Founded in 1853, Birmingham City University (BCU) is located in the city of Birmingham, England. The student population of this institution is made up of students from over 80 nationalities, which allows newly arrived foreign students to quickly feel welcome and at home. State-of-the-art facilities and resources await students on all courses, including the latest Engineering technology, 3D Printing studios, and Horology Workshops, just to name a few. BCU maintains a reputation for having a selective admissions process, so all applicants are recommended to prepare for their interview thoroughly.
Latest ranking updates for Birmingham City University
- March 2024: Birmingham City University ranks 1235 in the latest Scimago Institutions Rankings from Scimago Institutions.
- December 2023: New edition of URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance. Birmingham City University ranked #1427.
- December 2023: QS World University Rankings: Sustainability update. Birmingham City University achieves place 1201.
- October 2023: New edition of THE World University Rankings by Subject (Business and Economics). Birmingham City University ranked #501.
University rankings
-
-
- #89
- #110
-
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #76
- #95
-
The Guardian League Table
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
-
- #73
- #90
-
CUG The Complete University Guide
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #56
- #601
-
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
-
-
- #65
- #1001
-
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
-
-
- #72
- #1235
-
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
-
-
- #61
- #1427
-
URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023]
-
-
- #74
- #537
-
StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021]
-
-
- #74
- #1201
-
QS World University Rankings: Sustainability
[Published 05 December, 2023]
-
-
- #69
- #1148
-
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]
-
-
- #68
- #859
-
THE China Subject Ratings Overall
[Published 11 May, 2022]
Historic rankings in TOP global university rankings
Subject rankings
Architecture, Building & Planning
-
-
- #19
- #24
-
- Architecture
-
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #20
- #26
-
- Architecture
-
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
-
- #25
- #33
-
- Architecture
-
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
Arts Visual & Performing
-
-
- #11
- #11
-
- Creative Writing
-
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #26
- #30
-
- Creative Writing
-
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #17
- #18
-
- Music
-
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
-
- #17
- #21
-
- Music
-
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #18
- #23
-
- Music
-
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
Business
-
-
- #42
- #54
-
- Marketing
-
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
Computer Science
-
-
- #41
- #57
-
- Computer Science
-
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #56
- #72
-
- Computer Science
-
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #46
- #601
-
- Computer Science
-
THE World University Rankings by Subject
[Published 19 October, 2023]
Design
-
-
- #17
- #21
-
- Graphic Design
-
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
-
- #23
- #25
-
- Interior Design
-
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Education
-
-
- #32
- #39
-
- Education
-
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
-
- #32
- #44
-
- Education
-
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #62
- #77
-
- Education
-
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #48
- #501
-
- Education
-
THE World University Rankings by Subject
[Published 19 October, 2023]
Engineering
-
-
- #21
- #31
-
- Civil Engineering
-
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #27
- #39
-
- Civil Engineering
-
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
-
- #31
- #43
-
- Civil Engineering
-
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #39
- #501
-
- Engineering
-
THE World University Rankings by Subject
[Published 19 October, 2023]
-
-
- #50
- #63
-
- Mechanical Engineering
-
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #54
- #67
-
- Mechanical Engineering
-
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
-
- #53
- #68
-
- Mechanical Engineering
-
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
Journalism & Media Studies
-
-
- #34
- #40
-
- Journalism
-
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Languages & Literature
-
-
- #24
- #31
-
- English
-
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #38
- #48
-
- English
-
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #71
- #85
-
- English
-
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Law
-
-
- #61
- #77
-
- Law
-
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #72
- #90
-
- Law
-
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #81
- #99
-
- Law
-
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
Social Studies & Humanities
-
-
- #49
- #61
-
- Economics
