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Key Information Need (KIN) - Birmingham City University
Type of Institution
Higher Education Institution (HEI)
Main campus
Birmingham, England
Admission intakes
September& January
International students
24%
No. of students per staff
16.7
UKVI status
Student sponsor
UKVI compliance
Track record
Graduate route
Eligible
About Birmingham City University
Birmingham City University (BCU) is made up of four faculties, each covering a range of subjects and specialisms, these include: Arts, Design & Media; Business, Law & Social Sciences, Health, Education and Life Sciences; Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment.Eleven members of staff in BCU are currently National Teaching Fellows – the most prestigious award for excellence in university teaching and learning.
The University focuses on practice-led, knowledge-based learning, providing you with access to cutting-edge facilities and real-world experience. BCU courses are practice-based; firmly rooted within industry to boost your employment prospects.
The university encourages entrepreneurship - Birmingham City Business School’s ground-breaking Student Academic Partners (SAP) scheme gives you the chance to team up with other students and staff as part of an equal project partnership.The university’s annual Extra Mile awards highlight some amazing student achievements, as well as crowning the Entrepreneurial Student of the Year.
Website
www.bcu.ac.ukContact details
Address: University House, 15 Bartholomew Row, Birmingham B5 5JU, UK
Telephone: +44 1213315389
Why choose to study at Birmingham City University
Among voluminous ones, the top reasons international students choose to study at Birmingham City University (BCU) include -
Rankings & ratings
No 14
in the UK
- 14 in the UK & 195 in the World (Times Higher Education Young University Ranking, 2021)
- 51 in the UK & 501 in the World (Times Higher Education World University Ranking, 2021)
- 19 in the UK and 201 in the World for Law course (Academic Ranking of World Universities – ShanghaiRanking, 2021)
- 22 in the UK & 201 in the World for Art & Design course (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2021)
- 23 in the UK & 30 in the World for Architecture course (The Complete University Guide by subject, 2021)
- 10 in the UK & 11 in the World for Music course (The Times Good University Guide by Subject, 2021)
- 11 in the UK & 13 in the World for Information Systems course (The Times Good University Guide by Subject, 2021)
- 9 in the UK & 13 in the World for Sports Science course (The Guardian UK University League Tables by Subject, 2021)
- 22 in the UK & 28 in the World for Anatomy & Physiology course (The Guardian UK University League Tables by Subject, 2021)
- 34 in the UK & 37 in the World for Criminology course (The Guardian UK University League Tables by Subject, 2021)
- 14 in the UK & 14 in the World for Materials Technology course (The Complete University Guide by subject, 2021)
- 17 in the UK & 23 in the World for Civil Engineering course (The Guardian UK University League Tables by Subject, 2021)
- 26 in the UK & 32 in the World for Electronic & Electrical Engineering course (The Guardian UK University League Tables by Subject, 2021)
- 17 in the UK & 25 in the World for Architecture course (The Complete University Guide by subject, 2021)
Graduate prospects
97% of
graduates are in employment
- 97% of graduates are in employment (WhatUni 2020) or further study within six months of graduating (Destination of Leavers from HE survey 2016/17) – which places BCU in the top ten multi-disciplinary institutions in the UK.
Facilities & resources
- Law students debate in simulated court rooms
- Business students authentic boardroom
- ‘CITY Trading Room’ using the same investment analysis software as traders, financial analysts and decision makers in the investment industry for Students on Finance and Economics courses
- Architecture studio, Surveying equipment, 3D CAD lab
- Computer Forensics Lab, Engineering Labs, CISCO Network Labs, Systems Labs, ElectronicSystems
- Over £11million worth of computer equipment
- Software Development and Programming Labs
- BCU own student-run, in-house marketing agency, The Link, where you can sharpen your skills with briefs and projects from leading businesses and organisations, such as Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Serco and Cure Leukaemia
- Metal workshop, Woodwork studio
- Media facilities include 6 radio, 4 TV and ‘green screen’ studios, dubbing suites
- Environmental Lab, Emissions test facilities
- Simulated operating theatre and hospital wards
- A fully equipped birthing room and virtual radiotherapy suite
- Biomedical Science Lab, Biomedical Engineering Lab
- Collaborative Laboratory (Co.LAB)
- Psychology labs with latest equipment including EEG scanner and eye tracking equipment, and state-of-the-art software such as E-Prime, SPSS, Pinnacle Studio and NVIVO
- The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire features 9,000 sq m of purpose designed teaching, rehearsal and state of the art performance space
- Sports and fitness analysis equipment, Sport therapy clinic
- A fully equipped sports hall for indoor sports
- A fully air conditioned gym with 80 pieces of fitness equipment to choose from including cardiovascular, resistance equipment and a free weights area
- Over 715,000 books and nearly 28,000 print and electronic journals across its seven libraries and learning centres
- Health Education library, Mary Seacole library
- Birmingham Thinktank, an award winning science museum
Student support
on-campus student employment agency
- Centre for Academic Success provides all students with access to a range of academic support services to help develop their study skills
- English language workshops and conversation clubs, tutorials for English language supportspecifically for international students
- One-to-one student life coaching service to improve study strategies, time management and organisational and other skills that lead directly to academic success and deeper learning
