Postgraduate Reviews of Courses at University of Birmingham

I am a mature distance learning student, completing my MA in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics. The online platform is easy to use and the digital library is expansive. All staff have been easy to contact when I need any support, including IT, Finance, Admin, my personal tutor and teaching staff. I have been assigned a mentor to help me stay connected with university life and the Philosophy department. The modules are contemporary, as are the course materials. The student cohort is diverse and we all connect to the course flexibly, from different time zones. I receive a weekly events newsletter which has plenty of options for attending online webinars and socials. read full review

The University of Birmingham has great facilities, the campus is beautiful and full of life with plenty of different spaces for students to study or simply spend some time in, there's a diverse student population and a lot of activities for any type of interest. read full review

I really like the faculty and the facilities that are given to international students. I appreciate the help with the funding and even the numerous online open weeks where they explained about the wonderful opportunities that are given to students and how we can make best use of the exposure given to us. read full review

The University of Birmingham offers a genuinely inspiring academic environment. The combination of experienced lecturers, supportive supervision, and a strong research culture makes studying here both motivating and rewarding. The campus is one of its biggest assets: it’s beautifully maintained, full of green spaces, and equipped with modern study areas that suit different working styles.

There is also a real sense of international community. You meet people from all over the world, which enriches both academic discussions and everyday life. Support services — from wellbeing to careers — are easy to access and genuinely helpful, which makes you feel supported throughout your studies. Overall, it’s a place where you can grow academically and personally.

However, according to my experience, area that would really benefit from improvement is the communication with the International Student Office and the Visa Advice team. As an international student, I found that responses could sometimes be slow or unclear, especially when dealing with time‑sensitive matters like visa documentation or guidance on immigration rules. More streamlined communication, clearer instructions, and faster turnaround times would make the process far less stressful for students who rely heavily on timely, accurate information. read full review

Birmingham is a great place to study, as it is just a 7 minute train from the city centre, but the campus acts as a place to relax, and is not too busy. The food options and free concerts on campus are an added bonus too! read full review

I actually love the life here! read full review

The teaching is excellent and I receive a lot of invaluable support from academics. I am a commuter student and receive a permit which allows me to drive here easily. Whilst I cannot comment much on social activities (since I am not on campus often), I see there is a huge variety available to me. read full review

I've got plenty of support in studying at UoB, both in academics and well-being. read full review

I loved my undergraduate degree at UoB so much that I have returned after many years to do my Masters. The campus is unbeatable, beautiful and peaceful. The facilities are unbelievable, Sport & Fitness, Library the green campus, make you proud to study and learn there. The support for students is also brilliant! read full review

Overall, I’ve had a really positive experience studying at the University of Birmingham, especially as a postgraduate student. The highlights of my MA History course have been the teaching, excellent facilities, and a campus that genuinely feels like a student community.

The teaching on the MA History course is a real highlight. Lecturers create an environment of genuine passion for their subjects and fields of interest, and seminars are small and discussion-focused, which allows you to engage closely with both staff and other students. Lecturers are clearly specialists in their fields and are very approachable, particularly when it comes to essay planning, specific and detailed feedback, and dissertation supervision.

Postgraduate research can be demanding, and it’s easy for the workload to feel intense at times. However, the university provides a lot of support to make it manageable, including personal tutors, supervisors, office hours, wellbeing services, and academic guidance. These structures really help students stay on track and make the most of their studies.

The university’s facilities are excellent, particularly for History students. The Main Library has extensive print and digital collections, with strong access to online databases and archives that are essential at postgraduate level. There is also an interlibrary loan service, meaning the university can often source books and materials from other universities if they are not available on site, which I’ve found particularly useful for specialist research. There are also plenty of quiet and collaborative study spaces across campus, which is especially helpful during busy assessment periods, as well as reliable IT support.

The campus itself is one of the university’s strongest features. It is green, well laid-out, and feels like a dedicated student space, while still being well connected to the city. Having a train station on campus makes it easy to commute and explore Birmingham, which is a diverse and lively city with lots to offer students.

The university also offers a lot to balance academic study, including a wide range of Guild societies covering everything from arts and crafts to almost any sport you can think of. The social side of societies is very active, with regular events and popular midweek and weekend socials. read full review