University of Birmingham and Canada

The University of Birmingham has a vibrant community of Canadian students studying with us. We currently have over 250 Canadian students following a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.


The University of Birmingham is among the world’s top 100 universities, renowned for changing lives and transforming society. Birmingham is a founding member of the Russell Group with a glorious, green campus, outstanding teaching and facilities and a vibrant and welcoming community. Located in the heart of England, Birmingham is an exciting and vibrant city with a fascinating history. There has never been a more exciting time to study with us.

We have a team of dedicated international recruitment officers who will support you during all stages of your application to the University. We offer a range of ways to speak to our staff and current students to get information and advice on living and studying in Birmingham. If you'd like to arrange to speak with one of us to find out what it's like as a Canadian student studying at Birmingham, please get in touch with us using the details below to request an appointment. 

Krista Wieser

Strategic Marketing and Consulting MSc

“The best part about studying in Birmingham is meeting people from a variety of different cultures and countries. Living in a vibrant and diverse city like Birmingham broadened my horizons.”

The following information is for guidance only and should be used together with the University's general entrance requirements and any specific degree programme requirements.

English Language

You will need to demonstrate a certain level of English language, either through an English test such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, or we may be able to accept your previous or alternative qualifications as evidence. Please view the entry requirements for specific programme requirements, and details on our presessional English language courses.

Foundation Pathways

Our foundation pathways are suitable if you have completed a high school qualification that is below the equivalent standard of UK A levels, and therefore doesn't allow for direct entry to undergraduate courses at UK universities. We will also consider students who have completed qualifications that would normally lead to direct entry onto an undergraduate degree, whose grades are slightly below our undergraduate entry criteria. Please visit the Birmingham International Academy website for more information.

Holders of the Canadian High School Diploma with at least 75% will be considered for entry. This should include at least 75% in Mathematics for entrance onto our Engineering and Physical Sciences Pathway. 

Undergraduate

The University will consider students who have achieved good grades in their High School Graduation Diploma with at least 5 university-preparatory level (Grade 12) courses. For many of our programmes of study, students will need at least a B average, and possibly higher. 

Qualification Guidance

Unless otherwise stated qualification guidance is as follows:

Ontario System

  • A level requirements of AAA = 85% overall in 6 x grade 12 U or U/C courses. Where an A level subject is required, the course must be at U or U/C level. 

  • A level requirements of AAB = 80% overall in 6 x grade 12 U or U/C courses. Where an A level subject is required, the course must be at U or U/C level. 

  • A level requirements of ABB = 75% overall in 6 x grade 12 U or U/C courses. Where an A level subject is required, the course must be at U or U/C level. 

For Maths and English GCSE equivalency the student must offer Maths and English at grade 11 minimum. (For UG programmes that require GCSE grade A equivalence, suggest 80% minimum). 

Other Canadian Provinces

British Columbia  - Grade 12 Senior Secondary Diploma with an average of at least 75% (ABB), 80% (AAB) and 85% (AAA) in 5 grade 12 subjects or Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma if awarded with at least five Bs (BBBBB) or above in acceptable grade 12 courses.

Manitoba - High School Graduation Diploma with an overall average of 75% (ABB), 80% (AAB) and 85% (AAA), including 5 credits awarded at the 300 level in at least 4 subject areas, and at least 65% in each subject.

Alberta, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northern W. T., Nova Scotia, P. Edward Island, Saskatchewan - General High School Diploma with an overall average of 75% (ABB), 80% (AAB) and 85% (AAA) in 5 subjects at Grade 12.

Nunavut - General High School Diploma with an overall average of 75% (ABB), 80% (AAB) and 85% (AAA) across five subjects at grade 12.

Québec - Diplôme d'Etudes Collègiales (DEC) with an overall average of 75% (ABB), 80% (AAB) and 85% (AAA).

Yukon - Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma with an overall average of at least 85% in 5 grade 12 subjects (including provincial examinations where applicable).

Entry to LLB for Graduates

We require a B+ average or a GPA of 3.0/4 in any non-law degree subject.

Please note:

  • For Medicine country specific requirements, please visit our Applying to Medicine website.
  • For Dentistry, please see the general entry requirements listed on the Dental Surgery course page.

Postgraduate Taught

Holders of a bachelor degree with honours from a recognised Canadian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A GPA of 3.0/4, 7.0/9 or 75% is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1.

