About the university
Birmingham City University (BCU) grew out of the Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design, founded in 1843, and several later colleges of art, commerce, music and technology. They formed the City of Birmingham Polytechnic in 1971, which became the University of Central England in 1992 and took its current name in 2007.
BCU is a large, career-focused public university. It is known for computing, engineering, business, health, art and design, and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. It says it has invested more than £500 million in its campuses, including the £70 million STEAMhouse building used by computing students.
For Indian students the main points are a single master's fee (£19,630 for most 12-month courses in 2027/28), an automatic £3,000 scholarship for self-funded international master's students, September and January starts, and an optional professional placement route on many courses. The university has active Indian and Sikh student societies.
Birmingham is the UK's second-largest city, with a young and diverse population. The main campus is in the Eastside area of the city centre.
- Roots
- Traces its history to the Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design, opened in 1843; became City of Birmingham Polytechnic in 1971, a university in 1992 and Birmingham City University in 2007
- Type
- Public university with two main campuses (City Centre and City South) plus the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
- Total students
- About 31,000 students from 100 countries (HESA 2021/22, quoted by the university); 27,720 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data
- International students
- 32% of students (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 18.4 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Intakes
- Most master's courses start in September or January; most bachelor's degrees start in September
Rankings
THE World University Rankings 2027
801–1000 in the world
Complete University Guide (UK) 2027
95th in the UK
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,630
- Duration
- 12 months (18 months with professional placement)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,630
- Duration
- 12 months (18 months with professional placement)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,630
- Duration
- 12 months (18 months with professional placement)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,630
- Duration
- 12 months (18 months with professional placement)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
Management and International Business MSc
- Fee / year
- £19,630
- Duration
- 1 year (18 months with professional placement)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £21,080
- Duration
- 12 months (18 months with professional placement)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,630
- Duration
- 12 months (18 months with professional placement)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,630
- Duration
- 12 months (18 months with professional placement)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Data Analytics MSc | 12 months (18 months with professional placement) | £19,630 | ≈ ₹23.9 lakh |
| Computer Science MSc | 12 months (18 months with professional placement) | £19,630 | ≈ ₹23.9 lakh |
| Artificial Intelligence MSc | 12 months (18 months with professional placement) | £19,630 | ≈ ₹23.9 lakh |
| Cyber Security MSc | 12 months (18 months with professional placement) | £19,630 | ≈ ₹23.9 lakh |
| Management and International Business MSc | 1 year (18 months with professional placement) | £19,630 | ≈ ₹23.9 lakh |
| International MBA | 12 months (18 months with professional placement) | £21,080 | ≈ ₹25.7 lakh |
| Project Management MSc | 12 months (18 months with professional placement) | £19,630 | ≈ ₹23.9 lakh |
| Advanced Computer Science MSc | 12 months (18 months with professional placement) | £19,630 | ≈ ₹23.9 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Birmingham City University with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- Full-time taught master's (September 2026 or January 2027 starts)
International Postgraduate Scholarship
Value: £3,000 off tuition fees
Eligibility: Self-funded international students joining BCU for the first time on an eligible full-time master's. Awarded automatically; no separate form. Check the page for the 2027/28 scheme.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Full-time bachelor's (September 2026 or January 2027 starts)
International Undergraduate Scholarship
Value: £5,000 in total: £3,000 off year one and £2,000 off year two
Eligibility: Self-funded international students joining BCU for the first time on an eligible full-time degree. Awarded automatically. Check the page for the 2027/28 scheme.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - One-year master's at any UK university
Chevening Scholarships
Value: Full tuition, a monthly living stipend, return flights and the visa fee
Eligibility: Indian citizens with at least two years' work experience and leadership potential.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 with at least 60% overall; 65% for nursing and computing courses.
- Architecture, built environment, computing and engineering also need Mathematics at 60% in Class 10 or 65% in Class 12.
- Students who do not meet these levels can take a foundation year at Birmingham City University International College.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree with at least 55% overall.
- Health, education, computing, engineering and built environment courses need at least 60% overall.
