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Birmingham University

UCAS Code: B32

Location: Birmingham, West Midlands Show on Map

Site: Campus in south of city

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A top UK research-intensive university; a member of the Russell Group of universities.

Student Population

Total Students:	30,167
Undergraduates:	63%
Postgraduates:	37%
FE Students:	0%

Undergraduates

Total undergraduates:	18,888
Male:	46%
Female:	54%
Full Time:	91%
Mature on Entry:	13%
UK Students:	90%
Lower socio economic groups:	21%

Teaching Staff

1309 full-time, 172 part-time

Broad study areas

Arts, languages, literature & history; education; business; social sciences, government & politics; law; engineering; medicine, dentistry & health sciences; science.

Freshers

Admission Information:	3 GCE A-levels or equivalent required. Additional AS levels are encouraged, but not compulsory in most subjects.
Points on Entry (Mean):	402
Drop Out Rate:	4%
Accommodation:	All first years guaranteed accommodation (subject to certain conditions).

Institution

Founded:	1828, as Birmingham School of Medicine and Surgery, and 1875 Mason College; granted charter in 1900.
Site:	At Edgbaston, 2½ miles from city centre.
How to get there:	Birmingham is at the centre of England’s rail, coach and road networks: mainline stations (New Street and Birmingham International); coaches connect directly from 500 destinations; many motorway links; Birmingham International Airport close by. University is just off A38; buses between university and city centre; trains between University Station (on campus) and New Street Station in city centre.
Special features:	Barber Institute of Fine Arts and Music.

Student services & facilities

Student advice & services:	Student support and counselling service offers support with practical welfare, learning or emotional/psychological difficulties and disability/dyslexia; international office gives specialist welfare and immigration advice; financial support office. Guild of Students welfare service.
Amenities:	Union building with hall, bars, places to eat etc; bookshop, banks, supermarket, travel agent, opticians and hairdressers on site.
Sporting facilities:	Astroturf pitches, floodlit athletics track, 3 sports halls, gym and extensive free weights room, 7 squash courts, gymnastics hall, swimming pool, numerous grass pitches, a dedicated unit for sports medicine, human performance and fitness services; own outdoor activities centre on the shores of Coniston Water in the Lake District. Consistently in top 3 in BUCS competition.
Accommodation:	All first years guaranteed accommodation, subject to certain conditions (40% of all students). Some 5000 places available (4300 for first-degree students; 90% with unlimited access to the internet and university network); self-catering places at £77−£102 per week (up to £128 pw ensuite), catered places £109−£142 pw, almost all 42-week contracts (so £3212−£5378 self-catering, £4563−£5964 catered). Limited number of apartments from £210 pw on 42- or 50-week contracts. Many students live in privately-owned accommodation for 2 years; rents £60+ per week plus bills for self-catering. Small number of students live at home.

Study opportunities & careers

Library & information services:	9 libraries and resource centres. 2.7 million volumes (books and periodicals). Information provision, £172 pa spent for each student (FTE). Ratio of workstations to students 1:8. Comprehensive induction and information literacy programme for all new students. IT support provided.
Other learning resources:	Learning development unit. Botanic Garden at Winterbourne House.
Study abroad:	10% of students spend time abroad. Formal exchange links with over 120 universities in Europe and 50+ in the rest of the world.
Careers:	Information centre, individual advice and guidance; employer presentations, careers fairs, on-campus interviews; skills development.

Money

Living expenses budget:	Budget of £9620−£10,500 for an academic year (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.
Term-time work:	University recommends full-time undergraduates work a maximum of 15 hours a week in term time. Guild-run Job Zone helps find part-time work.
Financial help:	Bursaries of £900 pa for UK students whose family income is up to £37.1k; additional scholarships of £1350 pa for bursary holders with high grades on entrance. Excellence scholarships in selected subjects to students who are expected to achieve at the highest levels; subject scholarships in physics, engineering, computer science, and for music and sport depending on financial circumstances and academic achievement; also scholarships for international students. Further information from the Student Funding Office.
University tuition fees:	Home students pay £9000 pa for first degree courses. International students pay £11,340–£14,010 pa (classroom-based), £14,650–£15,660 (lab-based), £26,590 (clinical).

Courses

Awarding body:

University of Birmingham

Main undergraduate awards:

BA, BDS, BEng, MEng, BMedSc, BMus, BNurs, MSci, BSc, LLB, MBChB.

Length of courses:

3 years; 4 years (language courses, MEng, MSci, BNurs); 5 years (MBChB and BDS).

