Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University (BCU) has over 31,000 students from over 100 countries. We are a large and diverse university set in the heart of Birmingham with a focus on practice-based learning that means you'll leave ready to make waves in your chosen career.

With over 120 postgraduate and professional development courses to choose from, you will find a qualification that suits your interests and ambitions. Studying a master's at BCU is about more than a degree - it's an experience that shapes your future, unlocks your potential and helps you grow professionally and personally.

We have invested over £500 million into state-of-the-art facilities to ensure our postgraduate students have the best possible environment for practice-based learning, from four TV and six radio studios to mock hospital wards and a city trading room. Studying for a postgraduate qualification at BCU means you’ll be joining a university with great student support services. We’re in the top 10% for postgraduate student satisfaction (PTES 2025).

Our courses are designed to ensure you give your career a real edge. Many courses hold internationally recognised professional accreditations, offer opportunities to complete live projects with businesses and develop your professional network. We also offer a range of bursaries and scholarships to support your studies.

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At Birmingham City University we offer Postgraduate Taught and Research courses in a wide range of subjects including Art and Design, Business and Management, Computing, Education and Teacher Training, Nursing and Midwifery, Law, Engineering and much more. Courses vary from masters degrees to postgraduate certificates and Diplomas, we offer flexible study options, including full-time, part-time and online, helping you get the perfect balance between work, study and family life.

Many of our courses have internationally recognised professional accreditations, such as the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) and RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects). 

Our courses are designed to support you to achieve your career goals. Many of our courses offer exciting opportunities to work on live projects with businesses and attend industry talks and workshops. 

Our lecturers are experts in their subject. Several of our academic staff are National Teaching Fellows - the most prestigious award for excellence in university teaching and learning. 

Applying for most of Birmingham City University's Postgraduate Taught courses is done directly to the University, unlike undergraduate degrees which use UCAS. To apply find your course, check the entry requirements and apply online, you’ll also be expected to submit a Personal Statement as part of the application. Find out more how to apply here.

At Birmingham City University, our research is world-leading and led by the needs of industry in the region, committed to discovering new knowledge and delivering real benefit to culture, industry, society and the environment. Our research themes include digital innovation, equitable societies, healthy futures and creative culture and over 15 research centres.

BCU is home to talented and proactive research academics, with ground-breaking ideas challenging their field of study and the world. 93% of our research was recognised internationally for originality, significance and rigour, of which 19% was judged world-leading (REF 2021).

For most Birmingham City University (BCU) postgraduate courses, you need a minimum 2:2 honours degree or equivalent, or a Pre-Master's programme. Requirements vary by course, so always check the specific entry requirements on the course page. You may also need an interview, portfolio, or relevant work experience, and to meet English language requirements for international students.

93% of our research was recognised internationally for originality, significance and rigour, of which 19% was judged world-leading (REF 2021).

Our courses are designed to ensure you give your career a real edge. Many courses hold internationally recognised professional accreditations and are taught by experts in their fields.

You'll work on course-related projects and work placements with companies and organisations like Gymshark, Microsoft, Cisco, Unity, Jaguar Land Rover, Sky UK and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

If your goal is to own your own business, BCU has the highest number of student and graduate business start-ups of any university in the West Midlands (HESA, 2022). Our STEAMhouse is a dynamic space equipped with a variety of co-working, artist production, incubation, and networking facilities. STEAMhouse enables students to collaborate with businesses, engage in real-world industry projects, and hone their entrepreneurial skills.

Students have access to our range of support services, including careers advice, mentoring, advice on finance and academic matters and professional development events. Our Careers+ and Graduate+ teams will help you gain the skills employers want and boost your CV. Many of our graduates have gone on to have successful careers or start their own businesses.

City life

Birmingham offers an exceptional environment for postgraduate students, establishing itself as the UK's second city and Europe's youngest major city, with a diverse population where 40 per cent are aged 25 or under. This vibrant atmosphere, coupled with a focus on innovation and its historical roots as the 'City of a Thousand Trades', provides a dynamic backdrop for advanced study and career development. Life in Birmingham is rich and varied, boasting a renowned culinary scene with the most Michelin-starred restaurants outside of London, incredible nightlife across venues from Broad Street to Digbeth, and destination shopping at the Bullring and Mailbox. Postgraduates benefit from a high quality of life that seamlessly blends cultural activities—such as exploring the city's extensive canals, which famously exceed those of Venice—with significant professional opportunities, making it a forward-looking hub where tradition meets cutting-edge progress.

Accommodation

Birmingham City University host a variety of student accommodation to suit all needs and budgets, with accommodation sites near our City Centre and City South campuses. All of the accommodation sites are safe, modern and well-equipped, with facilities including en-suite bathrooms, gyms and more whether university managed or a partner accommodation. Find out more information about our accommodation.

Facilities

Birmingham City University (BCU) has invested over £500 million in state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring that postgraduate students train in industry-standard environments designed to support advanced research and professional practice. These state-of-the-art facilities mirror real-world professional settings, bridging the gap between academia and your chosen career.

Key facilities include the £41 million City South Campus with realistic health simulation spaces, including a mock operating theatre and virtual radiotherapy suite—and the Curzon Building, which features a functional City Trading Room and mock courtroom for Business and Law students.

For our more creative courses, the Parkside Building houses Film and TV Studios, radio stations, print workshops and Architecture studios, while the £70 million STEAMhouse provides an innovation hub that promotes learning alongside businesses-in-residency. Additionally, specialist courses benefit from dedicated resources like the high-performance laboratories at the iconic Alexander Stadium for our Sports courses and the unrivalled facilities at the internationally renowned School of Jewellery. This commitment to investment ensures you have access to the best possible equipment and spaces to excel in your postgraduate studies. Explore our facilities.

Birmingham City University (BCU) offers a comprehensive suite of student support services fully accessible to its postgraduate community. For academic support, the Centre for Academic Success is on hand to equip learners with the high-level study skills necessary for master’s and doctoral programmes, offering help with complex essay writing and project management. For career progression, the Careers+ team provides essential guidance, assisting postgraduates with crafting competitive CVs, refining interview techniques, and exploring routes into self-employment. Furthermore, financial wellbeing is addressed by the Money and Childcare Advice team, who offer crucial budgeting tips and information on accessing the emergency student hardship fund and the BCU Boost financial package. Students can access this dedicated support, alongside specialist mental health, disability, and visa assistance, directly through their local Faculty Student Centre, which serves as a convenient one-stop shop for all student queries.

If you’re considering a Master’s or postgraduate research degree, navigating the various funding options can be overwhelming. As a postgraduate student, you have access to a range of financial support, including government-backed loans, scholarships, and other external funding opportunities to cover your tuition and living expenses. If you’re looking to study a Masters course, you may be eligible for a Government backed loans of up to £12,858 to cover the costs. For people looking to study a Postgraduate Doctoral course such as a PhD, you could be eligible for a Government backed loan of up to £29,390.

Other Scholarships and Bursaries available include:

• PhD Studentships
• Aziz Foundation Scholarships
• Scott Trust Bursary
• Bowater Financial Assistance Award
• MA Musicology Scholarship

Read more about our financial support for Postgraduate students on the website.