Latest Update: Starting September 2025, the UK Government has approved an increase in the maximum tuition fee for full-time undergraduate courses to £9,535 per year.
The University of Birmingham is a public research university, established in 1900 and a member of the prestigious Russell Group. It is home to around 38,000 students, including over 8,700 international students from more than 150 countries.
The university offers 468 undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses across subjects such as business, arts and humanities, engineering, and other disciplines.
Beyond academics, the university generates £4.4 billion in revenue and supports nearly 20,000 jobs across the UK and West Midlands. In Birmingham, one in every 50 jobs is directly supported by the university.
Before a detailed look into the University, let’s have a brief overview:
Note: The tuition fee is calculated as the average for top courses.
Here’s a breakdown of racial composition at the University of Birmingham:
Confused whether the University of Birmingham fulfills your academic goals? Book a free 1:1 counseling sessionwith upGrad’s expert advisorsto gain insights into how your profile aligns with the university’s requirements.
Now, let’s find out how University of Birmingham performs in different rankings.
University of Birmingham's Fees
Tuition fees vary by level of study. For example, a master’s program, such as the MSc, may cost around £36,000 (INR 40.7L), while an undergraduate degree, like a BSc, can cost approximately £28,130 (INR 31.8L). Be sure to check your nationality, as tuition fees differ for UK, EU, and international students.
Here are the tuition fees for some popular programs:
Base Course
Annual Tuition Fee (GBP)
Annual Tuition Fee (INR)
MBA
£37,800
INR 42.7L
MSc
£36,000
INR 40.7L
BA
£24,470
INR 27.7L
BEng
£29,560
INR 33.4L
BSc
£28,130
INR 31.8L
Note:
Fees may vary depending on the specialization. Please refer to the official University website for the most up-to-date information.
The currency conversions are based on the current exchange rate.
Beyond tuition, students should also account for living expenses such as accommodation, food, and transport. Let’s take a look at these associated costs.
Scholarship
The University of Birmingham has invested £33 million to date in student support and scholarships. It also provides guidance on securing funding and managing your finances.
Here are some internal and external scholarships available:
Internal Scholarships
Internal scholarships are funded by the university from its own resources or endowment. The University of Birmingham offers internal scholarships, such as the Brockhouse and Sanctuary Scholarships, for its students.
Here are some internal scholarships:
Scholarship
Type
Details
Brockhouse Scholarship
Mert-based
Eligibility: Undergraduate students studying at the engineering school.
Benefits: value will be determined by the selection panel.
Sanctuary Scholarship
Merit-based
Eligibility: Undergraduate and postgraduate students seeking refugee status in the UK.
Benefits:
Full tuition fee waiver.
£5,000 (INR 5.6L) provided as annual living cost.
Fully funded accommodation.
Engineering International Excellence Scholarship
Merit-based
Eligibility: Full fee-paying international undergraduate students.
Benefits: £3000 (INR 3.4L) fee waiver during semester 1
Apart from the university’s own scholarships, you can also look for external options based on your country of origin.
External Scholarships
External scholarships are typically funded by governments or foundations. Students at the University of Birmingham can explore UK government scholarships such as Chevening (fully funded) and Commonwealth Scholarships(fully funded).
Below are some external scholarship options:
Scholarship
Type
Details
Chevening Scholarship
Government-funded
Eligibility: International students with at least two years of work experience, applying for a one-year masters degree in the UK.
Benefits: Full tuition fees, monthly living allowance, travel costs, and visa fees.
Commonwealth Scholarships
Government-funded
Eligibility: Citizens of Commonwealth countries applying for masters or PhD studies in the UK.
Benefits: Full tuition fees, airfare, and living allowance.
Marshall Scholarship
Government-funded
Eligibility: US citizens with a strong academic record applying for graduate study in the UK.
Benefits: Full tuition fees, living stipend, travel expenses, and book grants.
The placement rates at the University of Birmingham reflect its outcome-based education and academic quality. Let’s take a closer look at the details.
University of Birmingham's Admission
The University of Birmingham is fairly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 13% to 14%. This means that out of every 10 applicants, fewer than 2 are admitted. Understanding the admission requirements can help you avoid common mistakes, such as missing a CV submission or not meeting the English language criteria.
