Information for students from the USA

When you choose Birmingham, you are choosing to study at an outstanding University in one of the UK's most dynamic cities.

Ranked among the world’s top 100 universities and a founding member of the Russell Group, Birmingham offers a beautiful green campus, outstanding teaching and facilities, and a vibrant community.

  • 68th

    in the world

    QS World University Rankings 2027

  • Top 2

    UK university targeted by leading graduate employers

    'The Graduate Market in 2026' High Fliers report

  • 12th

    The Complete University Guide 2027

My favourite thing about Birmingham so far is the city itself. I love how there’s always something to do like exploring the amazing shopping spots to trying out all the delicious restaurants around town. [...] I also love walking along the beautiful canals because they make Birmingham feel both lively and peaceful at the same time.

Current student, Audrey Berling, wearing a high neck black top
Audrey Berling
MSc Strategic Marketing and Consulting student
  • Over 700

    American students studying Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses

  • 31%

    academic staff from overseas

  • Over 13,500

    international students from approximately 134 countries

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Frequently asked questions

How can I contact the team?

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

Your country representative is Alexa Haslam. The team will be happy to answer any queries you might have, please send an email and they will respond as quickly as possible.

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.

How can I find out more about Birmingham?

There are lots of ways to find out more about Birmingham. You can meet our team in country or speak to us online where can ask us questions about your application or the University. Visit our events page to find out when our next events are.

Can I visit the campus?

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. Each tour is guided by one of our current students, giving you the perfect chance to hear first-hand what life at the University is really like.

  • The second city, your second home

    If you’re going to be an international student, where better than Europe’s youngest city?

    With its friendly, diverse community, Birmingham is a modern, global hub within easy reach of the green English countryside. A centre for arts, culture, shopping and entertainment, the city is also home to the largest creative and financial sectors outside London. The perfect place to connect, grow and thrive.

  • Find your place, in a place like no other

    With historic buildings, modern facilities and green surroundings, our Edgbaston campus is a place to be inspired. Home to a diverse, global community of students, it has everything you need, including shops, cafés, study spaces and friendly people.

    Explore our campus
  • Your future

    At Birmingham, your future is something we build together. Across Careers Network, our dedicated careers service, and the variety of opportunities available here, you will build your own toolkit of skills and experiences to get you ready for an ever-changing world after graduation.

    Your careers toolkit
  • University of Birmingham Dubai

    As a truly global University we offer programmes in our Birmingham and Dubai campus. Whichever campus you choose, you can be assured that you will receive the same high-quality education taught by leading experts in their field, and you will play your part in our global Birmingham student community.

    Discover the Dubai campus

Undergraduate

Entry requirements for applicants with qualifications from the USA

Applicants from the USA can meet Maths and English (UK-GCSE) requirements with the following. We require Maths and English (or similar e.g. Calculus, Algebra) from any of the following: AP (min grade 4), SAT S/II (min score 650), Honours classes or College-level course (min B+), HSD (pass grade at grade 12 level), ACT composite score (min 28), SAT-R (min score 670), International Baccalaureate English, Standard or Higher Level, First or Second Language (min grade 5). Other English language requirements can be found here.

Applicants studying A levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, will be eligible for direct entry if you meet your chosen programme’s entry requirements.

Alternatively, applicants should satisfy the following:

1. A minimum score of 3.2/4.0 GPA on the High School Diploma (HSD) (non-weighted)

PLUS

2. Three distinct subject tests are required from a combination of either: (These options can be used in various combinations to meet our standard 3 subject A level requirement)

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level (HL) Subject Tests
  • Advanced Placement tests (APs)
  • Honours classes (Year 11/12-(1 year duration)
  • College Level /dual level classes (academic, full year)
  • SAT II Subject Tests (prior to being discontinued in Jan 2021)

To offer greater flexibility, one of the following tests can be used to replace one of the three subject test requirements listed above:  (for a specific subject requirement this would not be accepted)

  • Composite ACT with a score of 28+ to replace one subject test (not accepted to replace a subject requirement.)

