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Questions about university

Here you'll find answers to the questions we hear the most from parents and carers. If your question isn't answered, come along to an Open Day or Offer Holder Day. 

Student Finance, costs and funding

What's the yearly cost for living at university?

This will vary from person to person, but we've done a rough budget based on the minimum spend, vs an average to higher spend over 41 weeks (academic year). The cheap option is living at Hamstead Campus, while the average is based on living at University Locks, with higher weekly budgets in each category. Entertainment is not essential, and it may be possible to make savings in other areas. 

Category Lower Average
Accommodation £5,280 £7,236
Food shopping £1,230 (£30 pr/wk) £2,870
Laundry £205 (£5 pr/wk) £410
Transport  £0 (free bus pass) £820
Course materials £205 (£5 pr/wk) £820
Subscriptions (phone, TV etc) £820 £4,100
Entertainment £410 £1,230
Total yearly (41 weeks) £8,150 £17,486

These figures are intended as a guideline only and shouldn't be taken as actual amounts. Accommodation costs are estimates for 2026/27.

When can students apply for student finance, and what are the deadlines?

Student Finance applications open in March each year, and students don’t need a confirmed place to apply. We recommend applying early to avoid payment delays.
https://www.gov.uk/student-finance

How is the maintenance loan calculated, including cases of separated/divorced parents or changes in household income?

The maintenance loan is calculated based on your household income. So if you are divorced and living separately, select the lowest-earning household to apply with. Bear in mind that if a partner comes to live with you and your child, their income will also count towards the household.

Money Saving Expert has created a very thorough guide on Plan 5 Student Loans, which we advise you to read. 

What happens if a parent’s income reduces the Maintenance Loan, and the parent cannot cover the difference?

If you aren’t able to make up the difference, you and your child will need to have a transparent conversation about their options. They could choose a university close to home and commute, take a few years out and work to save up money, get a part-time job at university, or wait until they’re 25 to go to university. At 25 they’ll be assessed on their own income.

This article has a great graph showing the expected parental contribution, as well as an interactive calculator. 

Which year's income is used for student finance if circumstances change?

Student Finance normally looks at the previous tax year’s household income. For example, students starting in September 2026 will use the tax year 2024-5025. If your circumstances change, you can request a current year income assessment, see the full details and apply on the government website. 

What additional equipment costs should we expect for specific courses?

This will vary greatly by course. Studying Jewellery will mean higher costs as your child will need to buy metals, gems and other materials. While studying a course like English will have minimal costs, for stationery and maybe some printing. Speak to course teams at an Open Day or by email to find out more, you can find contact details at the bottom of course pages.

BCU also has an extensive library and access to digital resources. Students can also borrow a laptop for free for up to 24 hours. 

Are bursaries, scholarships, access funds, or hardship funds available?

BCU offers a variety of scholarships, including Accelerate and subject scholarships. We also have a Financial Assistance Fund for students experiencing hardship, and offer tiered financial support which includes a student pantry, so no student goes hungry. 

What financial support is available for foundation years, repeat years, or placement years?

Student Finance covers tuition for the length of a course plus one additional year, which could cover a foundation year, placement, or studying abroad. Fees are applicable for a placement year at around 20% of the full year rate. Students should still complete a Student Finance application for a placement year. 

Is financial support available for a year abroad, international placements, or work experience?

BCU offers a Go Abroad programme for students on all courses to experience studying or working abroad. As part of this, students can apply for funding through the Turing scheme. You may also be eligible for a travel grant from the government.

Are there travel discounts, financial help with transport, or rail/bus passes?

Students from certain local colleges will receive a free travel pass when they come to study at BCU. Find more details on travelling to BCU here.

Do students living at home still receive financial support?

Yes, students living at home can still apply for tuition and maintenance loans, but this will vary depending on their circumstances. Use the Student Finance Calculator to find out how much they could get.

How can parents help their child understand available funding and support?

The first step is to understand it yourself. Read Money Saving Expert’s detailed article on Plan 5 student loans, or listen to the podcast. Once you feel a bit more confident on the subject, sit down together and work through the Student Finance Calculator together. Once you know how much they might be eligible for, you can start to ask questions about where they might like to study and look into the costs for that location. 

