Choose BCU

Why BCU should be your first choice

icon-accreditations

Gold

for student experience (Teaching Excellence Framework 2023).

£400 million

invested in facilities to keep learning experiences industry relevant.

2,300

teaching staff who come from and retain their links with industry.

00:00:00: In the centre of Birmingham and just a short walk from the train station is BCU - Birmingham City University.

00:00:12: If you're trying to decide what university to go to and why you should consider BCU then here are my top reasons of why I decided to study here and why I love it so much.

00:00:23: First off would be the amazing facilities that we have here at BCU. Whatever course you're studying they are second to none and spread across four sites across the city. I'm studying Product and Furniture Design and here I have absolutely everything I need. Across all the other courses that BCU has to offer, the School of Art at Margret Street has incredible printing facilities, workshop spaces and studios that students can use. Over at the School of Jewellery, they have their incredible traditional workshops as well as the latest technology for jewellery design. If you're studying one of our media courses then you will have access to amazing spaces like this studio, students have full use of these facilities are also used by industry providing great opportunities for students. There are four studios: a green screen, photographic and radio studios all built to a fully professional standard.

00:01:10: The Curzon building houses The Eagle and Ball, a 19th century renovated pub run by our Students' Union. In the Curzon building you'll find our library which is open 24 hours a day as well as our campus shop. If you are studying on one of our courses here you may find yourself spending time in our city trading room or participating in mock trials in our Law Courts.

00:01:32: Over at our city south campus our facilities offer hands-on practical experience with professional equipment for Health and Social care and Life Sciences. If you are studying on this campus you'll have access to cutting-edge facilities such as birthing rooms and operating theatre and biomedical science labs. Our Sports and exercise science students also have access to specialist equipment and facilities at the Alexander Stadium which you might recognize from the 2022 Commonwealth Game,s here students learn alongside professional sports organizations such as UK Athletics.

00:02:05: Birmingham is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK and with the Uni's connection to all of that there is a whole bunch of opportunities that BCU can provide for you as more companies move into the city it provides access that you will have to specialized work placements and because of Birmingham's unique position in the country there is the ability to travel anywhere in the UK. Here at our City South campus, you will find plenty of placement opportunities. Completing a placement is an excellent way of putting what you have learned on your course into practice if you are studying on one of our health courses this can be really useful, where you might make the transition from the mock ward where we are now and onto the real thing.

00:02:45: Finally choosing to come to BCU is choosing to join the most supportive and diverse community that anyone could wish to be a part of. It's not just the uni but the city itself that pulls people in from all over the world and different cultures there really is not nothing like it, as well as students there are also our lecturers from a wide range of backgrounds feeding their expertise into the BCU Community. Student life here is something you can really immerse yourself in, be it on campus getting involved in dozens of Societies or making the most of hanging around the city with friends and coursemates so that's why I think you should choose to come and join us at Birmingham City University. But don't take my word for it, take a look online and check out the courses that you're interested in and then perhaps you will come here and find out for yourself why you should choose BCU!

Product and Furniture Design student Amelia showcases the best things about being a student at BCU.

A vibrant, exciting city

Birmingham City University is at the heart of a young, forward-thinking city. 40 per cent of Birmingham's population is 25 and younger - making it the perfect place to be a student.

A group of students laugh. They are sitting around a table drinking in Lane 7.

Shape your career

Each of our courses focuses on practical skills and professional relevance, ensuring you have the confidence and skills to succeed. Our industry connections, career support and practice-based learning prepare you for the working world. If your goal is to own your own business, BCU has the highest number of student and graduate business start-ups of any university in the West Midlands (HESA, 2022). 

STUDENT JOBS

Build your skills, knowledge and experience by undertaking part-time work at the University or in Birmingham's bustling city centre.

Student jobs at BCU

Placements

You could undertake a transformative placement with organisations like GymsharkMicrosoft, CiscoUnity, Jaguar Land Rover, Sky UK and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Placement opportunities

Graduate+

Our Graduate+ scheme embeds career-related skills into every one of our degree courses and gives you the skills employers want.

More about BCU Graduate+

Support throughout your studies

If you choose to study at BCU you can be confident that your needs are our top priority and we have teams to fully support you.

Two students talking over coffee

Become a money-savvy student

We understand that the prospect of affording university during a cost-of-living crisis can be worrying. At BCU, we’re committed to providing support every step of the way. That's why we’ve reduced hot food prices across our campuses by 40%, with free fruit and soup provided every day. Plus, we have a host of resources about managing your money at university available to help you.

Student living costs

You're probably wondering how much you should be budgeting for groceries, accommodation, bills and just general day-to-day costs. See how much you can expect to spend as a student.

Student spending round-up

Save money as a commuter

Living at home during uni can often be a lot cheaper than living in student halls, but the costs of commuting can still add up. We’ve got four ways to keep your budget in check whilst you’re at uni.

Budgeting tips

Student discounts in Brum

We've put together this list of the best places to use your student discount in Birmingham, from activities and restaurants to try out with friends to shops that have exclusive student deals.

Where to get a discount

Campus on your doorstep

Our range of halls of residence offers on campus and inner city living, with something for everyone including three-quarter beds, en suites and even gyms. Over 650 students live right next to our City Centre Campus in the University Locks development.  

The facilities you need

We have invested over £400 million across our buildings and facilities to give you the very best learning environment to shape your university experience.

Simulated healthcare environments

Health students learn in simulated environments that are vital for developing the skills required in the health and social care sector including simulated hospital wards, birthing rooms with birthing pool, home environment room, operating theatre, visual rehabilitation kitchen, and radiography suites. 

Four film and TV studios

The Parkside Building boasts four film and TV studios, all operating industry-standard tapeless digital workflow. Studio A, at just over 2,000 sq ft, is in the top 15 largest studios in the country; Studio B, at 2,100 sq ft, is one of the largest fixed green screen studios in the UK.

Cutting-edge business facilities

Our CITY Trading Room uses the same investment analysis software as traders, financial analysts and decision makers in the investment industry. Our student-run, in-house marketing agency The Link enables business students to sharpen their skills with briefs from leading businesses and organisations such as Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Serco and Cure Leukaemia.

I AM BCU

“BCU has given me the chance to learn from my failures and flourish. It’s a place with so many opportunities to grow.”

- Simranvir, BSc (Hons) Criminology