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Undergraduate entry requirements

To be considered by Birmingham, you'll need to meet the University’s general entry requirements as well as the specific entry requirements of your chosen programme. 

Literacy and numeracy skills

We require literacy and numeracy skills which can normally be demonstrated if you have the following: GCSE English and GCSE mathematics (including IGCSEs), both grade 4 or above.

Some programmes may require a particular grade in one or both of these subjects. This will be noted on the course web pages in our course finder.

Age

Applicants must normally also be 17 years old by 1 October of the year in which their programme starts, unless they are applying to a programme which includes a mandatory clinical placement. For programmes which include a mandatory clinical placement, applicants must have reached the age of 18 years on 1 October of the year of entry.

Special requirements

For some programmes in medical and health sciences or where there is contact with vulnerable adults or children, a full Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required. You may also be required to sign a Code of Professional Conduct and meet Fitness to Practise requirements. Some programmes may also require certain immunisations and a health declaration.

Qualifications we accept

  • Three GCE A levels (including International A Levels)
  • The International Baccalaureate Diploma
  • SQA Highers and Advanced Highers (many programmes will accept Highers without additional Advanced Highers)
  • The Cambridge Pre-U (minimum three separate subjects)
  • A mix of A levels and Cambridge Pre-U subjects (minimum three in total)
  • The Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level
  • The European Baccalaureate
  • Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (the grade required will be the same as from an A level and must be combined with 2 A levels.)

 

Other qualifications considered

GCSE equivalents (numerical grades)

Some GCSEs are awarded with numerical grades and others with letter grades. Below shows how we equate these different types of GCSE grade:

  • A* = 8
  • A = 7
  • B = 6
  • C = 4

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Our policy on the IB qualification is focused on attainment in the Higher Level subjects. Therefore, offers are based on three Higher Level grades with a minimum overall mark of 32. (Note that this excludes Liberal Arts and Natural Sciences).

  • A*AA = 7,6,6 at Higher Level (to include any required subjects) with a minimum of 32 points overall
  • AAA = 6,6,6 at Higher Level (to include any required subjects) with a minimum of 32 points overall
  • AAB = 6,6,5 at Higher Level (to include any required subjects) with a minimum of 32 points overall
  • ABB = 6,5,5 at Higher Level (to include any required subjects) with a minimum of 32 points overall

BTECs

Many programmes will be happy to accept the BTEC Extended Diploma qualification, and combinations of BTECs and A levels, providing that any subject-specific requirements are met. Not all of our programmes will accept BTEC qualifications alone for entry. Please check our course finder for detailed programme requirements.

T Levels

T Levels are acceptable qualifications for admission to some of our courses. Course pages will detail where this is the case, which T level(s) are acceptable, and the required overall and core component grades. As further T Level subjects are introduced the specifications will be reviewed and, where suitable, added to the lists of acceptable qualifications.

Access to HE

Access to HE qualifications will be considered by some programmes. However, this is usually on a case-by-case basis – check our course finder for more information.

International A levels and iGCSE

We accept all International GCSEs and A levels as equivalent qualifications to standard GCSEs and A levels.

UCAS tariff

UCAS operate a tariff points system and although we will use this to help assess qualifications, we do not make offers based on tariff points. Please note that in addition to tariff information, all qualifications are assessed on the basis of their suitability for your programme of study.

Returning to study

We welcome applications from people who have been out of education for some time and who may not meet the standard programme entry requirements. We encourage such applicants to contact the relevant admissions tutor in the first instance to discuss the suitability of your qualifications and experience.