Language of instruction
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 | January–June |
| Semester 2 | Autumn Term | September–December |
Students on exchange in UQ Semester 1 are required to attend both Spring and Summer Terms.
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
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Student testimonials
- B Arts/ B Social ScienceSemester 1, 2017
- B Arts/ B CommunicationSemester 2, 2016
- B ArtsSemester 1, 2016
Full-time study load
60 credits at Birmingham is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Minimum academic requirements
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 5 to study at Birmingham.
Find courses
Search the Credit Precedent Database to find courses offered by your host university that have been previously approved for credit at UQ. The database should be used as a general guide only.
Search Birmingham's course catalogue if courses do not appear in the database.
Study areas taught in English
Course restrictions
Birmingham is not suitable for students who go on exchange in their final semester with only 6 units remaining in their degree.
Courses in the following programs are in high demand and will fill up very quickly:
- American Studies
- Business
- English Literature (You must have completed at least one year of study in this study area)
- History
- Politics
- Psychology
Additional academic information
Birmingham has online resources to help navigate their academic policies:
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
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 weekly living costs and one-off expenses students can expect to encounter during their exchange.
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 the Student Exchange Program 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
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As UQ Abroad 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 UQ Abroad 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, UQ Abroad programs to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Register your travel plans
We recommend that you register your travel plans on the Smartraveller website so that the Australian Government can contact you or your family in an emergency.
Non-Australian citizens should register with their closest consulate.
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.