-
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
-
- #54
- #67
-
- Economics
-
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #58
- #70
-
- Economics
-
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #46
- #60
-
- Psychology
-
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
-
- #56
- #72
-
- Psychology
-
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #57
- #77
-
- Psychology
-
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #76
- #601
-
- Social Sciences
-
THE World University Rankings by Subject
[Published 19 October, 2023]
-
-
- #31
- #37
-
- Social Work
-
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #28
- #37
-
- Social Work
-
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
-
- #39
- #50
-
- Social Work
-
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #52
- #64
-
- Sociology
-
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #54
- #67
-
- Sociology
-
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
Sports Science
-
-
- #30
- #37
-
- Sports Science
-
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
-
-
- #49
- #64
-
- Sports Science
-
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #53
- #69
-
- Sports Science
-
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
Highest subject rankings for Birmingham City University
Creative Writing
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
#11
Arts Visual & Performing
Graphic Design
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#21
Design
Architecture
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
#24
Architecture, Building & Planning
Civil Engineering
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
#31
Engineering
English
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
#31
Languages & Literature
Social Work
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#37
Social Studies & Humanities
Sports Science
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#37
Sports Science
Education
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#39
Education
Journalism
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#40
Journalism & Media Studies
Marketing
CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#54
Business
Student Ratings for Birmingham City University
- Student satisfaction:
- 3.2 (based on 54 student ratings)
-
Facebook ratings:
- 3.2 (based on 54 student ratings)
“I’ve found the lecturers to be quite supportive and always willing to help their students. I am happy with my experience overall, I just wish there were more of a sociable university feeling on-campus, as people keep to themselves more than I expected as an international student.”
“I’ve already had the chance to work on producing a movie’s soundtrack just 4 months after graduating from my Sound Engineering and Production course, and I expect to be called back again in the future.”
About Birmingham City University
PROS
- Students are happy with the fact that lecturers make an effort to help their students as individuals, learning their strengths and weaknesses.
- Employment opportunities are varied in Birmingham, giving recently -graduated students the chance to start working as soon as possible. Many students even look for part -time work while studying, as there are options here.
- There are many designated study and relaxation areas, giving learners the facilities they need for both socializing and for getting to work.
CONS
- There’s a lack of school spirit, according to students who say that most people at BCU just keep to themselves.
- Students have expressed that communication from admin can be poor, especially when it comes to the changing of exam dates and similar issues.
Key facts
- Foundation year:
- 1992
- Telephone:
- +44 121 331 5000
- Address:
-
- 15 Bartholomew Row
- B5 5JU, Birmingham
- England UK
- Website:
- https://www.bcu.ac.uk/
- Social:
- Nobel prize laureates:
- Norman Haworth (Birmingham City University, 1937)
Requirements for international students / English requirements
IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)
-
- 6.5
- Business Graduate Degrees/ Master Degrees
-
- 6.0
- General Requirements
-
- 7.0
- LLM
-
- 6.0
- MBA & MSc
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NSS Aggregate Student reviews
Below you see the results of Birmingham City University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK universities.
Overall student satisfaction
74
/100
2985 total respondents
Source: National Student Survey NSS 2023. The Overall student satisfaction data point is from 2022 (latest available year). The Office for Students made the unfortunate decision to discontinue collecting overall student satisfaction data points per course.
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students
THE Student Experience Survey by Times Higher Education
Times Higher Education has surveyed 20251 undergraduate students in the UK about their study experience. 190 students of Birmingham City University participated in the survey.
Below you'll find the results for each of the survey questions for Birmingham City University in comparison to the average for all UK universities.