You can also find detailed information on the UCAS website.

Does BCU support students in finding part‑time work, and how easy is it to get a job in Birmingham?

BCU offers flexible part-time work as a Student Ambassador, Content Creator and more. BCU Students’ Union also advertise jobs every summer in their campus shops and food outlets. Birmingham is a busy city with countless shops and restaurants. Students can speak to the Careers team for support in getting a part-time job. 

Student accommodation

When should students apply for accommodation, and can they apply before accepting their place?

Students can apply for accommodation from February to July each year. Once they have accepted BCU as their firm or insurance choice, or have a firm offer from us. 

Does BCU guarantee accommodation for first‑year students?

Yes, BCU guarantees accommodation for all first-year, full-time home, EU and international students who firmly accept their offer and apply for accommodation by the deadline date. See the full timeline and process here.

How is accommodation allocated? Are first-years housed with other first-years?

Accommodation is allocated as students apply. They will be assigned with other BCU first years if they apply through the BCU accommodation portal. There is a notes section in the application where students can add their preferences e.g. all female flat, friends they want to live with etc. 

What are the locations and costs of BCU accommodation?

You can see all the accommodation we offer on our accommodation pages. There are options near to City South Campus, and the City Centre options are close to transport links for Alexander Stadium. Accommodation ranges in cost from around £5,280 for the academic year to £10,710.

How are accommodation fees paid (full year vs academic weeks)?

Accommodation fees are paid in three roughly equal instalments, aligned with maintenance loan payments.  

Can accommodation be viewed in person?

Yes, you can tour BCU student accommodation at an Open Day. You can also explore 360 tours and watch video tours through our virtual tour. 

What happens if a student does not have a guarantor?

If a student doesn’t have a guarantor, many of our accommodation partners offer Housing Hand as an alternative. 

Are accessible rooms available, and does a student need to receive PIP to book one?

Yes, accessible rooms are available. If your child has a disability or if there are medical or mobility factors that affect their accommodation needs, please provide full details in the application. You should also contact the Disability Support Team on 0121 331 6495 or by emailing disability@bcu.ac.uk to discuss their needs. 

Are students on demanding courses (e.g., education placements) placed in quieter areas?

Students are placed with others studying similar courses. For example, Nursing and Education students may be allocated together as they have placements and similar hours. You can also add this in the notes section of the application. 

Are there half‑board or catered options?

No, BCU doesn’t offer half-board or catered options. All flats are self-catered and in purpose-built student accommodation across the city. 

Which accommodation offers parking?

Hamstead Campus, The Heights, Beech Gardens, Queen’s Hospital Close and the Old Fire Station are the only accommodations which offer parking. Charges may apply. 

When will students find out their accommodation allocation?

Once they have submitted their accommodation application, they will receive an email with their room offer in the next few days. 

Is it possible to move if flatmate issues arise?

If issues arise, we advise your child to contact the accommodation team, who will do their best to help accommodation@bcu.ac.uk or visit their offices in the Curzon building by Scratch Radio. 

Where do students typically live after first year, and does BCU support accommodation for returning students?

For 2026-27 we are offering limited accommodation for returning students at Lakeside and Staniforth House. They can also book directly with accommodation providers or rent a private student house, we’ve laid out their options here. 

Is accommodation guaranteed if my child applies through Clearing?

Yes, we guarantee accommodation for all first-year, full-time home, EU and international students who accept an offer through Clearing, if they apply for accommodation by the deadline date.

Support for students with additional needs

What support is available for students with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, mental health issues, or other additional needs?

At Birmingham City University, our Student Inclusion Team offer tailored guidance, practical help and reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, specific learning difficulties, mental health conditions or long-term health issues. Please email the team to book a chat about your child’s needs disability@bcu.ac.uk  

How do students transfer exam adjustments or access learning support from school/college to BCU?

Arrange a meeting to discuss your child’s specific needs by emailing disability@bcu.ac.uk you can also find more details on how to plan their support here.

