Birmingham City University International College

PROFILE BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE

locationUnited Kingdom

Ranked 29th in the UK

Ranked 29th in the UK for Graphic Design, subject ranking cited by the college for BCU (The Guardian 2025)

Ranked 1st in the UK

Ranked 1st in the UK for Photography, subject ranking cited by the college for BCU (The Guardian 2025)

Established in 2013

Year of Establishment

Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) is a dedicated international pathway college partnered with Birmingham City University (BCU) in Birmingham, United Kingdom. It offers alternative entry routes to progress to BCU undergraduate and postgraduate degrees through Foundation, International Year One, and Pre Master’s programmes. Students receive academic skills training and subject preparation designed with BCU to support smooth progression. BCUIC students have full access to BCU facilities and support services from day one. The college runs multiple intakes each year, which can help international students start at a time that fits their plan. It is based at BCU’s City Centre Campus, placing students close to key university resources and student services.

ACHIEVEMENTS

BCUIC’s key achievements are centered on being a dedicated international college that provides structured progression routes into Birmingham City University degrees, with programmes designed in partnership with the university and access to university facilities and support from the start. It also provides multiple annual intakes and pathway stages that support progression to both undergraduate and postgraduate study.

  1. Offers dedicated international pathways to progress to BCU degrees, with programmes designed with BCU for seamless progression.
  2. Provides multiple intakes across the year for pathway entry (September, January, May are listed across pathway pages).
  3. Students have full access to BCU facilities and support services from day one.

FACILITIES

BCUIC students study at BCU’s City Centre Campus environment and can use BCU facilities from day one, including study spaces, library resources, and specialist learning environments. The Curzon Building is home to BCUIC and includes dedicated study spaces and major library access. Facilities vary by subject area across BCU sites, but BCUIC students are integrated into the wider BCU campus facilities and services.

  1. Dedicated study spaces, Curzon Building (City Centre Campus)
  2. Curzon Library access and library resources, Curzon Building (City Centre Campus)
  3. Students’ Union, Curzon Building (City Centre Campus)
  4. Mock courtroom and simulated courts (for Law), Curzon Building (City Centre Campus)
  5. City Trading Room, Curzon Building (City Centre Campus)
  6. Psychology labs, Curzon Building (City Centre Campus)

LOCATION

INTAKE & PROGRAMMED OFFERED

Intake

PRE UNIVERSITY

January February March April May June July August September October November December

IELTS: 7.0

UNDERGRADUATE

January February March April May June July August September October November December

IELTS: 6.0

POST GRADUATE

January February March April May June July August September October November December

IELTS: NA

Programmes

List of all foundation programmes

  1. Architecture (Foundation)
  2. Art and Design (Foundation)
  3. Fashion (Foundation)
  4. Jewellery (Foundation)
  5. Accounting, Economics and Finance (Foundation)
  6. Business (Foundation)
  7. Marketing (Foundation)
  8. Psychology (Foundation)
  9. Media (Foundation)
  10. Law (Foundation)
  11. Health Science (Foundation)
  12. Education (Foundation)
  13. Sports Science (Foundation)
  14. Built Environment (Foundation)
  15. Computing, Networking and Games Technology (Foundation)
  16. Film and Technology (Foundation)
  17. Engineering (Foundation)
  18. Biomedical Science (Foundation in Biomedical Science)

List of all year one programmes

  1. Accounting, Economics and Finance (International Year One)
  2. Business (International Year One)
  3. Marketing (International Year One)
  4. Health Science (International Year One)
  5. Education (International Year One)
  6. Sports Science (International Year One)
  7. Built Environment (International Year One)
  8. Computing, Networking and Games Technology (International Year One)
  9. Engineering (International Year One)
  10. Film and Technology (International Year One)
  11. Biomedical Science (International Year One in Biomedical Science)

List of undergraduate programmes

  1. Accounting, Economics and Finance pathway (leads to BCU bachelor degrees in this subject area)
  2. Architecture pathway
  3. Art and Design pathway
  4. Built Environment pathway
  5. Business pathway
  6. Computing, Networking and Games Technology pathway
  7. Education pathway
  8. Engineering pathway
  9. English pathway
  10. Events and Sports Management pathway
  11. Fashion pathway
  12. Film, Animation and Technology pathway
  13. Health and Life Sciences pathway
  14. Jewellery pathway
  15. Law pathway
  16. Marketing pathway
  17. Media pathway

List of postgraduate programmes

  1. Art (Pre Master’s pathway to BCU master’s degrees in Art related fields)
  2. Design (Pre Master’s)
  3. Fashion (Pre Master’s)
  4. Computing (Pre Master’s)
  5. Media (Pre Master’s)
  6. Art Management (Pre Master’s)
  7. Business and Management (Pre Master’s)
  8. Law (Pre Master’s)
  9. Built Environment (Pre Master’s)

List of other programmes

  1. Pre Sessional English (6 weeks, 10 weeks, 16 weeks)

TUITION FEE & LIVING COST

TUITION FEE

APPLICATION FEE

NA

PRE UNIVERSITY

UNDER GRADUATE

POSTGRADUATE

£10,000 to £19,500 per programme

£16,000 per programme

£10,000 to £19,500 per programme

Living Cost

approximately £1,000 to £1,200 per month including accommodation

ACCOMODATION

on-campus
University managed and partner student accommodation options in Birmingham

These are BCU recommended accommodations with 2025/26 pricing shown, generally with bills included, designed for students living close to BCU campuses. Options vary by room type and contract length, so students can choose based on budget and location preference.

  • Hamstead Campus, Birmingham, On Campus or University partner

    • Weekly cost £115 to £179, bills included, free bus pass, gym available, contract 44 to 51 weeks.

  • Queen’s Hospital Close, Bath Row, Birmingham B15 1NH, University recommended

    • Weekly cost £150, bills included, 6 bed flat with en suite, 43 week contract.

  • Beech Gardens, Birmingham, University recommended

    • Weekly cost £155 to £157, bills included, shared bathroom, 43 or 51 week contract.

  • The Heights, Birmingham, University recommended

    • Weekly cost £157 to £167, bills included, en suite, gym available, contracts from 17 to 51 weeks.

  • University Locks, Birmingham, University managed

    • Weekly cost £165.84 to £170.84, bills included, contracts 19 to 51 weeks, room options with shared or en suite bathrooms.

  • Lakeside, Birmingham, University partner

    • Weekly cost £169, bills included, en suite rooms, 44 week contract.

  • Staniforth House, Birmingham, University recommended

    • Weekly cost £175, bills included, en suite rooms, 44 week contract.

  • The Old Fire Station, Birmingham, University recommended

    • Weekly cost £176 to £209, bills included, en suite or studio options, gym available, 51 week contract.

  • Bentley House, Birmingham, University recommended

    • Weekly cost £179 to £193, bills included, en suite rooms, gym available, 43 week contract.

off-campus
Private rental accommodation in Birmingham

BCUIC highlights private accommodation as an option where students typically arrange bills separately, with longer contracts more like full year rentals. This option can be cheaper per week than halls depending on the type of housing, but students should plan for utilities and other costs.

  • Private shared house or room rental, Birmingham, Off Campus

    • Average price per week £100 to £130 for a room in a shared house, usually without bills included, contracts commonly 51 to 52 weeks.

  • Private shared flat rental, Birmingham, Off Campus

    • Average price per week £140 to £155 for a room in a shared flat, contracts commonly 51 to 52 weeks, bills often need to be organised depending on the provider.