We welcome undergraduate applications from all candidates offering A level or equivalent overseas qualifications (including the International Baccalaureate or a recognised Foundation Programme). All candidates must achieve appropriate grades in their examinations.
Academic requirements
The A level requirements are listed under the 'entry requirements' tab on the relevant course page in our course finder. To find out what the grade requirements would be for a qualification that you have studied in your own country, please select your country from the drop-down list on the relevant course page, or see your individual country page information.
English language requirements
In order to undertake a programme of study here at the University, you will need to demonstrate that you have a suitable level of English proficiency. You can demonstrate your level of English with IELTS/TOEFL/PTE or alternative qualifications. The sections below will tell you what grades you need in these qualifications for the subject area you want to study. Please note that English tests/qualifications normally need to have been taken within two years of the start date of your programme.
Proof of English language proficiency
For those joining us for 2022, we will accept the following additional tests as evidence of English language proficiency:
- TOEFL “At Home” Test
- IELTs Indicator (entry requirements match standard IELTs requirements listed in table below)
Foundation programme requirements
The following requirements are for programmes from the Birmingham International Academy.
English requirements
| One-year programmes |
TOEFL |
IELTS (UKVI)
|
PTE Academic (UKVI)
|
|
Foundation pathways
(one-year programme)
For all pathways and progression routes, except students intending to progress to degrees in Law, English Literature, Medicine, Pharmacy or Physiotherapy
|
Not accepted |
5.5 overall with at least 5.0 in each band |
59 with no less than 53 in all skills
|
|
Foundation pathways
(one-year programme)
For students intending to progress to degrees in Law, English Literature or Physiotherapy
(Four year pathway not available for Physiotherapy)
|
Not accepted
|
6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each band
|
64 with no less than 59 in all skills
|
|
Foundation pathways
(one-year programme)
For students intending to progress to Medicine or Pharmacy
(Four-year pathway not available for Medicine or Pharmacy)
|
Not accepted |
6.0 overall, with at least 6.0 in each band
|
64 with no less than 64 in all skills
|
|
Four-year programmes
|
TOEFL |
IELTS
|
PTE (Academic)
|
Duolingo
|
|
Bachelor's Degree with Integrated Foundation Year (Four-year programme)
For all pathways and progression routes, except students intending to progress to degrees in Law or English Literature
|
72 overall with 18 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing |
5.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each band |
A minimum of 59 in all skills
|
90-99
|
|
Bachelor's Degree with Integrated Foundation Year (Four-year programme)
For students intending to progress to degrees in Law or English Literature
|
80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing |
6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each band
|
A A minimum of 64 with no less than 59 in all skills
|
100-109
|
* For more information on the Pearson Test of English visit their website.
For entry to undergraduate (Bachelor) degree programmes
| Group | TOEFL | IELTS* | Pearson Test of English (PTE) | Cambridge English
(exams taken from 2015)*** |
|---|
| A |
80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing |
6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band
|
PTE 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills |
Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum
overall score of 169, with no less than 162
in any component |
| B |
88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing |
6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band
|
PTE 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills |
Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum
overall score of 176, with no less than 169
in any component |
| C |
95 overall with no less than 22 in any band |
7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any band
|
PTE 76 with no less than 67 in all four skills |
Cambridge English: Advanced or Cambridge English: Proficiency Minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 176 in any component |
| D |
95 overall with no less than 23 in any ban |
7.0 overall with no less than 7.0 in any band
|
PTE 67 in all four skills |
Cambridge English: Advanced or Cambridge English: Proficiency Minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 185 in any component |
*** For more information on Cambridge English exams, please visit their website. For Cambridge English exams taken before 2015, please see under Alternative Qualifications for the accepted grades.
| Group A |
Group B |
Group C |
| Biosciences |
Business, including Economics**** |
Dental Hygiene and Therapy |
| Biomedical Materials Science |
Education |
Law |
| Chemistry |
English, Drama and American and Canadian Studies |
Physiotherapy |
| Chemical Engineering |
History and Cultures |
Social Work |
| Civil Engineering |
Language, Cultures, Art History and Music |
Pharmacy |
| Computer Science |
Liberal Arts and Sciences |
|
| Electronic, Electrical and Computer Engineering |
Biomedical Science |
Group D |
| Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences |
Philosophy, Theology and Religion |
Dentistry (BDS) |
| Mathematics |
Political Science and International Relations |
Medicine (MBChB) |
| Mechanical Engineering |
Public Health |
Nursing |
| Metallurgy and Materials |
Psychology |
|
| Nuclear Science/Engineering |
Social Policy |
|
| Physics and Astronomy |
Sociology |
|
| Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation Science |
|
|
| Urban and Regional Studies |
|
|
* For more information on IELTS visit their website.
** For more information on the Pearson Test of English visit their website.
**** Business School programmes require one of the following scores: A TOEFL score of 88 overall with a minimum of 22 in Writing and Speaking, an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.5 in Writing and Speaking, a Pearson Test of English score of 67 overall, with 67 in Writing and Speaking, or a Cambridge English score of 176 overall with 176 in Writing and Speaking.
Trinity ISE and LanguageCert ESOL (UKVI) are also accepted - for further information contact our Admissions team.
Alternative qualifications for undergraduate programmes
| Qualification | Minimum University requirement |
|---|
| University of Birmingham presessional English course (see below) |
Pass (see the BIA Presessional site for details) |
| GCSE English (or Edexcel IGCSE English) |
Grade C/4 or above |
| GCE O Level English |
Grade C or above |
|
Cambridge International Examinations
(CIE) IGCSE English (first language)
|
Grade C |
Cambridge International Examinations
(CIE) IGCSE English (second language) |
Grade C |
| GCE AS Level (or International AS Level) |
Grade C or above |
| GCE A Level (or International A Level) |
Grade C or above |
International Baccalaureate English,
Standard or Higher Level, First or
Second Language |
5 or above |
HKDSE (Hong Kong Diploma of
Secondary Education) English |
Group A - 3 overall, minimum of 3 in each band
Group B - 4 overall, to include 3 bands at grade 4 and 1 band at grade 3
Group C - 5 overall, to include 2 bands at grade 5 and 2 bands at grade 4
Group D - 5 overall, to include 3 bands at grade 5 and 1 band at grade 4
|
| India Standard XII (CBSE/CISCE/West Bengal) |
Group A - 75% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 75% West Bengal or 80% Other State boards
Group B - 80% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 75% West Bengal or 85% Other State boards
Group C - 85% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 80% West Bengal or 90% Other State boards
Group D - 85% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 80% West Bengal or 90% Other State boards
|
| Malaysian SPM 1119 (Cambridge O Level) |
Grade C or above |
Please note that the grades stated above are the University minimum and some degree programmes will have higher requirements. Always check your offer letter for full details of your conditions.
English language courses
If you do not have the required level of English or would like to improve your English before the start of the academic year, you can take one of our presessional English language courses.
Learn more
For advice on entry requirements or English language requirements for specific courses, you can contact the Admissions Tutor listed against the course entry in the course finder or visit the relevant department's website.
Special requirements
For some courses there are very specific entry requirements concerning a students' fitness to practice their chosen course of study. For information concerning these requirements, please visit the following page which also contains important information concerning the University's conditions of study:
Alternative qualifications
If exams in your country are cancelled and this affects the final qualification you receive from your school, the University of Birmingham will consider suitable alternatives. We will confirm what these suitable alternatives are after confirmation has been received from the Government or Education Ministry in your country that exams have been cancelled, and what qualification matriculating students will receive.