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The University of Birmingham - part of the prestigious Russell Group of universities in the UK – has been helping to develop the next generation of leaders, push boundaries of innovation and challenge existing thinking for over 100 years.
The university has a vibrant and diverse community of students, with over 10,000 international students coming to the city from over 120 countries.
Over 40% of students are working on a postgraduate qualification, making it an ideal environment for those looking to continue their own studies beyond undergraduate level.
The University of Birmingham has an outstanding reputation for research, and students here will help to genuinely shape the future of their study field. The university is recognised internationally for excellence in teaching and research. 87% of research conducted at the university has a global impact.
Postgraduate
The University of Birmingham offers over 600 taught postgraduate programmes to help students widen their skills base, further their knowledge and boost their career prospects. Its wealth of research opportunities involve the completion of original academic research, or a piece of scholarship, which students will conduct under expert supervision from a Birmingham academic.
The value of the postgraduate study is both inherent and transferable, helping students to develop as a person, boost their professional prospects or even change direction in their career.
Beyond the transferable skills that students will take into the workplace, a postgraduate qualification from Birmingham will give learners the chance to engage in critical enquiry, grow as a scholar, and become internationally recognised as an expert in their field.
At Birmingham, students will be taught and guided by lecturers who are experts within their fields, working on innovative research that is shaping policy, influencing societal change, and improving lives.
Eleven staff and alumni have been awarded Nobel prizes for their work, offering significant value to students who have the chance to learn with them. However, all staff employed by the university have value to add, both through their knowledge and their teaching ability.
The university offers over 600 taught programmes and a wealth of research opportunities to choose from. It is structured into five colleges:
Arts and Law
Engineering and Physical Sciences
Life and Environmental Sciences
Medical and Dental Sciences
Social Sciences
Each of the colleges is divided into a number of schools and departments, of which postgraduate taught courses can be found through the university’s online course finder, while research courses can be found through the doctoral researcher database.
Entry to the university’s postgraduate programmes usually requires a good (normally a 2:1 or above) honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if students undertook their college or university education outside the UK.
Students returning to university following time spent in the workplace may instead be able to put their job experience towards their entry requirements.
For students considering a PhD, there may be a requirement for a master’s qualification with a good pass grade depending on the course. Students will be able to browse the specific requirements for all postgraduate options by using the course finder on the university website.
International students can also view their country-specific pages for grade equivalent and English language requirements.
As a guide, international students will be required to demonstrate a solid understanding of the English language since all courses and assessments are carried out in English. Language test score requirements are also typically higher for postgraduate study than undergraduate options due to the more complex topics covered.
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The university has a brilliant reputation for ambition, attainment and research. The most recent UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) rated 81.4% of its research activity as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, confirming Birmingham’s position amongst the world’s top universities for research and, by extension, research-based postgraduate degrees.
The range of taught courses are also highly regarded, with students able to learn from expert faculty who have years of experience in their respective fields.
Class sizes are kept as small as possible so that contact time is maximised, while the resources provided by the university ensures students are working with professional-grade equipment and software.
The University Graduate School (UGS) based at Westmere House also provides a quality research and education environment with dedicated study spaces for postgraduates. There are specialised training programmes to help postgraduate students build on the essential skills for postgrad research study, and general support to aid students’ development.
A degree from the University of Birmingham will not only boost students’ knowledge and understanding of their subject area, but also provide them with the skills that are most desired by top employers, giving them a significant advantage when it is time to apply for future roles.
The advanced knowledge that students will gain during their postgraduate studies during their time at Birmingham makes them more employable and more likely to enter professional and managerial occupations.
Beyond the academic expertise, students will also develop other core skills that are desirable, including problem solving, critical thinking and both teamwork and independent working skills.
The university is the third most targeted university in the UK by top employers (High Fliers Graduate Market in 2023) which confirms that skills and abilities obtained during a postgraduate degree at Birmingham are highly valued in the working world. Choosing a postgraduate qualification at the university is more likely to lead to a more successful career.
