INTERACTIVE CONTENT: University of Birmingham: Nurturing teachers without borders

Think about the best teacher you ever had. Someone who opened your eyes to new ideas and made learning feel like an adventure. Now imagine if every child in the world had someone like that. Unfortunately, that world is still a work in progress. According to the Global Report on Teachers, an additional 44 million teachers will be needed in schools worldwide by 2030.

As for the type of teachers needed? Those who understand the power of research, value global perspectives, and are ready to lead change. The School of Education at the University of Birmingham, based in Edgbaston, UK, is a place where such educators are shaped. With a worldwide reputation for teaching and research excellence, it leads the way in transforming educational practice and policy.

“With almost 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries, and a third of our academic staff from overseas, our UOB campus is truly a diverse and global place.”

Dr. Donna Dawkins, Global Engagement Lead for the School of Education

• #67 for Education ( Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024)

• #20 (Complete University Guide for Education 2025)

• #11 in the UK for Education (QS World University Rankings 2024)

• Rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted inspection (2024) for its Primary Teacher Training programmes and good for its secondary.

• Top university for graduate employers (High Fliers Report, The Graduate Market 2024)

The world in your campus

Stroll through the University of Birmingham’s campus and you’ll see people from all walks of life, and every corner of the globe. That’s no coincidence. The university believes that to succeed today, you need to be able to work with people from different cultures and backgrounds. That’s what makes its graduates stand out.

“Education students are provided with opportunities for international exchange, community and global volunteering, including virtual mobility opportunities and are encouraged to pursue independent, new experiences to broaden their perspectives. By encouraging a global outlook in our students, we encourage knowledge transfer supporting international graduate employability,” says Dr. Dawkins.

British education with global impact

In 2018, the University of Birmingham made history as the first global top 100 and UK Russell Group university to establish a campus in Dubai. That commitment to delivering world-class education on a global scale? Proven.

• Learn from experienced educators across the UAE and beyond.

• Join Action Research Network, an exclusive space for educators to network and use research to drive real change in schools.

The future of education is global. So is your path.

Birmingham Global

Birmingham Global is the driving force behind the university’s international vision, empowering students, staff, and researchers to connect, collaborate and grow on a global scale.

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Go Global

Go further with Go Global. The team helps you find short-term and long-term opportunities to study, work, research, or volunteer abroad.

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Programmes

MA Education

Develop the skills to build a fairer, more inclusive education system with leadership, Special Educational Needs (SEN), and social justice modules.

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MSc TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

New to teaching? Lead classrooms with confidence with practical language teaching skills and cutting-edge research insights.

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MA Educational Leadership and Management

Whatever your background — teacher, policymaker, or researcher — you’ll explore topics like school leadership, policy implementation, inclusion, and more to transform education systems worldwide.

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BA Education

The three-year BA (Hons) Education degree draws on psychology, sociology, philosophy, and history to help you understand how education shapes the world.

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 BSc Psychology in Education

Accredited by the British Psychological Society, this BSc explores how learning unfolds across homes, early years, and school.

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What happens after?

At the University of Birmingham, you’ll join a community that connects you to real-world opportunities.

87.2% of graduates land graduate-level jobs or pursue further study within 15 months.

Hear from the students

Karishma Udawat

MA Education 

As part of my programme, I was given the opportunity to do an amazing six-week internship in Chile at Universidad de Los Andes, fully funded by the Turing Scheme. I co-led a project to develop an Intercultural Competence Framework, which we presented at a workshop.

Back on campus, I loved how engaging the teaching was, especially the seminars where we discussed important issues in education with students and staff from around the world. Alongside my studies, I took on four paid campus roles, all of which strengthened my career skills while allowing me to earn money during the year.

I enjoyed living in Birmingham so much that I chose to stay after graduating. It’s a convenient, well-connected city and is incredibly diverse, you can find any ingredient or cuisine you’re looking for. The campus itself is beautiful, and I always felt safe and supported here.

Ron Nguyen

MA Education, Leadership

Studying at the University of Birmingham was an incredible experience. The programme deepened my understanding of leadership in school improvement and curriculum development, while collaborative projects — including work on decolonising the curriculum and a Generative AI course — prepared me for my current role as a Curriculum Data Officer at the University of London.

As a Vietnamese student, living in Birmingham has been especially rewarding. The city is home to the UK’s largest Vietnamese community, which made me feel at home from the start. I also enjoyed learning about different cultures through food, especially Indian cuisine. Getting around was easy and affordable thanks to excellent public transport and living near campus in a diverse neighbourhood with great specialty supermarkets made everyday life convenient and enjoyable.

Alice Peddie

BA Education and Sociology and Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE): Primary 5-11 years with iQTS

I see teaching as a rewarding and sustainable career and one I’m excited to continue for years to come. I began my undergraduate degree in Education and Sociology at the University of Birmingham in 2017. The course gave me valuable hands-on experience through two school placements and weekly tutor group sessions, where I learned from peers working in different school settings.

The course offered lots and lots of opportunities for Continued Professional Development, so that meant that in my spare time, during self-directed study, I was able to get extra qualifications on the side, which proved really helpful for obtaining my position now.

If someone were considering teacher training at the University of Birmingham, I would say absolutely do it. The course is fantastic. The team are so supportive. Our lecturers are subject experts and the pastoral care is fantastic.

Apply to the University of Birmingham’s School of Education today.