- Workshops, drop in sessions and 30-60 minutes one-to-one tutorial to meet tutors for advice and help with academic issues
- BCU on-campus student employment agency OpportUNity gives you the chance to earn while you learn
- OpportUNity scheme offers may on-campus part time jibs - 160 EU and international students currently working through the scheme
- The disability and mental health advisers offer advice, information and practical support to all students with a disability, medical condition, illness, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia
Unique features
- Birmingham City Business School’s new twice-yearly ‘Employability Challenge’ gives you two whole weeks to develop and demonstrate skills that make you stand out from the crowd
- BCU is one of the top ten UK Universities for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) programmes that create three-way partnerships between graduates, leading businesses and the University
- The internationally renowned School of Jewellery at Birmingham City University is the largest in Europe
Accommodation
- 9 halls of residence offering a range of on campus and inner city living
- Three-quarter beds, en suites & studio rooms are available
- Major facilities include fully fitted kitchen, Wi-Fi connected study/social space, music practice rooms, laundry & gym
- All halls provide 24 hour security with staff on-site
- All bills included within the rent
Clubs & societies
- Birmingham City University Students’ Union (BCUSU) offers over 100 societies and sports team for you to get involved in
- Competitive sports covered by our BCU Sport department include football, basketball, cricket, rugby, badminton, hockey, netball and volleyball
- The BCUSU also has societies for those interested in Dance, Cheerleading, Yoga, Kickboxing, Polo, Rock Climbing and Extreme Sports
Location highlights
No 7
Best Student City
- No 7 Best Student City (QS TOP 10 Best Student Cities in the UK , 2021)
- Birmingham, located in the heart of England, is the UK’s second largest city after the capital, London
- Birmingham is Home to 5 Universities including University of Birmingham, Aston University, Birmingham City University, Newman University, and University College Birmingham and over 73,000 students
- The Library of Birmingham is the largest public library in the UK, the largest public cultural space in Europe and the largest regional library in Europe
- 90% of the UK can be reached from Birmingham in under 4 hours. London is only an hour and 25 minutes away on the train
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q How does the cost of living in Birmingham compare to London?
A Cost of living in Birmingham is lower than cost of living in London. Find below cost of living comparison between London and Birmingham:
- Rent Prices in Birmingham are 47.39% lower than in London
- Consumer Prices Including Rent in Birmingham are 32.01% lower than in London
- Consumer Prices in Birmingham are 20.54% lower than in London (without rent)
- Groceries Prices in Birmingham are 11.52% lower than in London
- Restaurant Prices in Birmingham are 24.23% lower than in London
- Consumer Prices Including Rent in Birmingham are 32.01% lower than in London
As the cost of living in Birmingham is significantly lower than it is in London, Local Purchasing Power in Birmingham is 10.85% higher than in London.
Source: Numbeo
Q What student support does the ‘Centre for Academic Success’ of Birmingham City University (BCU) provide?
A The Centre for Academic Success is BCU's central learning development service and aims to help you develop all of the necessary academic, technical and numerical skills you need to progress and successfully complete your course. You can get a wide range of support from the centre including –
- Goals setting, time management, study skills, study strategies, organisational skills
- English for academic purposes, report and essay writing, academic writing, reflective writing
- Literature reviews, critical analysis, summarising, Harvard referencing, dissertationwriting, avoiding plagiarism
- Presentation skills, English language and grammar, academic reading
- Campus resources, exam preparation and revision techniques
- General mathematics, numeracy, algebra, mathematics for engineering, statistics, programming, business finance, project management, PRINCE2 foundation and methodologies
- Personal Development Planning, motivation, performance coaching, graduate employability skills, E-Portfolios
- Online resources including study guides, referencing guides, workshop materials, subject specific help
- Necessary reasonable adjustments for specific learning difference, such as dyslexia
The supports are provided in one-to-one and small group workshops, drop in sessions or tutorial sessions on campus at the first floor of the Curzon Building and online across the university.
Q How the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games could provide opportunities to Birmingham City University (BCU) students?
A The 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held in Birmingham. Working with the organisers of the Commonwealth Games Birmingham City University will be offering a range of opportunities available to students from all levels of study across the University. The roles will allow BCU students hands on experience as they develop transferable employability skills.In partnership with Careers+ and Graduate+ BCU will ensure the exciting opportunities are communicated across our in-house platforms.
Sports students may have the opportunity to support athletes in the run up, during, and after the games, depending on their specialism and experience. And beyond sport, there will be plenty of other opportunities for students across the university to get involved with; the Commonwealth Games will need 10,000 volunteers to support the Games, from constructing the city to host the Games, media coverage, increased healthcare and support services to aid spectators, visitors and locals - the list is endless!
It is a great chance for BCU students to be part of the history and put Commonwealth Games events participation experience on their CV.
