The University of Birmingham is a public research university in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England. Wikipedia counts 40,025 students for 2024/25, while the university’s own page says about 45,000.[1][2] It is ranked 68th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and joint 10th in the UK.[3]
The home undergraduate fee for 2026 entry is £9,790 a year.[4] International fees depend on the course and are quoted in the offer letter; the university pages we could read do not publish an amount, so none is given here.[5] Undergraduates apply through UCAS, postgraduates through the university website.[6]
Key facts
| Official name | University of Birmingham |
| Location | Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, England[7] |
| Type | Public research university; founding member of the Russell Group[1] |
| Founded | Royal charter in 1900; roots in the Birmingham School of Medicine and Surgery (1825), Queen’s College (1843) and Mason Science College (1875)[1] |
| Students | 40,025 in 2024/25 (25,530 undergraduate, 14,500 postgraduate), per Wikipedia; the university states “approximately 45,000” on an undated page[1] |
| Academic staff | 4,865 in 2024/25[1] |
| Colleges | Arts and Law; Engineering and Physical Sciences; Life and Environmental Sciences; Medicine and Health; Social Sciences[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 68th in the world (up eight places); joint 10th in the UK[3] |
| Home tuition, 2026 entry | £9,790 per year (first year of study)[4] |
| International tuition | Set per course and quoted in the offer letter; no amount published on the pages we read[5] |
| International first-year fee | Stays the same for the whole course, with exceptions for the International Foundation Programme and clinical courses[4] |
| Undergraduate application | Through UCAS[6] |
| English language (example course) | IELTS 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5 for BSc Biological Sciences with an International Year; other courses differ[8] |
| Official website | birmingham.ac.uk |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About the University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham received its royal charter in 1900. Its roots go back to the Birmingham School of Medicine and Surgery (1825), Queen’s College (1843) and Mason Science College (1875).[1] It is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive UK universities.[1]
The main campus is in Edgbaston, about 3 miles (4.8 km) south-west of Birmingham city centre; the university also has a Selly Oak campus.[1] Teaching and research are organised in five colleges: Arts and Law; Engineering and Physical Sciences; Life and Environmental Sciences; Medicine and Health; and Social Sciences.[1]
Student numbers differ by source. Wikipedia gives 40,025 students for 2024/25, of whom 25,530 are undergraduates and 14,500 postgraduates.[1] The university’s community page says “approximately 45,000” students and about 10,000 staff, without a date.[2] It also says that over one third of its academic staff come from overseas.[2]
How is the University of Birmingham ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the University of Birmingham is 68th in the world, up eight places, and joint 10th in the UK. The university describes this as its highest QS position in a decade and its highest ever in the UK.[3]
The same announcement lists further results: 12th in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2027 (up from 14th), and several subjects in the QS subject rankings, among them Sport in the global top 10.[3] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Birmingham?
Subjects are grouped in five colleges: Arts and Law; Engineering and Physical Sciences; Life and Environmental Sciences; Medicine and Health; and Social Sciences.[1] The university lists separate fee pages for undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research study.[5]
Each course has its own page with entry requirements and application details; BSc Biological Sciences with an International Year is one example.[8] Use the course search on the university website to compare programmes before you apply.
How much does the University of Birmingham cost?
| Student group | Fee per year | Entry year |
|---|---|---|
| Home undergraduates | £9,790 | 2026 |
| Home undergraduates (UK/Ireland) | £10,050 | 2027/28 |
| International students | Quoted per course in the offer letter | - |
The home fee of £9,790 applies to the first year of study for a 2026 offer; later years may rise if Parliament approves an increase.[4] A course page for 2027/28 entry lists £10,050 for UK/Ireland students.[8]
International fees
The university says that fees depend on the programme and study level and that the yearly fee is quoted on the offer letter.[5] We could not read an official amount: the fee fields on the course pages we opened show “To be confirmed” for international students, and the fee pages do not list figures.[8][9] We do not repeat unofficial figures from third-party sites. Check the course page and your offer.
For undergraduates, the first-year fee stays constant for the whole course, with no inflationary rise; the International Foundation Programme and clinical courses are exceptions.[4] Postgraduate taught students from overseas must pay a tuition deposit before a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is issued.[5][6] Fees are due at the start of the programme and can be paid in full or by Direct Debit instalments.[5] For living costs and visas, see our United Kingdom guide.
How do you apply to the University of Birmingham?
- Undergraduate: search for a course, then apply through UCAS. You also check the international entry requirements, prepare a transcript, personal statement, references, an English certificate if needed and passport details, and accept an offer if you receive one.[6]
- Postgraduate: search for a course and apply through the university website. Some taught courses charge a £50 application fee.[6]
- After an offer: you receive a CAS, then choose the correct visa route. Postgraduate taught students pay the tuition deposit first.[6]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by course. The course page lists the current closing date.
Which English level do you need?
The requirement depends on the course. BSc Biological Sciences with an International Year asks for IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5, or an equivalent test.[8] Other courses set different levels, so read the entry requirements of your own course.
If you do not reach the required level, the university lets you take a Presessional English course instead of retaking IELTS or a similar test.[8]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are tuition fees at the University of Birmingham for international students?
What is the University of Birmingham’s QS ranking?
It is 68th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and joint 10th in the UK.[3]
Do international students apply through UCAS?
For undergraduate study, yes. Postgraduate applicants apply through the university website.[6]
Will my tuition fee rise during my degree?
For international undergraduates the first-year fee stays constant for the course, with exceptions for the International Foundation Programme and clinical courses.[4]
What if my English test score is too low?
You can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar test.[8]
More about studying in United Kingdom (UK)
- United Kingdom (UK): best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in United Kingdom (UK)
- Durham University
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- Queen Mary University of London
- University College London (UCL)
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Exeter
- University of Glasgow
- University of Leeds
- University of Manchester
- University of Nottingham
- University of Oxford
- University of Sheffield
- University of Southampton
- University of Warwick
- University of York
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: University of Birmingham (history, student and staff numbers for 2024/25, colleges and campus)
[2] University of Birmingham: Our community (page without a date (footer © 2026))
[3] University of Birmingham: Growing global momentum takes University of Birmingham to 68th in world (QS World University Rankings 2027) (news item of 18 June 2026)
[4] University of Birmingham: Tuition fees for undergraduates (page without a date (footer © 2026); lists 2026 and 2027/28 entry)
[5] University of Birmingham: International tuition fees (page without a date (footer © 2026))
[6] University of Birmingham: Your journey to Birmingham (how to apply) (page without a date (footer © 2026))
[7] University of Birmingham: International students (address in page footer) (page without a date (footer © 2026))
[8] University of Birmingham: Biological Sciences with an International Year BSc (course page) (course page for September 2027 entry, without an update date)
[9] University of Birmingham: Postgraduate taught fees (page without a date (footer © 2026))
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.