Overall score: 72.5
Data is from 2018 which was the last year for which the survey was published. Survey was discontinued after 2018. Details of Methodology
Student composition of Birmingham City University
- undergraduates:
- 20675
- postgraduates:
- 5010
- Total:
- 25685
- Nursing and Midwifery:
- 5620
- Business and Management:
- 3850
- Creative Arts and Design:
- 2300
- Education and Teaching:
- 2140
- Law:
- 1405
- Computing:
- 1340
- Sociology:
- 1320
- Architecture, Building and Planning:
- 1255
- Psychology:
- 1255
- Performing Arts:
- 940
- Electrical And Electronic Engineering:
- 790
- Mechanical Engineering:
- 740
- Biosciences:
- 575
- Sport and Exercise Sciences:
- 405
- Social Policy:
- 310
- English Studies:
- 275
- Civil Engineering:
- 95
- Materials and Technology:
- 50
- India:
- 1600
- China:
- 555
- Nigeria:
- 495
- Pakistan:
- 220
- Bangladesh:
- 70
- Malaysia:
- 55
- Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China):
- 40
- Ghana:
- 35
- United States:
- 30
- Iran:
- 30
- Egypt:
- 30
- Vietnam:
- 25
- Zimbabwe:
- 25
- Sri Lanka:
- 25
- Taiwan:
- 25
- Tanzania:
- 20
- Kenya:
- 20
- United Arab Emirates:
- 20
- Saudi Arabia:
- 15
- Philippines:
- 15
- Qatar:
- 15
- Nepal:
- 15
- Oman:
- 10
- South Africa:
- 10
- Canada:
- 10
- Thailand:
- 10
- Indonesia:
- 10
- Korea (South):
- 10
- Occupied Palestinian Territories {formerly West Ba:
- 5
- Israel:
- 5
- Kuwait:
- 5
- Lebanon:
- 5
- Japan:
- 5
- Syria:
- 5
- Yemen:
- 5
- Jamaica:
- 5
- Montserrat:
- 5
- Sint Maarten (Dutch part):
- 5
- Brazil:
- 5
- Libya:
- 5
- Norway:
- 5
- Russia:
- 5
- Switzerland:
- 5
- Turkey:
- 5
- Ukraine:
- 5
- Angola:
- 5
- Cameroon:
- 5
- Gambia, The:
- 5
- Bahrain:
- 5
- Morocco:
- 5
- Rwanda:
- 5
- Sierra Leone:
- 5
- Zambia:
- 5
- Afghanistan:
- 5
- Brunei:
- 5
- Albania:
- 5
- Singapore:
- 5
Campuses of Birmingham City University
Show on map
-
University of Birmingham
#15
(4.7 Km)
-
Aston University
#30
(0.49 Km)
-
Newman University
#110
(9.24 Km)
FAQ
Birmingham City University ranks #65 in England UK in our meta ranking of 112 university rankings. See rankings of all 382 universities in England UK.
Birmingham City University ranks #3 in Birmingham in our meta ranking. See rankings of all 8 universities in Birmingham.
Birmingham City University is listed in The Times Good University Guide, The Guardian League Table, CUG The Complete University Guide, THE World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, Scimago Institutions Rankings and more. See all 17 rankings of Birmingham City University.
Birmingham City University achieved #90 in CUG The Complete University Guide. This is the university’s highest ranking in the 112 rankings tracked on our website. See all rankings for Birmingham City University.
Birmingham City University achieved the highest ranking for Arts Visual & Performing. It is ranked #1 in The Guardian University League Tables by Subject (Film Production and Photography). See all subject rankings for Birmingham City University.
A large number of university rankings include surveys among academics on reputation. In our meta ranking of 112 university rankings Birmingham City University ranks #3 among universities in Birmingham and #65 among universities in England UK. See all rankings of Birmingham City University.
In our meta ranking Birmingham City University ranks #65 among all universities in England UK and University of Oxford ranks #1. See all rankings of universities in Birmingham. Apart from rankings you may also want to see the ratings from students who attended the universities.
