Explore universities and programs in Birmingham for international students.
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Birmingham is the UK’s second-largest city by population, and is known to be one of the country’s most culturally diverse. Its rich and vibrant community, as well as its wide range of attractions and amenities, make Birmingham an exciting place to study for international students.
There are hundreds of parks and green spaces in the city including the 2,000-acre Sutton Park and nature reserve, and the botanical gardens. Birmingham also boasts an extensive network of canals that offer scenic routes for walking, running and cycling, and is home to international sports and music venues.
Birmingham is home to five major universities, including highly ranked institutions. The city has a vibrant student population, with many social activities and a lively nightlife. There’s the opportunity to study at all levels at a university in Birmingham, including bachelor’s, master’s and PhD.
Birmingham’s universities offer a wide range of subjects at all levels of study, so whatever your area of study, you’re likely to find a program that works for you in Birmingham.
However, universities in Birmingham have a particular strength in subjects including dentistry, sports and medicine. Business and marketing are also popular, and there are several dedicated business schools in the city.
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International students usually pay higher fees to study at university in Birmingham. Fees are set by each university and can change depending on the subject and level you’re studying at, for example a bachelor’s may be cheaper than a master’s for yearly fees. Fees for international students can reach as high as £30,000 a year, but costs for EU students are currently the same as UK students.
Living costs are on par with the rest of the UK, however Birmingham is cheaper than London, especially for things like accommodation.
| Category | Cost (in British Pound Sterling) |
|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bed apartment in city centre | £1,051 |
| Rent, 1-bed apartment outside centre | £832 |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water, refuse) | £250 |
| Internet (60 Mbps unlimited) | £36 |
| Mobile phone plan (data + calls) | £16 |
| Monthly public transport pass | £70 |
| Monthly grocery basket | £108 |
| Coffee shop drink | £4 |
| Cinema or cultural event ticket | £12 |
| Gym membership | £27 |
Indicative monthly costs per person.
Data sourced from numbeo.com (Crowdsourced).
You will need to apply to universities in Birmingham through UCAS for undergraduate programs, even as an international student. If you’re applying for a postgraduate program you will usually need to apply directly through the university, but each will have their own application process.
Before you can study in Birmingham as an international student, you need to make sure you have the correct visa. When you have accepted a place on a program, you need to apply for your tier 4 UK student visa. You won’t currently need a visa to study in the UK if you’re an EU student.
