University of Birmingham Review: A Complete Guide
The University of Birmingham, founded in 1900, is a well-regarded redbrick university located in Edgbaston, just outside Birmingham city centre. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with particular strengths in medicine, engineering, business, and the social sciences. The campus combines historic buildings with modern facilities, including state-of-the-art labs, libraries, and a major sports centre. With over 38,000 students from more than 150 countries, the university has a strong international presence and is known for its high research output and graduate employability. This guide provides a practical overview of what to expect as a student.
University of Birmingham Summary
- City: Birmingham
-
Graduate Employment Rate：
86% within 15 months of graduation.
Table of Contents
Overview of the University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a founding member of the Russell Group, which represents 24 of the UK’s most research-intensive universities. It holds a strong reputation both nationally and internationally, regularly ranked among the top 15 universities in the UK. Global rankings such as QS and Times Higher Education also place it within the top 100 worldwide. This standing reflects not just its academic strength, but also the quality and impact of its research output across a broad range of disciplines.
The university offers a wide selection of courses, with over 350 undergraduate programmes and more than 600 postgraduate taught and research degrees. These are organised under five major colleges: Arts and Law; Engineering and Physical Sciences; Life and Environmental Sciences; Medical and Dental Sciences; and Social Sciences. Students benefit from access to experienced academics, industry-focused teaching, and opportunities to engage in hands-on research from an early stage. The institution is particularly strong in fields such as medicine, engineering, business, and political science.
With a student population of over 38,000 from more than 150 countries, the University of Birmingham has a diverse and active academic community. It also has strong links with employers and industry, including established partnerships with organisations such as Rolls-Royce, HSBC, and the NHS. These relationships support its focus on graduate employability, which remains a core part of its mission. Many courses include professional placements or offer direct pathways into industry through internships and collaborative projects.
University of Birmingham Rankings 2026
The University of Birmingham consistently performs well in both UK and global league tables. It is regularly placed within the top 15 universities in the United Kingdom by major domestic rankings such as The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, The Guardian University Guide, and The Complete University Guide. These rankings assess key areas such as student satisfaction, entry standards, graduate prospects, and research quality. In the most recent Complete University Guide (2026), Birmingham ranked 14th overall in the UK, with especially strong showings in subjects like Dentistry, Physics, and Social Policy.
Internationally, the university also holds a solid reputation. It is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. QS ranked it 76th globally in 2026, and Times Higher Education placed it at 93rd. These rankings reflect the university’s research impact, teaching quality, international outlook, and academic reputation. In particular, Birmingham scores highly for employer reputation and citations per faculty, highlighting its global visibility and influence in academic publishing.
University of Birmingham Entry Deadline
| Date | What Happens |
| 13 May 2025 | Applications open. Students can start filling in their UCAS forms. |
| 2 Sep 2025 | Students can start submitting completed applications to UCAS. |
| 15 Oct 2025 (6pm) | Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, and most medicine, dentistry, vet courses. |
| 14 Jan 2026 (6pm) | Main deadline for most undergraduate courses. |
| 26 Feb 2026 | UCAS Extra opens. Students with no offers can apply for more courses. |
| 30 Jun 2026 (6pm) | Last date to apply before Clearing. After this, applications go to Clearing. |
| 5 Jul 2026 | Clearing opens. Students can view and apply to available places. |
| 24 Sep 2026 | Final deadline to apply for 2026 entry. |
| 19 Oct 2026 | Last date to add a Clearing choice. |
University of Birmingham Entry Requirements
Undergraduate Academic Requirements:
- A Levels: Typically ABB to A*AA, depending on the course.
- IB Diploma: 32 to 36 points overall.
- BTEC Extended Diploma: Accepted for many courses (some require a mix with A Levels).
- T Levels: Accepted for selected courses.
English Language Requirements:
- IELTS: Minimum 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5).
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum 80 overall.
- PTE Academic: Minimum 64 overall.
University of Birmingham Fees 2025-2026
| Band | Undergraduate | Postgraduate Taught | Postgraduate Research |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 (Class-based) | £22,850 – £23,660 | £24,130 – £26,180 | £22,110 – £23,350 |
| Band 2 (Intermediate) | £24,470 – £26,770 | £27,200 – £29,340 | £24,340 – £26,830 |
| Band 3 (Laboratory-based) | £28,130 – £31,050 | £30,370 – £32,510 | £28,320 – £31,480 |
University of Birmingham Scholarships
The university offers a wide range of scholarships for home and international students. This year, the total amount set aside for scholarships is approximately £3 million. This can help to remove financial barriers for promising students around the world.
University of Birmingham Sports Facilities
The University of Birmingham offers extensive, high-quality sports and fitness facilities for all levels of ability:
Sport & Fitness Centre (Edgbaston Campus)
- Two fully equipped gyms, including a refurbished 200-station gym floor (updated in 2023)
- 50-metre swimming pool
- Six squash courts
- Climbing wall
- Three group fitness studios
- 200sqm indoor arena for sports like basketball and volleyball
Outdoor Sports Facilities
- Two international-standard hockey pitches
- Flexible 3G pitches for 5-a-side and 11-a-side football
- Netball and tennis courts
- 400-metre athletics track (opened in 2017)
- Supports all field events including jumps and throws
- Hosted the European 10,000m Cup and other competitions
University of Birmingham Notable Alumni
The University of Birmingham has a long list of graduates who have made significant contributions across politics, science, business, media, and the arts:
- Neville Chamberlain – Former UK Prime Minister (1937–1940); known for his role in foreign policy before the Second World War.
- Baroness Valerie Amos – Former Cabinet minister, first Black woman in the UK Cabinet, and former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.
- Sir Paul Nurse – Nobel Prize-winning geneticist and former President of the Royal Society; known for discoveries in cell cycle regulation.
- Chris Tarrant – Broadcaster and original host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?; studied education.
- David Gill – Former Chief Executive of Manchester United and current FIFA Council member.
- Lee Child (James Grant) – Internationally bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series; studied law at Birmingham.
Cost of Living in Birmingham as a Student
Accommodation
Rent varies depending on the type and location. University halls typically cost between £120 and £180 per week. Private flats or shared houses near campus can range from £90 to £150 per week. Choosing to live slightly further from the city centre can reduce rent costs.
Food and Groceries
Expect to spend around £25 to £35 per week on groceries if you cook regularly. Eating out will increase this budget, with average meals costing £8–£12 at casual restaurants.
Transport
Birmingham has a well-connected public transport system. A student bus pass costs roughly £15 to £25 per week, depending on the coverage area. Many students also use bikes or walk around campus and local areas to save money.
Social and Leisure Activities:
Socialising, gym memberships, and entertainment can add £20 to £50 weekly. The University of Birmingham offers discounts and free events to help students save.
Utilities and Internet:
If living privately, expect to pay around £40–£60 per month for bills like electricity, heating, water, and internet, usually split between housemates.
Study Materials and Supplies:
Budget about £20 to £30 per month for books, printing, stationery, and other course materials. This varies by course, with some requiring more specialised equipment.
University of Birmingham Contact Information
- Official website: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk
- Address: Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
- General information for international students: +44 121 414 3344