Below are the admission requirements for studying at the University of Birmingham:
Admission Requirements
The University of Birmingham requires a minimum UKdegree for postgraduate admission, while undergraduate applicants may need qualifications such as the IB Diploma. It is a test-optional university and does not require scores like the SAT or GMAT.
However, international students must submit English language proficiency scores, such as IELTS. To study in the UK, a student visa is required, which can be obtained by providing documents like a letter of acceptance and a valid passport.
Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to study at the University of Birmingham:
Academic Qualification
Academic qualifications include meeting the UK 2:1 or 2:2 degree requirement for postgraduate programs. Applicants must submit official academic transcripts. Other required documents typically include a CV, reference letters, and a statement of purpose.
Here are the academic qualifications required:
Criteria
Details
Academic Requirements
Postgraduates: UK 2:1 or 2:2 equivalent
Undergraduates:
GCE A Levels
IB Diploma
European Baccalaureate
Transcripts
Bachelors Certificate or transcript
Miscellaneous
Statement of Purpose
1 reference
CV
Language Proficiency
The University of Birmingham accepts major English language proficiency tests, including IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL. It also recognizes qualifications like the Cambridge English Test. Students from English-speaking countries, such as Jamaica, may be exempt from submitting test scores.
Here are the English language requirements:
Criteria
Minimum Score
Competitive Score
TOEFL iBT
95
N/A
IELTS
7.0
N/A
PTE
67
N/A
Language Cert Academic
70
N/A
Cambridge English
185
N/A
Note: Competitive scores for the University may vary depending on the number of applications received.
Competitive Exams
The University of Birmingham is a test-optional university. However, you may choose to submit ACT, SAT, GRE, or GMAT scores if applying to competitive programs, such as the MBA.
Note: Requirements vary with programs. Check the official website of the university for the latest news.
Visa Requirements
Once you receive your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), you need to apply for a UK Student visa. As part of the application, you may need to submit documents such as a valid passport, financial proof, and other supporting materials.
Here are the visa requirements:
Document
Details
Valid Passport
A current passport
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
A reference number issued by the University of Birmingham upon acceptance.
Proof of Funds
Evidence that you have sufficient money to cover tuition fees and living expenses. This can be bank statements or financial sponsorship letters.
Passport-sized Photograph
A recent photograph meeting UK visa photo requirements.
Tuberculosis (TB) Test Results
Required if you are from a country, like India, where TB testing is mandatory for UK visa applicants.
Necessary for certain postgraduate courses in sensitive subjects, such as nuclear engineering.
Not sure if your academic profile meets the admission requirements for University of Birmingham? Visit the University of Birmingham Admission Page for all the details on eligibility and criteria.
Now, let’s discover the admission intakes and application deadlines for students.
Application Deadline and Intakes
The University of Birmingham offers intakes in September (autumn) and January (spring). The application deadline for the upcoming September 2025 intake for postgraduate students is 12 May 2025. For undergraduate students, the deadlines for this intake have already closed.
Here are the intakes and deadlines for different levels of study:
Course Type
Intake for International Students
Application Deadline
PG
September 2025
12 May 2025
UG
September 2025
Medicine and Dentistry: 15 October 2024 (Closed)
Other Courses: 29 January 2025 (Closed)
Now that you’ve covered the admission requirements and intake details, let’s take a look at the popular courses offered at the University of Birmingham.
University of Birmingham's Acceptance Rate
According to U.S. News and World Report, the University of Birmingham acceptance rate is 13%. This means that for every 100 applicants, only 13 are accepted into the university. Overall, the University of Birmingham accepted 38,000 students for fall 2023 enrollment. 34% of them are international students.
University of Birmingham's Ranking
The University of Birmingham is a top-tier institution, ranked among the top 100 universities in major global rankings. It is placed at #80 in the QS Rankings and #93 in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings. In the US News ranking, it holds the #94 position, further reinforcing its international reputation.
Here’s how the University of Birmingham performs across different global rankings:
Ranking Agency
Ranking 2023
Ranking 2024
Ranking 2025
QS World University Rankings
91
84
80
Times Higher Education (THE)
108
101
93
U.S. News & World Report
NA
NA
94
Apart from overall rankings, subject-specific performance highlights the university's academic strengths in particular fields. Let’s take a look at how it performs across different disciplines.
