Read honest reviews from real students at this uni
4.03.54.1
Birmingham City University (BCU) is a large and diverse institution inspiring the talent for tomorrow and encouraging students to reach beyond expectations.
It's home to over 31,000 students from more than 100 countries, making it a global family in the heart of Birmingham, one of the UK's most diverse and exciting cities.
BCU offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across seven schools, with flexible ways to study. Whether students are looking for full-time, part-time, or practice-based learning, courses are built to fit each individual's goals and lifestyle.
The university has modern campuses around the city that house specialist teaching facilities. From creative studios and simulation suites to professional labs and workshops, the spaces are designed to help students learn by doing.
It's a fast-growing university, investing over £500 million into facilities to make sure students have everything they need to succeed. One of the newest developments is a £5 million upgrade to teaching and learning spaces at the Alexander Stadium, the iconic venue of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Campus life is about more than just study. There's accommodation for first-year students, a lively mix of clubs and societies run by the students' union, and plenty of ways to get involved, make friends and feel at home.
The staff at the university know that managing money matters. That's why there's discounted food and drink on campus, as well as a range of bursaries and scholarships to help make university more affordable and accessible for everyone.
Birmingham City University students on Whatuni say:
''Great lectures and tutors, with a great campus too.''
''The university has great facilities for every faculty and everything is really new and well kept. The staff are really wonderful and approachable and will help you with every situation. I've had an incredibly positive experience as a second-year student at Birmingham City University.''
''I feel like I am at home it has been such an amazing last few years here, everyone is so helpful and there are so many facilities that come in handy.''
4.1BCU is a modern university which has invested £400 million into its campus and facilities, and has an ongoing scheme to invest a further £125 million. The university's academic infrastructure is second-to-none, with purpose designed facilities for most subject areas that are furnished with the latest industry-grade equipment and teaching technologies.
This ensures that BCU students learn with the very best and most industry-relevant facilities. The university also has a highly developed virtual learning environment, through which course content is distributed and assessed. From 2024, sports courses are taught at the Alexander Stadium, a world class athletics venue which hosted the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Birmingham City University students on Whatuni say:
''Very modern, welcoming campus. A lot of facilities and resources that are easily accessible to students. A vast amount of creative spaces to utilise. Parkside is surrounded by green spaces and plenty of social areas.''
''There are many places you can study around the university and the library is open 24/7 which is amazing''
"…really enjoy using facilities and student support. Really like the layout of the university and have met some amazing people on my course.''
3.5Birmingham is the second most populous city in the United Kingdom, with five major universities and more than 85,000 students who call it home. It is a diverse and multicultural metropolis with a rich history and a cosmopolitan atmosphere entirely of its own.
With over a million residents, there is no shortage of things to do and places to discover.
BCU provides a huge range of opportunities for students to try something new and make new friends, many of which will last a lifetime.
The university has more than 100 clubs, sports teams, and special interest societies available to join through the students' union, covering a diverse range of topics from crafting to campaigning, languages and cultural groups, to socio-political societies, film, music and literature and many subject-specific groups.
3.8Birmingham City University Students' Union (BCUSU) is an independent student-run organisation, whose priority is to ensure a fair, supportive and enjoyable student and university experience for the whole learning community.
Incoming students are automatically enrolled as members and have free and full access to everything which the union provides. This includes a raft of services and a lively timetable of events and activities.
Birmingham City University students on Whatuni say:
''I love university; I like the people, the lecturers, the big library and the good location. I study at Curzon Campus which is in the city centre, so everything is near.''
''BCUSU student team are very helpful and thorough, they offer good support for all aspects of studying and personal life.''
''Its a really lively and engaging university there is always something going on. They have great student support services. Especially for learning disabilities like ADHD. Great environment looks to see and do.''
3.4BCU is an employment-oriented university, which focuses ample resources and attention on the professional development and career opportunities of its large student population. The university has a well-resourced career and employment department that delivers a raft of services such as CV writing and interview training, while providing access to a range of networking events and career workshops organised throughout the academic year.
Students are able to find and secure internship and work-experience opportunities while they are still studying, helping them to build their professional profile before leaving university and potentially secure employment to begin immediately upon graduation.
Graduates can access the full range of careers and employment support for up to three years after course completion.
For those who aren't ready to give up on education after completing an undergraduate degree at BCU, students will have the opportunity to progress to postgraduate study such as a master's or even a PhD.
Accommodation can have a huge impact on the university experience, and BCU has a wide variety of living options for new and returning students, with over 2,000 well-equipped rooms. Each offers a different combination of services and amenities to ensure that students have everything they need to study with convenience and comfort.
Every location has on-site laundry and out-of-hours security, as well as fast WiFi throughout the building. Most locations also have study and social areas, providing a convenient place for students to socialise with new flatmates, and some are equipped with their own gym.
Birmingham City University students on Whatuni say:
''Lovely accommodation.''
''I had the perfect living experience last year in halls.''
