Language of instruction
Generally available as a second or third preference.
Since 1900, the University of Birmingham has been a leading global university. It was England’s first civic university, where students from all religions and backgrounds were accepted on an equal basis. The university leads the field in many of the emerging disciplines of the 21st century, such as nanotechnology, gene therapy, and robotics.
Birmingham is best known for its industrial background, but the second biggest city in the UK also has a fun side full of arts, music, culture, and entertainment. The city hosts over 50 festivals each year and has been “the place to shop” since the Middle Ages.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Spring Term & Summer Term (Second Semester) | January–June |
| Semester 2 | Autumn Term (First Semester) | September–December |
Guides and additional information
The University of Birmingham has online resources to help get the most out of your exchange:
Campuses
The University of Birmingham has 2 campuses where you can study:
- Edgbaston campus
- Selly Oak campus
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Applications close: 31 October
Student testimonials
- B Business managementSemester 1, 2019
You only live once. Don’t limit yourself. Because you are stronger than you think!
Full-time study load
60 credits at Birmingham is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Host university requirements
GPA
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 5 to study at Birmingham.
Study Options
Not applicable to this university. You can choose courses from any of the faculties at Birmingham which are open to exchange students. Please also search What can I study? - Incoming exchange and study abroad.
Semester Restrictions
Students on exchange in UQ Semester 1 are required to attend both Spring and Summer Terms.
Engineering and Physical Sciences students are encouraged to go on exchange in Birmingham's Spring Term & Summer Term/UQ's Sem 1 or do a full-year exchange due to exam dates. If an exchange is done in Birmingham's Autumn Term/UQ Sem 2, students will need to fly back to the UK to take exams in January or arrange for January assessments to be invigilated at UQ (fees incurred).
Find courses
Search What can I study? - Incoming exchange and study abroad.
UQ Credit Precedent Database
The first step is to review the host university's most recent course catalogue and identify the courses available to exchange students in the semester you plan to attend (e.g. Fall/Spring or Semester 1/Semester 2).
Once you have identified suitable courses, you can search the Credit Precedent Database (CPD) to check whether any of those courses have previously been assessed for UQ credit.
Please note:
- Always use the host university course catalogue to identify available courses. The CPD should only be used to check whether those courses have previously been assessed for UQ credit.
- The CPD is a guide only and does not represent the full or current range of courses available at a host institution.
- Previous credit assessments may have expired or no longer reflect the current course content.
- Courses that do not appear in the CPD can still be considered for UQ credit through the Study Plan assessment process.
Study areas taught in English
Academic restrictions
Additional academic information
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Applications close: 31 October
Accommodation
Birmingham guarantees accommodation for exchange students in one of the many housing options, known as villages, across the campus.
Cost of living
Birmingham provides a breakdown of average living costs and one-off expenses students can expect to encounter during their exchange.
The Which? Student Budget Calculator is also a useful tool to help you create a budget and manage your finances while studying in the UK.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
Students studying at Birmingham can apply for a scholarship through BUTEX. BUTEX offers a number of £500 scholarships to students studying on exchange at member institutions.
Insurance
Students approved to participate in a Semester-based Exchange are automatically covered by UQ’s Travel Insurance for the country of their host university only.
For more information, read the Student Travel Insurance Policy Summary on UQ’s Travel Insurance web page (login required).
If you plan to travel outside of your host country, you should purchase additional insurance.
Students are not required to take out additional insurance at Birmingham. If you will be in the UK for more than six months you will be able to use the National Health Service (NHS) in the same way as anyone permanently resident in the UK.
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Applications close: 31 October
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
Birmingham provides visa and immigration information for incoming exchange students.
Contact the British High Commission for more visa information.
Travel risk levels
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.
If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, experiences to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice, and sign up to receive updates for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Applications close: 31 October