About Birmingham City University
Birmingham City University is a large, modern university in the heart of England's second city. Known for exceptional creative programmes including the renowned Birmingham Conservatoire and School of Jewellery, BCU offers practical, industry-focused education with excellent links to Birmingham's thriving business and creative sectors.
Key Information
Student Statistics
- • 29,000 total students
- • 5,500 international students
- • 80 student societies
Location
- • Located in Birmingham
- • Public university
- • Established 1971
Subject Rankings
Performing Arts (2024)
101Academics & Faculties
Degrees Offered
Bachelor, Master, PhD, Foundation, BMus, LLB
Popular Subjects
Music (Conservatoire)Jewellery DesignBusiness ManagementLawArchitectureNursingFilm ProductionFashionComputing
Student-Staff Ratio
18 : 1
Faculties & Departments
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Classical Music, Jazz, Music Technology, Acting, Stage Management
School of Art
Fine Art, Visual Communication, Art and Design
School of Jewellery
Jewellery and Silversmithing, Horology, Gemmology
School of Architecture and Design
Architecture, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Product Design
Birmingham School of Media
Film and Animation, Journalism, Media and Communication, Photography
Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences
Birmingham City Business School, Birmingham Law School, Criminology, Sociology
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
Computing, Engineering, Construction, Surveying
Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
Nursing, Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, Social Work
Entry Requirements
Undergraduate
Academic: AAB - CCC depending on programme
Alternatives: IB: 26-34 points depending on programme, BTEC: DDD-MMM depending on programme, Access to HE accepted
IELTS: 6
R 5.5 / W 5.5 / L 5.5 / S 5.5
TOEFL iBT: 72
Audition for Conservatoire • Portfolio for creative programmes • DBS check for health and education programmes
Postgraduate
Minimum Qualification: UK Honours degree (2:1 or 2:2 depending on programme)
GPA: 2.7
IELTS: 6.5
R 6 / W 6 / L 6 / S 6
TOEFL iBT: 85
Audition for Conservatoire • Portfolio for creative programmes • Two references
Fees & Funding
Tuition (International)
- Undergraduate: £15,000
- Postgraduate: £16,000
- Foundation: £13,500
Living Costs (Annual)
- Accommodation: £5,200
- Food: £2,200
- Transport: £550
- Entertainment: £1,100
- Other: £750
- Total: £9,800
Scholarships
BCU International Scholarship
MeritMerit-based scholarship for international students.
Value: £4,000 (Partial)
International students • Strong academic achievement
Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship
MeritPremium scholarship for top international applicants.
Value: £6,000 (Partial)
Outstanding academic record • Exceptional applicants
Conservatoire Scholarships
MeritMerit-based scholarships for talented musicians.
Value: £5,000 (Partial)
Exceptional musical talent • Conservatoire students
Campus & Facilities
City Centre Campus, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham B4 7BD
Modern city centre campus adjacent to the new HS2 station area. £340m investment has created outstanding facilities including the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Parkside Building.
Size: 25 acres
Facilities
Academic
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (500-seat concert hall), School of Jewellery workshops, Parkside Building, Media studios, Architecture studios
Research
Centre for Brexit Studies, Birmingham Centre for Media and Cultural Research, STEAMhouse (innovation hub)
Student Life
BCU Students' Union, The Venue (student bar), Campus cafes, Student Hub
Libraries
Mary Seacole Library (City South)
Modern library with health and education collections.
24/7 during term
Curzon Building Library
Main city centre library with 24/7 study spaces.
24/7
Sports Facilities
Doug Ellis Sports Centre
Sports centre at City South Campus with gym and sports facilities.
City Centre Gym
Fitness facilities at main campus.
Student Services
Student Services
Academic support, financial advice, and welfare services.
studentservices@bcu.ac.uk
Wellbeing
Mental health support and counselling services.
wellbeing@bcu.ac.uk
Careers
Career guidance with strong creative industry connections.
careers@bcu.ac.uk
Accommodation
University Locks
University-managedModern canalside accommodation near city centre campus.
Cost: £130 - £160 (per week)
En-suite rooms • Canal views • Social spaces • Laundry
Distance: 10-minute walk
Contract: 42-51 weeks
The Heights
University-managedTall building with city views.
Cost: £120 - £150 (per week)
Standard and en-suite rooms • Kitchens • Common rooms • 24/7 support
Distance: 5-minute walk
Contract: 42 weeks
Various Birmingham halls
Private partnerPartnership with private accommodation providers.
Cost: £110 - £180 (per week)
Various room types • City locations • Modern amenities
Distance: 5-20 minutes
Contract: 44-51 weeks
First-year undergraduates guaranteed accommodation if applying by deadline. Apply through BCU accommodation portal after receiving offer.
International welcome programme, airport pickup, peer mentoring.
Student Life & Support
Clubs & Sports
Clubs: 80
Teams: 35
Cultural Activities
- Conservatoire Concerts — Weekly
- Degree Shows — Annually
- Birmingham Arts — Ongoing
International Support
- Visa support: Yes
- Language support: Yes
- Orientation: Yes
- Buddy program: Yes
- Contact: international@bcu.ac.uk
Health & Wellbeing
- Medical centre: No
- Counselling: Yes
- Disability support: Yes
- Emergency: +44 (0)121 331 5000
Careers & Outcomes
Employability Rank
300
Graduate Outcomes
Employed: 81%
Further study: 10%
Unemployed: 6%
Average Salary
£24,500
per year (graduate)
Top Employers
BBCOrchestras (CBSO, etc.)Jewellery companiesArchitecture firmsNHSLaw firmsCreative agenciesSchools
Career Services
- Careers+: Career guidance with strong creative industry connections.
- Placements: Many programmes include professional placements.
- STEAMhouse: Innovation and enterprise support for graduates.
Location & Transportation
Nearest Airport
Birmingham Airport
13 km • 20 minutes by train
Public Transport
- Train: Birmingham New Street (10-minute walk) with services to London Euston (1.5 hours), Manchester, and all UK. • From £20 to London (advance)
- Metro: West Midlands Metro tram system. • £2.40 single
- Bus: Extensive bus network throughout Birmingham. • £2.00 single
Local Area
Birmingham is the UK's second largest city, a diverse, culturally rich hub with excellent shopping, dining, and entertainment. Major regeneration including HS2 is transforming the city.
Cost of Living: Medium
Attractions: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Bullring and Grand Central, Jewellery Quarter, Cadbury World, Symphony Hall
Shopping: Bullring & Grand Central, The Mailbox, Jewellery Quarter, Selfridges
Entertainment: Broad Street nightlife, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Rep, Arena Birmingham, Digbeth arts quarter
Additional Information
Accreditation
Royal Charter, RIBA (Architecture), NMC (Nursing), Bar Standards Board (Law), SRA (Law)
Partnerships
- Creative: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra — Performance and training partnerships.
- Industry: Jewellery Quarter businesses — Industry links for jewellery programmes.
- NHS: Birmingham NHS trusts — Clinical training for nursing and health students.
Research Highlights
- Brexit Studies — Centre for Brexit Studies research on UK-EU relations. (2024)
- Creative Industries — Research on music, media, and creative practice. (2024)
- Jewellery and Silversmithing — World-leading research and practice in jewellery design. (2024)
Notable Alumni
- Jamelia — Pop singer (2000)
- Conservatoire graduates — Alumni in major orchestras worldwide (2024)
Metadata
Source: Birmingham City University official website, QS Rankings 2025, HESA data 2023/24
Last Updated: 2025-12-03T00:00:00Z
Verified: Yes
Contact Email: profiles@ukuni.io