- Course pages ask for a 2:2-equivalent degree; computing courses such as Big Data Analytics and Cyber Security expect a related subject, while Computer Science MSc and Project Management MSc accept any subject.
- You must pay 50% of the full tuition fee before the CAS is issued.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- Degree certificate and transcripts (for postgraduate courses)
- English test score, or Class 12 English marks
- Personal statement
- Portfolio or interview where the course page asks for one
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 for most courses; some, such as Health Data Science, ask for more. |
| PTE Academic | 59 overall with 59 in each skill as the equivalent of IELTS 6.0 (5.5). PTE Academic Online is not accepted. |
| TOEFL iBT | For tests before 21 January 2026, 72 overall (reading 18, listening 17, speaking 20, writing 17) as the equivalent of IELTS 6.0. The Home Edition is not accepted for direct entry. |
| Class 12 English | Accepted as evidence of English: 65% in English is treated as IELTS 6.0, 70% as 6.5 and 80% as 7.0. Some state boards may also need a speaking and listening assessment. |
Accommodation and living costs
BCU guarantees accommodation for first-year students through partner halls in the city centre and near the City South Campus, at rates it says are often lower than booking directly. All the options listed include bills. Prices are for 2026/27.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Hamstead Campus (shared bathroom or studio, free bus pass)44, 45 or 51-week contracts | £120–179per week | ≈ ₹14,640 – ₹21,838 |
| Beech Gardens or Queen's Hospital Close (near City South) | £155–157per week | ≈ ₹18,910 – ₹19,154 |
| City-centre en suite halls (The Heights, Lakeside, Bentley House) | £160–188per week | ≈ ₹19,520 – ₹22,936 |
| The Old Fire Station (en suite or studio, 51 weeks) | £178–210per week | ≈ ₹21,716 – ₹25,620 |
Campus and location
BCU has two main campuses: the City Centre Campus in Birmingham's Eastside and the City South Campus in Edgbaston, plus the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
- City Centre Campus buildings include Curzon, Millennium Point, Parkside and the £70 million STEAMhouse, home to computing.
- City South Campus in Edgbaston hosts health, nursing and midwifery, life sciences and social work.
- The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire has a £57 million teaching and performance building.
- Indian Society and Sikh Society through the Students' Union.
- Industry projects with companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Unity and Jaguar Land Rover, according to the university.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Many master's courses offer an 18-month route with a 20-week professional placement after the taught modules. BCU offers careers support for up to three years after graduation. Graduates can apply for the UK Graduate visa; see our UK guide for the current rules.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Research recognised internationally | 93% (19% world-leading) | REF 2021, quoted by Birmingham City University |
Studying in the UK
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much is a master's at BCU?
Most 12-month master's courses are £19,630 for international students in 2027/28. The 18-month placement route is £21,595, and the International MBA is £21,080.
Is there a scholarship for Indian students?
Yes. Self-funded international master's students starting in September 2026 or January 2027 get £3,000 off automatically, and bachelor's students get £5,000 over two years. Check the scholarship pages for the 2027/28 scheme.
Can I start in January?
Yes. Most master's courses on this page list September 2027 and January 2028 starts. Artificial Intelligence MSc and Management and Marketing MSc start in September only.
Can I use my Class 12 English marks instead of IELTS?
Yes. BCU treats 65% in Class 12 English as equal to IELTS 6.0, which is enough for most courses. Some state boards may need an extra speaking and listening check.
What percentage do I need for a master's?
At least 55% in your bachelor's degree, or 60% for computing, engineering, health, education and built environment courses.
Sources
- Birmingham City University: India country page (opens in a new tab)
- Birmingham City University: Big Data Analytics MSc (2027/28) (opens in a new tab)
- Birmingham City University: International MBA (2027/28) (opens in a new tab)
- Birmingham City University: international postgraduate scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- Birmingham City University: international undergraduate scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- Birmingham City University: accepted English qualifications (opens in a new tab)
- Birmingham City University: accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- Birmingham City University: our history (opens in a new tab)
- Birmingham City University: locations and maps (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: Birmingham City University (opens in a new tab)
- Complete University Guide 2027 league table (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.bcu.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details