University of Birmingham and USA

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 from the USA may already meet the English language requirement (UK-GCSE equivalent) through one of the following English related tests: SAT II Subject test (min score 650), AP (min grade 4),  Honours classes or College-level course (min B+), HSD (pass grade at grade 12 level), ACT English composite score (min 28), SAT-R Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (min score 670), International Baccalaureate English, Standard or Higher Level, First or Second Language (min grade 5). Other English language requirements can be found here.

Foundation Pathways

High School Graduation Diploma with 'good'/grade B/GPA 3.0 average, to include grade B in Mathematics for our Engineering and Physical Sciences pathway.

For further information see the Birmingham International Academy website.

Undergraduate

Applicants from the USA can meet Maths and English (UK-GCSE) requirements with the following. We require Maths and English (or similar e.g. Calculus, Algebra) from any of the following: AP (min grade 4), SAT S/II (min score 650), Honours classes or College-level course (min B+), HSD (pass grade at grade 12 level), ACT composite score (min 28), SAT-R (min score 670), International Baccalaureate English, Standard or Higher Level, First or Second Language (min grade 5). Other English language requirements can be found here.

Applicants studying A levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, will be eligible for direct entry if you meet your chosen programme’s entry requirements.

Alternatively, applicants should satisfy the following:

1. A minimum score of 3.2/4.0 GPA on the High School Diploma (HSD) (non-weighted)

PLUS

2. Three distinct subject tests are required from a combination of either: (These options can be used in various combinations to meet our standard 3 subject A level requirement)

• International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level (HL) Subject Tests
• Advanced Placement tests (APs)
• Honours classes (Year 11/12-(1 year duration)
• College Level /dual level classes (academic, full year)
• SAT II Subject Tests (prior to being discontinued in Jan 2021)

To offer greater flexibility, one of the following tests can be used to replace one of the three subject test requirements listed above:  (for a specific subject requirement this would not be accepted)

• Composite ACT with a score of 28+ to replace one subject test (not accepted to replace a subject requirement.)

• SAT-R with a score of 1350+ to replace one subject test (not to replace a subject requirement.)  (SAT superscores are not accepted)

For example:

(For a course that requires: A level AAA (with no specific subject requirements). This means you could present with an HSD (3.3) + ACT (28), AP History (5) and an Honours Earth/Environmental Science (A).)

(For a course that requires: A levels AAB (A level Mathematics required). This means you could present with an HSD 3.2+, 2 subject test and as A level Mathematics is required AP Calculus BC.)                                                                     

A table of accepted A level grade equivalents can be found below.Use this table to work out the equivalents to the A level entry requirements to your preferred course(s).

Table of accepted A level grade equivalents

(UK) A level	IB HL Subject Tests	AP Test	Honours Classes (Yr 11/12) (1 year duration)	College/ Dual Level Classes (Full year)	SAT II  Subject Test (discontinued in 2021)	ACT	SAT-R	Associate Degree or Year at Community College  or US University
A*	7	5	A+	A+	720	29	1380	GPA 3.3
A	6	5	A	A	700	28	1350	GPA 3.2
B	5	4	B+	B+	650	28	1350	GPA 3.1
C	4	3	B-	B	630	27	1320	GPA 3.0

• Where a certain A-level subject is required for entry to the course students must present with a suitable subject test, or have studied that subject at Community College, at a USA University or during their Associate’s degree. 
  (We advise that you look at the course pages and select entry requirements to find out if there are specific subject requirements)
• For subjects requiring A-level Mathematics applicants must present with AP Calculus BC or International Baccalaureate HL Mathematics. (We do not accept AP Calculus AB to fulfil this requirement). Please check the individual course pages for our typical A-level requirements and see below for the corresponding scores.
• IB Higher Level (HL) Subject Tests should be shown on the transcript or through a certificate.
• Advanced Placement tests (APs) should be the certified test, we will not accept just the classes. 
• Honours classes (Year 11/12-(1 year duration) these should be shown on a HSD transcript named as 'H' Honours', 'Hons' and to be taken in the USA.
• College Level /dual level classes (academic, full year) should be shown on a transcript or certificate and named as academic subject (rather than practical or recreational) to be taken in the USA.

As an alternative to the above HSD and 3 tests, we can accept an Associate’s Degree, or one year at a Community College or a USA University to be accepted onto the first year of an undergraduate degree. 

A levels	Associate degree /One year at a Community College or USA University equivalent
A*AA	3.3 - Plus English and Maths requirements
AAA	3.2 - Plus English and Maths requirements
AAB	3.1 - Plus English and Maths requirements
ABB	3.0 - Plus English and Maths requirements

Entry requirements for Medicine and Surgery MBChB: SAT1 score of 1380 or ACT score of 29. Three AP subjects at grade 5, including Biology and Chemistry or three SAT subject test scores of 700, 700 and 700, including Biology and Chemistry.
We will also accept appropriate combinations of SAT and AP scores (We cannot accept other test for this programme)

Please note:

• For Medicine country specific requirements, please visit our Applying to Medicine website look for International Applicants.
• For Dentistry, please see the general entry requirements listed on the Dental Surgery course page.
• Our BNurs -Adult courses detail international entry requirements and useful tips. 

We are registered with ACT, therefore if you wish to provide your qualifications to us you can find our details on their website.

Postgraduate Taught

The University will consider students who hold an Honours degree from a recognised institution in the USA with a GPA of:

• 2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement 
• 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement 

Please note that some subjects which are studied at postgraduate level in the USA, eg. Medicine and Law, are traditionally studied at undergraduate level in the UK.

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.

The University of Birmingham is approved by the US Department of Education to offer the William D Ford Federal Direct Loan Programme, enabling eligible American students to access financial support. The University also certifies loans via private lenders. Click here for information on Financial aid for American students.

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 pleased to announce the following funding opportunities for students from the USA:

• USA Birmingham Postgraduate Scholarship
• USA Birmingham Undergraduate Scholarships
• USA Fulbright Scholarship (postgraduate)
• USA Marshall Scholarship (postgraduate)

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.

Birmingham Representatives

The University of Birmingham Representative for the USA is Alexa Haslam.

To contact us with any questions, please email northamerica@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Our admissions and recruitment teams are available to provide you with support during all stages of your enquiry and application to the University. We regularly visit the USA to enable you to meet our staff in your country, and we offer a range of ways to speak to our staff and current students to get information and advice on living and studying in Birmingham.

We are in the process of agreeing Guimond Vukovic Group (GVG) as a representative to support student athletes.

 

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. 

The student societies are an excellent way to keep in contact with home and also provide an opportunity to highlight your culture and customs in the UK. Student societies are also a useful point of contact for prospective students to Birmingham who may want to contact current students for information.

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 education 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.