Let's talk! Ask a current student anything about the University of Birmingham :)

Hey!! I'm going into Year 12 in September and my absolute dream is to go to Birmingham University to study Psychology. Please can you tell me a bit about the interview process - what sort of things do they ask you? Also, what's the student life like there? I'm doing Biology, Psychology, Sociology and Classical Civilisations next year - are they good for doing Psychology at uni? Thank you!

Hello, I am an international student and have applied for BSc in Psychology and received a conditional offer from Birmingham among other unis i applied to. I was wondering if you could give me some insight into the course modules and how it is compared to modules from other universitites? Also, how is the quality of lecturers and the student life there? I really need to make a firm and insurance choice soon but I can't seem to decide between the universities i applied to. Also how is job prospect for psychology graduates? Thanks!

Hi, would it be possible to see your personal statement? I can't believe they don't do an interview so you only have one chance to impress and I am also interested in studying psychology and have read that they do a year abroad so what does that entail? Thank u

Hey, I'm a 16 year old in year 11, living in Birmingham. I am currently doing my GCSE's and achieve to get 3 A*'s and 5 A's. My biggest dream is to read medicine at University of Birmingham. Yes, this might sound cheesy but I am working exceptionally hard to achieve it. Recently, I have been offered a conditional offer at the University of Birmingham School's Sixth Form and will be very happily attending it. My A level choices are the following: Chemistry, Biology, Geography and Physics and I will aim to achieve at least 2 A*'s and 2 A's. I have 2 close cousins who have just qualified as doctors and they have two degrees (Bio-medical sciences at Birmingham and their medical degrees from Poland). They didn't get into Birmingham as they didn't have the grades but I will do anything to get the best grades as its not just for me but for my family. My mum passed away when I was 18 months old and she didn't get to achieve her dreams and nor did my dad get to go to university therefore, this is for them. I don't live a normal or easy life and it has always revolved around achieving the best to make everybody proud. Now, most of the people on this thread attend UoB and my actual question was, (LOL, finally!!!) is it REALLY hard to get into UoB? And is there any other things I can do to secure a place there? I'm deputy head girl at school and will apply to be head girl at college. I do charity work and have a job at Boots which will I will start after my exams. Again it means a lot to me and thank you for reading all of this! x

Hello Humalohar, I think it's fantastic how motivated and passionate you are about studying medicine. I can see you're working really hard to give yourself the best opportunity of getting into Birmingham. I don't do Medicine, however in my first year I lived with two medicine students. From talking to them I would recommend getting as much work experience as possible. It's also great that you're going to start working at Boots and that you do charity work. Medicine at Birmingham is very competitive, however you seem to have exactly the right attitude if you carry on with all your hard work I can tell you're going to go far if you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask me Eleanor

Awww, I feel like I'm going to cry! Thanks a lot for the answer and yeah, I fully intend to continue my attitude towards my education. Yes, I understand how important experience is but what kind of experience do you mean? And, I have really good interview skills, will that help? Thank you very much Eleanor (Great Name!!) x

Well we have open days on June 26th and 27th, 12th September and 17th October :-)

Hello ThatIzziGirl, so sorry for the late reply I've been very busy with exams and revision its great to hear how passionate you are about psychology. At Birmingham unless the process will have changed by the time you apply there isn't an interview process. The allocation process of places to students consists of just the personal statement. The student life at Birmingham is fantastic, there's something for everyone to get involved in. As Birmingham university is so close to the city centre as well there's a great variety of things to do in the day and in the evening! I never did biology at A level and I think it's probably the best subject you can do (apart from Psychology) for a psychology degree. So I'd really recommend sticking with it through AS to A-level if you can. Sociology is also great for social psychology modules in psychology too. So I think you've made some really great choices there if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to get in touch Eleanor

No problem - I hope your exams go well. Thanks for your help. I didn't realise that the personal statement was such an important factor. That worries me a bit because I have no idea what I would put on a personal statement as I don't feel like I've really done a lot. Is it work experience that they're looking for? If so, how do you get work experience in psychology? Thanks.

Well my mum has just told me today that I can't go to any of the open days. She says there's no point in wasting money because all the universities I've considered (Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool) are all good anyway and I can find out about them online, which does suck. The only ones I'm really considering are Birmingham and Manchester though, and I'm finding it hard to choose between them.
My next door neighbor was telling me that Birmingham is a great city yesterday, but one thing that is important is you always need to know exactly were your going because it's so big. You can't just hop on a bus like you can in Belfast and expect to end up near your desired destination; every journey must be planned out,
What are your thoughts on this?

Well I've grown up in Birmingham and don't find that a problem, and with a train station on campus I don't really take many buses - The trains are cheaper and faster! I suppose it's the same as being in any new city, it takes a while to get used to it. You can get loads of information online but you really can't replace a visit and tour of the university in person so I really recommend you do it! Even if it is just your favourites of Manchester and Birmingham. If you really can't go then I recommend ringing admissions departments and emailing lecturers about the course. What is it that you want to study?

Masters in Geology

Oh awesome, most of my housemates study Geology if you have questions?

Yeah actually that'd be a big help. Do any of them study the 4 year Masters though? I have some queries about admissions. I am predicted 4 A's in my AS levels but I am expecting 3 A's, but I want to know if i **** up one of those subjects and only end up with 2 A's would it be alright?
I know it sounds stupid. But my school is making everyone believe that people on a course that requires say 3 A's pretty much everyone on it exceeds 3 A's, a course requiring AAB will only really take people above that standard and ect. Other people have told me here it's stupid but I'm just doing research.
The course I want to do requires AAB for 2016 entry btw. And the Bsc's require ABB.
Thanks by the way mate, you've been a great help to me.