Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University (BCU) has over 31,000 students from over 100 countries. We are a large and diverse university set in the heart of Birmingham with a focus on practice-based learning that means you'll leave ready to make waves in your chosen career.

With over 120 postgraduate and professional development courses to choose from, you will find a qualification that suits your interests and ambitions. Studying a master's at BCU is about more than a degree - it's an experience that shapes your future, unlocks your potential and helps you grow professionally and personally.

Thanks to my Master’s, I’m in demand. A company said that they invited me to interview because I have the MSc in Construction Project Management, and the breadth of knowledge and health and safety awareness taught on the course is something that they were looking for. I hope to progress to the role of project manager in the next few years and the Master’s degree has given me the confidence and skills to reach that goal.

Taher Shekhelarab, MSc Construction Project Management

Why study here

• We have invested over £500 million into state-of-the-art facilities to ensure our postgraduate students have the best possible environment for practice-based learning, from four TV and six radio studios to mock hospital wards and a city trading room.
• Our courses are designed to ensure you give your career a real edge. Many courses hold internationally recognised professional accreditations, offer opportunities to complete live projects with businesses and develop your professional network.
• 93% of our research was recognised internationally for originality, significance and rigour, of which 19% was judged world-leading (REF 2021)

Take a virtual tour

Rankings

• 31,400 students from around 120 countries. (Source: HESA, 2023/24)
• Ranked 13th in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024.
• 8th in England for Social Mobility (HEPI, 2024)
• Gold for student experience (Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)

Our campuses

Postgraduate study is your chance to discover what it will be like in your chosen industry - and we've got the facilities to make that happen. We've spent over £400 million developing our campuses to ensure our students have the best possible equipment and learning spaces, from four TV and six radio studios to mock hospital wards, the world-class Alexander Stadium and a city trading room.

Employability

Our courses are designed to ensure you give your career a real edge. Many courses hold internationally recognised professional accreditations and are taught by experts in their fields.

You'll work on course-related projects and work placements with companies and organisations like Gymshark, Microsoft, Cisco, Unity, Jaguar Land Rover, Sky UK and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

If your goal is to own your own business, BCU has the highest number of student and graduate business start-ups of any university in the West Midlands (HESA, 2022). Our STEAMhouse is a dynamic space equipped with a variety of co-working, artist production, incubation, and networking facilities. STEAMhouse enables students to collaborate with businesses, engage in real-world industry projects, and hone their entrepreneurial skills.

Students have access to our range of support services, including careers advice, mentoring, advice on finance and academic matters and professional development events. Our Careers+ and Graduate+ teams will help you gain the skills employers want and boost your CV.

My tutor’s industry knowledge and my work experience at Sky and Universal Music during my degree prepared me to go straight into the industry. After graduating I started working in roles on big TV shows like The Great British Bake Off and All That Glitters. I’m really proud that I’ve been able to have so many experiences, and I can’t wait to continue to grow from here.

Elvinah Xhignesse, MA Media Production

Scholarships and Bursaries

Graduate Scholarship

BCU graduates could be eligible for a 20% fee reduction enrolling onto an eligible Master's or PhD qualification for the first time.

Aziz Foundation Scholarships

We are offering three fully- funded scholarships for British Muslims to study a Master’s in Data Journalism, Media Production or Public Relations in September 2025.

Scott Trust Bursary

We have partnered with The Guardian Foundation to offer a bursary for applicants to our MA Data Journalism course. Those who are awarded the bursary receive a fully funded course, living
expenses, work opportunities and more.

Find out more about our scholarships and bursaries

Life in Birmingham

By choosing Birmingham City University, you will be studying in a vibrant and diverse city, with plenty of opportunities to progress your education and career. Birmingham is a city that is constantly transforming and creating, with BCU a huge part of its innovation.

The lecturers at BCU were friendly and extremely helpful and the University itself was so well equipped. The modules on the MSc prepared me well for everything I now do on a day-to-day basis, and I know that this knowledge paired with my experience will carry me into a more senior position.

Claudine Tracey, MSc Real Estate Management