Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University (abbrev. BCU) is a modern university in the city of Birmingham, England. It is a forward-looking university of approximately 25,000 students, spread across eight campuses around the city, making it one of the largest and liveliest universities in the county.

The university has three main campuses serving four faculties, and offers courses in art and design, business, the built environment, computing, education, engineering, English, healthcare, law, the performing arts, social sciences, and technology.

Key statistics

The university has a reputation for widening participation and working with local communities. It welcomes a broad mix of cultures and nationalities, and over half of its students come from the city or the surrounding area.

BCU's courses have a strong focus on preparing students for the world of work, with many offering the option of a four-year sandwich mode, where a full year is spent in industry gaining valuable work experience. The university has a well-established reputation for delivering in-company training and development programmes, working with some of the country's leading employers. It also has its own pioneering student employment agency, OpportUNIty – offering student jobs on campus.Employability skills, enterprise and practice-based project work are built into the curriculum, giving students hands-on experience of the sort of careers they may wish to enter.

University libraries provide access to over 62m resources including books, journal articles, e-book chapters and conference proceedings. There is also wireless access across the University, including Eduroam, for staff, students and visitors.

The Centre for Academic Success provides students with access to a range of academic support services to help develop their study skills, including report writing, revision and exam techniques, stress management and time management.

Notable Alumni

·        Laura Mvula – singer.

·        Frank Skinner – comedian.

·        Jonnie Irwin – TV presenter.

·        Catherine Tyldesley – actress.

·        John Taylor – musician and Duran Duran founder.

·        Jim Crace – author.

·        Ian Emes – filmmaker.

·        Makhdum (Mak) Ali Chishty – Commander in the Metropolitan Police.

·        Mark Williams-Thomas – investigative journalist.

·        Andrew Higginson – chairman of Morrisons supermarkets.

English Language Requirements

The university accepts a range of English language qualifications as evidence of student's abilities.

For the majority of courses, an IELTS of 6.0 overall (with no band below 5.5) is required.

However, some courses may require a higher score.

·        TOEFL and Pearson Test of English (PTE) qualifications are also accepted, along with many

          other internationally recognised English language qualifications.

          The level required may vary by course.

·        Please refer to the university website for details.

Accommodation for International Students

·        All international students are guaranteed Birmingham City University accommodation if

         they apply on time. It is not always possible to allocate a student’s first choice, but where possible

         the accommodation will be close to the place of study, provided an application is received by the

         relevant deadline.

·        All halls are within walking distance, or a short journey by public transport, from the university’s

         campuses. All accommodation is self-catered with Internet access and costs include heating and water.

·       Students do not have to move out of their accommodation during the Christmas and Easter vacations.

The university offers a range of scholarship opportunities for international undergraduates which

you may be eligible to receive or apply for.

Up to £2,000 scholarships available for Indian students

To be eligible for a scholarship for an undergraduate programme, you’ll need to have studied the

12th Standard and attained the following grade:

• 60% overall* - £1,000
• 65% overall* - £1,500
• 70% overall* - £2,000

To be eligible for a scholarship for a postgraduate programme, you’ll need to have

gained the following at a university in India:

5-star universities

• 45% - 49% £500
• 50% - 54% £1,000
• 55% - 59% £1,500
• 60% + £2,000

Other universities

• 48% - 54% £500
• 55% - 59% £1,000
• 60% - 69% £1,500
• 70% + £2,000 

Your scholarship offer will be made when we make you a course offer.

*Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment courses have higher requirements.

Please note that scholarships are only available to self-funding students.

There are numerous other scholarships. Kindly refer to university website for detail qualifications required.

Other scholarships

You can also apply for the British Government's Chevening Scholarships, and a variety of private agencies and charities for scholarships, bursaries and grants to study in the UK. For more information visit the British Council website or the UK Council for International Student Affairs website.