Academic modules
Before choosing your modules, please read the important information about module selection. This also contains guidance on Learning Agreements and Transcripts of Records. It is important that you familiarise yourself with it.
The modules available to Study Abroad and Exchange students are listed in the drop-down menu below. If you need further information about any module or have an academic-related question, please contact the relevant school or college using the email address provided.
Please note that not all University modules are available to Study Abroad and Exchange students.
2026/27 Academic Year
Important information about modules and academic processes
Important information about modules and academic processes
Module selection process
If you are on an open module study abroad or exchange programme, you will receive an email with instructions and a module application form. You should choose up to nine modules if you are studying for one semester, or up to 12 modules if you are studying for a full academic year, and rank them in order of preference. You will also be able to indicate which modules are compulsory for your study plan at your home institution. The college(s) you apply to will contact you directly regarding your module choices.
If you are a Postgraduate/Master’s student, you will need to contact your college or school directly to arrange your module selection.
If you are on a set module study abroad programme, your modules will already have been determined and communicated to you.
Credit requirements
Students must take the following credit load while studying at the University of Birmingham:
- One semester: 60 UK credits (equivalent to 30 ECTS)
- One academic year: 120 UK credits (equivalent to 60 ECTS)
Most modules are worth either 10 or 20 UK credits.
Understanding module levels
Module levels indicate the academic stage of study:
- LC – Certificate level (first year undergraduate)
- LI – Intermediate level (second year undergraduate)
- LH – Honours level (third year undergraduate)
- LM – Master’s level (postgraduate)
Taking modules across different colleges
You may take modules from different colleges. However, you must take at least 40 UK credits per semester from your preferred college. Please also be aware that timetable clashes may limit some module combinations.
Learning Agreements and Study Plans
This information is particularly relevant for students joining us from European partner institutions.
All incoming students are assigned an academic exchange tutor within their host school. Once your modules have been confirmed, your academic exchange tutor can sign your Learning Agreement or Study Plan. Some schools may be able to sign documents earlier, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Please contact your host school or college and send them a PDF copy of your document. They will be able to advise you and confirm the name of your academic exchange tutor/responsible person who will sign your document.
The Study Abroad and Exchange team cannot sign your Learning Agreement.
Module confirmation and timetables
For the September intake, modules are usually confirmed in September and will appear on your timetable approximately one week before classes begin.
For the January intake, modules are normally confirmed and visible on your timetable within the first two weeks of January.
Changing your modules
In most cases, students may change modules during the first two weeks of teaching.
Please note that the School of Biosciences and Birmingham Law School have a one-week change window due to the scheduling of practicals.
Changing your preferred college or school
Where necessary, students may be transferred to a different college or school based on where the majority of their approved modules are located.
Transcripts and academic records
Transcripts are only generated after all your marks have been released by the schools, and your student record has been updated to 'leaver' status.
You can view, download and share your transcript with your home university via Gradintelligence: How do I access Gradintelligence?
If you are struggling to access your Gradintelligence account, or for more information about how to use Gradintelligence, please visit the FAQs page: Secure Documents Website: Gradintelligence.
If you have any questions regarding your official transcript, please email securedocuments@contacts.bham.ac.uk – the study abroad team cannot answer these questions.
College of Arts and Law
College of Arts and Law
Modules for study abroad and exchange students
Main fields of study
- African Studies
- Archaeology
- Classics
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Languages
- Film
- History
- History of Art
- Law
- Liberal Arts
- Music
- Natural Sciences
- Philosophy
- Theology and Religion
Contact email: calstudyabroad@contacts.bham.ac.uk
If you are a Postgraduate (PG)/Master's student, you will need to contact the college directly to arrange module selection.
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Modules for the School of Chemical Engineering
Please note that courses in Chemical Engineering are not open to one-semester Study Abroad and Exchange students. The School of Chemical Engineering only accepts exchange students coming for the full year.
UG contact email: ugchemeng@contacts.bham.ac.uk
PG contact email: pgtchemeng@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Modules for the School of Chemistry
Please note that courses in Chemistry are not open to one-semester Study Abroad and Exchange students. The School of Chemistry only accepts exchange students coming for the full year.
