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.