University of Birmingham

City: Birmingham
Language of instruction: English
  • A member of the U21 network
  • A world-class University and one of the leading research-based universities in the United Kingdom
  • Created in 1900 by the citizens of Birmingham
  • First UK university to establish a Faculty of Commerce and incorporate a medical school
  • 34 000+ students (22 000 undergraduates) from 150 countries
  • University campuses are a mixture of sculptures, striking Victorian and modern buildings and facilities
  • Birmingham has a low cost of living
  • Only a few hours away by train from London

Introduction to Birmingham

Visa + Requirements|Travel advice + advisories

Read student reports

Partner university’s areas of study

  • Arts
  • Commerce (UBCV)
  • Engineering
  • Fine Arts
  • Health Sciences
  • Land and Food Systems
  • Management (UBCO)
  • Science

Eligibility and Timing

Terms Offered

  • Term 1
  • Term 2
  • Full year Term 1 + 2 (UBC Term 1 start)

Who can go?

  • Exchange students can take coursework in most areas of study
  • Students must have a minimum cumulative average of 70% or above to attend this partnership

  • International students who are nationals from countries not listed on the UK Border Agencies list of majority English speaking countries (list of approved countries) will have to submit TOEFL or ILETS scores. Expired scores will not be accepted. 

    • International students who graduated Secondary School from a country on the UK Border Agency list can provide a copy of the diploma/certificate in lieu of test scores

Term Dates

  • Semester 1: Late September to Mid January
  • Semester 2: Mid January to Late March
  • Summer semester & exam period: Early May to Mid June

Timing

  • Students attending Birmingham term 1, needing to return to UBC for Term 2 will be able to take alternative exams in December
  • It is not possible to study at Birmingham for Term 2 (Spring Term) only — students must also take the Summer term
  • It is NOT possible to ONLY take the summer term

Credits

Course equivalency formula

  • Birmingham credits divided by 4 = UBC credits

Credit transfer process

The transfer credit process takes approximately 16 weeks following each submission deadline. You should allow sufficient time to meet important deadlines that may affect you (e.g. application for graduation, registration in courses that require prerequisites that you took on exchange, entry to a major/honours program, etc.)

For more information about Go Global transfer credit

Grading scheme

  • Distinction (70 through 100%)
  • Very Good (60 through 69%)
  • Good 50 through 59%)
  • Pass (40 through 49%)
  • Fail (30 through 39%)
  • Bad Fail (less than 30%).

Passing grade

40%

Course Information

* Students who have special requirements or require academic accommodation should contact a Go Global advisor regarding their needs at least six weeks prior to the application deadline.

Type of Go Global Experiences

  • Exchange (pay UBC tuition)
  • Graduate research
  • Undergrad research

Course information and restrictions

  • There are some academic areas, such as Commerce, English, and Law, where you MUST enroll for a full academic year
  • Course registration will not take place until students arrive at Birmingham and they get permission from professors to join the course
  • Coursework at Birmingham is much more self directed and the out of class expectations are much higher than at UBC - ie: students are expected to stay atop of reading lists and readings that are not taken up in class but will be on exams
  • Many exams occur at the end of the year and are worth 100% of the grade
  • Students attending for just the first term may have to write a final paper (usually due the last day of class) instead of writing exams which occur at the end of the second semester
  • Many students have found that the exams require more of a demonstration/application of learning than they experienced here at UBC
  • Students must complete at least 40 of 60 credits per semester in their preferred college. 10 credits can be done in a second college and 10 in a third.
  • Search for courses at the University of Birmingham

Full course load information

  • Normal Full Courseload: 60 credits per term / 120 credits per year
  • Students must take a full credit load while on exchange

Partner Course Information

Transfer Credits And Equivalent Courses At This University

Check out the courses that previous students have transferred back to UBC in the last 5 years using our Course Search Tool. If you don't see a particular course you listed, it simply means you need to submit it as a new course request through the Transfer Credit Portal while on your Go Global experience. For more information, please visit the Go Global Transfer Credit webpage.

*Areas of study at partner universities are subject to change. The tool is for reference only - research the partners' websites for additional course information.

Search courses now

Exchange Tuition

  • 15 credits or equivalent full-time program fee per term, paid to UBC
  • For the summer school, tuition and other fees, aside from the application fee, are paid directly to the partner
  • Some exceptions may apply

Scholarships and awards

The Go Global Award $1000

All students accepted to Go Global for Exchange, Research Abroad, or Study Abroad travel programs are automatically considered for this award. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you'll be notified of your award after you're accepted to Go Global and after you get nominated to apply to the partner university.

Additional awards

Students who are eligible for awards may receive one UBC or UBC-affiliated international learning award. If you're eligible, you are always offered the highest-value award. Unless stated otherwise, you need to meet eligibility criteria set out by the University Senate regarding awards.

Check out international learning awards and eligibility.

Scholarships and Awards Information: 

Information for US students: 

If you are a student from the United States, please check the US Department of Education Lookup Tool to ensure that any partner institution you wish to attend on Exchange is Title IV ‘eligible’ for Federal Student Aid for the year in which you intend to study there. For institutions outside of the US, select “Foreign Country” from the “State” dropdown menu.

If you attend an eligible institution, then you may receive Title IV federal student loans while on Exchange.

If you attend an ineligible institution:

  • You will not be eligible for US federal student loans,
  • You may invalidate any US student aid you have previously received for your studies at UBC,
  • You may be required to immediately begin repaying your US student loans, and
  • You may not be eligible for any future US student aid for the remainder of your studies at UBC.

Types of accommodation available

  • Off-campus
  • On-campus

Housing notes

  • The University of Birmingham prioritizes University accommodation for students on its International Exchange Programme
  • Students will receive an accommodation application from the Study Abroad Office together with their offer letter - the accommodation form should be returned to Housing Services before the deadline
  • Many students going to the University of Birmingham have found that off-campus housing is a better option