Entry requirements
Programme eligibility
Join us for 6, 7, or 8 weeks during the British summer to engage in hands-on research projects and explore potential postgraduate study or research careers.
To be eligible, interested students will need to
- Demonstrate relevant coursework or subject alignment with the chosen project.
- Meet the academic requirements (including minimum GPA and personal statement and English language requirement) as below.
- Have a high research inclination with interest in progressing to postgraduate research.
- Secure successful approval through the final interview with the host school/ supervisor.
Academic requirements
Academic requirements
All applicants must submit
- an academic transcript for at least two prior academic years in a full-time higher education demonstrating high academic standing, at least equivalent to a 2:1 / 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
- a personal statement (max. 400 words) demonstrating–good subject knowledge, good understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods and the reason why you wish to attend the Birmingham Summer Research Programme at the University of Birmingham.
The final stage of the selection process will include an interview held by the school/ supervisor; providing the final decision point of accepting the student into the programme.
In any case, borderline applicants will need to meet at least the entry requirements for the study abroad semester from that country.
Please note that an ATAS certificate is not required for UG research, but maybe required for postgraduate research projects.
English language requirements
English language requirements
To demonstrate a suitable level of English proficiency for research, applicants for the summer research programme must provide at least one of the following
- A B2 Certificate level provided by your Home institution (only suitable if you are applying from a current EU exchange partner)
- IELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in speaking
- TOEFL 88 overall with no less than 22 in Writing, 21 in Reading and Speaking, and 20 in Listening (For TOEFL tests taken from January 2026, there will be a requirement of 4 in all skills).
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) 67 with no less than 65 in all four skills.
- Language Cert ESOL CELT (UKVI) B2 Communicator with no less than 33 in Listening and Reading, and 36 in Speaking and Writing
Alternative English language qualifications may also be accepted. Please contact us for more details.