Birmingham City University is situated in Birmingham's vibrant and diverse centre and is the second-largest university in the city. The university has a rich history and multicultural community, providing students with a unique and enriching experience. Spread across two main campuses, it has invested over GBP 340 million into state-of-the-art facilities, including new biomedical science labs, a mock operating theatre, a crime scene room and broadcasting facilities. Birmingham is also one of the greenest cities in Europe, offering botanical gardens and multiple parks for students to relax in.
It is possible to earn while studying through the student employment agency Opportunity, which helps students fit a job around their own study programme and commitments. The institution also has plenty of industry partnerships, making it easy for students to gain work experience and internships.
Students can also study abroad during their time at the university through an exchange programme or with the Erasmus+/ Turing Scheme, helping them stand out from the crowd after graduation while making new friends and gaining a unique experience. The university also offers the chance to take part in a summer programme with partner universities worldwide.
Birmingham City University has a dedicated Career Support team. Students can book in to see Career Consultants for help with all aspects of their career plan and advice on searching for jobs. Further resources are available when it comes to interviewing preparation or writing outstanding CVs.
There is excellent student support through several services, focusing on everything from financial advice, childcare support and information on visas and immigration to mentoring and counselling.
1. Investing in your future
We’ve invested £340 million in our campuses and facilities, including a major expansion of our City Centre Campus and a £41 million extension at our City South Campus with specialist laboratories for our new courses in sport and life sciences, which opened in 2018. Take a look at our campus buildings in more depth on our YouTube channel.
2. Work experience and placements
You'll have the chance to gain industry and professional practice experience through work placements, mentoring schemes and Study Abroad exchanges overseas. We also work on course-related projects with companies and organisations like Microsoft, Cisco, Jaguar Land Rover, Sky UK and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
3. Earn while you learn
Our student employment agency allows you to apply for paid roles at the University, gaining experience in crucial aspects of job applications and valuable feedback on your work.
4. Internationally accredited courses
Many of our courses have internationally recognised accreditations, such as the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) and RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects).
5. Enhanced career prospects
We offer career support and advice throughout your time with us and for up to three years after you graduate. Our Graduate+ scheme embeds career-related skills into every one of our degree courses, from becoming a course rep to studying abroad. Graduate+ embeds career-related skills into every one of our degree courses.
6. Help starting your own business
We have a designated entrepreneurship team and our STEAMhouse incubator supports students who want to work for themselves. Students will have access to hands-on workshops, lectures, enterprise programmes and tailored advice to help develop their ideas into start-up businesses.
7. A global city
Study with us and you will be located at the heart of the dynamic city of Birmingham – with all the social and employment possibilities that brings. Birmingham is the youngest major city in Europe, with under-20s accounting for 29% of its population (West Midlands Growth Company).
8. Learn from the best
From the UK’s leading criminologist to a ‘Hot 100’ jeweller, our teaching staff come from and maintain links with industry, and are some of the leading figures in their fields.
9. Practice-based research
93% of our research was recognised internationally for originality, significance and rigour, of which 19% was judged world-leading (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
10. Transformed teaching
We have transformed our curriculum with a new range of contemporary, flexible courses with practice-based learning and international opportunities built into every stage. Our 2,000-strong team of teaching staff come from and maintain their links with industry and the professions, ensuring you benefit directly from their knowledge, insight and contacts.
