Best universities for a master’s in Birmingham

Birmingham is the UK’s second city, once an industrial hub criss-crossed by canals which has today transformed into a modern, thriving economic and cultural centre. With a variety of prominent universities offering postgraduate education and training, thousands of students choose Birmingham due to its strong urban economy and proximity to leading employers. Birmingham is a hub for transport located near the centre of the British Isles, offering quick connections to other parts of the country by rail or road. The cityscape is constantly evolving, with contemporary architecture springing up among impressive historic buildings. The city is known for its picturesque waterways, a wealth of food, drink and shopping options, and a vibrant live music scene. As a postgraduate student, you’ll never fall short of things to do in Birmingham. 

CONTENTS 

• Which universities are in Birmingham?
• University of Birmingham
• Birmingham City University
• University College Birmingham
• Aston University
• Newman University
• Entry Requirements
• What to do in Birmingham

Which universities are in Birmingham? 

University of Birmingham 

The University of Birmingham is one of the UK’s leading universities with a strong research focus—it placed 14th in the 2023 Complete University Guide league table, as well as taking 23rd place in the student-led Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2022. The university took its present form in 1900, though its roots stretch back into the 1800s, giving it many decades of experience and tradition to draw upon. The university’s campus is on the outskirts of the city, just a ten minute train ride from the city centre. This 276 acre site is home to a range of modern facilities, services and amenities geared towards providing a comprehensive postgraduate student experience. 

There are over 600 taught master’s programmes on offer at the University of Birmingham, along with a wealth of postgraduate research pathways. Innovative courses designed to propel students to the forefront of their fields are available in subjects ranging from medicine to mechanical engineering, law or life sciences. Many postgraduate courses offer valuable links to industry, providing opportunities for placements and professional project work. The university is particularly strong across the science and engineering disciplines, with globally impactful research in these areas providing the perfect context for excellent postgraduate level teaching and training. 

The university’s expansive single campus is like a town of its own, with peaceful, inspiring landscapes and architecture housing all the learning, socialising and leisure facilities that students could need. Regular events and seasonal celebrations fill the campus calendar, from the Winter Festival to the Summer Ball. Historic and contemporary buildings combine in a seamless manner, while unique facilities like the Lapworth Museum of Geology—one of the first specialist geological museums in the country—create a campus landscape rich with valuable resources and collections. When students aren’t learning, they can relax in one of many green spaces or visit a wide range of cafes, restaurants or bars on campus.  

Go to: Search postgraduate courses at University of Birmingham

Birmingham City University 

Birmingham City University’s story begins in 1843, developing in various forms as a leading higher education institution up to and beyond its establishment as a full university in 1992. With over 175 years of history, Birmingham City is today a modern, career-focused university that achieves great results for its students through practice-based learning and personalised support. The university has two main campuses; the City Centre campus is found in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside, just a few minutes from the heart of the city, while the City South campus is to the south west, easily accessed via Five Ways rail station or by bus. 

There are over 120 courses to choose from as a postgraduate student, ranging from professional short courses and postgraduate diplomas to full master’s degrees or doctoral research pathways. The university offers a range of programmes that provide professional accreditation; whether it’s through CIMA, RIBA or ACCA, they are excellent ways to launch a successful career across in-demand fields. Birmingham City emphasises applied learning that allows students to build industry-relevant skills and knowledge, while flexible courses open up opportunities to prospective students that may already have professional or personal commitments. 

As a postgraduate student at Birmingham City University, you’ll benefit from cutting-edge facilities that are constantly upgraded. With £340m of recent investments into its campuses, students thrive through access to bespoke, industry-standard equipment and spaces. The Parkside Building is just one example of this, offering the biggest concentration of TV studios in the midlands, while the new Curzon Building provides access to a mock court room, financial trading rooms, psychology laboratories and state-of-the-art learning spaces. BCU’s discipline specific buildings dot the city, allowing students of all subjects to learn at a professional level. 

Go to: Search postgraduate courses at Birmingham City University

University College Birmingham 

University College Birmingham is an institution dedicated to high quality vocational education and training, with a range of impactful postgraduate programmes on offer. In 2022 it took first place in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards, confirming its status as a leader in providing an excellent student experience. Originally part of Birmingham’s Municipal Technical School, it became a separate college in the 20th century before taking its current name in 2007, then gaining full university status in 2012. The university has a range of facilities and buildings around the city centres, none of which are more than a mile from the heart of Birmingham. 

