THE University of Birmingham was founded in 1900 with an anti-discrimination proposal, accepting men and women on equal terms and becoming the first UK university to build a residential building for female students. Currently, the institution has a community of more than 5,000 students from 150 nationalities, located in the second largest British city: Birmingham.
A founding member of the Russell Group (the British Ivy League), the university is recognized for its innovative academic research, which throughout its 118 years of existence has had major impacts on society. In it, the pacemaker, the plastic coronary valve, the synthesis of the first artificial vitamin – vitamin C – and also the creation of the magnetron cavities, leading to the creation of radar and microwaves, were developed.
The university is also a pioneer in the creation of allergy vaccines and the first to conduct clinical trials of the contraceptive pill outside the United States, making a fundamental impact on the quality of life of women around the world.
The development of its research and technologies results to the present day in great awards for its students, including the Nobel. Between 1922 and 2016, the university counted 11 alumni of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Peace, Medicine and Physics. Today, Birmingham continues to lead research in the most important fields of the 21st century, such as nanotechnology, gene therapy, robotics and the use of virtual reality in archaeology.
The University of Birmingham has courses in five departments: Social Sciences, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Arts & Law, Medical & Dental Sciences (being the first British university to offer a degree in Dentistry) and Life & Environmental Sciences. In the most recent annual report of the High Fliers Birmingham students ranked second in the rankings of the most sought after by major employers, behind only the University of Manchester.
Always looking to develop its international education sector, in September this year the university launches a new campus in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, becoming the first Russell Group university to own a building there.
Andy Hammond, an official at the Office of International Recruitment, says that there is a great track record of Brazilian students taking courses in all areas offered by the university. “Brazil is a strategic region of great importance for the university and we have invested in Brazil to form significant partnerships and relationships, in order to increase collaborative research with large universities, institutions and private organizations. We also seek to maximize opportunities for transnational education and visit Brazil regularly to meet potential students.”
Hammond also states that the fact that postgraduate courses in the United Kingdom last only one year – unlike American programs – the University of Birmingham becomes an attractive destination for Brazilians. “Depending on the field of study the student is looking for, there is a good chance that Birmingham has the right program,” he promises.
Applying for university
More than looking for students with high academic standards, Birmingham focuses on motivated candidates who are involved in activities both inside and outside of their studies. “Whether it's sport, cultural, political or whatever, we want to see how each student stands out from the crowd, as that's what we encourage our students within the university. And that applies to everyone, not just international students,” explains Hammond.
When deciding to apply to the university, it is necessary that the student has researched the institution well, being able to clarify his doubts with a consultant. loveUK. It is important to remember that most Birmingham courses do not have an interview, requiring the candidate to be well prepared to apply. But don't be discouraged, our advice is available free of charge to assist you in this process.
With the fourth largest population of international students and the largest community of international graduate students in the UK, the institution strongly encourages the enrollment of Brazilians. In 2017 it was held on the Birmingham campus Brazil Week, an event that celebrates Brazilian culture, ideas and research. This year, a new edition will take place in March, due to the success of the event. “We will have discussion panels, special classes, research forums, films, Capoeira and much more. Soon we will release more information”, promises Hammond.
