The Institution of Birmingham is a public research university in Birmingham, England. It was formed in 1900 as a successor to Queen's College, Birmingham (founded in 1825 as the Birmingham School of Medicine and Surgery) and Mason Science College, making it the first English municipal or "red brick" university to be granted a royal charter.
Cornell University inspired the current version of the university. It is a founding member of the Russell Group of British research institutions and the Universitas 21 worldwide network of research universities.
In 2019-20, the student population was 23,155 undergraduates and 12,605 postgraduates, making it the seventh biggest in the UK. The university's yearly income for 2020-21 was £774.1 million, of which £168.3 million came from research grants and contracts, with an expenditure of £738.5 million.
The University of Birmingham was ranked 13th out of 129 institutions on grade point average in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, up from equal 31st in the previous REF in 2014.
The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, which houses works by Van Gogh, Picasso, and Monet; the Shakespeare Institute; the Cadbury Research Library, which houses the Mingana Collection of Middle Eastern manuscripts; the Lapworth Museum of Geology; and the 100-meter Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower, which is visible from many parts of the city.
Former British Prime Ministers Neville Chamberlain and Stanley Baldwin, British composer Sir Edward Elgar, and eleven Nobel laureates are among the university's academics and alumni.
The University of Birmingham, which has been around for nearly 120 years, is known as England's first city university. The University of Birmingham was the first to invent pacemakers, plastic heart valves, synthetic vitamins (Vitamin C), and the cavity magnetron, which paved the way for applications such as radar and microwave ovens.
In 2014-15, the institution allegedly contributed GBP 3.5 billion to the UK economy, with overseas students alone contributing more than GBP 160 million. The institution got GBP 180 million in government and commercial funding for energy research and development in 2020.
Furthermore, the Institution of Birmingham has an extensive library with 62 kilometers of shelving, including 12 kilometers of open-access bookshelves, storing 2.7 million pieces of written material held by the university. The university's objective for 2026 includes increasing research, making at least 40% of its income from research, and increasing its student body by around 11,000 students.
The University Ranking
The University of Birmingham is one of the UK's finest public institutions. The QS World University Rankings for 2023 are placed at 90.
University highlights
University Type |
Public |
Established Year |
1825 |
No of Students |
35760 |
Number of Courses |
867 |
Tuition Fees for International Students Yearly |
19,000-44,000 GBP |
Intakes |
September, January, and May. |
Main intakes
The main intakes are in September, January, and May.
Scholarship
Chevening/Birmingham Partnership Scholarships
Value: Full tuition fees
Undergraduate Outstanding Achievement Scholarships
Value: 2,500 to GBP 5,000 GBP
Application Process/ documents needed for admission
Academic Documents (For Bachelor)
- SLC Mark sheet
- School Leaving Certificate
- SLC Character Certificate
- Transcript of 12th grade
- Individual Mark sheet of 12th grade
- Character Certificate of 12th grade
- Provisional Certificate of 12th grade
- Migration Certificate of 12th grade
Academic Documents (For Masters)
- Transcript of Bachelor's Degree and 12th grade
- Individual Mark sheets of Bachelor's Degree and 12th grade
- Character Certificate of Bachelor's Degree and 12th grade
- Provisional Certificate of Bachelor’s Degree and 12th grade
- Migration Certificate of Bachelor’s Degree and 12th grade
IELTS/TOEFL/PTE scores
Passport
Experience letter
Statement of Purpose
Application Fees
Proof of Scholarships - If any
Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
College Recommendation (if a current student)
Language Requirement
Test |
Minimum Score requirement |
TOFEL Requirements |
72 with minimum band scores of Reading 18, Writing 17, Listening 17, Speaking 20 |
IELTS Requirements |
6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band |
PTE |
54 with a minimum of 52 in all |
FAQ
Q. Can I work as a student in the UK?
Yes, international students in the United Kingdom can work part-time (20 hours per week, seven days a week) throughout the academic year.
Q. Does the University of Birmingham offer financial aid to International Students?
Yes, the University of Birmingham offers scholarships to international students. You can find details about scholarships in our scholarship section.
Q. Does the university offer any accommodation?
Yes, the university does provide accommodation. The University of Birmingham offers accommodation options if you want to live and study on campus. The cost ranges from 91-287 GBP per week.
Q. Where is the University of Birmingham located?
The University of Birmingham is situated in Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK.
Q. What should I do following the application submission?
You may start planning for what you'll do if accepted as soon as you've submitted your application! Examining Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK residences and housing alternatives, financial aid programs, and student services at this time is highly recommended.