The vibrant metropolis of Birmingham has a well-founded reputation as a leading student destination, where the young population from five universities creates a buzz. Birmingham City University (BCU) occupies some prime spots with its campuses and specialist institutions, which include the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Jewellery School, founded in 1890, in the city’s Jewellery Quarter. It has poured £5 million into specialist facilities for sports and exercise degree courses at Alexander Stadium and its City campus is in up-and-coming Eastside — soon to be where passengers hop on and off 49-minute HS2 rail journeys to London at Curzon Street station. A practice-based approach to learning prevails at BCU, which offers a broad curriculum of more than 150 undergraduate courses.
What is Birmingham City University’s reputation?
In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) BCU more than doubled its submission, compared with the previous national assessment in 2014. Creative writing and English produced the best results, while land and property management, building, and town and country planning also did well.
Under its Strategy 2030 plan, BCU announced a move towards having a greater focus on teaching, rather than research. The shift is in step with its practical slant to provision, and BCU is one of the bigger providers of degree apprenticeships — offering 13 programmes with around 1,300 students enrolled, training for roles such as registered nurses, social workers, chartered surveyors and paramedics.
In the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), BCU won silver overall, and silver for student outcomes. A gold rating for student experience rewarded excellence in teaching, assessment and feedback, course content and delivery.
Results from the latest National Student Survey show rising satisfaction, with appreciation for teaching quality up 13 places to 69=, and the wider experience up 12 to 64=.
What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?
New gaming technology degree courses launched in September 2025: game technical art; game programming; game technology; and game design. From 2026, BCU will offer degrees in creative writing, electrical and electronic engineering, and human biosciences.
BCU has withdrawn courses in American legal studies, biomedical engineering, digital forensics, digital media computing, and secondary science (biology) with QTS. Music technology will stop recruiting from September 2026.
What are Birmingham City University’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?
Architecture has the highest requirement for Ucas points (136) while music degree courses have the lowest (32). Contextual offers (up to four grades below standard) are available for applicants to all full-time three-year degrees, other than acting and music, via the university’s Accelerate programme.
What are the graduate prospects?
BCU has about 50 professional accreditations for a wide range of its courses, recognised by bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Royal Institute of British Architects. Students can also build experience through the Graduate+ range of extracurricular, employment-related activities, recording their achievements in an online e-portfolio. There are opportunities to gain work experience through mentoring schemes, industry visits and year-long placements.
Despite these efforts, BCU ranks only 100th in our analysis of the Graduate Outcomes survey, based on the numbers in highly skilled work or further study after 15 months.
What is Birmingham City University’s campus like?
City Centre and City South are the main campuses and extra sites throughout Birmingham are equipped to provide students with hands-on learning experiences, including television and film studios and mock law courts. There are also rehearsal rooms, teaching spaces and a 500-seat concert hall at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
At the City Centre campus, the £70 million STEAMhouse innovation centre mixes it up to encourage collaboration between the arts, science, technology, engineering and maths sectors in a Victorian former factory. A £13 million project has turned the Benjamin Zephaniah Building (formerly University House) on the campus into a base for education and community courses. At City South, a £5 million healthcare simulation facility opened in 2023. The university has also branched out with an outpost in Wuhan, China, where the Birmingham Institute of Fashion and Creative Art opened in 2016, run jointly with Wuhan Textile University.
When can I visit?
bcu.ac.uk
Everything you need to know about Birmingham City University’s student life and wellbeing support
Students have access to top sports facilities across Birmingham for free or at reduced membership fees. At the Pavilion, which has 12 football pitches, there are plans to develop beach volleyball courts.
Pre-entry appointments are available for any students who want to discuss what mental health support is available at BCU. The university’s mental health and wellbeing team operates Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year, and students can self-refer online.
What do the students say?
“Birmingham is a welcoming, multicultural city that makes you feel at home from day one. Being part of BCUSU societies, like Law Society, has helped me build strong friendships and a sense of belonging."
Shoukat Mehsud, students’ union president 2025-26
What about student accommodation at Birmingham City University?
Full-time first-years are guaranteed a place if they apply in time. Up to 30 per cent of new students live on campus, while the majority commute from home.
How diverse and inclusive is Birmingham City University?
Birmingham City’s AimHigher scheme aims to widen participation through mentoring and summer schools.The university has slipped seven places to rank 47th in our social inclusion table. For ethnic diversity, BCU ranks 12th.
Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Birmingham City University
Students from low-income households who enrol via the Accelerate programme can qualify for a £1,000 scholarship in the first year. Applicants who arrive with 144 Ucas points or more can qualify for a High Achievers’ Scholarship worth £1,000.
