When you join Birmingham City University as a postgraduate student, you will be entering a community of like-minded people focused on specialising in their respective subjects.
With a total of 1,320 students who opted for postgraduate study at Birmingham City University in 2007 to 2008, the support network and learning opportunities here are second to none – and over the next five years, our Research Strategy aims to double the number of people who choose to study for a research degree at the University.
Postgraduate and post-experience courses can enhance your career prospects, giving you the chance to learn key skills such as structuring your workload, developing powers of analysis and critical enquiry and working independently – abilities that are highly sought-after within the world of work and will prove invaluable wherever your future lies.
Postgraduate and post-experience students can choose to learn in two ways: through taught courses or research. There are important differences in the nature of work undertaken, the period of study involved and the method of examination.
You can choose to study for your postgraduate qualification as a part-time or full-time student. Visit our financial information pages to find out about funding options for postgraduate study.
Taught courses
Taught courses normally involve formal lectures and/or seminar programmes and written examinations.
Following a taught course will lead to one of the following awards:
- Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma (PGCert/PGDip) – These qualifications usually require at least one year of full-time study or about two years of part-time study. We also offer the PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education).
- Master's (MA or MSc) – These awards usually involve one year (a minimum of 48 weeks) full-time, or about three years' part-time study. Achieving a Masters qualification may involve taking a final dissertation after completing a PGDip course.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) – This is, by nature, a broad course for students over the age of 25 who have at least two years of management experience.
- Professional qualifications – We offer a range of professional qualifications and courses which combine academic with professional awards, for example the Common Professional Examination in Law.
Details of all our taught courses can be found in postgraduate courses.
Research courses
Postgraduate qualifications by research are offered in any field available at the University, provided that scholarly research is possible in that area. These courses involve independent exploration, analysis and the preparation of a thesis under the supervision of a lecturer who specialises in your chosen subject.
Details of research opportunities within each faculty are provided on our research pages. For more information, please contact the relevant Centre of Research Excellence, or the secretary to the Research Degree Committee.
A research course will lead to the following awards:
- Master of Philosophy (MPhil) - An MPhil usually takes two years by full-time study or three years by part-time study. However, there is no minimum period for the completion of the degree.
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - A PhD usually takes three years by full-time study or four years by part-time study.
- Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) - The Doctorate in Business Administration award is a new form of degree designed around action learning, reflective practice and the management of change in organisations.
In general, you should have a first-class or second-class honours UK degree in a subject relevant to the field of research you wish to pursue. To register for a PhD you will normally also need to hold a Masters degree, or you may transfer from an MPhil.