Top Course-wise Ranking 2024/25
The university’s medical programs rank well, placed at #66 in the THE rankings, while arts and humanities hold a strong position at #55 in the US News rankings. However, engineering (#119) and business (#143) in the QS rankings show moderate performance and have room for improvement.
Here is the subject-wise performance:
Program
Ranking Body
Rank 2025
Engineering
QS Ranking
119
Business
QS Ranking
143
Medical and Health
THE Ranking
66
Arts & Humanities
US News Ranking
55
Not sure if the University of Birmingham is the right fit for your higher studies? Check out the University of Birmingham Rankings 2025 to see how it compares globally and within your field!
After exploring the University of Birmingham's academic performance across different programs, let’s take a look at the admission requirements.
Is it hard to get to the University of Birmingham?
The admissions in the university can be hard to some extent because of the criteria but with a strong academic record, high test scores and LORs, it can be possible to be admitted to the University of Birmingham.
What GPA do you need to get University of Birmingham?
Prospective students must have a GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale in order to be admitted to The University of Birmingham.
How can I get admission to the University of Birmingham from India?
The university requires students to submit their strong academic record, test scores of TOEFL/IELTS/PTE for english proficiency, standardized test scores and LORs. The English language certificate cannot be older than two years.
What is the average fee of University of Birmingham in rupees?
The total fee for an undergraduate ranges from $26,460 to $58,363 (INR 21.5L to 47.6L) and for post graduate students is $26,649 to $35,957 (INR 21.7L to 29.3L).
How many Indians study at University of Birmingham?
The University has a long and distinguished history of working with India. There are now about 210 Indian students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the University. They have educated over 1000 Indian alumni, including high-level government employees.
What rank is the University of Birmingham in the world?
Birmingham is placed 108th out of 1,400 universities worldwide in the 2023 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Does the University of Birmingham give scholarships to international students?
The $2,520 (INR 2.05L) scholarship is offered to all overseas students from a variety of countries who wish to study a taught Masters degree at Birmingham in the 2023/24 academic year.
What is the acceptance rate of the University of Birmingham?
According to data based on Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), the acceptance rate in 2021 was 13.8%. The university received 56,850 applications on an average but admits only 7,865 students. It means Admission to the university is fairly difficult.
Does the University of Birmingham have placements?
Students have completed placements and internships in a number of fields, including research laboratories, medical communications, and international medical volunteer positions. At the end of year two, many students choose to take shorter summer internships known as summer research project placements.
What are the IELTS requirements for the University of Birmingham?
The entry requirement for the IELTS English test is 6.0 overall, with at least a 5.5 in every band.
Is the University of Birmingham public or private?
The University of Birmingham is a public research and teaching institution, situated in Birmingham, UK.
Is the University of Birmingham considered a good college?
Birmingham University is one of the best colleges in the world. It is rated 4th in student satisfaction. It offers extensive research opportunities and career-oriented courses.
Is the University of Birmingham a top 50 university?
Birmingham is still among the top 100 institutions in the world, coming in at number 84 in the QS World University Rankings 2024. Nonetheless, the university is ranked fifteenth out of all UK universities.
What are the top 3 University of Birmingham majors?
The University of Birmingham is popular for its majors in medicine, economics, and engineering.
Is it easy to get admission to the University of Birmingham?
Getting into the University of Birmingham is not an easy job, given its rigorous admission process and low acceptance rate. However, with a good academic record and a strong profile, you stand a good chance.
What GPA do you need to get into the University of Birmingham?
Your CGPA must increase before you may accept the conditional offer and enroll at the University of Birmingham. Generally speaking, they want a CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0.
What is the rank of the University of Birmingham in the USA?
The University of Birmingham's ranking in the UK is #9 in the Best Global Universities for 2023.
Why do people choose the University of Birmingham?
The University of Birmingham has been a preeminent international university since 1900. With over 5,000 students from more than 150 countries, they have one of the largest international student populations in the UK.
Does the University of Birmingham give full scholarships?
The University of Birmingham Lord Karan Bilimoria (chancellor) Scholarship offers full tuition fees to Indian students.
How much is the University of Birmingham tuition per year?
The annual tuition fee for attending the University of Birmingham ranges from $22,080 to $48,660 (23.28 to 51.31 lakh INR).
University of Birmingham: Rankings, Fees, Courses & Admissions
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