University of Birmingham

Birmingham
United Kingdom

Language of instruction

English

   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 SemesterHost SemesterDates
Semester 1Spring Term & Summer TermJanuary–June
Semester 2Autumn TermSeptember–December

View the University of Birmingham academic calendar.

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

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)

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.

Find courses

Search What can I study? - Incoming exchange and study abroad and Birmingham's course catalogue if courses do not appear in the database.

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. 
You must still check the host university course catalogue to see if courses from the Credit Precedent Database are still on offer and in the correct semester of your exchange.

Study areas taught in English

Undergraduate
Anthropology
Archaeology
Art history
Biological sciences
Biomedical science
Chemical engineering
Chemistry and biochemistry
Chinese
Civil engineering
Classical languages
Computer science
Criminology
Drama
Earth and Geographical Sciences
Economics
Electrical engineering
English
English literature
Environmental studies
Exercise science
Film, TV and media
Finance
Food science
French
Gender Studies
General Electives
German
History and ancient history
International business
International relations
Italian
Japanese
Law
Leadership and Management
Linguistics
Marketing
Materials engineering
Mathematics and statistics
Mechanical engineering
Metallurgical engineering
Music
Peace and conflict studies
Philosophy
Physics
Political science
Psychology
Public policy
Religion
Russian
Sociology
Spanish
Writing
Postgraduate
General Electives

Exchange deadlines

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (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. 

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

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (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 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

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)