University of Birmingham

Demand at this research-intensive Midlands powerhouse, centred on a redbrick campus in leafy Edgbaston, topped 64,000 applications for 2025 entry, with nearly 8,700 new undergraduates accepted. Not only that, but more than half of graduates choose to stay in the city which is vibrant, diverse, welcoming — and has a great employment record. No wonder Birmingham’s student satisfaction is surging according to our analysis of the National Student Survey, entering the top ten for the wider experience.

An ambitious £600 million decade long development programme has supercharged student provision. Revamped accommodation, a dedicated student hub and world-class sports facilities are among recent campus upgrades. From spring 2027 students will access the new Birmingham Centre for Anatomy, Surgical and Clinical Skills on the Birmingham Health Innovation Campus in Selly Oak, where audiovisual technology — including green screens, microphones and cameras — integrates into mock hospital wards, consulting rooms and a surgical theatre to produce authentic practical training. 

Interest will only continue to va va boom because Birmingham takes four titles in this year’s Good University Guide: Runner up University of the Year, Sports University of the Year, Runner-up of the Year for Student Experience and University of the Year in the Midlands. 

Need to know

Category

Result

Rank

Entry standards (Ucas points)

146

29=

Teaching quality

87.9%

28=

Student experience

87.3%

9

Research quality

61.9%

10

First and 2:1s

83.3%

31

Continuation rate

97%

12=

Graduate prospects

79.5%

17=

People & Planet

48.5%

82

How much it costs

UK fees

£10,050

Fees (placement year)

£2,010

Fees (overseas year)

£1,508

Fees (international)

£24,000-£32,160

Fees (international, medical)

£32,580-£52,080

Places in accommodation

7,397

Rent per week

£103-£345

Rent for catered accommodation per week

£162-£268

Social inclusion index

Social inclusion ranking

103

State school (non-grammar) admissions

70%

Grammar school admissions

13.5%

Independent school admissions

12.5%

Ethnic minority students

49.2%

Black awarding gap

-19.4%

White working-class males

1.8%

First-generation students

32.7%

Low-participation areas

9.4%

Low-participation areas dropout

-3.1%

Mature students

3.7%

Overseas students

32.8%

Disabled students

18.4%

Student satisfaction with teaching quality

Accounting and finance

89.2%

Anthropology

87.8%

Archaeology and forensic science

88.3%

Biological sciences

88.2%

Biomedical Sciences

87.1%

Business, management and marketing

85.2%

Chemical engineering

89.2%

Chemistry

93.7%

Civil engineering

75.3%

Classics and ancient history

91.3%

Computer science

90.8%

Creative writing

90.8%

Criminology

88.2%

Dentistry

93.4%

Drama, dance and cinematics

88.2%

Economics

87.9%

Education

88.7%

Electrical and electronic engineering

82.7%

English

93%

French

89.4%

Geography and environmental science

85.4%

Geology

86.1%

German

90%

History

89.4%

History of art, architecture and design

91.9%

Hospitality, leisure, recreation and tourism

81.5%

Iberian languages

90%

Italian

90%

Law

88.8%

Liberal arts

88.2%

Materials technology

92.9%

Mathematics

91.4%

Mechanical engineering

81%

Medicine

85.2%

Music

86.5%

Nursing

80.3%

Pharmacology and pharmacy

84%

Philosophy

90.9%

Physics and astronomy

91.1%

Physiotherapy

88.4%

Politics and international relations

86%

Psychology

87.7%

Social policy

85%

Sociology

88.2%

Sports science

89.2%

Theology and religious studies

93.1%

Town and country planning and landscape

94.4%

What is the University of Birmingham’s academic reputation?

The university achieved superb results in the national Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) and ranks tenth in our research quality index. Some of its best outcomes were in physics, Earth systems and environmental sciences, computer science, philosophy, theology and religious studies, sport and exercise sciences, public health, social work and social policy, engineering, and law.

Founded at the turn of the 20th century as one of the first civic universities, Birmingham has advanced toward its goal of becoming a global top 50 university, climbing to joint 68th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (up from 76th in 2026), though it dropped five places to joint 98th in the Times Higher Education world list for 2026.

A global outlook is ingrained across all courses, with more than 225 international exchange agreements offering opportunities to study abroad, take summer courses or complete internships.

