university of Birmingham, details of Birmingham university

Birmingham 

University ranking

• 2010  27
• 2009  24
• 2008  =31

History

• Founded in 1900, Birmingham has been challenging and developing great minds for more than a century.
• Birmingham was the first independent civic university built on a campus model, the first with a Medical School, a Business School, a purpose built students’ union, and a women's halls of residence.

Location and Transport

• Birmingham is at the heart of the country's road and rail networks, with an international airport with flights to many worldwide destinations.
• Located just far enough from the city centre to enjoy the benefits of campus life, but close enough to access all the amenities of one of the UK's largest cities.
• Our Edgbaston campus is green and spacious, with all the amenities of a small town on its 101-hectare (250-acre site), including the university’s own train station.

Accommodation

• A range of university accommodation, from catered halls of residence to self-catering apartments, all close to the campus.
• All first year students are guaranteed a place in halls of residence in the first year if they meet a number of requirements.
• Lots of private accommodation within easy reach of the university. The Housing Services team helps students to find places. 
• More information on accommodation at the University of Birmingham is available here.  

Entry Standards
League Table

• We welcome undergraduate applications from all candidates offering A level or equivalent qualifications.
• Entry standards for A level vary from AAA to BCC, with the average at around ABB. More information on entry standards at the University of Birmingham is available here. 
• International students need to demonstrate a good level of written and spoken English – English language requirements are outlined here.  

Bursaries and Scholarships
In receipt of full Maintenance Grant £860
In receipt of partial Maintenance Grant  £860
Shortage subjects Scholarship
Academic achievement Scholarship £1,290

• Tuition fees (2009): £3,225
• Tuition fee for placement year and year abroad (2009): £1,615. (NB: Students who are liable to pay half the tuition fee on their year abroad, i.e. not ERASMUS students, will receive a travel grant of £300.)
• Scholarship is available to students who meet the criteria for the award of a Birmingham Grant and, in addition, obtain A levels of AAB or better or 34 or more points in the International Baccalaureate or DDD in BTec (other qualifications considered on a case by case basis).
• Part-time employment, paid volunteering and placement opportunities will be created by the university as supplementary income sources.
• Eligibility for bursaries may be assessed using UUK/SLC model bursary scheme (HEBSS).
• Payment will be made in two instalments.
• For more information on bursaries and scholarships at the University of Birmingham, click here.

Student mix

• 25,661 total students registered at Birmingham. Of these, 16,639 (64.8%) are undergraduates, 7,763 (30.2%) are postgraduates, and 1,259 (5%) are sub-degree students.
• There are 14,252 (55.5%) female students and 11,409 (44.5%) male students. Of these, 7,933 (30.9%) are mature students
• There are 4,751 (18.5%) international students from 141 countries and 20,910 UK students (81.5%). 79.1% of students from state schools; 20.9% from independent schools.
• On average, there are 7.5 applications to every one place available at Birmingham. It was the third most popular university in England for applications for entry in 2006–7.

Course flexibility

• Single honours programmes for students wishing to concentrate on one subject, and joint honours for those who like a range of options.
• The Major/Minor degrees allow students to concentrate on one subject most of the time (70%), but give a taste of a second subject (30%).
• Some programmes allow study of modules outside the main discipline (MOMD) – there are over 130 MOMDs.

Teaching standards
League Table

• Through enquiry-led learning, students are encouraged to take an active role in managing their learning, developing creativity and independence, leadership and problem-solving skills – all highly valued by employers.
• Also offered is a Personal Skills Award, which enable students to gain accreditation in a range of leadership, management and life skills that are essential for the modern work place.
• The standard of programmes and awards has been given the highest commendation by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

Research standards
League Table

• Birmingham was ranked fifth in the UK for the quality of research in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise.
• Seven of our subject areas achieved a 6* status, the highest rating possible for consistently exceptional research.
• Research informs the teaching. Many academics are global experts in their fields.

Academic strengths

• Researchers have established a new drug combination to boost cancer survival rates. Currently developing innovative new TB therapies.
• New technology has been used to explore a lost prehistoric world deep beneath the North Sea. Working with NASA, technology has been developed that enables spacecraft to film solar storms, giving astronomers a better view of the most distant and spectacular phenomena in space.
• Launched the Future Engines and Fuels Laboratory to develop the use of hydrogen energy as a green fuel.

Student facilities, including Library and Computing
League Table 

• A world leader in developing new learning technologies designed to help individuals learn in the way that suits them best.
• Nine open-access computer suites across campus, two e-learning suites, data points in 80% of university study bedrooms, wireless network, online learning resources.
• One of the UK's largest academic libraries, containing over 2.5 million books and 3 million archives and manuscripts, plus a further ten libraries and resource centres

Disability Services

• For information on disability services at the University of Birmingham telephone 0121 414 5130 or visit the website.

Students' Union

• A long and successful history of lobbying and campaigning to improve student life.
• Runs more than 160 student groups and societies, reflecting every taste and interest.
• ComAc, the community action volunteering scheme, is working on 40 projects to help refugee children, homeless people and the environment.
• For more information about the students' union at the University of Birmingham visit the website.  

Sport

• Achieved a top three ranking in performance sport (British Universities' competition) over the last 15 years.
• Extensive facilities include fitness suite, swimming pool, 3 sports halls, floodlit athletics track, floodlit grass and synthetic pitches, tennis courts, etc.
• A comprehensive sports programme with activities to suit all levels of fitness, from absolute beginner to world-class athlete.
• More information about sport at the University of Birmingham is available here.

Recent/prospective new builds

• The university spends over £1 million each week on developing the campus and improving the learning experience for students.
• Recent developments include a new £11.8-million student facilities complex in the Medical School and a new £16.4-million building for the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences.
• Current projects include a £32-million redevelopment of Mason Hall, one of the halls of residence; a £40-million refurbishment to learning facilities at Muirhead Tower.

Availability of part-time work

• Many opportunities to find part-time work in Birmingham. Nine out of ten students find paid work during their time at university.
• Job Zone is an on-campus service run by our Student Guild to help students find part-time jobs. Vacancies advertised are rarely more than 16 hours per week during term-time.
• More information about the availability of part-time work at the University of Birmingham is available here.

For further information

• www.bham.ac.uk
• admissions@bham.ac.uk
• University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT
• +44 (0)121 414 3344
• Travel and maps