Funding

Find out more about fees and funding for undergraduate, postgraduate taught or postgraduate research courses, or click here for information on international tuition fees.

The Government of Canada offers Student Loans to full and part-time students who demonstrate financial need in most provinces and territories across Canada. Click here for more infomation on Candian Student Loans.

Scholarships

To reward outstanding achievement and to help ensure that fears about finance do not constrain our students, we are pleased to offer a number of prestigious international scholarships.

We also have the following scholarships specifically for Canadian students:

Use the links below to search our funding and scholarship databases:

Search the undergraduate funding database
Search the postgraduate funding database

There are lots of ways to find out more about Birmingham. We run regular live chats where you can ask us any questions you might have about your application or the University. Visit our Live Chats page to find out when the next events are.

Birmingham Representatives

The University of Birmingham Representative for Canada is Alexa Haslam.

You can email any questions you may have at northamerica@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Our agent representatives in Canada can provide advice on studying in the UK and, more specifically, at the University of Birmingham. They will also be able to assist you with your programme and visa application.

Canada Law from Abroad (CLFA)

Please visit the CLFA website to find an advisor near you. 

SI UK Canada

Toronto Office:

Suite 300, 150 King Street West 
Toronto, Ontario,
M5H 1J9, 
Canada

Ph: +1 416-998-8532
Email: toronto@studyin-uk.com

Vancouver Office:

Unit 2136
1055 W Georgia St,
Vancouver, BC V6E 3N9,
Canada
Phone: 778-955-2545
Email: vancouver@studyin-uk.com
www.studyin-uk.ca

Across the Pond 

Please visit the Across the Pond website to find advisors near you.

Birmingham Visits

Our beautiful campus is open to the public throughout the year, so if you are in the UK and would like to visit, you can book onto a campus tour. We run regular live chats as an opportunity to talk to our staff. Please visit our Live Chats page to find out when we will be available for online events, which include live chat and videos.

Student Experience

The University of Birmingham is a fantastic choice for your academic study. Our thriving campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of exciting activities to get involved in outside of your studies, too.

Beautiful surroundings and fantastic facilities

When you step onto campus, you are immersed in our historic red-brick buildings and glorious green spaces. You'll find our Edgbaston campus both a peaceful and vibrant place to spend your time, whether it's studying on one of the lawns, or enjoying a hot drink in one our many cafes.

When you are on campus, you are in the heart of University life - it's the perfect place to meet friends, whether it's to have a bite to eat, discuss your seminar notes or meet up before heading off to a sports club or society.

You can also take advantage of our fantastic facilities on campus. Study in our state-of-the-art academic library with its stunning views over campus, or go for a swim after lectures at our brand new £55 million Sport and Fitness Club.

Student societies

Many nationality groups form student societies during their time at the University of Birmingham. The student societies are an excellent way to keep in contact with home and also provide an opportunity to highlight your culture and customs in the UK. Student societies are also a useful point of contact for prospective students to Birmingham who may want to contact current students for information.

Careers

We offer dedicated support for international students, including an international careers consultant and a team of international student ambassadors. We will support you in developing the skills you will need to fully prepare for the working world or further academic study, whether this is in your home country or elsewhere.

Our Careers Network researches jobs all over the world. We host fairs, workshops and presentations, which are attended by many large, global companies that offer opportunities worldwide. We also offer a huge database of information on employers, vacancies and industry trends in a range of countries.

Alumni

The University of Birmingham has many strong alumni groups all over the world. Alumni groups are an excellent way of keeping in contact with the University and with other graduates from Birmingham who live in your country. Some alumni groups meet on a regular basis for social and professional events.

If you would like to meet up with University staff when they are in your country or you would be willing to help promote the university at education exhibitions, we would also like to hear from you. You can find out if there is an alumni group in your country or join our alumni mailing list on the Alumni website.

Upcoming Events

Contact Details

For all general queries about becoming an international student at Birmingham, please complete and submit our enquiry form.

Address

Alexa Haslam
International Recruitment
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
B15 2TT

Email
NorthAmerica@contacts.bham.ac.uk

The British Council has offices in many countries throughout the world which are able to provide you with advice about studying in the UK. Most offices also have an education library and Internet facilities where you can consult university material. The British Council can also provide advice about funding opportunities.