Established in 1900, The University of Birmingham is a large, public research-intensive university located on an extensive beautiful, green campus in Birmingham, the second largest city in the UK. As a member of the Russell Group, the University is known for strength of research, graduate employability and is consistently ranked amongst the top 20 in UK national league tables and amongst the top 100 universities globally. 

STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM 

With over 40,000 students, including 12,000 international students from over 150 countries, Birmingham's students are part of a truly vibrant and global community.

The University of Birmingham welcomes a wealth of American students from across the USA onto three year undergraduate degrees, one year masters programmes, and 3-4 year PhDs across five academic Colleges. The Colleges offer a wide range of programmes from humanities, arts, social sciences and law to sciences and engineering. Popular subjects with US students are studies at the Shakespeare Institute, History, Literature, Business, Political Sciences and Biosciences.
 

HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

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 11 Nobel Prize winners hail from the former staff and student body. 
 

SPECIALIST AREAS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

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 Royal Shakespeare Company (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. 
 

LIFE ON CAMPUS

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 historic red brick Aston Webb building, Great Hall, Elgar Concert Hall, the modern Library and 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 50-metre-long swimming pool, a large multi-sport hall, a range of activity and fitness studios, extensive gym, six glass-backed squash courts and various other facilities.

The Student Support Hub offers help and advice to students. Teams of professionally-trained counsellors can assist students with any queries or issues. 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.

The University also have a campus in Dubai where students can study a range of subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate level such as engineering, psychology, business and computer science. 
 

STUDENT SUPPORT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

There are a wide range of support services on campus for students starting with academic skills programmes and support, the allocation of a personal tutor to each student on arrival, disability support, childcare, health and wellbeing services and money advice. The Chaplaincy also offers faith services for a range of religions.

Students may also take advantage of chatting to current students before arrival on campus, and a range of student mentor schemes are also available. Each College has a welfare team who can offer support in a range of areas and also signpost to other support services available on campus. 
 

UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM FACILITIES

The University of Birmingham has a range of beautiful historic buildings combined with modern state-of-the-art academic buildings and facilities. Engineering and sciences students enjoy laboratory and computer facilities in two state of the art collaborative teaching laboratories alongside separate specialist lab facilities in Computer Science, Engineering, Medical Sciences and Biosciences. The Physiotherapy department offers specialist clinical practice facilities to complement the practical clinical hours students undertake. There are a range of teaching and learning facilities on campus to support students in their studies such as the 24-hour library and teaching and learning building which offer modern teaching and learning facilities from electronic books and journals, various accessibility facilities and free laptop hire in the library to 3D printing, and a maker’s lab in engineering. 
 

SPORTS AND SOCIETIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

The Guild of Students is home to the University student societies which range from those to help with studies such as law, business, engineering, computer science, to societies offering voluntary and charity work and skills such as debating and public speaking.

There are also a wide range of leisure societies in sports, music and drama to name a few areas and joining a selection of these helps students settle in, make friends and enjoy their time on campus outside of studies.

The University of Birmingham is strong in sports both academically (top 50 in the world) and competitively.  Students compete in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) league, and the University consistently places in the top 5 each year. Many students, alumni and staff have competed at a high level and include a number of medal winners in World Championships and Olympics over the years. The sports facilities on campus are state of the art and include a range of pitches, track and fantastic sports centre with 50 metre swimming pool.
 

ACCOMMODATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM 

International students are guaranteed a place in University of Birmingham accommodation for at least the first year of study. There are a range of accommodation options available around the University, from halls of residence to private homes. The three University-owned accommodation villages are based around the campus, and there is also a range of privately-owned Partner Accommodation, featuring different room types such as en-suite, shared bathroom, duplex, self-catered 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 give the best housing advice to students during their time at Birmingham. 
 

INTERNATIONAL FOCUS  

The University student body hails from all over the world with around 12,000 students from over 150 countries. This is reflected in the student societies with a range of country societies to support fellow students, international internships and study abroad opportunities, and the Careers Network which offers an international student support section for students planning to return home to work or look for employment overseas. 
 

STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES AND INTERNSHIPS 

Students can opt for a study abroad or internship year on many of the University’s undergraduate programmes. Typically, business and engineering students may consider a year in industry and are supported to secure their placement by specialist teams within the academic department.  The University has a wide range of university partners around the world offering a study abroad and exchange year option, and some students may even opt for a study year in computer science which can be added into many undergraduate programmes. The option to study part of the programme at the Dubai campus is also available to students. 
 

EMPLOYABILITY AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES 

Birmingham is renowned for producing highly employable and successful graduates. In 2025 the University was the most targeted university by top employers (The Graduate Market), demonstrating a strong commitment to students and their 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 enjoy access to 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. 
 

STUDY IN BIRMINGHAM 

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 hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2022 including the hockey and squash on the University campus.  

Birmingham is Europe’s youngest 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. 
 

Why STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM 

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.