University of Birmingham

Overview

The University of Birmingham is a beautiful redbrick university, with a leafy green campus, located in the city of Birmingham, just over 150km north of London.

Established in 1900, Birmingham has been challenging and developing great minds for more than a century. Characterised by a tradition of innovation, research at the University has broken new ground, pushed forward the boundaries of knowledge and made an impact on people’s lives. A founding member of the Russell Group and Universites 21, the University of Birmingham is a prestigious, world-leading educational institution, which provides an exceptionally high level of teaching.

University of Birmingham courses will set you up for a rich and fulfilling career and are renowned for producing highly employable and successful graduates. In 2020-21, they are ranked first by High Fliers Research, as the most targeted UK university for the country’s top employers looking for graduate recruits (The Graduate Market in), demonstrating their commitment to you and your future. The University has also invested £5m in its graduate careers services and successful alumni are offered mentoring and bursaries to support work experience and internships in the UK and overseas. International students are offered a variety of specially tailored events, including coaching and skills workshops on topics such as networking skills, job-seeking strategies and job seeking beyond the UK.

At Birmingham, you will be part of a diverse community located in an inspirational campus setting, with the most vibrant, multicultural city in the UK on your doorstep. Birmingham is the UK’s second-largest city with first-class cultural, social and sporting facilities. It is a thriving city that embraces the broad ethnic mix of the region. Located on a stunning 250-acre parkland campus, the University offers a safe, friendly environment with excellent facilities, including a sports centre, cafes and restaurants, shops and major banks. The University currently has over 34,000 students enrolled, of which around 10,000 are international, from nearly 150 countries. Birmingham's central location in the UK means it is easy to navigate, and Birmingham International Airport services many locations around the world.

In addition to the UK campus, which was founded over 100 years ago, the University of Birmingham launched its Dubai campus in 2018, becoming the first global top 100 and Russell Group University to establish a campus in Dubai. The campus offers the opportunity to gain a world-class British university education in one of the world’s most dynamic and exciting cities.

The University of Birmingham's acceptance rate is 15% and key University of Birmingham rankings include being in the world's top 100 universities (QS World Rankings 2025). A wide variety of University of Birmingham degrees also provide placements with top national and international companies.

Services for International Students

The University of Birmingham’s Student Support Hub offers help and advice to students. Teams of professionally trained counsellors can assist students with any difficulties they may be experiencing. The International Student Team also provides trained and dedicated advisers for international students who have queries relating to immigration, working in the UK, healthcare, finance, and personal and academic support. All services are free of charge.

The university offers an airport pickup service and runs an international welcome week for new international students to get to know each other and the university. During term time, free English language classes are also available.

Ranking

• 22nd in the Times University Guide 2025
• 36th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
• 80th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
• 101st in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
• 151-200th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2024

The University of Birmingham's highlights of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework include:

• Ranked 10th in Russell Group and 13th in the UK for Grade Point Average (up from 39th in 2014)
• Ranked equal to 10th in the Russell Group and 13th in the UK for 4* research
• Ranked 12th overall in the UK for Research Power (up from 14th in 2014)

Accommodation

International students are guaranteed a place in University of Birmingham accommodation for at least their first year of study. It may be possible for students to stay in University of Birmingham accommodation for the whole of their time in the UK if they wish.

Student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your new-found independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings. The Global Community is a unique living environment, thoughtfully designed to help you build friendships and socialise with likeminded UK and international students. There is also plenty of privately rented accommodation close to the University of Birmingham and the University's Living team will help to explore this option to give the best housing advice to students during their time at Birmingham.

Location

The main University of Birmingham campus is at Edgbaston, where most of the teaching and other facilities are situated. Spacious and attractive with lawns, trees and a lake, it was the first campus university in England and the traditional 'redbrick' university. The Selly Oak campus is situated on a beautiful garden site a short bus- ride from the main campus.

Cadbury’s chocolate, The Bullring, Peaky Blinders, the Balti – all things synonymous with the city. Yet Birmingham has so much more to offer than this. As one of the original pioneering cities Birmingham has developed into a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry.

Birmingham is a major European city, and home to some spectacular Victorian and contemporary architecture as well as venues for art, music, theatre and sport, excellent nightlife, great shopping and eating, including the world famous Bullring Centre. The city also benefits from being surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Its position in the centre of England makes it a convenient base from which to explore the UK and Europe; the city is less than two hours away from London by road and rail, and has its own international airport. Warwick, Stratford, the Peak District and Wales are also all within easy travelling distance.

Alumni

• Geoffrey Ma Tao-li (Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Hong Kong)
• David Gill (Chief Executive, Manchester United)
• Chris Addison (Comedian)
• Tim Curry (Actor and Musician)
• Paul Manning (Gold medallist, professional cyclist)