What financial support is available for disabled or neurodiverse students?

Your child may be eligible for Disabled Students' Allowance. 

Does BCU conduct disability screening for undiagnosed needs?

Yes, BCU provides screening, assessment and guidance for students who may have Specific Learning Difficulties. 

What is a Student Support Summary?

A Student Support Summary is a document that the BCU Student Inclusion Team creates. It outlines the reasonable adjustments a student needs for teaching and assessment. 

How does BCU support students who lack confidence or struggle socially?

BCU’s Mental Health and Wellbeing team provide mentoring, counselling and support for students who may struggle with anxiety. We also offer a Life Skills summer school to help prepare students with autism, or who may struggle with anxiety, for life at university. 

What additional tuition, mentoring, or workshops are available?

As well as offering support through the Inclusion and Mental Health teams, students can access a wide range of academic skills workshops and tutoring sessions at BCU. These are offered through the Library and our Academic Development teams, and are aimed at bridging the transition to university and supporting all students to succeed.

Academic support and wellbeing

What learning support is available for students falling behind or struggling academically?

We are committed to ensuring that every student succeeds. Our academic skills team offer 121 coaching, study skills tutoring, academic writing advice and more. 

How do students access counselling or mental health support, including crisis support?

Students can access mental health support throughout their time at BCU, including access to counselling and the BCU Wellbeing app for 24/7 support. If your child is going through a crisis, they should contact Forward Thinking Birmingham on 0300 300 0099 for immediate support. 

What pastoral/wellbeing services are available?

BCU offers support for mental and physical health, wellbeing, childcare and money troubles through our dedicated Student Support team. Students can access this support by visiting their nearest Student Support Centre. 

How do students register with a GP or dentist?

We strongly encourage students who are new to Birmingham to register with our healthcare provider. However, students are free to register with any local provider. 

How are timetables issued, and when will students receive them?

We aim to release timetables by mid-August.

What does an academic year look like (terms, weeks, holidays)?

The academic year at BCU is broken into three semesters. View the calendar for the current academic year to get an idea of how their time will be broken up. 

How do extensions, penalties, marking turnaround times, and resits work?

You can find detailed information about resits, extenuating circumstances and more in the Academic Regulations and Student Contract. We are moving to second resits as standard for assessments, so students will have three attempts to pass. 

How does BCU ensure attendance? Are parents contacted?

We monitor attendance through our Attendance Monitoring system, but parents aren’t contacted under our current guidelines.

How does the university mitigate AI‑generated assignment submissions?

You can find guidance on our AI policies here.

What support exists for students living at home to integrate socially?

69% of our students commute from the local area. This means many of your child’s classmates will be in the same situation. The Students’ Union and the University work together to provide a welcome and induction week filled with interactive activities that encourage students to interact and make friends. 

Does the route to university (BTEC vs A‑Level) affect readiness or support?

Many students at BCU studied BTEC subjects, the route they take into university doesn’t affect their likelihood of being accepted. We are dedicated to ensuring all students succeed at BCU and offer a range of academic skills tutoring. As well as being able to book 121 tutoring sessions with our academic skills team, these sessions are also being built into courses to ensure access is equitable. 

Are there field trips, and who covers the costs?

Some courses will have field trips, but it will vary as to who covers the cost. Please speak to the course team at an Open Day, or by emailing a contact from the bottom of the course pages. 

What industry‑related practical opportunities exist?

We integrate practice-based learning into our courses wherever possible. Check the employability information on individual course pages. We also offer opportunities like the Law Clinic, Link Marketing Agency and Repair Lab and more for students to develop practical skills. 

Student Life and safety

How late in the day do lectures typically run?

Lectures generally take place between 9am and 6pm, however some run until 7pm. 

What student societies are available?

There are many societies offered by the Students’ Union, ranging from course related to interests and niche hobbies. Any student can set up their own society.

What extracurricular activities, societies, clubs, or volunteering opportunities are available?

Students can join societies (clubs) through the Students’ Union, stay active with BCU Sport, and volunteer regularly with BCU volunteering. 

