Birmingham-Southern College is a 4-year, private liberal arts college in Birmingham, Alabama. Founded in 1856 it is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. As of 2005 there are 1,388 students from 29 states and 21 foreign countries. This includes 49 National Merit Scholars and nearly 100 valedictorians, giving BSC the highest academic profile in the state.

Birmingham-Southern started as Southern University, founded 1856, and Birmingham College, founded 1898. These institutions combined on May 30, 1918 to form Birmingham-Southern College.

The wooded 192-acre campus is located three miles west of downtown Birmingham, Alabama. There are 45 buildings in all, and 25 of them have been renovated since 1976. There are many new facilties since 1998 including a fitness center, campus center, science center (100,000 square feet), and a new fraternity row.

The general education plan known as Foundations was recently implemented in response to the increasingly technological society that students enter upon graduation. It continues to emphasize a broad understanding of the liberal arts.

There are two semesters and an interim term in January. This is a period spanning four weeks that allows students to explore their interest in creative activities. It is a process of intensive and experiential learning.