''Queen's Hospital Close is a welcoming and friendly place that hosts fun events and fosters a strong sense of community by engaging with everyone. The people here are lovely, and the location is convenient—close to my university and the city centre. I feel safe and happy living here.''
BCU is fortunate to receive generous funding from its professional sponsors, alumni and individual donors, and re-invests this income back into the most valuable aspect of the university - its students.
There are different financial aid packages available, offered on both merit-based and means-tested criteria. These scholarships give opportunities for hard working students to subsidise their studies through their university work and also provide a financial safety net for the more economically vulnerable students.
There are other support schemes available such as Disabled Student's Allowance (DSA) and grants for those with specific learning requirements.
Undergraduate degree courses at BCU vary in terms of individual entry requirements, including some courses with specific subject requirements at A Level or equivalent. The BCU Accelerate scheme also enables qualifying students to receive an offer which is two grades below the normal entry requirements. The university typically uses UCAS Tariff points for making formal offers, but there are many alternative routes to enrolment.
Applications are considered on an individual basis. The university accepts equivalent international qualifications, and will also consider relevant work or professional experience while making a decision. Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit their course-specific pages on the university website to be sure of the admission requirements for their chosen programme, and to reach out to the university if they need further clarification.
Overall, the university encourages anyone with the desire and motivation to study at BCU to make an application. Their admissions team are available to contact all year round for any queries or questions.
BCU understands that investing in degree-level study can be a daunting prospect financially, and is committed to offering fair access to its high-quality curriculum. As such, the university aims to keep course fees competitive, and offers a variety of payment options and financial aid schemes.
UK students studying a full-time undergraduate degree course are charged £9,250 per year, in line with government guidelines, though this will rise to £9,535 in 2025. Students are able to have these fees covered by a loan from Student Finance England which is repayable after graduation, and once a certain earning threshold has been reached.
There are well over a hundred undergraduate degree courses to choose from at BCU, spanning a comprehensive range of subject areas across four faculties:
Each faculty has a distinct academic profile, while each also carrying the university's ethos of hard work and intellectual curiosity.
The university has cultivated a reputation for teaching excellence, and its highly experienced academic faculty are a huge part of their overall success. Staff are encouraging and enthusiastic about their subject area and many have worked and taught overseas, enabling them to communicate effectively with student from all backgrounds.
Additionally, their first-hand industry insights give an invaluable context to their delivery of BCU's excellent academic curriculum, ensuring that not only is course material relevant, but it is taught in a way that is engaging to students, making learning even more enjoyable.
Birmingham City University students on Whatuni say:
''The lecturers are very welcoming. It's a good community. The studying space is great.''
''Lecturers are very supportive and helpful. They keep online resources up to date and keep in frequent contact. I like the schedule of my course and being able to use a blend of the online resources provided as well as information given in teaching sessions is very helpful. I have no improvements to suggest.''
''Not a bad thing to say at all. Teachers are really good and comforting and very much willing to help students. I've received a lot of helpful advice and assistance in the right direction.''
BCU is an employment-oriented institution whose graduates are highly desirable across a broad range of professional sectors. With such significant investment in its campus and facilities, one of the main strengths of studying at BCU is access to its world-class facilities and teaching technologies.
Being able to train on such a high standard of equipment and facilities makes BCU graduates well-prepared for employment roles beyond university. Combined with the quality of their teaching staff, it is no surprise that the university has such a high graduate employment rate.
A degree from BCU is an asset in the search for competitive graduate job roles, opening many doors to further study or international employment. With many of the available courses developed directly in conjunction with leading businesses or institutions in the field, students are actively being trained to meet the ever-changing needs of their chosen career path, giving them the best possible opportunities to secure employment upon graduation.
Birmingham City University students on Whatuni say:
''The Computer Science course at Birmingham City University has been a fantastic experience so far. The curriculum is well-structured, providing a perfect mix of theoretical foundations and hands-on projects. What I appreciate most is how the course stays up-to-date with industry trends, ensuring we learn relevant skills like programming in Python and Java, data structures, algorithms, and system management with Linux.''
''For anyone in psychology this is a great university to study at.''
''Staff on my course a great, supportive, helpful, and go above & beyond for us students.''
4.0BCU understands that undertaking a degree-level course of study can be a challenging experience for many different reasons and is committed to providing the best possible programme of student support services to its learning community.
There are services to cover almost any need that a student may have during their time at university, with the option to signpost students to external support services where the need can't be met internally.
Services include academic support for those needing help with their assignments, financial advice for those who need help with funding or budgeting while they are at university, and help with accommodation, even where the student has a contract with a third-party.
There's also health and wellbeing support, free and confidential counselling, careers guidance, faith and spiritual support, and disability advice and support ranging from DSA applications to personal assistance around campus. Whatever the need, students can feel confident that the university has them covered.
Birmingham City University students on Whatuni say:
''The university provides great support when I was in need and struggling.''
''The supportive, inclusive and friendly tutors are the best bits.''
''Lots of great support from the uni. Loads of career opportunities and extra curricular activities.''
4.1
