A name change in 2023 has rooted the university to its location, in southwest Birmingham, eight miles from the city centre. As its academic focus diversifies, Birmingham Newman has branched out with new facilities, most recently expanding its School of Nursing and Allied Health to include labs for paramedic science, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, while also recruiting more staff. For now it is still one of the smallest universities in our guide, with just under 3,000 students. The subsequent personal touch is reflected in superb rates of student satisfaction, and Birmingham Newman takes fifth place for students’ evaluation of teaching quality and the wider experience in our analysis of the National Student Survey.
What is Birmingham Newman University’s reputation?
Birmingham Newman’s biggest recruiting subjects are within education, health and social care, and psychology. The university was rated triple silver in the government’s Teaching Excellence Exercise (TEF 2023), overall and for both underpinning factors of student experience and student outcomes. Assessors commended its “supportive learning environment” and “highly effective teaching, feedback and assessment practices that are effective in supporting its students’ learning progression and attainment”. In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) Birmingham Newman doubled the size of its academic submission compared with the previous national assessment in 2014. Ninety-four per cent of its work in English was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent. However, it is near the bottom in our research quality index (126=), and with only 87.2 per cent of students projected to carry on from the first to second year of their degrees, it has fallen to 125 in our rankings.
What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?
In 2024 paramedic science, occupational therapy and sports therapy were added. There are no closures in 2025.
What are Birmingham Newman University’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?
Entry requirements begin at an accessible 48 Ucas tariff points and no course demands higher than 120 points. Contextual offers undercut the standard ask by eight Ucas points for eligible students. Applications are at record levels, with 13 per cent of undergraduates coming through clearing.
What are the graduate prospects?
Every full-time degree has a work placement module, which students choose to complete with public, private and third sector organisations. Through its teacher training heritage the university works with educational institutions across the West Midlands, and since the 2023 opening of its nursing and physiotherapy department it has built relationships with healthcare trusts.
In our analysis of the latest Graduate Outcomes survey the university’s results are going in the right direction, rising from 120th to 79th for the proportion of leavers in high-skilled jobs or further study after 15 months.
What is Birmingham Newman University’s campus like?
The modern campus has had £20 million of investment in recent years. Halls of residence for 200 students have been built and the teaching facilities have been upgraded. An immersive laboratory, recreating the experience of working in a busy hospital environment, is among the facilities for the students on nursing and allied healthcare degrees. A mock law court, computer science laboratory and a careers and employability hub have also been added, and work is continuing to make the campus more environmentally sustainable.
Everything you need to know about Birmingham Newman University’s student life and wellbeing support
The local area is quiet and residential but student-friendly nightlife, shopping and culture are within easy reach, in Birmingham’s city centre. A well-equipped fitness suite and performance room as well as a 3G sports pitch, sports hall, gymnasium and squash courts are on campus.
Wellbeing and mental health advisers help students navigate emotional challenges and will refer them to external services if needed. A disability and inclusion team provides advice and practical support to those with a wide range of disabilities and offers free ADHD screenings, referrals for diagnosis and arrangements for one-to-one study skills tuition among other support.
What do the students say?
“Being a student at Birmingham Newman University changed my life. As a hearing-impaired student, I was very nervous when I came to university, but the support and community at Newman allowed me to thrive. It’s a vibrant campus with students at the heart of everything that we do, from our Students’ Union being situated at the heart of campus, to every course and every year having at least one representative to make sure the student voice is at the core of the university.”
Zoe Harrison, students' union president, and studies in primary education graduate
What about student accommodation at Birmingham Newman University?
First-year students are guaranteed one of the 276 places in university-owned accommodation, which is close to the teaching areas and library.
How diverse and inclusive is Birmingham Newman University?
Ranked second in our social inclusion index for England and Wales, Birmingham Newman is top among English universities. Its overall rank is boosted by recruiting the second-highest proportion of students who are the first in their family to go to university (69.3 per cent), the fifth-highest proportion of pupils from non-selective state schools (98.3 per cent) and the sixth-highest proportion of students with a disability (14.1 per cent). There is a wide range of activities aimed at widening participation. Birmingham Newman supports parents of first-generation applicants to understand the higher education processes, as well providing pupils with activities that encourage an aspirational approach to their learning.
Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Birmingham Newman University
One Sanctuary Scholarship is awarded each year to forced migrant students but there are no other scholarships or bursaries available (correct as of 2023-24). The Newman University Support Fund provides up to £1,750 a year for those experiencing hardship, as well as supermarket and travel vouchers.
