Birmingham City University
Birmingham City University
Birmingham City University

Applying to study at the University

If you would like to apply to become a student at the University, simply following the links for a guide to the application process and the entry requirements for your course.

How to apply: Undergraduate courses

If you are applying for an undergraduate degree course, or a Higher National Diploma (HND) you should apply through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Apply online at www.ucas.ac.uk/apply or request a printed form from your school, nearest British Council office or UCAS. If you write to UCAS from outside the United Kingdom, you should send a payment of £6.00 Sterling made payable to UCAS to cover the cost of post and packaging.

The UCAS code for the University is C25 and this should be clearly marked on your application form. To find out more about the UCAS application process, please visit www.ucas.ac.uk or contact:

UCAS Application Requests Rosehill New Barn Lane Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL52 3LZ United Kingdom. Tel. +44 (0)8701 122200 email enquiries@ucas.ac.uk

Applicants should take note that for entry in September 2007 applications should reach UCAS by 15th January 2007, although all applications received before 30th June 2007 will be considered. You are advised to apply early in order to improve your chances of securing an offer before all the places on your course have been allocated. You should also consider that it takes time to obtain visa clearance and make other arrangements pertaining to a lengthy stay in the UK. For applications that arrive in August and September UCAS runs a special Clearing service that allows students to find places on courses that are not yet full.

If you experience any difficulty applying to UCAS you may submit an application direct to the University at any time prior to the start of the course applied for.

Download PDF versions of the University Application Form. Also see Application Form Guidelines.

Postgraduate Courses

If you are applying for a postgraduate course, for example PGCert, PGDip, MA, MSc, MMus, MBA, MPhil or PhD, you need to apply to Birmingham City University directly. Applications will be considered at any time up to the date of the start of the course, although you are advised to apply well in advance in order to give yourself time to arrange your visa, accommodation and other matters.

Download PDF versions of the University Application Form and the University Reference Form. Also see Application Form Guidelines.

The Admissions Process

Once a complete application has been received in the International Office, it will be forwarded to the appropriate Faculty for assessment. Please note that it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application is complete, and that properly validated transcripts, certificates and references are provided as required.

On the basis of assessment, you may be made either an Unconditional or a Conditional Offer of a place on your course. If you are made a Conditional Offer it means that you must fulfil certain specified conditions before you can take up your place on the course. You may be asked to submit evidence that your English language skills are of a suitable standard, or to provide the results of examinations that you have not yet taken. As soon as you can demonstrate to our satisfaction that you have fulfilled our requirements as stated in the Conditional Offer, you will be issued with an Unconditional Offer.

Applicants who have received an Unconditional Offer and have paid a deposit to secure their place will be issued in good time with a Letter of Confirmation of Final Offer. This is an official document that can be used for visa application purposes.

Application for Faculty Bursaries is made separately by a Bursary and Scholarship Application Form, which can be requested once you have received an offer of a place at the University and paid your deposit. Applicants will be notified if they have been awarded a Faculty Bursary before the start of their course.

The University's representatives who are based in your country can advise you on the application process and assist you in completing a UCE Birmingham application. If you wish to find a University representative near you, visit Talk to someone about the University for a full list of our agents.

Standard University Term Dates

See the term dates page.

Please note that the term dates for some courses vary. You will be sent further details nearer the start of your course

Entry requirements

The University accepts a wide range of overseas qualifications. To find out if your current qualifications are comparable to British standards, please contact the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) or the University's International Office.

Some examples of the qualifications we accept are listed below:

Undergraduate courses

You should be educated to a standard comparable to British GCE 'A' Level standard, such as:

  • China : Bachelor Degree Foundation Year/University College Graduation Diploma
  • India : Bachelor Degree Foundation Year
  • Malaysia : STPM
  • Nigeria : Bachelor Degree Foundation Year
  • Pakistan : Bachelor Degree (Pass)

Some qualifications may enable you to enter a later stage of the course, for example directly into Year 2. The University also maintains links with several overseas colleges and institutions of higher education. Students from partner institutions can often be admitted to a later stage of their chosen degree course. For further information on progression and articulation agreements see our page Partner Institutions.

Postgraduate courses

You should normally hold a qualification which is comparable to a British Bachelor's (Honours) degree. Please contact NARIC or the International Office to obtain an equivalence.

Some postgraduate courses also require you to be above a specific age or have relevant work experience. Please refer to the specific course entry within the Faculty web pages.

Students with disabilities

The University welcomes applications from disabled students and strives through our Disability Services to make the University facilities accessible to those with special needs. We do not discriminate against applicants on the grounds of physical or mental disability. All campuses are fully accessible to disabled users, and in University learning resource centres height-adjustable workstations and specialist computer software is being made available.

When you make an application to study at the University you will be asked to declare whether you believe you have a disability for which special provision would have to be made. The Disability Services team will then write to you to gain as much information about your needs as possible. This will allow them to put in place a plan of support for the time you spend at the University.

The Disability Services team are all trained professionals experienced in providing support to disabled people and with an understanding of disability issues. A limited supply of special equipment and resources is available. The team can also make special arrangements with your Faculty, for example allowing you extra time in examinations, or making sure you receive course materials in an accessible format. The team is also there to provide personal support and counselling to help you handle any difficulties you encounter in the course of your studies.

We hope very much that international students with disabilities will feel confident that they would receive all the support they needed if they elected to come and study at the University. If you would like to ask any questions about our facilities, please email the Disability Services team or contact them on +44 (0)121 331 5128, fax +44 (0)121 331 6569.

Equal Opportunities

Tthe University promotes equality of opportunity in respect of every aspect of its provision. University policy and practice will seek to provide an environment that is free from discrimination against students, staff and others. The University and its staff will ensure that all prospective students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential.

The University will seek to prevent discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family circumstances, citizenship, social and economic status, or any other irrelevant individual differences.

 

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