  • SAT-R with a score of 1350+ to replace one subject test (not to replace a subject requirement.(SAT superscores are not accepted)

For example:

(For a course that requires: A level AAA (with no specific subject requirements). This means you could present with an HSD (3.3) + ACT (28), AP History (5) and an Honours Earth/Environmental Science (A).)

(For a course that requires: A levels AAB (A level Mathematics required). This means you could present with an HSD 3.2+, 2 subject test and as A level Mathematics is required AP Calculus BC.)                                                                     

A table of accepted A level grade equivalents can be found below.Use this table to work out the equivalents to the A level entry requirements to your preferred course(s).

Table of accepted A level grade equivalents
(UK) A level IB HLSubject Tests APTest Honours Classes(Yr 11/12)(1 year duration) College/Dual Level Classes(Full year) SAT II Subject Test
(discontinued in 2021)
ACT SAT-R Associate Degreeor Year at Community College or US University 
A* 7 5   A+   A+ 720 29 1380 GPA 3.3
A 6 5 A A 700 28 1350 GPA 3.2
B 5 4   B+   B+ 650 28 1350 GPA 3.1
C 4 3  B- B 630 27 1320 GPA 3.0
  • Where a certain A-level subject is required for entry to the course students must present with a suitable subject test, or have studied that subject at Community College, at a USA University or during their Associate’s degree. 
    (We advise that you look at the course pages and select entry requirements to find out if there are specific subject requirements)
  • For subjects requiring A-level Mathematics applicants must present with AP Calculus BC or International Baccalaureate HL Mathematics. (We do not accept AP Calculus AB to fulfil this requirement). Please check the individual course pages for our typical A-level requirements and see below for the corresponding scores.
  • IB Higher Level (HL) Subject Tests should be shown on the transcript or through a certificate.
  • Advanced Placement tests (APs) should be the certified test, we will not accept just the classes. 
  • Honours classes (Year 11/12-(1 year duration) these should be shown on a HSD transcript named as 'H' Honours', 'Hons' and to be taken in the USA.
  • College Level /dual level classes (academic, full year) should be shown on a transcript or certificate and named as academic subject (rather than practical or recreational) to be taken in the USA.

As an alternative to the above HSD and 3 tests, we can accept an Associate’s Degree, or one year at a Community College or a USA University to be accepted onto the first year of an undergraduate degree. 

A levels 

Associate degree /One year at a Community College or USA University equivalent 

A*AA

3.3 - Plus English and Maths requirements

AAA

3.2 - Plus English and Maths requirements

AAB

3.1 - Plus English and Maths requirements

ABB

3.0 - Plus English and Maths requirements

Entry requirements for Medicine and Surgery MBChB:  any three from the list below to include Biology and Chemistry (see the table above for required grades which must meet the current MBChB A Level grade requirement)

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level (HL) Subject Tests
  • Advanced Placement tests (APs)
  • Honours classes (Year 11/12)
  • College Level /dual level classes (academic) - must be studied over one academic year or 2 semesters, or may be studied over one semester if a minimum of 3 credits

ACT with a score of 29 or above, or SAT-R 1380 or above may be used to replace one of the above

Please note:

  • For Medicine country specific requirements, please also see our Applying to Medicine website for International Applicants.
  • For Dentistry, please see the general entry requirements listed on the Dental Surgery course page.
  • Our BNurs -Adult courses detail international entry requirements and useful tips. 

As a reminder you don't need to have completed all of these tests to apply through UCAS. So our admissions team can fully review your application, please include your already achieved academic qualifications and tests up to your senior year (including all target/predicted results for tests you are yet to complete) in the Education section of UCAS. 

The Designated Institution Code for College Board: The University of Birmingham is 7390.

We are registered with ACT, therefore if you wish to provide your qualifications to us you can find our details on their website.

Postgraduate

Entry requirements for applicants with qualifications from the USA

The University will consider students who hold an Honours degree from a recognised institution in the USA with a GPA of:

  • 2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement 
  • 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement 

Please note that some subjects which are studied at postgraduate level in the USA, eg. Medicine and Law, are traditionally studied at undergraduate level in the UK.