university of Birmingham City, details of Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University 

University rankings

• 2010  59
• 2009  69
• 2008  67

History

• Historical strengths in the creative and performing arts: first college of design outside London (1843) and Birmingham Conservatoire (1886).
• Amassed strengths in creative, professional, health and technological disciplines, teacher training, social sciences and humanities, leading to university status 1992.
• New name, Birmingham City University, reinforcing Birmingham location and wider societal role as centre of excellence in learning, creativity and enterprise.

Location and Transport

• Eight campuses from the Westbourne Road Campus in leafy Edgbaston to the ancient and modern city-centre buildings at the City North Campus in Perry Barr. 
• Birmingham is located at the hub of the UK's road and rail networks. There are two main line stations, and it is the centre of Britain's national coach network connecting directly with 500 destinations.
• Air links are also excellent through Birmingham International Airport.
• Locally, a network of bus and train services provides easy access to the city and university sites. This is supported by a recent transport development, Midland Metro, a tramway/light rail system, which has improved access to the city even further.

Accommodation

• Six halls of residence with around 2,000 well-equipped rooms from £76 per week, including heating and water.
• A place in halls is guaranteed if you have a firm offer, live outside Birmingham and apply before the autumn term.
• Every student room in halls has its own phone line and a free Ethernet connection to the data network.
• For more information on accommodation at Birmingham City University, click here. 

Entry standards
League Table

• An average of 255 tariff points across all subjects.
• Highly competitive entry to Art, Design, Music and Acting, depending on the standard of portfolio or performance in audition.
• Wide range of Diploma and Foundation courses provide entry routes and degree progression for students with lower entry qualifications.
• Click here for more information on entry standards at Birmingham City University. 

Bursaries and Scholarships
In receipt of full Maintenance Grant: up to £525 available in 2008-09
In receipt of partial Maintenance Grant: up to £525 available in 2008-09

• Tuition fees (2009): £3,225
• Placement year tuition fees (2008): £750
• Eleven per cent of additional fee income to be earmarked for bursaries.
• Eligibility for bursaries to be assessed using UUK/SLC model bursary scheme (HEBSS).
• For more information on bursaries and scholarships at Birmingham City University, click here.

Student mix

• Male 40%, female 60%.
• UK student 92%, non-UK students 8%.
• State School 97.7%.
• Applications to places ratio 5.5:1.

Course flexibility

• Many courses provide a wide variety of specialisms enabling students to choose and concentrate on their chosen area of interest.

League Table

• 
  Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning in Healthcare. Several staff are National Teaching Fellows.
• Excellent outcomes from Quality Assurance Agency institutional audit and major review of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions.
• One of only four institutions consistently ranked top ten for initial teacher training in the Smithers-Robinson League Table.

Research standards
League Table

• Five centres of research excellence: Fine Art Practice, Design Innovation, Performance-related studies of Music, Criminal Justice Policy and English.

Academic strengths

• High proportion of courses lead to professional as well as degree qualifications with strong emphasis on employment-related and practice-based education.
• Strong reputation for Art, Design, Media, Health Care, Teacher Training, Music and Performing Arts and for relevant practice-based professional education.
• Substantial investment in Moodle virtual learning environment providing on-line access to resources and flexible approaches to learning.

Student facilities, including Library and Computing
League Table

• Seven libraries, around 950,000 books, 9,000 print and electronic journals and virtual learning environment.
• 3,500 fixed workstations as well as loan laptops and wireless areas across campuses for network access.
• Course information and guidance centre, welfare provision, doctor’s surgery, cafes/restaurants on all sites, five main bars.

Disability Services

• For information about disability services at Birmingham City University, contact the Disability Services Team at Student Services, 1st Floor Baker Building, Birmingham City University, Perry Barr, Birmingham, B42 2SU.
• Other contact details are: telephone +44 (0)121 331 5588; fax +44 (0)121 331 6569; Minicom +44 (0)121 331 5128;email; or visit the website.

Students’ Union

• Students can join one of the many clubs and societies or represent others on the Student Council.
• The well-established Advice Centre operates at most campuses to ensure all students have access to free, impartial and independent advice.
• There is a packed entertainments programme and students can also volunteer in the Community Action programme.
• For more information on the Students' Union at Birmingham City University, click here.

Sport

• There are more than 30 clubs, including non-competitive activities.
• The sports facilities near Perry Barr span 17.5 hectares (43 acres) and provide around 12 pitches for football and rugby.
• Along with the university, the union is working on enhancing the sports facilities.
• Click here for more information on sport at Birmingham City University. 

Recent/prospective new builds

• Planned major investment of £250 million to include expansion of  city centre  campus, City North Campus, and sports facilities, with a new £7-million sports centre underway close to City North Campus, due to complete in 2009.
• State- of-the-art facilities for Engineering, Technology and Computing and Birmingham School of Acting, £13-million Millennium Point complex, completed in 2001
• £30-million refurbishment of Edgbaston Campus for Nursing,Midwifery, and Operating Department Practice completed 2006. Includes virtual wards and clinical skills facilities. 

Availability of part-time work

• The Job Shop in Student Services offers vacancy information for part-time and temporary work. Vacancies are also on the website.
• On-campus interviews and employer presentations take place on campus, as well as regular events such as National Student Employment Week.
• A drop-in advice session is offered at two of our campuses.
• For more information on part-time work at Birmingham City University, click here. 

For further information

• www.bcu.ac.uk
• choices@bcu.ac.uk
• Birmingham City University, Perry Barr, Birmingham. B42 2SU
• +44 (0) 121 331 5595
• Travel and maps