The quickest and most efficient method of applying for admission to postgraduate programmes at Birmingham is to apply online. This allows you to complete the application process at your own pace, using our ‘save and return’ option.
Apply online: www.apply.bham.ac.uk
We would prefer all applications to be online, but if this is not possible you can complete a paper application form by downloading a PDF version of the form and guidance notes:
Alternatively, you can request a copy of the application form:
Email: prospectus@bham.ac.uk
Applications for the following postgraduate programmes should be made through the appropriate central Clearing House:
If you submit an online application, please write your ID number on your supporting documents when you send them to us. You will receive an ID number by email on the day after you submit your application (apart from applications submitted on Friday, Saturday or Sunday when the email will arrive on Monday).
If you send in your supporting documents before completing the online application form, please make sure that you write your full name, email address, date of birth and the programme you are applying for on all the documents.
If you apply using the paper application form, please include, where possible, your supporting documents with the application.
Admissions
Aston Webb Building
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham B15 2TT
or email to pgadmissions@contacts.bham.ac.uk
All documents must be in English or have a certified translation. Transcripts should be either original or a certified photocopy. If you send a photocopy it must have the original certification stamp and be certified by a notary, an organisation such as the British Council, your institution or a University of Birmingham overseas representative in your country. Details of our overseas representatives can be found at www.international.bham.ac.uk/overseas_representatives.htm
If you send scanned and emailed documents and are made an offer, you will be required to send certified copies or original documents as a condition of the offer.
Depending on the programme you choose you may need to submit a research proposal.
Research degrees (eg PhD, MLitt, MPhil, MMus, LLM, MJur)
Schools in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the College of Life and Environmental Sciences, where students join an existing research group, need to know:
All other Schools in the Colleges of Arts and Law, Social Sciences, and Medical and Dental Sciences – require a research proposal of between 1000 and 1500 words specifying the subject of the proposed research, the body of ideas or theory that will be used, the aim and objectives and the methodological approach to be adopted.
Combined research and taught programmes
A research proposal of approximately 1000-1500 words is required for the following programmes:
Before you apply for a research degree you should:
Most postgraduate taught and combined research and taught programmes start in late September/early October, but you will be informed if the start date of your chosen programme is different. Start dates for research programmes can be at the beginning of any month apart from July and August.
In general, there are no closing dates for applications to taught programmes or research degrees. However, you are advised to apply as early as you are able because many of our programmes receive more applications than there are places available. International applicants should also allow time to obtain a visa.
Where there are closing dates, these are given in school or departmental entries of this prospectus. If you are seeking financial support from a research council you should contact the school or department for details of deadlines.
Before you apply for a research degree you should:
Please note:
Entry on to many programmes is highly competitive; consequently we also consider the skills, attributes, motivation and potential for success of an individual when deciding whether to make an offer. After we have received your application you may, if you live in the UK, be invited for an interview or to visit us to discuss your application.
All applications for postgraduate study are processed through our central Admissions Office and forwarded to the programme selectors in the relevant department for consideration. The central Admissions Office will write to you to inform you of the decision. The decision will be either:
If you are made an offer of a place it will be subject to the terms and conditions of the University. These terms and conditions will be included with the offer and relate to a range of issues, for example the fees payable, or what the University will do should a research supervisor unexpectedly become unavailable.
As a condition of an offer of a place you may be required to achieve a particular result in your current studies, undertake a preliminary period of study consisting of selected academic work or technical training, or provide evidence of English language proficiency.
Non-EEA international students will need to consider certain immigration requirements when accepting their offer and when preparing for their student visa application. For further advice see www.as.bham.ac.uk/study/support/international/visa.
This is a process by which the University gives credit for learning achieved by an individual before entry to a programme of study:
If you feel that you have sufficient qualifications and/or experience to give you partial exemption from a programme of study at Birmingham, you are welcome to make a claim for APL. Please note, however, that you must first make a separate application for admission via the central Admissions Office – for more details about APL see www.admissions.bham.ac.uk/apl.