Main subjects offered:

Accountancy
African Studies
American Studies
Anatomy
Ancient History
Animal Science
Anthropology
Archaeology
Art History
Artificial Intelligence
Asian Studies
Astronomy
Astrophysics
Automotive Engineering
Bacteriology
Banking
Biblical Studies
Biochemical Engineering
Biochemistry
Biology
Biomedical Electronics
Biomedical Science
Biophysics
Biotechnology
Business Administration
Business Economics
Business Studies
Catalan
Cell Biology
Chemical Engineering
Chemistry
Childhood Studies
Civil Engineering
Classical Studies
Classics
Commerce
Communication Engineering
Communication Studies
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Computer Technology
Computing
Control Engineering
Creative/Performance Writing
Dental Technology
Dentistry
Development Studies
Digital Microelectronics
Drama
Earth Sciences
East European Studies
Econometrics
Economic History
Economics
Education
Electrical Engineering
Electronic Engineering
Electronics
Engineering (General)
Engineering Mathematics
English
Environmental Biology
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Management
Environmental Science
Environmental Studies
European Business Studies
European Studies
Finance
Financial Economics
French
Genetics
Geography
Geology
Geophysics
Geoscience
German
Greek, Ancient/Classical
Hispanic Studies
History
Human Biology
Humanities
Iberian Studies
Information Technology
International Business
International Relations
Islamic Studies
Italian
Japanese
Law
Management
Manufacturing Engineering
Materials Science
Materials Technology
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Engineering
Medical Laboratory Science
Medicine
Medieval Studies
Mediterranean Studies
Metallurgy
Microbiology
Microelectronics
Middle Eastern Studies
Molecular Biology
Multimedia
Music
Nanoscale Science/Technology
Neuroscience
Nursing
Performance Arts
Pharmacology
Philosophy
Physical Education
Physics
Physiology
Physiotherapy
Plant Science
Politics
Polymers
Portuguese
Production Engineering
Psychology
Religious Studies
Russian
Russian Studies
Social History
Social Policy
Social Science
Social Studies
Social Work
Sociology
Software Engineering
Space
Spanish
Sports Sciences
Sports Studies
Statistics
Structural Engineering
Sustainable Development
Telecommunications Engineering
Theatre Studies
Theology
Urban Studies
War Studies
Zoology

Student view

Living

What's it like as a place to live? The majority of students not in university accommodation rent in the Selly Oak area of Birmingham. Selly Oak has a student community vibe and is on the doorstep of the university and Birmingham city centre. The area has all the required amenities to make it a great place for students to live, with supermarkets, cafes, pubs and bars, take-aways and restaurants.

How's the student accommodation? There are a range of accommodation options available to meet all budgets. Each of the accommodation options has its own RA (Residents' Association), a team of elected students living in your accommodation to organise events and encourage all students to get involved in community life. The Guild of Students also operates its own lettings agency, SHAC to help students looking to move into the private rented accommodation.

What's the student population like? There are 28,000 students at the University of Birmingham, so everyone is sure to find like-minded students with similar interests. There is a good international and postgraduate student community in addition to the undergraduates.

How do students and locals get on? Our Community Warden scheme works to promote community relations in Selly Oak, so that students and non-student residents feel a sense of pride in the area.

Studying

What's it like as a place to study? There is a mixture of courses on offer at the University of Birmingham. We've also recently successfully campaigned for extended library opening hours. Students can access Wi-Fi throughout campus and have access to the Munrow sports facilities.

Socialising

What are student societies like? The Guild of Students is the hub of entertainment for students at the University of Birmingham. Students also have the opportunity to join hundreds of student groups; there is something to suit everyone. The Guild also offers students the chance to volunteer for a number of charities and Guild initiatives. Students wanting advice and support can visit the Guild's ARC (Advice & Representation Centre).

What's a typical night out? Fab 'n' fresh at the Guild of Students on Saturday nights is by far the most popular event of the week. The Guild also hosts nights in the city centre such as 'Loaded' at Gatecrasher and 'I Love Risa'.

And how much does it cost? Fab 'n' Fresh costs £4 per ticket.

How can you get home safely? The Guild operates a Nightbus service to ensure students get home safely from the city centre club nights. The service is completely free and runs between 12.30am and 3.30am.

Money

Is it an expensive place to live? Due to the high number of students in Selly Oak, many of the bars and restaurants are geared up for students offering great deals on food and drink. Rent for private accommodation is also fairly reasonable. Having the university and Guild of Students on the doorstep, also cuts costs, as everything is within walking distance.

What's the part-time work situation? The Guild of Students has a Job Zone which provides access to hundreds of part-time and temporary vacancies, employment information and advice.

Summary

What's the best feature about the place? The Guild of Students is the hub of university life. As the students union for the University of Birmingham, the Guild offers numerous activities for entertainment, plus hundreds of opportunities to get involved, whether through one of the many student groups or volunteering schemes.

And to sum it all up? The University of Birmingham

Past Students

Desmond Morris (writer and broadcaster); Phillipa Forrester and Chris Tarrant (broadcasters); Alex Jarratt (Jarratt Report); Sir Austin Pierce (British Aerospace); Sir Peter Walters (BP); Victoria Wood (comedian); Ben Shephard (TV presenter).