Do you allow time off for religious or spiritual observance?

We offer prayer rooms at each campus and are committed to supporting observance practices. 

Is it essential to buy a laptop?

No, we offer free laptop loans for up to 24 hours at a time with our LapSafe lockers on campus. There are also many public PCs and Macs for students to use. This may vary by course so it’s worth contacting the course team. 

Does construction work affect campus life?

BCU is located in an area undergoing major regeneration (e.g., HS2, Curzon redevelopment). While campus developments and city projects continue, our facilities are not affected.

Who can parents contact if they have questions before September?

If you have specific questions relating to your child’s course, we recommend visiting the course page, scrolling to the bottom and contacting the course lead.

Contact Admissions for pre-entry enquiries. Find contact information for Disability Support and other Support teams here. Speak to the Accommodation team if you have any questions about your child living away from home.  

Are there academic support clubs, tuitions, or additional classes outside formal teaching?

Yes, there are academic societies for a range of subjects. There are also a wealth of educational events and lectures to attend through the university and Careers and Student Opportunities team. 

What safety advice and induction do students receive when they start?

We provide safety information and briefings as part of our Welcome Week. We also have drop in educational sessions from West Midlands Police, and a Report and Support programme. 

What measures protect students from bullying, intimidation, or abuse?

We operate Report and Support for students and staff to report unacceptable behaviour anonymously. If students need support in a non-emergency situation, they can call campus security 0121 331 6969. 

Are parents automatically contacted if there are welfare concerns?

No, students receive support directly and parents are not contacted. 

Careers, placements, and post‑graduation support

Do students need to find their own placements, or does BCU assist?

Our Careers and Student Opportunities team supports students to find placements and work experience opportunities. 

What companies partner with BCU for placements or internships?

Our students have enjoyed placements with companies like the BBC, Cisco, IBM, NHS, Microsoft, Dolby, Selfridges, ASOS and more.

What future career prospects do BCU degrees offer?

We place a strong emphasis on employability across all our courses. Check the individual course pages for specific information. 

Applying to university and policies

What are the deadlines for accepting an offer?

If your child has applied in the main cycle, UCAS suggests they should respond to their offers by the end of March. If students don’t respond to offers by the deadline the offers will be automatically rejected (reject by default). Check UCAS for the latest information. 

How do students accept their offer on UCAS, and when does the option appear?

They’ll need to log in to their UCAS account to respond to offers. Your child will need to select a firm acceptance (their first choice) and insurance acceptance (backup choice), and reject their other offers. You can find detailed information on the UCAS site here. Reply dates are based on when they get their last decision from a university, check the dates here.

What should students do if they don’t meet their entry requirements?

Students can use UCAS Extra to add another choice, or reapply through Clearing. 

How does Clearing work for students who change their mind?

After they receive their results, students can find places through Clearing by searching on the UCAS website or searching on the individual university website. They can still do this even if they have received an offer from their firm or insurance choice, but they’ll need to reject those offers. First: search courses available in Clearing. Then call the university to get an offer. Finally, reject any current offers in UCAS and add the new Clearing offer. 

How lenient is BCU with near‑miss grades if BCU is the firm choice?

This is handled case by case by the course team.

Can students defer their place, and what happens if they later change their mind?

Yes, students can defer their place, they should contact the Admissions Team to do this. If they change their mind, they’ll need to contact the team directly. 

Can parents contact BCU for updates on their child's progress or attendance?

No, we will communicate with the student directly. Once your child starts university we will treat them as an adult and emphasise autonomy.

What happens if a student stops attending?

If a student stops attending we will follow the processes laid out in our Student Attendance and Engagement Policy. 

What is the process if a student wants to switch courses after starting?

Once they’ve enrolled and started their course, students must contact their Student Support Centre to request a course change. If they have accepted an offer, but haven’t stated yet, they should complete the course change form. 

Ask your questions in person

Get your questions answered at an Open Day or Offer Holder Day, where you can speak to course tutors, student support and accommodation teams in person.

Book your Open Day visit What is an Offer Holder Day?