University of Birmingham and China

The University of Birmingham has long-standing links with the People's Republic of China and is one of the most popular British universities for Chinese students choosing to study overseas.

We are proud to provide a dedicated Chinese-focused website.

This site has been designed specifically for students, parents, and partners in China, offering tailored information on entry requirements, scholarships, and student life at the University of Birmingham. You can also explore details of upcoming events, connect with our official WeChat, Xiaohongshu and Weibo channels, and share your details to receive personalised updates and guidance.

我们诚挚推出面向中国地区的伯明翰大学中文官网

本网站专为中国的学生、家长及合作伙伴量身打造,提供关于入学要求、奖学金及学生生活等的信息。此外,你也可以透过关注我们官方的微信、小红书及微博平台,留下联系方式,获取专属的最新动态!

The University of Birmingham is the first elite UK Russell Group University to announce that it will accept the ‘Gaokao’ exam for high-flying Chinese students wishing to join its undergraduate courses in 2019. Please refer to our GAOKAO page for further information.

伯明翰大学是英国罗素集团大学中第一个宣布,将接受2019年参加中国高考并有志向入读伯明翰大学本科学习的学生。

To find out more about our engagement with China and the research we conduct with a range of institutional partners, please visit our China Institute website.

Dian Li

Communications Manager at a major Chinese aviation company

“My experience at the University of Birmingham laid a strong foundation for my current role in the marketing-related field within the industry. It also helped sharpen my critical thinking and intercultural communication skills, which are essential in today’s global workplace.”

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

Holders of the Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate, with an average of at least a B or 80%, will be considered for Foundation Pathways.  For the Engineering and Physical Science Pathway at least a B or 80% is also required in Mathematics. 

Students completing Senior Secondary School at Year two should present a transcript of results and a letter from the school confirming completion of Senior Secondary School. 

Students completing Senior Secondary School at Year three should present a transcript of results and the Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate. 

Please visit the Birmingham Foundation Pathways website for more information.

Undergraduate

We will consider students who have completed GAOKAO for entry to our Undergraduate Programmes. Please refer to our GAOKAO entry requirements for further information.

Holders of the Chinese High School Certificate/Senior Middle School Graduation and a suitable foundation programme, and holders of two/three year Diplomas, with a good performance (80% average or above) from a recognised institution, will be considered for entry to undergraduate programmes.

If you have taken A level or IB diploma, please refer to the course you are interested in on our course finder and you will find entry requirements.

If you have taken exams which are from another country's national education system (e.g. the Arbitur from Germany or SAT and AP exams from the USA) you should consult that specific country page on our website for entry requirements.

We are now accepting the Aptitude Scholastic Test (AST) as an entry qualification for undergraduate programmes at the University of Birmingham (excluding some clinical programmes).

The AST is a standardised university entrance exam designed in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, assessing subjects such as English, Mathematics, and the Sciences. It is widely used by students following the Chinese national curriculum and is already accepted by more than 40 UK universities, including many Russell Group institutions.

We accept the AST with the following grade equivalencies to UK A Levels:

UK A Level Grade

AST Score

A*

250

A

210

B

170

Additional requirements:

  • Students must also complete the Chinese High School Certificate with a minimum overall score of 70%.
  • Standard English language proficiency requirements must also be met.

For more information about the AST and its structure, visit the official AST website.

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.
  • Our BNurs and MNurs Nursing courses are only available to home/EU students.

If you have studied the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) in China, you can use your English language results from this qualification to meet our English language requirements for undergraduate admission. From 2026 entry:

• If you have completed a full 3- or 4-year OSSD programme in China and achieved a minimum of 70% in English in Grade 11 or Grade 12, this will meet our English language requirement.

• If you have not completed the full OSSD but have undertaken partial study in China, you must achieve a minimum of 70% in English in Grades 10 and 11 or Grades 11 and 12.

These changes make the requirements simpler and ensure we recognise the strong English language preparation provided through the OSSD curriculum.

Please note that English results are valid for up to 2 academic years following the award of the OSSD.

If you do not meet the above criteria, you will need to provide an acceptable English qualification (e.g., IELTS) to meet the English language requirement.

Important Information for Dubai Campus Applicants
Please note that the OSSD (studied outside Canada) and the AST are not currently recognised by the UAE Ministry of Education as equivalent to Grade 12 qualifications. Therefore, these updates apply only to applications for undergraduate programmes at our UK campus.

Postgraduate Taught

Students with a bachelor’s degree (4 years minimum) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. However please note that we will only consider students who meet the entry guidance below.  
 
Please note for the subject areas below we use the list of various professional rankings. 

需要具备学士学位(4年制)的申请人可申请研究生课程。请根据所申请的课程查看相应的入学要求。 请注意,中国院校名单综合参考各类专业排名。

Group 
院校分组 

PGT entry requirements (2:1 equivalent)
硕士课程2:1成绩入学要求 

Economics suite and Non-quantitive programmes*
entry requirement 
商学院经济学类和非定量类课程*入学要求 

All other programmes entry requirement 
所有其他硕士课程入学要求 

Group 1  
一类大学

75% 

73% 

Group 2 
二类大学

80% 

78% 

Group 3
三类大学

85% 

83% 

Group 4 
四类大学

Reject 

87% 

* Economics suite and Non-quantitive programmes include 商学院经济学类和非定量类课程包括: 

Applicants undertaking a 3+1 top-up degree must normally have studied at an approved university in China and graduate from their UK university with a 2:1. However, for courses taught in the Birmingham Business School, the School of Education, the School of Government, or the School of Social Policy and Society, applicants undertaking an SQA Advanced Diploma may have studied at any Chinese institution if they upload their SQA documents and achieve a 2:1 from their UK university.

Please contact the China Recruitment Team for any questions on the above entry requirements. 
如果您对录取要求有疑问,请联系伯明翰大学中国办公室  china@contacts.bham.ac.uk   

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.

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 available to students applying from China:

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

Our representatives in China 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 application.

See our full list of representatives.

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, which is an excellent way to keep in contact with home and also provide an opportunity to highlight your culture and customs in the UK. Societies are also a useful point of contact for prospective students to Birmingham who may want to contact current students for information.

Amongst many others, The Guild of Students currently has a Chinese Society and the UoB Chinese Christian Fellowship.

Exchange links

The University enjoys close relationships and has exchange links with many Chinese Universities.

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 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.

Contact Details

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

Address

For advice and guidance on studying at the University of Birmingham please contact our China Team.

*Important note: If you email the address below you agree to our China Team and our alumni contacting the University to discuss your application, any details contained within your application and sharing any personal information that you provide to them.

Alternatively if you need direct support in making an application or certifying documents you can contact one of our agent representatives who will be able to support you see our full list of representatives.

Email
china@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.