The university provides postgraduate students with the choice of many different programmes, ranging from aviation to accounting, business, culinary arts and more. Courses are primarily accredited by the University of Warwick. Students can explore a range of flexible course options including part-time and online study, to suit the modern and varied lifestyles of today’s advanced learners. 

Postgraduate students at the university can benefit from access to a huge range of industry-standard facilities, with £6.1m of recent investments into bespoke learning support spaces and new buildings such as the £44m Moss House. Each campus has its own distinct atmosphere and range of specialised facilities, offering a focused environment for students to push the boundaries of their field. Learning, social and research spaces across the university’s buildings are underpinned by cutting-edge technology and contemporary features. 

Go to: Search postgraduate courses at University College Birmingham

Aston University 

Located in the centre of Birmingham, Aston University is another prominent institution in the city’s higher education community. It’s a competitive university, having placed 20th in the 2022 Whatuni Student Choice Awards as well as in the top 50 universities according to Complete University Guide 2023. Its origins begin with a School of Metallurgy founded in 1875. It has always been a pioneering academic institution and is particularly known for its championing of the integrated placement—a staple of effective postgraduate education today—more than 50 years ago. 

There are many different courses to choose from as a postgraduate student at Aston, including programmes that start in September or January. One of the university’s leading courses is the Aston MBA, an intensive programme designed to help students reach new levels in their professional careers, co-ordinated by the world rankings Aston Business School. A range of taught master’s courses across business, medical and allied health disciplines, linguistics, law and more are also available. 

Aston University’s campus and other sites are designed to deliver students access to some of the world’s best research and learning environments. Whether it’s a contemporary lecture theatre to real-world, specialist clinics – like the Aston Brain Centre or Aston Eye Clinic – students will be able to work at the forefront of their field. A £3.9m virtual reality facility is another example of the university’s commitment to supporting in-depth learning via world-class technologies. Throughout the campus these resources and sites are connected by green spaces and open plazas, offering easy access to the city centre on foot or by public transport. 

Go to: Search postgraduate courses at Aston University

Newman University 

Newman University is another competitive university among Birmingham higher education institutions, placing the top 40 across the UK according to students (Whatuni Studen t Choice Awards 2022). Originally founded in 1968 as the Newman College of Higher Education, it became a full university in 2013 and has been continuing to offer excellent postgraduate study options throughout. The university’s campus is based in the peaceful and leafy area of Bartley Green, just a short way out from the Birmingham city centre. 

Students can explore a wide range of postgraduate programmes; whether it’s applied arts or accounting, social work or social sciences, students will be able to undertake impactful taught and research courses that are delivered by experts in the field. Skill building, professional experience and interactive learning are at the heart of the Newman approach to education, leading to highly employable graduates with advanced, industry-relevant knowledge. 

The university’s campus overlooks the Bartley reservoir, giving students a serene and beautiful setting in which to pursue their postgraduate academic objectives with focus. It’s a compact site that’s equipped with modern facilities and cutting-edge research technologies throughout. Students can find support services and halls of residence within walking distances of classrooms and labs, making it a perfect self-contained environment for student living. 

Go to: Search postgraduate courses at Newman University

Entry Requirements 

Students will need to consult specific course pages, or use our dedicated course finder tool, to ensure that they’re able to meet the admissions criteria for their chosen course. Entry may be offered based on academic or professional experience and credentials, as well as evaluation of a portfolio or interview performance. Entry requirements may change over time. 

What to do in Birmingham 

Birmingham is one of the most highly rated student cities in the UK. As the country’s second city, it’s home to a large and multicultural population. It’s a hub for arts, culture, entertainment and sports. Businesses, public sector organisations and non-profits call the city home, from start-ups to multinationals and everything in between. Many UK train routes meet in Birmingham, making it an ideal place to travel the country whether for professional, personal or academic reasons. It’s also one of the youngest cities in Europe, with under 25 year olds making up approximately 40% of the Birmingham population. 

The city is home to an ever-increasing range of atmospheric neighbourhoods, like Digbeth, known for their wealth of independent businesses, street art, bustling food scenes and vibrant night life. You’ll be able to enjoy everyday life and all sorts of fun activities as a resident of one of these areas, combining essentials with exciting bars, restaurants, sports and other entertainment ranging from arcades to cinemas. 

Birmingham has a rich history that supports its vibrancy as a contemporary city. With its origins as a metropolis based in the industrial revolution, the wealth of impressive period and industrial architecture, spaces and neighbourhoods is fertile ground for all sorts of arts and performance spaces, as well as a raft of museums and galleries. Even getting around the city is a pleasure, with more canals than Venice meaning that every day offers up new and interesting waterside walking routes and experiences. 

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