Birmingham City University welcomes over 25,000 students from some 80 countries. Situated in Birmingham, in the UK's second-largest city with a population of around one million people. It is the youngest city in Europe, with under-25s accounting for 40 per cent of its population. Birmingham is the most visited English city outside London for European visitors and was named by travel publisher Rough Guides as one of the Top 10 Cities to visit in 2015. Birmingham has been ranked as the ninth most cost-effective city for students in the UK.
In line with the campus transformation, BCU has also transformed the curriculum with almost 350 contemporary, flexible courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level, with practice-based learning and international opportunities built into every stage. Courses include Art, the Built Environment, Business, Computing, Design, Education, Engineering, Health, Law, Life Sciences, Media and Social Sciences.
Courses gained various professional accreditation from organisations including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), British Psychological Society (BPS), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Health and Care Professions Council. BCU is the biggest provider of creative courses in England outside London and our New Technology Institute (Gamer Camp) is a member of the Sony Academic Alliance, PlayStation First; one of only five universities in Europe to be developing on PlayStation 4.
BCU has 1,700-strong team of teaching staff comes from industry, ensuring students benefit directly from their knowledge, insight and contacts. Teaching staff comes from companies like Microsoft, Cisco, Jaguar Land Rover, Sky UK and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. All students have the chance to gain industry and professional practice experience through work placements, Erasmus years abroad and sandwich courses. Student employment agency ‘OpportUNIty' helps students find paid part-time work with the University.
At the heart of it all is the student support system. New, integrated student enquiry service, Ask, brings together the student support within a single enquiry service covering a wide range of topics. Help is provided face to face, on the telephone and online. In addition to Ask, there is the Centre for Academic Success which provides all students with access to a range of academic support services to help develop their study skills, including report writing, revision and exam techniques, stress and time management, English language and numeracy.
In summary, Birmingham City University is a large, diverse and increasingly popular place to study. Students are being place at the heart of everything they do, giving students the best opportunities for future success. BCU is an enviable reputation for providing quality, student-focused education in a professional and friendly environment.
