University of Birmingham and India

The University has a long and proud history of engaging with India. We welcomed the first students from India to our Edgbaston Campus in 1909 to study for degrees in Mining and in Commerce. Since then we have provided education for more than 1000 Indian alumni, including high ranking government officials who study Public Policy in the International Development Department. There are currently over more than 210 Indian students at the University following undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

The University of Birmingham is among the world’s top 100 universities, renowned for changing lives and transforming society. Birmingham is a founding member of the Russell Group with a glorious, green campus, outstanding teaching and facilities and a vibrant and welcoming community. Located in the heart of England, Birmingham is an exciting and vibrant city with a fascinating history. Committed to providing students with outstanding teaching and facilities, there’s never been a more exciting time to study at the University of Birmingham.

We have dedicated international recruitment officers across both campuses who will support you during all stages of your enquiry and application to the University.

University of Birmingham Dubai

As a truly global University we offer programmes in our Birmingham and Dubai campus. Whichever campus you choose, you can be assured that you will receive the same high-quality education taught by leading experts in their field, and you will play your part in our global Birmingham student community.

Our campus development in Dubai marks the latest phase in the University of Birmingham's global expansion and builds on our extensive international research collaborations, CPD programmes, distance learning courses, and well-established international teaching activities across the world.

Visit our Dubai page

Malvika Iyer

Clinical Psychology MRes

“My experience at the University has been wonderful. I have had the opportunity to work with excellent supervisors on fascinating projects. I have made good friends who come from an assortment of backgrounds and nationalities. I would have to say that a combination of these experiences has immensely contributed to me taking away a lot more from the table than I came with.”

The following information is for guidance only and should be used together with the University's general entrance requirements and any specific degree programme requirements.

Please note: If you have taken exams which are from another country's national education system (eg the Arbitur from Germany or SAT and AP exams from the USA) you should consult the country specific section for that country for qualification equivalence information. If you are unsure about the acceptability of your qualifications for entry to Birmingham please contact us for further details.

English Language

You will need to demonstrate a certain level of English language, either through an English test such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, or we may be able to accept your previous or alternative qualifications as evidence. Please view the entry requirements for specific programme requirements, and details on our presessional English language courses.

Applicants with appropriate grades in Standard XII English (English Core/English Elective/Functional English in CBSE) do not require additional SELT qualifications.

Foundation Pathways

Our foundation pathways are suitable if you have completed a high school qualification that is below the equivalent standard of UK A levels, and therefore doesn't allow for direct entry to undergraduate courses at UK universities. We will also consider students who have completed qualifications that would normally lead to direct entry onto an undergraduate degree, whose grades are slightly below our undergraduate entry criteria. Please visit the Birmingham International Academy website for more information.

Holders of the Standard XII Higher Secondary Certificate with an average score of 65% from for ICSE, CBSE, West Bengal State Board will be considered for entry to Birmingham Foundation Academy. All other state boards require 70% overall.

If you wish to apply for our Engineering and Physical Sciences pathway you need to have at least 65% in mathematics from ICSE, CBSE, West Bengal State Boards.

To apply for a Biology based degree you will need to have a least 65% in Biology from ICSE, CBSE, West Bengal State Boards.

Undergraduate

Entry requirements for applicants with qualifications from India

Holders of the Indian Standard XII will be considered for entry to the first year of our undergraduate degree programmes. 

  • A*AA = 90% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 85% West Bengal or 95% Other State boards
  • AAA = 85% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 80% West Bengal or 90% Other State boards
  • AAB = 80% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 75% West Bengal or 85% Other State boards
  • ABB/BBB = 75% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra and West Bengal or 80% Other State boards

Where a programme requires a specific A'level subject grade please refer to the guidance below for Indian Standard XII equivalent.

  • A* = 90% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 85% West Bengal or 95% Other State boards
  • A = 85% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 80% West Bengal or 90% Other State boards
  • B = 80% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra and 75% West Bengal or 85% Other State boards

Please note:

  • For Medicine country specific requirements, please visit our Applying to Medicine website.
  • For Dentistry, please see the general entry requirements listed on the Dental Surgery course page.

Postgraduate Taught

Entry requirements for applicants with qualifications from India

Holders of a Bachelors degree of three or four years in duration from a recognised university in India will be considered for postgraduate taught study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved 55% - 60% or higher for 2:1 equivalency, or 50% - 55% for 2:2 equivalency depending on the awarding institution.  

Either: A four-year Bachelors degree (first class or very good upper second class)

Or: A three-year Bachelors degree (first class) from recognised institutions in India.

For MSc programmes, the Business School will consider holders of three-year degree programmes (first class or very good upper second class) from recognised institutions in India.

For entry to LLM programmes, Birmingham is happy to accept applications from 3 or 5 year LLB holders from India from prestigious institutions.

