Established in 1900, The University of Birmingham is a large public research-intensive university located on a 276 acre campus site in Birmingham, the second-largest city in the UK. Birmingham is consistently ranked amongst the top 20 in UK national league tables and amongst the top 100 universities globally. Recently in the US News and World Report, Birmingham has placed 96th in the Best Global Universities out of more than 1,500 universities. With over 36,000 students, including 10,000 international students from over 150 countries, Birmingham's students are part of a truly vibrant and global community.
 

About the University 

For over 100 years, innovative academic research at the University has influenced society and made an impact on people’s lives. Birmingham is where pacemakers and plastic heart valves were developed, where the first artificial vitamin (Vitamin C) was synthesised, and where the cavity magnetron was developed, leading to applications such as radar and the microwave oven. The University of Birmingham's academic expertise continues to address the key challenges facing the modern-day world and were proud to have 11 Nobel Prize winners.

Birmingham has the best of both worlds, the campus is not only a green and beautiful place to learn but is also a thriving hub of student life. It’s also only a stone’s throw from the city centre, which is perfect for those students who want a balance of a city and a campus experience.
 

Facilities

The University of Birmingham is investing over £600 million in transforming its campus between 2016–2026. On the main Edgbaston campus there are many facilities and services, and students do not have to go far to reach the library, study spaces, cafes, bars, shops, and food stalls. 

At the centre of campus is the impressive Green Heart parkland spanning over 12 acres, as well as the beautiful red brick Aston Webb building, Great Hall, Elgar Concert Hall, the brand new Teaching and Learning Building and Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower in Chancellor’s Court. 

The campus also boasts a state-of-the-art Sports Centre including; a 50m swimming pool, a large multi-sport hall, a range of activity and fitness studios, a very extensive gym, six glass-backed squash courts and various other facilities.

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 from. 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, personal and academic support. All services are free of charge.
 

Specialty Areas

The Shakespeare institute established in 1951, is an internationally renowned research institution based in the heart of Shakespeare's beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon created to push the boundaries of knowledge about Shakespeare studies and Renaissance drama. The Institute allows Birmingham's vibrant community of postgraduate students to explore Shakespeare from a range of different perspectives. Shakespeare Institute students benefit from an exciting collaboration with the RSC, which has seen the University become a Founding Partner of The Other Place. The Other Place is the RSC’s creative hub for rehearsal, training, learning and research.
 

Employability

Birmingham is renowned for producing highly employable and successful graduates. In 2019-20, the University was the 2nd most targeted university by top employers (The Graduate Market in 2020), 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.
 

Accommodation

International students are guaranteed a place in University of Birmingham accommodation for at least their first year of study, if they apply by the deadline. There are a range of accommodation options available around the University, from halls of residence to private homes. There are three University-owned accommodation villages based around the campus, plus privately-owned Partner Accommodation, featuring a range of room types including en-suite, shared bathroom, self-catered and Meal Plan and a flexible catered option.

All accommodation is within 2 miles of campus and there are excellent transport links. The University's ‘Living’ team will help if this is your first time living away from home to explore your accommodation options to give the best housing advice to students during their time at Birmingham.
 

Location

The main campus is located in the beautiful leafy suburb of Edgbaston, only a 7-minute train journey from Birmingham city centre. The University has great bus links and has its own train station called ‘University’, meaning journeys into the city are cheap and fast. 

Birmingham is the second-largest city in the UK and as a result, there is always something to see and explore – from modern art galleries, artisan bakeries, and award-winning street food to botanical cocktail bars, beautiful country parks, and global sporting events. Birmingham is Europe’s youngest city, meaning you will be surrounded by like-minded people.

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.
 

History 

The University was founded in the year 1900 by Joseph Chamberlain, a prominent Birmingham politician and imperialist. The University was England’s first civic university, where students from all religions and backgrounds were accepted on an equal basis.

Birmingham has continued to be a university unafraid to do things a little differently, and in response to the challenges of the day. It was a founder member of the National Union of Students and the first university in the country to:

• be built on a campus model
• establish a faculty of commerce
• incorporate a medical school
• offer degrees in dentistry
• create a women’s hall of residence
• have a purpose-built students’ union building

During the First World War, the Great Hall (where graduation ceremonies and other important events take place) was used as a hospital. The Great Hall and most of the other original buildings are still standing over a hundred and twenty years later.
 

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE?

The information on this page has been submitted by the higher education institution itself, and it varies how frequently they update it. If you want to know more, get in touch and one of our student advisors will answer all your questions!

Across the Pond is the official representative for this teaching institution for selected countries around the world which means we can help you apply to their courses and help with all the documents needed to submit an application. We can help answer questions about their courses and the institution itself as they do not necessarily have the capacity to deal with student enquiries from all around the world on a daily basis. This also means that they can ask us questions about your application and we can help explain if they are not familiar with your grades, academic background or the educational system in your home country. They also appreciate that students who apply through Across the Pond get the help they need, not only in terms of submitting the application and supporting documents, but also with everything needed before arrival in the UK, such as student accommodation, visa information, funding information and well as preparing for departure to the UK.