University of Birmingham

Fall Semester, Spring Semester, & Academic Year

Located in the heart of England, the University of Birmingham has been challenging and developing great minds for over a century. As an exchange student, you can expect to experience a university which is characterized by a tradition of innovation. Birmingham also has a long history of welcoming international students and hosts one of the largest international communities in the UK with over 5,000 students from more than 150 countries worldwide. Their 250-acre campus is listed in the top ten most beautiful universities in Britain by The Telegraph, and provides outstanding facilities and a welcoming environment. 

As a leading global university, Birmingham is proud of its reputation band and is currently ranked 76th in the QS ranking, cementing their position in the top 100 universities globally. In the UK, the Complete University Guide 2017 Birmingham was ranked 15th out of 127 institutions and in The Guardian University Guide 2017 Birmingham scored 13th out of 119 institutions surveyed. 

Birmingham is the second largest city in the United Kingdom and is a diverse, modern and exciting city with a long cultural and intellectual heritage. Famous for its historic and industrial past, Birmingham is now a center of arts and culture, commerce and entertainment with a diverse and vibrant community. The city is also situated in a prime, central location in the country, within easy reach of the picturesque English countryside, London, Scotland, and the rest of Europe. The University of Birmingham is in fact the oldest redbrick university, established in 1900, but today Birmingham is regarded as Europe’s youngest city, with over 40% of the population under the age of 25.

(Source: University of Birmingham website)

The University of Birmingham has a wide selection of subject areas open to exchange students, including liberal arts, social sciences, life & environmental sciences, as well as engineering & physical sciences. Many of the modules are hands-on, encouraging students to take control of their own learning and put skills into practice.

Students will choose a subject area and register at least one module within this subject during the exchange at the University of Birmingham. Students’ preferred college at the University of Birmingham is where students select the majority of their modules (from any schools within that college). Students need to select a minimum of 40 out of 60 credits per semester in that college.

Exchange students are required to register for a full course load. A full course load is 60 credits per semester, or 120 in total for the academic year. This is usually equivalent to three modules per semester.

(Source: University of Birmingham website)

International exchange students from outside of Europe are guaranteed housing in one of the many “villages” across campus.

Students can choose from a variety of housing choices, including a single study bedroom in a flat with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities, en-suite accommodation with shared kitchen facilities, studios and apartments where students have exclusive use of the kitchen and bathroom. Students can choose from self-catered accommodations where they can cook their own meals or they may select the flexible Meal Plan option where students can eat at any of the 22 locations across the Campus. Access to Wi-Fi is standard throughout all university accommodation, and utility bills, basic content insurance, 24 hour customer service as well as access to the Student Mentor Scheme and the Residents’ Association are all included. All University Housing is located within 2 miles of the campus.

Students also have the choice to stay in privately rented accommodation.  The Guild of Students has its own lettings service that can help you find quality housing in the private sector. Guild Lettings do not charge any fees to students and only work with accredited landlords. In addition, the University of Birmingham also hosts StudentPad, the University’s official property search engine to provide you with a list of properties available for rent. Learn more by clicking the ‘Accomodation’ link below.

(Source: University of Birmingham website)

• Sophomore standing
• 2.8 cumulative GPA

• Partner University Website for Exchange Students

• Fall Semester Budget
• Spring Semester Budget (UEA Link)