Ranking publishers
The Times and The Sunday Times
- Published:
- 15 September, 2023
- Published:
- 15 September, 2023
The Guardian News and Media Limited
- Published:
- 09 September, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -The Guardian League Table:
- Student to Staff Ratio: 15%
Entry Standards: 15%
Expenditure per Student: 5%
Continuation 15% (non-medical subjects) OR 5% (medical subjects)
NSS - Teaching: 8%
NSS - Assessment & Feedback: 8%
NSS - Overall Satisfaction: 4%
Career Prospects: 15%
Value added: 15%
- Published:
- 09 September, 2023
The University League Tables
- Published:
- 08 June, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -CUG The Complete University Guide:
- Entry Standards 12.5%
Student Satisfaction 18.75%
Student-Staff Ratio 12.5%
Research Quality 12.5%
Research Intensity 6.25%
Academic Service Spending 6.25%
Facilities Spending 6.25%
Graduate Prospects 12.5%
Degree Completion Rate 12.5%
- Published:
- 08 June, 2023
Rogers Digital Media
- Published:
- 12 October, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -MacLeans University Rankings - Comprehensive:
- Students 28%
Faculty 24%
Resources 20%
Reputation 15%
Student support 13%
U-Ranking
RUY
América Economía
Perspektywy
THE Times Higher Education, UK
- Published:
- 27 September, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings:
- 30% Teaching (the Learning Environment)
- Reputation survey: 15%
- Staff-to-student ratio: 4.5%
- Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio: 2.25%
- Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio: 6%
- Institutional income: 2.25%
30% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)
- Reputation survey: 18%
- Research income: 6%
- Research productivity: 6%
30% Citations (Research Influence)
7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)
- Proportion of international students: 2.5%
- Proportion of international staff: 2.5%
- International collaboration: 2.5%
2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)"
- Published:
- 23 November, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -THE Global Employability University Ranking:
- Employability (survey) 100%
- Published:
- 19 October, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings by Subject:
- 37.4% Teaching (the Learning Environment)
37.6% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)
15% Citations (Research Influence)
7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)
2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)
- Published:
- 27 July, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World Reputation Rankings:
- Research Reputation 66,6%
Teaching Reputation 33,3%
- Published:
- 25 January, 2024
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World’s Most International Universities:
- Proportion of international students 25%
Proportion of international staff 25%
Proportion of journal publications with one or more international co-authors 25%
University’s international reputation 25%
- Published:
- 03 July, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -THE Young University Rankings:
- Teaching 30%
Research (volume, income and reputation) 30%
Citations 30%
International outlook (staff, students, research) 7.5%
Industry income (knowledge transfer) 2.5%
- Published:
- 01 June, 2023
- Published:
- 10 May, 2022
- Published:
- 11 May, 2022
British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK
- Published:
- 27 June, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:
- Academic Reputation 40%
Employer Reputation 10%
Faculty/Student Ratio 20%
Citations per faculty 20%
International Faculty Ratio 5%
International Student Ratio 5%
- Published:
- 23 September, 2021
- Criteria used in ranking -QS Employability Rankings:
- Employer reputation 30%
Alumni outcomes 25%
Partnerships with Employers per Faculty 25%
Employer/Student Connections 10%
Graduate employment rate 10%
- Published:
- 24 June, 2020
- Criteria used in ranking -QS 50 under 50:
- Based on the QS World University rankings methodology, the top 50 universities that are under 50 years old.
