About the Program
Study in the second largest city of England, Birmingham. As the first civic university, Birmingham was a place where all students were accepted on an equal basis no matter their religion or background. As a student of the university, you’ll have the opportunity to study alongside international students from all over the world.
The university boasts a large array of areas of studies for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Deadline to Apply for Spring 2025
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Deadline to Apply for Fall 2025
Thursday, March 13, 2025
Academics
Students coming to the University of Birmingham now have access to one of the widest ranges of academic departments available at any UK institution. Providing you meet the prerequisite requirements, you will be able to select courses across disciplines to develop an academic program that is suitable for your level, interests and subject requirements. At the University of Birmingham a degree is called a “course” and a course is called a “module”. You will take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
Course Levels:
| Birmingham Year | Birmingham Course Level | UMaine Course Level |
| Foundation Level | 100 | |
| Year 1 | Certificate Level | 200 |
| Year 2 | Intermediate Level | 300 |
| Year 3 | Honours Level | 400 |
| Masters Level | graduate level courses |
Course Duration:
| Birmingham Course Duration | UMaine Course Duration |
| Semester 1 | Fall semester |
| Semester 2 | Spring semester |
| Full Year | Fall+Spring semester (cannot be taken for only one semester) |
Transfer credits:
20 credit modules = 5 UMaine credits
10 credit modules = 2.5 UMaine credits.
Best Suited Majors
Other Majors
Estimated budget for the fall semester at the University of Birmingham.
Estimated budget for the spring semester at the University of Birmingham.
Estimated budget for the academic year at the University of Birmingham.
See the estimated Living Costs.
All the examinations at Birmingham are held in May/June—even for modules which are taught wholly in the Autumn Term. This means that students leaving in December will need to undertake some additional assessment in place of the examination. In some cases, this takes the form of a special examination in the last week of term but in other cases there will be an additional essay, or an essay that is longer than normal.
Fall semester 2024:
Welcome Week: 23 September – 27 September
Christmas vacation: 18 December 2023 – 5 January 2024
Term dates: 30 September – 13 December
Spring semester 2025:
Term Dates: 13 January – 4 April
For future dates, visit the Academic Calendar.
Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.8
Full-Time Enrollment:
UMaine students must be registered for 50-60 credits each semester.
Exchange students are required to pay an immigration healthcare surcharge (IHS) when they apply for their student visa. Students must complete the payment and return to the immigration application in less than 30 minutes.
Students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time if they are studying a full-time degree-level program. Students studying a full-time program below degree level can work up to 10 hours per week during term time. Outside of term time, students can work full-time, which is usually around 40 hours per week.
You must have a Tier 4 Student visa to work in the UK.
Accommodation (housing) at the University of Birmingham is similar to apartments at DTAV/Patch. In each “village” there is accommodation offering a self-catered option (kitchen and cooking facilities provided). At the Vale students are also able to take advantage of a Meal Plan. If you opt for Meal Plan accommodation, your meals are provided from Monday to Friday during the semester. Students can find information on accommodation and fees here.
Helpful Housing tips:
The Vale Village (nicer but a 15-minute walk from campus) is a housing complex which includes several different residence halls.
- Maple Bank residence hall is one of the cheapest options. It has apartments with single bedrooms and shared bathrooms and kitchens. It also offers an optional meal plan.
- Tennis Courts is another good option with flats (apartments) with en-suite bathrooms and kitchens. It also offers an optional meal plan.
- Mason Hall is the most expensive option. It also offers an optional meal plan.
Selly Oak Village (only 10 minutes from campus) offers several different residence halls.
- Jarratt Hall offers single bedrooms with private bathroom and shared kitchen.
- No meal plan offered. Students prepare their own meals.
| Birmingham grade | UK Grade – Honors Class | ECTS grade | UMaine grade |
| 70-100% | First (1) | A | A |
| 65-69% | Upper Second (2.1) | B | A- |
| 60-64% | Upper Second (2.1) | B | B+ |
| 55-59% | Lower Second (2.2) | C | B |
| 50-54% | Lower Second (2.2) | C | B- |
| 40-49% | Third | D | C |
| 0-39% | Fail | F | F |
Campus
Birmingham’s city center is dedicated to different areas such as the arts, entertainment, sports, and commerce. Spend the day or weekend visiting locations such as London, Shakespeare’s birthplace, or explore your host city!
Cultural Activities
The University of Birmingham Guild of Students organizes events and excursions throughout the academic year, and is home to almost 200 student groups, including societies (focused on like-minded people having fun doing activities together), volunteering projects, support groups, and residents’ associations.
Student Favorites
Learn More About an Education Abroad at Birmingham University
Erika Clement
Assistant Director of Education Abroad
5775 Stodder Hall RM 300
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469
207. 581.3437 | studyabroad@maine.edu
Yijie Ren
Education Abroad Advisor
5775 Stodder Hall RM 300
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469
207. 581.3437 | studyabroad@maine.edu