Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University is a prominent UK institution, having placed 75th nationally according to the student review based Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2022. It also ranked 90th in the country according to the Complete University Guide 2024. With an educational history dating back to 1843, Birmingham offers students a modern educational experience and student lifestyle informed by more than 175 years of experience. 

The university’s campuses are centrally located in Birmingham, the UK’s third most populated city and rated as Europe’s youngest major city. It’s a cosmopolitan, vibrant and highly multicultural city where students can find everything they could want during their study downtime. From entertainment to eating, bars and clubs, or the stunning countryside of the West Midlands just a short way away, Birmingham is a great student city. 

The university’s campuses benefit from ongoing investment into buildings, facilities and services, with both the City Centre and City South campuses expanding in recent years to provide even greater access to specialist research and learning facilities, along with modern amenities. 

Students are well connected to the rest of the country, with Birmingham sitting near the centre of England and acting as a hub for many of the country’s major train lines. With Birmingham International Airport nearby, the world awaits. 

Graduates of Birmingham City University will leave with a well-valued qualification, industry ready skills and the company of a varied and distinguished professional alumni network. 

Birmingham City University offers postgraduate learners access to more than 120 programmes of study and professional courses. Whether a student is looking to gain advance knowledge and skills towards an academic career, gain a professional accreditation, make themselves more valuable in their sector’s job market or change direction, BCU has a range of options to suit. 

Many of the postgraduate courses at the university involve the completion of an internationally accredited certificate or qualification. These include the Association of Chartered Accountants (ACCA), Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), to name a few. 

Teaching staff at Birmingham City are talented researchers with decades of experience across various sectors and disciplines. These prominent academics and industry leaders will help students learn at the cutting edge of their field. 

The university prides itself on its contemporary education model, with a wide range of flexible and applied learning pathways providing ample opportunity for students to gain a qualification grounded in real experience and industry-relevant skills, whatever their existing obligations. 

Students wishing to pursue a postgraduate programme of study at Birmingham City University will need to meet the entry requirements of their chosen course before they can receive an offer of study.  

For example, applicants to the MSc in Management and International Business will typically need an undergraduate honours degree at 2:2 level, or international equivalent. Approved pre-master’s programmes are also accepted. Students with alternative qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. 

Students applying to the MA in English Linguistics (Distance Learning) will need an undergraduate honours degree from a UK university or internationally recognised equivalent, in a related subject. Alternatively, students may apply with a degree in any subject or teaching qualification, in addition to two or more years’ professional teaching experience. 

Applicants to the PhD in Media and Cultural Studies should have a master’s level degree (or expect to) in a relevant subject. Applicants with a first at undergraduate level will be considered in lieu of a masters. Applicants with equivalent professional experience are also encouraged to apply. 

Entry requirements for courses at Birmingham City can change over time, and may vary depending on the level of study. Students can check the university website for the most current information. 

Birmingham City University recognises the challenges facing modern graduates in today’s competitive employment markets. As a result, it has in place a variety of services, policies and resources to help students maximise their job prospects during and after their studies. 

Work placements allow students to gain meaningful professional experience before they graduate. Students at BCU have worked with companies including IBM, Microsoft, the BBC, Dolby, ASOS, Cisco and the NHS, to name a few. 

The university’s Careers+ service is on hand to help students develop their CV, perform well in interviews and access personalised mentorship and guidance around their career. This service is available for up to three years after students graduate. 

There are also useful online tools which list hundreds of jobs and voluntary opportunities for students, ranging from graduate roles to part-time work on the campus itself. Through the university’s pioneering ‘Grow Your Own’ initiative, students are given enhanced opportunities to apply for roles at the university itself. During this process, students also benefit from a graduate training package, professional mentoring and regular feedback sessions to help them succeed. 

Accommodation

Postgraduate students have a wide range of accommodation options open to them after they accept an offer to study at Birmingham City University. 

University managed halls of residence are available in multiple locations, offering students the choice of living on campus or in the heart of the city. All of the university’s halls are safe, modern and well-equipped, with facilities including en-suite bathrooms, gyms and more. Each residence has a different location, facilities and price, so students are encouraged to explore them all to find their perfect home. 

Many postgraduates prefer to rent private accommodation, either alone or with friends. The students’ union can provide advice and support for students who are looking to rent across the city. Its dedicated housing team can help with finding suitable places and managing the paperwork. Birmingham is an expansive, cosmopolitan city that is known for its active live music scene and diverse population, giving rise to a wide range of dining, entertainment and leisure options. 

Even for students who would prefer to study from their current locations, a wide range of remote courses and excellent transport links into Birmingham from across the country make it easier than ever to study at BCU from afar. 

Birmingham City University provides postgraduate students with access to a range of scholarships and bursaries, designed to help cover the costs of study and reduce barriers to education for talented students. 

Some of the available funding options include: 

• The BCU Graduate Scholarship, which offers a 20% reduction to postgraduate tuition fees for any student who has already graduated from a course at the university in the last two years 
• Aspiring Research Awards, which provides awards to cover some of the costs of study for students who show exceptional research potential and doctoral research ambitions. Awards are worth £3,000 and are paid towards tuition fees for students on MFA, MA, MArch or LLM courses at the Faculty of Arts, Design and Media or School of Law. 
• A wide variety of external funding options are also available to BCU postgraduate students.  

The value and eligibility criteria for these bursaries can vary, so students are encouraged to explore the full range through the university’s website.