Contact email: chem-eso@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Modules for the School of Computer Science
Please note that students joining us in September for one semester only will be able to take courses from Computer Science, but the courses will not have an alternative assessment and the students will complete the summative assessment during the January or May/June assessment periods in Birmingham, or they will be invigilated on the same date/time at the home university.
There is no change for these courses for full-year and Spring semester only students.
Contact email: csoffice@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Modules for the School of Engineering
Please note that students joining us in September for one semester only will be able to take courses from Engineering, but the courses will not have an alternative assessment and the students will complete the summative assessment during the January or May/June assessment periods in Birmingham, or they will be invigilated on the same date/time at the home university.
There is no change for these courses for full-year and Spring semester only students.
UG contact email: engineeringsupport-ug@contacts.bham.ac.uk
PG contact email: engineeringsupport-msc@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Modules for the School of Mathematics
Please note that courses in Mathematics are not open to one-semester Study Abroad and Exchange students. The School of Mathematics only accepts exchange students coming for the full year.
Contact email: mat-phys-admin@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Modules for the School of Metallurgy and Materials
Please note that students joining us in September for one semester only will be able to take courses from Metallurgy and Materials, but the courses will not have an alternative assessment and the students will complete the summative assessment during the January or May/June assessment periods in Birmingham, or they will be invigilated on the same date/time at the home university.
There is no change for these courses for full-year and Spring semester only students.
Contact email: metmat-eso@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Modules for the School of Physics and Astronomy
Please note that courses in Physics and Astronomy are not open to one-semester Study Abroad and Exchange students. The School of Physics and Astronomy only accepts exchange students coming for the full year.
Contact email: mat-phys-admin@contacts.bham.ac.uk
If you are a Postgraduate (PG)/Master's student, you will need to contact the college directly to arrange module selection.
College of Life and Environmental Sciences
College of Life and Environmental Sciences
Modules for the School of Biosciences - Undergraduate
Modules for the School of Biosciences - Postgraduate
Contact email: bio-affiliates-admin@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Modules for the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Contact email: gees-affiliates-admin@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Modules for the School of Psychology
Contact email: psych-affiliatesadmin@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Modules for the School of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences
Contact email: sportexr-affiliates-admin@contacts.bham.ac.uk
If you are a Postgraduate (PG)/Master's student, you will need to contact the college directly to arrange module selection.
College of Social Sciences
College of Social Sciences
Modules for Birmingham Business School
Please note: Business School programmes require one of the following English language scores: A TOEFL score of 88 overall with a minimum of 22 in Writing and Speaking, an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.5 in Writing and Speaking, a Pearson Test of English score of 67 overall, with 67 in Writing and Speaking, a Cambridge English score of 176 overall with 176 in Writing and Speaking, a Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI) score of B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in Listening and Reading and 38 in Speaking and Writing, or a Trinity ISE III score of Merit in Speaking and Writing, Pass in other skills.
UG contact email: bbs.ugexchanges@contacts.bham.ac.uk
PG contact email: bbs-mscuk@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Modules for the School of Education
UG contact email: ug-education@contacts.bham.ac.uk
PG contact email: maeducation@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Modules for the School of Government
UG contact email: polsisyearabroad@contacts.bham.ac.uk
PG contact email: polsis.pgt@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Modules for the School of Social Policy
UG contact email: ug-sp-soc-crim@contacts.bham.ac.uk
PG contact email: socialpolicy-postgraduate@contacts.bham.ac.uk
If you are a Postgraduate (PG)/Master's student, you will need to contact the college directly to arrange module selection.
Disclaimer
Every effort is made to ensure that the module information contained through the School links above is as up-to-date and as accurate as possible at the time of publication. However, please note that we are unable to guarantee availability in any of the modules listed herein. The University reserves the right, without notice or liability, to withdraw or alter module information subject to teaching restrictions, insufficient demand, or any other exceptional circumstance.