Birmingham City University

Overview

24,000 students from over 80 countries are enrolled at Birmingham City University, making it an exciting and diverse place to study. A significant proportion of undergraduate courses enjoy professional accreditation, including Accountancy, Acting, Architecture, Education, Engineering, Law, Marketing, Nursing, Radiography and Social Work. The university is also conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and easy road and rail links to London, Manchester and the rest of the UK.

Birmingham City University has a large number of part-time students enrolled, making it the largest provider of undergraduate study in the area. In addition, the University has increased its portfolio of high-tech degrees in recent years, with a particular focus on electronic commerce, network engineering and electronic systems.

Birmingham City University is one of the top 30 universities in the UK for spending on facilities, and in the most recent National Student Survey, 84% of students were happy with their course, while 87% agreed that faculty staff were good at explaining classes and teaching.

Services for International Students

Birmingham City University operates a meet and greet team for all international students coming to the UK and runs a service three times a year in which the student services office will meet students at Birmingham International Airport and help them check into their university accommodation.

Orientation programmes take place at the beginning of September and are aimed at helping international students with their new surroundings and university with the minimum of fuss. Talks, workshops and social events will offer the chance to find out more about the student's new home. This programme is free to all EU and international students.

Birmingham City University’s Student Services is a central point of further information and advice for international students and run a regular drop-in service called 'The Student Help Zone'.

Ranking

• 107th in the Times University Guide 2025
• 102nd in the Guardian University Guide 2025

Three subjects ranked in the top 20 in the UK in the Guardian – Media Studies, Drama and Dance and General Engineering – and five more in the top 30 – Architecture, Art and Design, Education, Mechanical Engineering and Music. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, almost 90% of Birmingham City University’s work was deemed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’.

Accommodation

Birmingham City University accommodation is guaranteed to all first-year students. In addition, a range of housing options are offered, from self-contained flats to adapted accommodation for students with special requirements. Housing is safe, secure and affordable and offers the chance to live and study close to the centre of Birmingham, England's second city. Privately let accommodation is also available and located around the city.

The Accommodation Services Team is on hand to assist all students with questions, queries and issues.

Location

Birmingham City University is divided into eight main campuses and schools in the Birmingham area. Birmingham is a major European city, and home to some spectacular 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.