Birmingham Newman University

Birmingham Newman University, a Catholic institution, opened in 1968 as a teacher training college named Newman College of Higher Education, on land at Bartley Green made available by the Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham. Degree awarding powers came in 2007 and university title in 2013, with the current name adopted in 2023. Its namesake is Saint John Henry Newman, whose tutorial model of learning continues to shape its teaching.

About 5,500 students attend Newman, a compact university centred on teaching, where classes are small and students work closely with academic staff. Teacher education is still one of its main strengths; other subjects include law, criminology, psychology, business, accounting, computer science, sport and the humanities, plus a growing set of health courses such as paramedic science, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and nursing. The university is known for supporting social mobility, and many of those enrolled are the first in their families to attend university. Its only campus sits in suburban Bartley Green, roughly eight miles south-west of central Birmingham, with a sports centre, a library and halls of residence on site.

Information for International Students

Birmingham Newman University's International team supports applicants from admission through visa preparation to enrolment. A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is only issued after an applicant has received an offer, passed a credibility interview and supplied bank evidence showing sufficient funds. Requirements for English vary by level. For the foundation year, applicants need a level equivalent to IELTS for UKVI 5.5 with 5.5 or more in every component; most undergraduate courses need 6.0 overall with each component at 5.5 or above, and postgraduate courses 6.5 with each component at 6.0 or above, with higher levels for certain professionally regulated programmes. An integrated foundation year, available on some degrees, offers another way in.

The campus has two halls of residence with en-suite and shared-bathroom rooms. Newman offers international scholarships, some awarded automatically to full-time international students, and also partners with the Chevening Scholarship scheme. Its status as a new Student visa sponsor means it advises that sponsored students may not take work in the UK while studying and cannot apply for the Graduate Route; applicants should confirm the position when applying.