The University of Birmingham, one of the top 100 universities globally, was established in 1900 and is home to over 38,000 students, 8,000 staff, and 300,000 alumni. With over 10,000 international students from 150 countries, the university is located in England's diverse city. The campus spans 672 acres and has invested over £1 billion in technology, research facilities, and sports facilities. The university generates £3.5bn annually to the local economy, with teaching contributing nearly £1.34 billion. It supports 15,545 jobs in the West Midlands region, contributing £678.8 million annually to Birmingham's economy and £951.8 million annually to the region. The university is led by a dedicated academic team and has a research and knowledge transfer activity worth £885 million. It also plays a significant role in civic engagement, helping local businesses adapt to technological changes, enhancing healthcare facilities, and training community leaders.
University of Birmingham
Why study at University of Birmingham?
Ten Nobel Laureates in the field of Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, including two Nobel Peace Prize winners among the university’s staff and distinguished alumni.
Founder member of Universitas 21, a global network of 27 research-led universities across 17 countries.
Ranked as the Most Targeted University in the UK by top employers, according to The Graduate Market (2021).
18 academic subjects are ranked in the top 10 with American Studies, Creative Writing, Drama, Dance & Cinematics, Physiotherapy and Tourism, Transport, Travel & Heritage Studies being ranked amongst the Top Five.
Ranked in the top five for its research in Philosophy, History, Classics, Theology and Religion, West African Studies, Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, and Chemical Engineering.
Over 22,000 pupils participating in the University's outreach activity each year.
According to Research Excellence Framework (REF), over 81% of research carried out are rated as 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent' in terms of its originality, significance, and rigor.
87% of the university’s research activity has a global impact (Research Excellence Framework).
Contribution of £193 million to University and regional projects by 11,000 donors of the university.
Dedicated team of expert advisors provide employment support and services.
Entry Requirements
Appropriate Grades in Examination.
English Language Requirement.
Have a relevant subject background.
Students must be able to demonstrate relevant subject background with a translated transcript.
Number of A levels Required
IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking, and 19 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills
- Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced – Minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component
Accepted English Language Test
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- PTE or
- Alternative Qualifications
Scholarship
- Shakespear Institute of postgraduate Scholarships.
- Great Scholarship China.
- DeepMind scholarship for Postgraduate Taught Masters in Computer Science.
- Lloyds Scholars Programme.
- Music scholarships.
- Sports scholarships.
- Support for care leavers.
- Pathways to Birmingham.
Life at University of Birmingham
Entry requirements for interantional students
Undergraduate:
Approved Foundation Programme.
Minimum Entry Requirements for Postgraduate Degree:
Official Transcript of Qualification translated into English and showing the subjects and grades obtained.
For Postgraduate Taught:
A Bachelors (Honours) degree of at least 3 years duration, followed by a Masters degree of one or two years duration. Degrees must be from a recognised institution in Bangladesh.
English Language Requirement for any Level of Student:
Demonstrate a certain level of English Language, either through an English test such as IELTS, TOFEL, or PTE, or we may be able to accept your previous or alternative qualifications as evidence.
Undergraduate:
We have implemented flexible arrangements and will assess your application based on your Standard X, XI, and mock or predicted grades from your school.
Holders of the Indian Standard XII will be considered for entry to the first year of our undergraduate degree programmes.
- A*AA = 90% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 85% West Bengal or 95% Other State boards
- AAA = 85% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 80% West Bengal or 90% Other State boards
- AAB = 80% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 75% West Bengal or 85% Other State boards
- ABB/BBB = 75% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra and West Bengal or 80% Other State boards
Where a programme requires a specific A'level subject grade please refer to the guidance below for the Indian Standard XII equivalent.
- A* = 90% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 85% West Bengal or 95% Other State boards
- A = 85% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 80% West Bengal or 90% Other State boards
- B = 80% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra and 75% West Bengal or 85% Other State boards
Please note:
- For Medicine country specific requirements, please visit our Applying to Medicine website.
For Dentistry, please see the general entry requirements listed on the Dental Surgery course page.
Postgraduate Taught:
Either: A four-year Bachelors degree (first-class or very good upper second class)
Or: A three-year Bachelors's degree (first class) from recognised institutions in India.
For MSc programmes, the Business School will consider holders of three-year degree programmes (first-class or very good upper second class) from recognised institutions in India.
For entry to LLM programmes, Birmingham is happy to accept applications from 3 or 5 year LLB holders from India from prestigious institutions.
Foundation Pathways:
Our foundation pathways are suitable if you have completed a high school qualification that is below the equivalent standard of UK A levels, and therefore doesn't allow for direct entry to undergraduate courses at UK universities. We will also consider students who have completed qualifications that would normally lead to direct entry onto an undergraduate degree, whose grades are slightly below our undergraduate entry criteria. Please visit the Birmingham International Academy website for more information.
Holders of the Standard XII Higher Secondary Certificate with an average score of 65% for ICSE, CBSE, West Bengal State Board will be considered for entry to Birmingham Foundation Academy. All other state boards require 70% overall.
If you wish to apply for our Engineering and Physical Sciences pathway you need to have at least 65% in mathematics from ICSE, CBSE, West Bengal State Boards.