Birmingham was rated silver overall in TEF 2023 but achieved gold for student outcomes, recognising highly effective tailored approaches to student success and progression beyond study. The TEF panel rated the student experience bronze.

The most recent results in the latest National Student Survey tell a more positive story. Satisfaction scores boosted Birmingham by a substantial 60 places regarding teaching quality (28=). For the wider undergraduate experience, the university has leapt 38 places into ninth position.

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What are the University of Birmingham’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?

Birmingham’s entry requirements range from A*A*A to BBB. Contextual offers are typically one grade lower than standard and benefited 12 per cent of offer holders for 2026 entry, while the Pathways to Birmingham access programme typically offers two grades below standard. Seven per cent of new entrants in 2025 gained places via clearing.

What are the graduate prospects and how will the university help me get career-ready?

Birmingham was the second most targeted university by top employers in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers in 2026 report (having held first place the year before). Hosting more than 300 leading employers each year, the university’s careers network helps students to step into about 8,500 graduate roles, internships, placements and part-time jobs annually. Participating businesses include Lloyds Banking Group, Teach First, PwC and Goldman Sachs. Birmingham is once again in our top 20 for graduate prospects, ranking 17=. A creditable 79.5 per cent of leavers are in highly skilled work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degree.

What is the University of Birmingham’s campus like?

Modern campus facilities sit alongside the original redbrick buildings presided over by 100m-high Old Joe, the world’s tallest freestanding clock tower. Since 2016, its ten-year development plan has delivered energy-efficient student townhouses at Pritchatts Park and the Collaborative Teaching Laboratory for Stem subjects, which features wet labs, dry labs and e-labs with space for up to 1,200 students. The School of Engineering opened in 2021, and two years later the Molecular Sciences Building added extra facilities for the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

The Edgbaston campus centres on the 12-acre Green Heart outdoor space. Selly Oak campus hosts drama courses and the BBC Drama Village, offering placements and serving as a popular residential area for student houseshares.

In 2018, Birmingham became the first Russell Group university to launch a branch campus in Dubai.

When can I visit?

birmingham.ac.uk

Everything you need to know about the University of Birmingham’s student life

The Birmingham student experience offers the best of both worlds: life on a leafy 26-acre campus in suburban Edgbaston that is within easy reach of one of the UK’s busiest and buzziest cities. With more than 300 student groups there is something for everyone. Off campus, student-friendly nightlife abounds, as does rich cultural diversity. 

Birmingham’s teams finished sixth overall in the latest Bucs standings (2025-26). As a result of being an official partner for the 2022 Commonwealth Games the university provides access to exceptional legacy facilities created for hockey, squash, swimming and athletics. Amenities feature a two-storey gym, glass-backed squash courts, a 50m pool, climbing wall and multipurpose arena, alongside sports pitches at Bournbrook and Metchley. The Gillett Centre at Selly Oak has gymnastics facilities with a sprung floor, while the Tiverton gym in the student village offers a dedicated lifting gym. 

Student support includes school wellbeing officers, UBHeard (a 24/7 online/phone service) and Pause @UoB — a rapid-access mental health drop-in run alongside the NHS and the Children’s Society.

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What do the students say?

“Studying at Birmingham was the best four years of my life. It has a beautiful campus, amazing sports and societies, fantastic teaching and it feels like a safe community.”
Elizabeth Conway, a graduate now working at the BBC

What about student accommodation at the University of Birmingham?

Rooms in halls are guaranteed for first-years who apply in time.

How diverse and inclusive is the University of Birmingham?

As with other research-intensive universities, Birmingham tends to occupy the lower reaches of our social inclusion index, ranking 103rd in our latest social inclusion index.

• How much more will you earn over a lifetime with a degree?
  

What financial assistance is available? 

About a fifth of entrants receive some form of financial help from Birmingham. Awards include the £2,000-a-year Chamberlain award for students who meet widening participation criteria. Care leavers are entitled to an Enhanced Chamberlain Award, which for 2026 entry provides an accommodation fee waiver up to the value of £9,848 in university halls of residence, or a cash bursary if living elsewhere.

Academic achievement scholarships are offered by select departments, music scholarships are open to those who play at grade 8 standard and national-level athletes can apply for sports scholarships.