Your application is specifically designed for the programme you choose to apply for and it is sensitive to the answers you provide as you proceed through the application. See our application guidance notes for postgraduate taught fee paying programmes and all other postgraduate taught/research programmes.
Once you have submitted an online application you will be sent details of how to enter your applicant portal.
Your portal experience will allow you to send and receive communications to and from the University. You will be able to track the progress of your application at every stage of the admissions process; update your personal information, view decisions and accept any offers you may receive.
1. Choose your course using course finder
2. Consider whether you meet the entry requirements:
General requirements ;
International entry requirements ;
English language requirements .
3. Check the specific course entry requirements, which can be found on individual course listings in our course finder .
4. Contact the department if you need any advice about a particular programme for example, if you need advice on which specific course to apply for.
5. Consider the supporting documents you might need to upload as part of your application.
If you are not able to apply online, please contact us via email or telephone: +44 (0)121 414 5488.
Supporting documents
When you apply for a postgraduate programme via course finder , you will have the option to upload your supporting documents. The following information will usually be needed before a decision can be made on your application:
Two academic references (or if appropriate to the programme applied for, one could be from your employer).
Degree transcript(s) - originals or certified photocopies:
EU and international applicants - if you are currently studying outside the UK or have obtained your qualification(s) outside the UK
UK applicants - if you are currently studying in the UK or have obtained your qualification(s) in the UK and your university provides transcripts. If you are not a recent graduate send certified copy(s) of relevant qualifications. University of Birmingham graduates do not need to provide transcripts or copies of degree certificates, however we advise applicant's who graduated prior to 2000 to provide copies of their qualifications as they may take longer to verify.
Certificate to show competency in the English language, if English is not your first language and you have already taken a test (See English language requirements ).
English language requirements
| Academic area | TOEFL | IELTS* | Pearson Test of English (PTE)** |
Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015)*** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering and Science | 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing | 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band | PTE Academic 51 in all four skills | Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum overall score of 169,with no less than 162 in any component |
| Arts***, Business****, Education (Taught), Health Sciences, Public Policy, Social Sciences |
88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing | 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band | PTE Academic 59 in all four skills | Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component |
| Medicine, Dentistry, Research Education, Law (LLM) |
95 overall with no less than 22 in any band | 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band | PTE Academic 67 in all four skills | Cambridge English: Advanced or Cambridge English: ProficiencyMinimum overall score of 185, with no less than 176 in any component |
Personal statement, approximately 5000 characters, explaining why you are interested in studying on your chosen programme. Alternatively, you can type this within your application.
You may also be required to submit further documents e.g. a sample of work or research proposal in support of your application. If this is necessary for a decision to be made on your application, the document will become a mandatory part of your application. See guidance notes .