How to Apply to Business at the University of Birmingham: The Business Management BSc Asks for A-Level AAB and Accepts the Gaokao, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At the University of Birmingham, business is taught by Birmingham Business School. This guide focuses on the Business Management BSc (UCAS code N200) and its four-year Year in Industry version (N201). Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Birmingham’s official information, for students at high schools in China (Gaokao and international-curriculum students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. The programme

• Business Management BSc (N200): three years, in person at Edgbaston, starting September 2027.
• Year 1: core modules in marketing and communications, organisations and entrepreneurship, accounting and financial decision-making, economics for business and quantitative skills.
• Years 2 and 3: Year 2 cores in business strategy, responsible business and research methods plus 60 optional credits; Year 3 a 40-credit dissertation plus 80 optional credits. Optional pathways: Business Analytics, Communications, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing, and Operations and Supply Chain Management, which can be added up to the end of first year.
• Extra year: you can add a year in data science or computer science.
• Year in Industry version (N201): four years, also AAB, with one-to-one placement support from Year 2. For a year abroad, Birmingham points to its International Business BSc.
• Other: the school holds AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS accreditation; final-year students not taking a placement can choose a professional development module with at least 40 hours of work placement.

2. Academic requirements: students at high schools in China

• A-Level: AAB from three A-Levels, excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking and Use of Maths, plus GCSE Maths 5/B.
• IB: 32 points with HL 6,6,5.
• Gaokao: Birmingham accepts the Gaokao for direct undergraduate entry, requiring at least 80% overall; 80% in Gaokao maths is needed only where A-Level Maths is required, and this course asks only for GCSE Maths. A table of the provincial scores equal to 80% is on the Gaokao page.
• Senior high school: alternatively, the graduation certificate with an 85% average in Years 11 and 12.
• Foundation: Birmingham runs its own one-year and four-year integrated foundation programmes on campus with progression to its degrees.
• Alternative offers: applicants with an EPQ, Core Maths, grade 8 music or county-level sport can receive a one-grade-lower alternative offer if Birmingham is their firm choice.

3. Academic requirements: students at Canadian high schools

• From Birmingham’s Canada page: British Columbia Grade 12 Senior Secondary Diploma with an 80% average in five Grade 12 subjects for AAB (75% for ABB, 85% for AAA), or at least five Bs.
• Ontario needs six Grade 12 U, U/C or M courses, with 80% for AAB.
• Birmingham notes that many programmes need at least a B average, possibly higher.

4. English requirements

• IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and speaking and 6.0 in listening and reading.
• TOEFL: 88 on the old scale (Reading 21, Listening 20, Speaking and Writing 22); 4.5 on the new scale (4.5 in speaking and writing, 4 in reading and listening).
• PTE 67 (67 in writing and speaking, 64 in reading and listening); C1 Advanced 176 (176 in writing and speaking, 169 in reading and listening).
• Conditional offer holders below the English requirement can take Birmingham’s presessional course instead of retesting.

5. Transfer students

• The course page does not describe Year 2 entry from other universities; contact Birmingham admissions before applying.

6. Fees and scholarships

• Tuition: £28,680 a year for international students in 2027/28; £10,050 for UK students. The international first-year fee stays the same for the whole degree, and a study abroad or placement year is charged at 50%.
• Scholarships: for 2026 entry Birmingham offered £5,000 High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships for students from Canada, now closed; check the scholarship pages for 2027 entry.

7. Timeline (September 2027 entry)

• Apply through UCAS; international and UK students apply the same way.
• Deadline: 13 January 2027, 18:00 GMT, which the course page also shows for international applicants.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Gaokao 80%+, or an 85% average in Years 11 and 12, or A-Level AAB / IB 32
• IELTS 6.5 (6.5 in writing and speaking) or TOEFL 4.5 on the new scale
• Apply in UCAS by 13 January 2027 with code N200 or N201

International-curriculum students:

• A-Level AAB (three subjects, GCSE Maths 5/B) or IB 32 (HL 6,6,5)

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• 80% average in five Grade 12 subjects; meet the English requirement above

Transfer students:

• No transfer rules are published; contact admissions first

Sources: University of Birmingham, Business Management BSc; Business Management with Year in Industry BSc; Gaokao undergraduate entry; Canada entry requirements and scholarships; Tuition fees. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Birmingham and UCAS for the latest details.