The Guild of Students is an organisation run by students, for students. It offers a range of resources, including advice on finding work (both alongside study and future careers), volunteering opportunities and mentoring.
There are also more relaxed occasions designed to encourage students to meet new people, make new friends and enjoy a healthy balance between study and social life.
Clubs and societies
There are over 300 student groups and societies hosted by the Guild of Students.
The Postgraduate and Mature Students Association (PGMSA) is the body that represents postgraduate students within the guild, making sure their needs are met and they have a voice.
City life
Birmingham has been ranked as the top regional city for quality of life in the UK, and 48% of students decide to stay in the region upon graduation.
The university’s campus is located just a few minutes from the city centre, allowing students to easily access the city’s galleries, shops, entertainment and restaurants.
Birmingham has its own international airport, and a major rail station with connections to all major cities around the UK.
Dedicated postgraduate accommodation is located across three student villages: The Vale Village, Selly Oak Village and Pritchatts Park Village. All student villages are within walking distance of Edgbaston campus.
Many postgraduate students choose to find housing in the private sector. A variety of housing options, including single flats, shared houses and properties for families, can be found in the local area.
Other accommodation options are available, including through selected partners. More information on accommodation options and private sector housing for postgraduates can be found on the university website.
Facilities
The university has undergone a £600 million transformation with a brand new library, new accommodation and a state-of-the-art sport and fitness centre used by athletes in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Other additions include a £10 million postgraduate teaching centre for the Birmingham Business School, and the new collaborative teaching laboratory which combines practical teaching in science and engineering.
The university recently opened a research hub for PhD students at Westmere House that offers state-of-the-art facilities and a bright and airy social space.
The university has a wide range of student services to meet the needs of its diverse student community. This is primarily based out of the student hub – a central resource that provides help for a wide range of needs, either through information, signposting or other specific services. The hub has an online presence too so that students can seek their own help and find answers to questions quickly.
The university staff understand that there can be a wide range of issues which can sometimes interfere with studies. These may be temporary, or it could be pre-existing permanent circumstances that require additional adjustments to make studies more manageable. Whatever students are going through, the team will do everything they can to help so that students can put their full focus in their work.
Students can visit the university’s student support page for more information. The university also offers study support to postgraduates.
The university’s postgraduate funding database contains listings of all the scholarships, bursaries and grants that are available to support studies at the University of Birmingham.
Some are awarded based on academic merit, while others are aimed at students from specific backgrounds. Scholarships and bursaries are not expected to be repaid, although any ongoing payments may depend on continued academic performance.
The Birmingham Masters Scholarship offers up to £2,000 to outstanding candidates. Students are advised to make sure they complete their application to the best of their ability and ensure they submit it by the deadline.
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If students wish to further their knowledge of a subject, prepare for a research degree, gain a vocational qualification or to make a fresh start in a new subject, they may consider one of the university’s taught master’s courses, such as the MA or MSc.
A combined research-and-taught master’s, such as the MRes, provides students with both taught modules to increase their knowledge of a subject and the opportunity to complete a final research thesis, undertaken with suitable supervision from faculty. These theses are often the basis of a further doctoral study.
Research
Doctoral degrees, also known as PhDs, give students the chance to prove their ability to conduct detailed, unique research and provide a genuine contribution to their field of study. These students will often teach undergraduates while they study too.
As a postgraduate researcher, students will usually contribute to the research life of their department by presenting papers at seminars and conferences.
Students can access the University Graduate School (UGS) for the support they need, including help developing key research skills or careers guidance following completion of study.
Distance learning
Students who are unable to study via the standard on-campus mode can apply for a distance learning programme.
Students can choose to study in their own time and at their own pace, from the comfort of their home. Lectures are recorded, while assessments can be submitted by email.
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