The University of Birmingham has risen to 15th in the UK university league tables with 50 per cent of its subjects in the top 10 and three subjects rated number one in the country.

The Complete University Guide 2017 league table reveals today (25 April) that Birmingham has jumped three places from 18th last year to its best ever performance in the survey. 

The Guide evaluates 70 subject areas and Birmingham is in the Top 10 for 27 of the 49 areas for which it is eligible. Birmingham was ranked the UK’s top University for American Studies; Drama, Dance and Cinematics; and Creative Writing. 

Birmingham has recorded top 10 performance in a range of subjects including Chemical Engineering, Physics & Astrophysics, and Anthropology. 

The University also maintains its strong regional performance – ranked at second out of ten in the West Midlands. 

University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir David Eastwood said: “I am delighted with our latest league table performance which reflects our ambition to become an exceptional university. 

“We are delivering many exciting developments on campus which will enhance our students’ time at Birmingham. These include a new state-of-the art library and a sports centre featuring the only 50-metre swimming pool in the city of Birmingham. 

“As well as our focus on research excellence, we are committed to delivering a first-class experience for our students in every aspect of their university life; from exemplary teaching and sector-leading careers support, to outstanding facilities and a vibrant social life. 

“These rankings show that we continue to head in the right direction, but in a highly competitive market, we remain focused on our ambition and continuing to build on our successes.” 

The Complete University Guide has compiled university league tables for almost 20 years and the rankings help students make their university choices. 

ENDS

Notes to editors 

  • The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions, its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 5,000 international students from over 150 countries.
  • The main table is based on ten measures: Student Satisfaction, Research Quality, Research Intensity, Entry Standards, Student: Staff Ratio; Spending on Academic Services; Spending on Student Facilities; Good Honours degrees achieved; Graduate Prospects and Completion. It includes 127 institutions.
  • The 70 Subject Tables are based on five measures (Student Satisfaction, Research Quality, Research Intensity, Entry Standards and Graduate Prospects) and include 136 universities, university colleges and specialist higher education institutions (137 last year). 

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Tony Moran in the University of Birmingham press office on +44 (0)121 414 8254 / +44 (0)782 783 2312 or t.moran@bham.ac.uk