Postgraduate Research

Entry requirements for applicants with qualifications from India

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a 60% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Funding

Find out more about fees and funding for undergraduate, postgraduate taught or postgraduate research courses, or click here for information on international tuition fees.

Scholarships

To reward outstanding achievement and to help ensure that fears about finance do not constrain our students, we are pleased to offer a number of prestigious international scholarships.

We are also pleased to offer the following scholarships specifically for Indian students:

Use the links below to search our funding and scholarship databases:

Search the undergraduate funding database
Search the postgraduate funding database

There are lots of ways to find out more about Birmingham. We run regular live chats where you can ask us any questions you might have about your application or the University. Visit our Live Chats page to find out when the next events are.

YYour country representatives are Navjyot Kohli, Nidhi Manocha, Mayuri Rajput and Ramesh Veluchamy. The team will be happy to answer any queries you might have, please send an email and they will respond as quickly as possible.  Alternatively you could contact one of our recognised Agent representatives below.

Birmingham Representatives

Aspire Overseas Education Pvt. Ltd
www.aspirebig.com

Edvoy India
www.edvoy.com

Edwise International LLP 
www.edwiseinternational.com

Envision Overseas
www.envisionoverseas.in

Fateh Education (Crizac)
www.fateheducation.com

Gateway Abroad (Crizac)
www.gatewayabroad.com

IDP Education India
www.india.idp.com

Intake Education
www.intake.education

KC Overseas Education (formally Krishna Consultants)
www.studies-overseas.com

Leverage Edu  
www.leverageedu.com

SI UK India  
www.studyin-uk.in

Student Connect
www.studentconnect.org

TC Global (formally The Chopra's)
www.tcglobal.com

TCL Global (Talib Consultancy Private Limited)
www.tclglobal.co.uk

Birmingham Visits

Our beautiful campus is open to the public throughout the year, so if you are in the UK and would like to visit, you can book onto a campus tour. We run regular live chats as an opportunity to talk to our staff. Please visit our Live Chats page to find out when we will be available for online events, which include live chat and videos.

Student Experience

The University of Birmingham is a fantastic choice for your academic study. Our thriving campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of exciting activities to get involved in outside of your studies, too.

Beautiful surroundings and fantastic facilities

When you step onto campus, you are immersed in our historic red-brick buildings and glorious green spaces. You'll find our Edgbaston campus both a peaceful and vibrant place to spend your time, whether it's studying on one of the lawns, or enjoying a hot drink in one our many cafes.

When you are on campus, you are in the heart of University life - it's the perfect place to meet friends, whether it's to have a bite to eat, discuss your seminar notes or meet up before heading off to a sports club or society.

You can also take advantage of our fantastic facilities on campus. Study in our state-of-the-art academic library with its stunning views over campus, or go for a swim after lectures at our brand new £55 million Sport and Fitness Club.

Student societies

Many nationality groups form student societies during their time at the University of Birmingham, which is an excellent way to keep in contact with home and also provide an opportunity to highlight your culture and customs in the UK. Societies are also a useful point of contact for prospective students to Birmingham who may want to contact current students for information.

Bharat Parivar was set up with the objective of providing advice and guidance to new students as well as offering an informal platform for interaction. The group organises events throughout the academic calendar and provides an opportunity to students to meet their peers from India. Bharat Parivar has close links with the Indian Consulate in Birmingham, and other societies such as Tamil People and Telugu People in the UK. Bharat Parivar has also organised events in partnership with external private organisations such as National Indian Students Union (NISU), UK and Incredible India, UK. In addition to the website there is also a Facebook page.

Careers

We offer dedicated support for international students, including an international careers consultant and a team of international student ambassadors. We will support you in developing the skills you will need to fully prepare for the working world or further academic study, whether this is in your home country or elsewhere.

Our Careers Network researches jobs all over the world. We host fairs, workshops and presentations, which are attended by many large, global companies that offer opportunities worldwide. We also offer a huge database of information on employers, vacancies and industry trends in a range of countries.

Alumni

The University of Birmingham has many strong alumni groups all over the world. Alumni groups are an excellent way of keeping in contact with the University and with other graduates from Birmingham who live in your country. Some alumni groups meet on a regular basis for social and professional events.

If you would like to meet up with University staff when they are in your country or you would be willing to help promote the University at exhibitions, we would also like to hear from you. You can find out if there is an alumni group in your country or join our alumni mailing list on the Alumni website.

Contact Details

For all general queries about becoming an international student at Birmingham, please complete and submit our enquiry form.

The British Council has offices in many countries throughout the world which are able to provide you with advice about studying in the UK. Most offices also have an education library and Internet facilities where you can consult university material. The British Council can also provide advice about funding opportunities.