site close to the city centre, with modern facilities, sports, accommodation and a diverse international community.

University of Birmingham logo

University of Birmingham

About the university

The University of Birmingham is a large public research university in Edgbaston, Birmingham, and a founding member of the Russell Group and Universitas 21. It received its royal charter in 1900, evolving from earlier institutions such as the Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College, and is often cited as the first English “redbrick” civic university. The university teaches around 40,000 students across five colleges: Arts and Law; Engineering and Physical Sciences; Life and Environmental Sciences; Medical and Dental Sciences; and Social Sciences (including Birmingham Business School). It is ranked in the global top 100 and UK top 15, with strong strengths in medicine, law, business, education, psychology, life sciences and engineering. The main Edgbaston campus is a large green site close to the city centre, with modern facilities, sports, accommodation and a diverse international community.

Key information

  • Location: Birmingham, UK
  • Ranking #13
  • QS #84
  • THE #105
  • US News #91
  • National ranking #-1
  • Institution type: public

Popular faculties

  • College of Arts and Law
  • College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
  • College of Life and Environmental Sciences
  • College of Medical and Dental Sciences
  • College of Social Sciences
  • Birmingham Business School
  • Birmingham Law School
  • Birmingham Medical School

Programs (29)

  • Computer Science
  • Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Pharmacy
  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • Finance and Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Law
  • Political Science
  • International Relations
  • Philosophy
  • History
  • Linguistics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Mathematics
  • Environmental Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Anthropology
  • Education
  • Fine Arts
  • Music

Student body

  • Total students: 40,000
  • Undergraduate: 25,000
  • Graduate: 14,500
  • International students: 28%

Campus life

The main Edgbaston campus is a large parkland site with historic redbrick buildings and modern facilities, including libraries, laboratories, the Sport & Fitness centre with pool and gym, and extensive halls of residence. The Guild of Students runs hundreds of societies, events and representation activities. The campus has its own train station (University) with direct links to Birmingham city centre. The university hosts over 10,000 international students from around 150 countries, and dedicated international support services help with visas, settling‑in and cultural integration.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: £1,000 - £2,000 / per month

Housing options

  • University halls of residence on Edgbaston campus
  • Self‑catered en‑suite rooms
  • Standard shared bathroom rooms
  • Studio rooms
  • City‑centre private student residences
  • Shared houses and flats in Birmingham

Student clubs and organizations

  • Guild of Students societies
  • Academic and professional societies
  • Cultural and national societies
  • Arts and media groups
  • Volunteering and campaigning groups

Sports

  • Football
  • Rugby
  • Hockey
  • Netball
  • Basketball
  • Athletics
  • Swimming
  • Rowing
  • Tennis
  • Badminton
  • Many BUCS and intramural sports through Sport & Fitness

Career & internships

Employment rate: 92%

Partner companies

  • Jaguar Land Rover
  • HSBC

Internships: Many Birmingham degrees offer placement years, internships or year abroad options, especially in engineering, business, computer science, and some social sciences. The university has extensive employer links and careers services, including fairs, employer presentations, mentoring and skills workshops. International students can access placements and internships in line with visa regulations. Strong graduate outcomes and a large alumni network support career progression in the UK and worldwide.

Admission requirements

Required tests

  • TOEFL
  • IELTS

Required documents

  • Online application (UCAS for undergraduate
  • university portal for postgraduate)
  • Academic transcripts and certificates
  • Personal statement
  • Academic reference
  • Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent)
  • Passport copy
  • CV for some postgraduate programmes

Tuition costs

  • £24,000 - £38,000 / per year
  • Acceptance rate: 22.00%
  • Scholarships available: The University of Birmingham offers a wide range of scholarships for international students. For 2025 entry, the 125th Anniversary Scholarships provide tuition fee discounts (for example £5,000 for many master’s courses and £7,000 for selected Computer Science programmes) to outstanding international postgraduates from specific countries. There are also subject‑ and region‑specific awards and college scholarships across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In total, the university allocates several million pounds per year to scholarships and awards. Most schemes require you to hold an academic offer, be classified as an overseas fee payer and meet academic and sometimes personal statement or interview criteria.

Quick facts

  • Founded: 1900
  • Teaching languages: English, english
  • Study formats: offline

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