About University College Birmingham
University College Birmingham is a vocationally focused institution in central Birmingham renowned for hospitality, culinary arts, business, tourism, and healthcare courses with strong employer links and small-class teaching.
Key Information
Student Statistics
- • 8,000 total students
- • 1,200 international students
- • 50 student societies
Location
- • Located in Birmingham
- • Public university
- • Established 1906
Subject Rankings
Hospitality and Leisure Management (2024)
12Tourism (2024)
20Culinary Arts (2024)
10Academics & Faculties
Degrees Offered
Foundation, Bachelor, Master, Top-up, Apprenticeship
Popular Subjects
Hospitality ManagementCulinary ArtsTourism and EventsBusiness and MarketingNursing and Health
Student-Staff Ratio
14 : 1
Faculties & Departments
School of Hospitality and Tourism
Hospitality and Tourism, Culinary Arts, Aviation and Airport Management
Business School
Business Enterprise, Marketing and Events, Finance and Accounting
School of Education, Health and Community
Nursing and Health, Sport and Nutrition, Education and Community
Entry Requirements
Undergraduate
Academic: BCC-BBB at A-level or equivalent BTEC/T Level; practical experience valued for hospitality and culinary courses.
Alternatives: BTEC Extended Diploma DMM, Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits, International Foundation Year
IELTS: 6
R 5.5 / W 5.5 / L 5.5 / S 5.5
TOEFL iBT: 80
DBS check for Health courses • Practical demonstration for Culinary Arts
Postgraduate
Minimum Qualification: 2:2 honours degree or significant industry experience for vocational master's routes.
GPA: 0
IELTS: 6.5
R 6 / W 6 / L 6 / S 6
TOEFL iBT: 90
Portfolio for culinary innovation programmes • Professional references
Fees & Funding
Tuition (International)
- Undergraduate: £13,000
- Postgraduate: £14,000
Living Costs (Annual)
- Accommodation: £5,400
- Food: £2,100
- Transport: £900
- Entertainment: £1,200
- Other: £800
- Total: £10,400
Scholarships
International Regional Scholarship
MeritValue: £2,000 (Tuition fee discount)
International fee status • Regional alumni communities
Deadline: 2025-06-30
Dean's Scholarship
MeritValue: £2,500 (Tuition fee discount)
High achievers with industry experience
Deadline: 2025-05-31
Alumni Loyalty Award
NeedValue: £1,500 (Tuition fee discount)
Children of alumni • Community impact
Deadline: 2025-07-31
Campus & Facilities
Livery Street, Birmingham B3 1JB, United Kingdom
Compact city campus with culinary theatres, hospitality labs, business learning zones and canal-side courtyards.
Size: 18 acres
Facilities
Hospitality Practicals
Industry-standard kitchens, Pear Tree restaurant, Showcase bakery
Student Services
Student Hub, Business incubation lounge, Careers Clinic
Libraries
Learning Resource Centre
24/7 library with cookery theatre, hospitality archive and group study pods
24/7 in term
Sports Facilities
Active Living Gym
Strength and conditioning gym plus group fitness classes
Student Services
Student Support & Wellbeing
Visa, wellbeing, disability help
support@ucb.ac.uk
Careers and Placements
Placements with Hilton, Cadbury, NHS
careers@ucb.ac.uk
Accommodation
En-suite self-catered
Modern en-suite flats at The Maltings near the city centre and campuses.
Cost: £135 - £190 (per week)
Wi-Fi • Utilities included • Shared kitchen
Distance: 5-10 minutes walk
Contract: 42-44 weeks
Studio
Self-contained studios for couples or mature students.
Cost: £185 - £230 (per week)
Private kitchenette • Ensuite bathroom
Distance: 10-15 minutes walk
Contract: 42-50 weeks
International students can apply for halls after accepting an offer; allocations prioritise first-year students.
Meet-and-greet from Birmingham Airport on key dates, move-in support, and private-renting advice.
Student Life & Support
Clubs & Sports
Clubs: 50
Teams: 20
Cultural Activities
- Taste of Birmingham — Every term
- Hospitality Showcase — Quarterly
International Support
- Visa support: Yes
- Language support: Yes
- Orientation: Yes
- Buddy program: Yes
- Contact: international@ucb.ac.uk
Health & Wellbeing
- Medical centre: No
- Counselling: Yes
- Disability support: Yes
- Emergency: +44 (0)121 232 4462
Careers & Outcomes
Employability Rank
55
Graduate Outcomes
Employed: 83%
Further study: 9%
Unemployed: 5%
Average Salary
£28,000
15 months after graduation
Top Employers
HiltonMarriottCompassNHSBirmingham City Council
Career Services
- Hired@UCB: 1:1 coaching, CVs and placement support
- Enterprise Lab: Support for culinary entrepreneurs
Location & Transportation
Nearest Airport
Birmingham Airport
12 km • 20 minutes by train
Public Transport
- Rail: New Street & Moor Street stations 5 mins away • £8-£35 return
- Tram/Bus: West Midlands Metro & buses serve Digbeth • £2.50 student daily
Local Area
Near Jewellery Quarter and canals with diverse food/drink destinations.
Cost of Living: Medium
Attractions: Bullring, Library of Birmingham, Digbeth Dining Club
Shopping: Bullring, Grand Central, Canalside markets
Entertainment: Birmingham Hippodrome, Live music venues, The ICC
Additional Information
Accreditation
Institute of Hospitality, Warwick University partnership for degree awards, Culinary Institute of America collaboration
Partnerships
- Industry: Hilton Hotels & Resorts — Scholarship programmes, placements and graduate recruitment pathways
- Industry: Compass Group — Work placements and apprenticeship opportunities
- Industry: Emirates — Aviation and cabin crew training partnerships
Research Highlights
- Sustainable Gastronomy Research — Reducing food waste and developing plant-based culinary innovation (2024)
- Tourism Recovery Studies — Visitor economy research supporting West Midlands tourism strategy (2023)
Notable Alumni
- Glynn Purnell — Michelin-starred chef and BBC Saturday Kitchen regular (1996)
- Cyrus Sheraton Shergar — Executive chef at five-star international hotels (2005)
Metadata
Source: University College Birmingham 2025 prospectus, Graduate Outcomes survey, Midlands travel guides
Last Updated: 2025-12-03T00:00:00Z
Verified: Yes
Contact Email: data@ucb.ac.uk