University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham

It is situated in the heart of England, the University of Birmingham was founded over 100 years ago and has a long tradition of discovery, invention and design across all the major disciplines. Whatever your chosen subject, you can be sure that you will benefit tremendously from the experience of studying at Birmingham. Not only will you secure a well-respected degree which is recognised throughout the world, but you will also benefit from the friendly, multicultural community that exists on our beautiful campus.

Key Facts

·         There are 27,189 students studying at the University

·         Over 4,000 international students from 150 different countries.

·         Consistently high score in government Quality Assurance Assessments, averaging 22 points out of a maximum of 24

·         Our graduates of 96% are either employed, engaged in further study or travelling within six months of leaving the University

·         Highest number of departments in the region to be awarded top research quality ratings in the national Research Assessment Exercise. The University’s subject areas of 32 received the highest ratings of either 5, 5* or 6

·         Four Nobel Prize winners

·         150,000 alumni around the world

·         Attractive, safe and convenient location occupying 243 acres of beautiful green leafy campus

·         Munrow Sports Centre offering an Active Lifestyles. Programme with 150 different classes per week and 43 different sports clubs

·         Barber Institute of Fine Arts on campus declared Art Gallery of the Year by the Good Britain Guide 2004

·         Dedicated International Student Advisory Service
Complimentary Induction programme on arrival including airport collection, University registration, police registration, applying for a bank account and many social activities.
University medical and dental practise and optometrist.

·         Guild of Students with a full programme of entertainment including club nights, live band nights and over 200 societies organising various social activities and celebrating important festivals throughout the year

·         Library and resource centres across campus providing access to over 2.6 million books, 3 million archives and manuscripts. Many collections have world-wide recognition.

Courses

We offer Foundation courses in Chemistry, Engineering, Social Science, Arts & Humanities and Physics along with 512 Undergraduate programmes, 324 Taught Masters programmes and an extensive variety of Postgraduate Research programmes in the following schools of study:

Arts, Languages, Literature & History
Education
Business
Law
Social Sciences, Government, Politics
Engineering
Science
Medicine, Dentistry, Health Sciences

 Academic strengths 

The University of Birmingham offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in science, engineering, health sciences, business, and humanities. Our standards of research and teaching are consistently high. In the UK Government’s 2001 Research Assessment Exercise, 32 of our subject areas received the highest ratings of 5, 5* or 6. The Government’s Quality Assurance Agency regularly examines all university teaching and awards a number of points up to a maximum of 24 points. Our departments’ results average more than 22.

Birmingham is also a founder member of Universities 21, a group of leading international research universities. Internationally excellent research undertaken here influences the modern world and enriches the quality of our teaching, bringing knowledge from the frontiers of discovery directly to the lecture theatre.

Facilities

We have some of the finest sports facilities of any university in the UK. These include a swimming pool, sports halls, an athletics track, gymnasium and squash courts, as well as state-of-the-art hockey pitches. Further afield, our outdoor pursuits centre in the Lake District provides opportunities for water sports and other outdoor activities.

Library facilities are excellent; our main library houses more than two million books and three million other items such as manuscripts, archives and periodicals. In addition, there are 12 specific subject libraries on campus.

Computing facilities are available in the main library, in departments and in campus accommodation. All students have free access to email and to the internet, and there is a 24-hour Computer Centre for late-night study sessions.

The University’s Barber Institute of Fine Arts is classed as one of the best small art galleries in Europe and houses an important collection of paintings, sculpture, furniture and objets d’art. The Institute is open to the public and has a concert hall with lunchtime and evening concerts.

Student life

The Guild of Students is one of the leading student unions in the country with over 200 clubs and societies. It is the centre of social life on the campus, offering a full programme of entertainment and helping students to relax and enjoy themselves after a day of study. It is important to meet new people and develop new interests during your time at university and the Guild provides excellent opportunities for both. You can find part-time work through the Job Zone, receive free skills-based training or get involved in helping the local community by volunteering with one of the local support agencies.

The University’s Student Support and Counselling Service offers help and advice to our students. It is staffed by a team of professionally-trained counsellors who help students deal with any difficulties they may be experiencing – be they educational or emotional. The International Students Advisory Service also provides trained and dedicated advisers for international students who have queries relating to immigration, working in the UK, healthcare, finance, personal and academic support.

Both services are free of charge and all matters are handled in the strictest confidence. Student mentors are available in our halls of residence, who are usually second- or third-year students. They are on hand at the start of the year to help you settle in and, in most residences, are available 24 hours a day.

Birmingham itself is a major European city with first-class cultural, social and sporting facilities. It is a thriving city that embraces the broad ethnic mix of the region.

Source: www.studyintheuk.ac.uk, www.birmingham.ac.uk