To apply for a Biology-based degree you will need to have a least 65% in Biology from ICSE, CBSE, West Bengal State Boards.
English Language Requirement for any Level of Student:
Demonstrate a certain level of English Language, either through an English test such as IELTS, TOFEL, or PTE, or we may be able to accept your previous or alternative qualifications as evidence.
Undergraduate:
The University will consider students who have taken GCE A Level examinations, the International Baccalaureate (IB), or a suitable foundation programme, such as one of our Foundation Pathways, for entrance to undergraduate programmes.
The University has a number of agreements with foundation providers in Nigeria which allow students to be considered for admission to undergraduate programmes. Please contact us for more information.
Students who have completed the first year of a 4-year Bachelor degree from a recognised institution in Nigeria with excellent grades (2.1, 3.0/4.0, 3.5/5.0) will be considered for entrance to undergraduate programmes (first year entry).
Please note:
- For Medicine country-specific requirements, please visit our Applying to Medicine website.
- For Dentistry, please see the general entry requirements listed on the Dental Surgery course page.
Postgraduate Taught:
Students who hold a Bachelor degree (minimum 4 years and/or level 400) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0
Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.
Foundation Pathways:
WAEC Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) with at least 5 subjects at grade B3, to include grade B3 in Mathematics for our Engineering and Physical Sciences pathway.
NECO Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) can also be accepted with at least 5 subjects at grade B3 or the joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) with 300+ points and at least 5 subjects at grade C4 to include grade B in Maths for our EPS pathway.
If you have achieved English Language at grade C6, you will not be required to take an additional English proficiency test (for the 4-year programme).
English Language Requirement for any Level of Student:
Demonstrate a certain level of English Language, either through an English test such as IELTS, TOFEL, or PTE, or we may be able to accept your previous or alternative qualifications as evidence.
Foundation Pathways
WAEC Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) with at least 5 subjects at grade B3 to include grade B3 in Mathematics for our Engineering and Physical Sciences pathway.
For further information see the Birmingham International Academy website.
Undergraduate
The University will consider students who have taken GCE A Level examinations, the International Baccalaureate (IB), or a suitable foundation programme, such as one of our Foundation Pathways, for entrance to undergraduate programmes.
Students who hold a Higher National Diploma with a good profile of grades (distinctions and credits, or grades 1-3) will be considered for entrance to undergraduate programmes (first year entry).
Students who have completed the first year of a 4-year Bachelor degree from a recognised institution in Ghana with excellent grades (2.1, 3.0/4.0, 3.5/5.0) will be considered for entrance to undergraduate programmes (first year entry).
Please note:
- For Medicine country specific requirements, please visit our
Applying to Medicine website. - For Dentistry, please see the general entry requirements listed on the Dental Surgery course page.
Postgraduate Taught
Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0
Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.
English Language
You will need to demonstrate a certain level of English language, either through an English test such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, or we may be able to accept your previous or alternative qualifications as evidence. Please view the
entry requirements
for specific programme requirements, and details on our presessional English language courses.
For study on our Foundation and Undergraduate programmes, English language at grade C or above (or in numerical terms, grade 6 or above) in the WAEC SSCE is sufficient to meet the standard English language requirements.
For Postgraduate programmes, Ghanaian nationals with a degree from Ghana or another English speaking country (as on the University's approved list) are not required to submit an English Language test.
Foundation Pathways
Our foundation pathways are suitable if you have completed a high school qualification that is below the equivalent standard of UK A levels, and therefore doesn't allow for direct entry to undergraduate courses at UK universities. We will also consider students who have completed qualifications that would normally lead to direct entry onto an undergraduate degree, whose grades are slightly below our undergraduate entry criteria. Please visit the
Birmingham International Academy
website for more information.
The University will consider students with a Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) (also called Intermediate Certificate), with at least grade B or 70%, to include grade B or 70% in Mathematics for our Engineering and Physical Sciences pathway.
Undergraduate
We will consider students who have taken A Level examinations and/or the International Baccalaureate (IB) for entrance to undergraduate programmes. We will also consider students who have successfully completed a Bachelors (Honours) degree of at least two years duration. Degrees must be from a Higher Education Commission recognised institution in Pakistan.
Please note:
- For Medicine country specific requirements, please visit our
Applying to Medicine website. - For Dentistry, please see the general entry requirements listed on the Dental Surgery course page.
Postgraduate Taught
Holders of a Bachelors degree of four years in duration from a recognised university in Pakistan will be considered for postgraduate taught study. Students with a Bachelors degree of at least three years duration followed by a Masters degree of one or two years duration, or holders of a two year Bachelors degree and a two year Masters degree in the same subject, may also be considered for postgraduate study.
Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 2.8-3.0/4.0 or 65% or above for 2:1 equivalency, or a GPA of 2.6/4.0 or 60% or above for 2:2 equivalency depending on the awarding institution.
A two-year degree followed by a three-year LLB will count as a full Bachelors degree.
All qualifications must be from recognised institutions. For further details on recognised institutions, please refer to Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission
Postgraduate Research
Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0/4 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.
English Language
You will need to demonstrate a certain level of English language, either through an English test such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, or we may be able to accept your previous or alternative qualifications as evidence. Please view the
entry requirements
for specific programme requirements, and details on our presessional English language courses.
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