Academic Reputation 40%
Employer Reputation 10%
Faculty/Student Ratio 20%
Citations per faculty 20%
International Faculty Ratio 5%
International Student Ratio 5%
- Published:
- 05 December, 2023
RUF
Sapiens Research
Thomson Reuters
- Published:
- 23 October, 2019
- Criteria used in ranking -Reuters Most Innovative Universities:
- Patent Volume 33%
Patent Citations 34%
Industry Article Citation Impact 11%
Percent of Industry Collaborative Articles 11%
Total Web of Science Core Collection Papers 11%
- Published:
- 30 April, 2019
- Criteria used in ranking -Reuters Most Innovative Universities Europe:
- Patent volume 11.11%
Patent success 11.11%
Global patents 11.11%
Patent citations 11.11%
Percent of patents cited / Patent citation impact 11.11%
Patent to Article Citation Impact 11.11%
Industry Article Citation Impact 11.11%
Percent of Industry Collaborative Articles 11.11%
Total Web of Science Core Collection Papers 11.11%
National Institutional Ranking Framework
Careers360
Us News
- Published:
- 24 October, 2022
Urap
- Published:
- 19 December, 2023
Forbes
Payscale
- Published:
- 11 November, 2021
- Criteria used in ranking -Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only):
- Ranking is based on ROI
- Published:
- 11 November, 2021
ShanghaiRanking Consultancy
- Published:
- 15 August, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking:
- **Quality of Education 10%**
- Alumni winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 10%
**Quality of Faculty 40%**
- Staff winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 20%
- Highly Cited Researchers 20%
**Research Output 40%**
- Papers published in Nature and Science 20%
- Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded & Social Science Citation Index 20%
**Per Capita Performance 10%**
- Published:
- 27 October, 2023
Washington Monthly
Kiplinger
The Princeton Review
Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Netherlands
- Published:
- 22 June, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -CWTS Leiden Ranking:
- Scientific Impact
Number of Publications
Collaboration
Open Access
Gender Diversity
Scimago Institutions
- Published:
- 06 March, 2024
- Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:
- Research 50%
Innovation 30%
Societal 20%
CWUR Center for World University Rankings
- Published:
- 25 April, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -CWUR Center for World University Rankings:
- **Research Performance: 40%**
- Research Output: 10%
- High-Quality Publications: 10%
- Influence: 10%
- Citations: 10%
**Quality of Education: 25%**
**Alumni Employment: 25%**
**Quality of Faculty: 10%**
MONEY
Nature Index
- Published:
- 15 June, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -Nature Index - Academic:
- Article count (AC)
Fractional count (FC)
Weighted fractional count (WFC)
NTU ranking
- Published:
- 11 July, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers:
- **Research Productivity: 25%**
- \# Articles last 11 years: 10%
- \# Articles current year: 15%
**Research Impact: 35%**
- \# Citations last 11 years: 15%
- \# Citations last 2 years: 10%
- Average \# citations last 11 years: 10%
**Research Excellence: 40%**
- H-index last 2 years: 10%
- \# Highly cited papers last 11 years: 15%
- \# Articles current year in high-impact journals: 15%
RUR Ranking Agency (Moscow, Russia)
- Published:
- 25 May, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -RUR World University Rankings:
- **Teaching: 40%**
- Ratio Faculty/Student: 8%
- Ratio Faculty/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
- Ratio Faculty/Doctoral Degrees Awarded: 8%
- Ratio Doctoral Degrees Awarded/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
- World Teaching Reputation: 8%
**Research: 40%**
- Citations per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
- Doctoral Degrees per Accepted PhD: 8%
- Normalized Citation Impact: 8%
- Papers per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
- World Research Reputation: 8%
**International Diversity: 10%**
- International Faculty: 2%
- International Students: 2%
- International Co-Authored Papers: 2%
- Reputation Outside Geographical Region: 2%
- International Level: 2%
**Financial Sustainability: 10%**
- Institutional Income per Faculty: 2%
- Institutional Income per Student: 2%
- Papers per Research Income: 2%
- Research Income per Academic/Research Staff: 2%
- Research Income per Institutional Income: 2%
- Published:
- 25 May, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -RUR Academic Rankings:
- Normalized citation impact (Citations of research publications from all university authors compared with world averages) 20%
Citation per papers 20%
Papers per academic and research staff 20%
International research reputation 20%
Share of research publications written in international co-authorship 20%
- Published:
- 25 May, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -RUR Reputation Ranking:
- Teaching Reputation 50%
Research Reputation 50%
StuDocu
- Published:
- 06 September, 2021
4icu
- Published:
- 11 August, 2022
- Published:
- 11 August, 2022
Webometrics
- Published:
- 31 July, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:
- Visibility 50%
Excellence 35%
Transparency 10%
Presence 5%
