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Entry requirements at our Dubai campus

To be considered by Birmingham Dubai, you'll need to meet the University’s general entry requirements along with the specific entry requirements of your chosen course.

Academic requirements

Integrated foundation courses

Integrated foundation courses are designed for students who have completed high school to a high standard but require a foundation year before being eligible for entry to the first year of undergraduate studies at a UK university. If you already hold an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, this option is not suitable for you.

If your country or qualification is not listed, contact us and we will advise you.

Qualification or country

Academic requirements

A-Levels

Minimum of CC. 

 

Mathematics is required for Engineering and Physical Sciences.

AS Levels

Minimum of BBB.

 

Including Mathematics for Engineering and Physical Sciences.

 

We strongly recommend continuing to A-Level for broader study options.

IB

IB entry requirements vary by course and subject mix. Please check with Admissions for the specific HL/SL subjects, grades and points required.

IGCSEs

IGCSEs alone (and other qualifications that are at the same level as GCSEs in the UK education system) are not sufficient for foundation entry. We normally expect qualifications broadly equivalent to UK AS-Level. IGCSEs may be considered if combined with additional qualifications.

SABIS

Average of 85%.

 

Including Mathematics for Engineering and Physical Sciences.

Azerbaijan 

Grades of 4/5 and above in the Attestat (Certificate of Completed Secondary Education).

 

Including a grade of 4/5 in Mathematics for Engineering and Physical Sciences.

India

Standard XII Higher Secondary Certificate:

  • ICSE, CBSE, and West Bengal: 65% average
  • Other state boards: 70% overall

 

Including 65% in Mathematics from ICSE, CBSE, and West Bengal State Boards for Engineering and Physical Sciences. 

Kazakhstan

Grades of 4/5 and above in Certificate of Completed Secondary Education (Oрта білім туралы аттестат/Аттестат о среднем (полном) общем образовании).

 

Including a grade of 4/5 in Mathematics for Engineering and Physical Sciences.

Pakistan

Grade B or 70% overall in the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC)/Intermediate Certificate.

 

Including grade B or 70% in Mathematics for Engineering and Physical Sciences.

Russia

Average grade 4 (out of 5) in Certificate of Secondary Education аттестат о среднем (полном) общем образовании (Attestat o (Polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii).

 

Including 4 in Mathematics for Engineering and Physical Sciences.

Saudi Arabia

Average of 85% in Thanawiya.

 

Including 85% in Mathematics for Engineering and Physical Sciences.

UAE

Average of 85% in Tawjihiyya.

 

Including 85% in Mathematics for Engineering and Physical Sciences. 

USA

High School Graduation Diploma with grade B/GPA 3.0 average.

 

Including grade B in Mathematics for Engineering and Physical Sciences.

Uzbekistan

Diploma of Specialised Secondary Education (O'rta Ma'lumot To'g'risida Shahodatnoma) with overall grade 4/5.

 

Including 4/5 in Mathematics for Engineering and Physical Sciences.

 

Undergraduate and postgraduate courses

You can find the academic qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate courses under the ‘entry requirements’ tab on the relevant course page. Search for your course

Studied outside the UK? Select the country of the curriculum you studied from the drop-down list on the course page to see the grade requirements for your qualification.

If your country or qualification is not listed, contact us and we will advise you.

English language proficiency

You will need to provide proof that you have a suitable level of English proficiency for your level and area of study. Most English language tests must have been taken within two years of your course start date. Always check your offer letter for full details.

Integrated foundation courses

Proficiency test

Minimum University requirement

TOEFL

72 overall with 18 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

IELTS

5.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each band

Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)

A minimum of 59 in all skills

 

Undergraduate courses

Course Group A: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Sustainability

Course Group BBS UG: Business (including Economics)

Course Group B: Psychology, Biomedical, Law, Media

Proficiency test

Minimum University requirement

TOEFL
  • Group A: 80 overall, with no less than 19 in reading, 19 in listening, 21 in speaking and 19 in writing
  • Group BBS UG: 88 overall, with no less than 21 in reading, 20 in listening, 22 in speaking and 22 in writing
  • Group B: 88 overall, with no less than 21 in reading, 20 in listening, 22 in speaking and 21 in writing

IELTS
  • Group A: 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any band
  • Group BBS UG: 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.5 in writing and speaking and 6.0 in reading and listening
  • Group B: 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any band

Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)
  • Group A: 64 overall, with no less than 59 in all four skills
  • Group BBS UG: 67 overall, with no less than 67 in writing and speaking and 64 in reading and listening
  • Group B: 67 overall, with no less than 64 in all four skills

Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015)
  • Group A: Advanced minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component
  • Group BBS UG: Advanced minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 176 in Writing and Speaking
  • Group B: Advanced minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component

 

Alternative qualifications

Qualification

Minimum University requirement
University of Birmingham Presessional English (Online)

Pass

GCSE English (or Edexcel IGCSE English)

Grade C/4 or above

GCE O Level English

Grade C or above

Cambridge International Examinations
(CIE) IGCSE English (first language)

Grade C

Cambridge International Examinations
(CIE) IGCSE English (second language)

Grade C

GCE AS Level (or International AS Level)

Grade C or above

GCE A Level (or International A Level)

Grade C or above

International Baccalaureate English,
Standard or Higher Level (first or second language)

5 or above

India Standard XII (CBSE/CISCE/West Bengal)
  • Group A: 70% in ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or West Bengal, 75% in Other state boards
  • Group BBS UG and B: 75% in ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or West Bengal, 80% in Other state boards

 

Postgraduate courses

Course Group A: Engineering, Computer Science, Urban Planning

Course Group B: Arts, Business, Education, Health Sciences, Government and Policy, Law, Mathematics, Media and Marketing, Physiotherapy, Psychology

Proficiency test

Minimum University requirement

TOEFL
  • Group A: 80 overall, with no less than 19 in reading, 19 in listening, 21 in speaking and 19 in writing
  • Group B: 88 overall, with no less than 21 in reading, 20 in listening, 22 in speaking and 21 in writing

IELTS
  • Group A: 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any band
  • Group B: 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any band

Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)
  • Group A: 64 overall, with no less than 59 in all four skills
  • Group B: 67 overall, with no less than 64 in all four skills

 

Alternative qualifications

Qualification

Minimum University requirement
University of Birmingham Presessional English (Online) Pass

India Standard XII (CBSE/CISCE/West Bengal)

75% or above

India Standard XII (other Indian state boards)

80% or above

 

  • Improve your English

    Our online Presessional English course is designed for students who wish to improve their spoken and written English in preparation for academic study.

    You can take the course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar test.

    Presessional English (Online)

Qualification attestation and equivalency

To study in Dubai, foreign academic qualifications must go through the process of attestation and equivalency.

This verification ensures documents are genuine and are equivalent to the educational standards and qualifications of the United Arab Emirates.

Explore attestation and equivalency

Special requirements

For some courses, where there is contact with vulnerable adults or children, a full Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required. You may also be required to sign a Code of Professional Conduct and meet Fitness to Practise requirements. Some may also require certain immunisations and a health declaration.

For information concerning these requirements, please review the relevant course page, as well as our terms and conditions, which also contain important information on the University's conditions of study.