Growing global momentum takes University of Birmingham to 68th in world
University achieves highest position in a decade – rising 23 places over the last four years.
The University of Birmingham has risen eight places in this year’s QS World University Rankings to 68th, its highest position in a decade.
Thanks to its growing global reputation and outstanding research strengths, Birmingham has improved its standing among the world's best universities for the fourth successive year, rising 23 places globally since 2023.
At equal tenth, the University is now at its highest ever position in the UK and has, over the last five years, risen more – and more consistently – than any other British institution ranked in the elite top 100 universities in the world.
Today’s results demonstrate that the University of Birmingham is recognised around the world as an outstanding institution by academics, employers, students and alumni.
Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor & Principal, said: “Today’s results demonstrate that the University of Birmingham is recognised around the world as an outstanding institution by academics, employers, students and alumni.
“Birmingham continues to invest in our research, our education and in our graduates. During the last four years, our academics have won over £1 billion in competitive research awards and the Anniversary Chairs and Fellows programme has attracted some of the world’s leading academics to our university. Just last week, the graduate employment data showed that Birmingham graduates are bucking the trend into high-quality jobs.
“The credit for today’s success goes to our exceptional staff in Birmingham, Dubai and around the world. Five years ago, the University set its sights on joining the world’s Top 50 universities. Whilst this may have seemed bold then, it has become a statement of ambition that characterises Birmingham – and one rooted not in a league table number, but in a shared commitment to ensure that our University remains true to its roots as the UK’s first civic university and true to its future as the place where students and staff alike can do their best work.
“We’re proud to be rooted in Birmingham and changing the world.”
To reach 68th in the QS global rankings is a fantastic milestone for the University of Birmingham. Our climb reflects the growing recognition that higher education must move beyond transactional learning.
Birmingham’s success builds on its performance earlier this year in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, with seven subjects placing in the Top 50 of the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Dentistry, Education, English, Theology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Linguistics all ranked in the Top 50, with Sport keeping its place in the Top 10 globally. A further 16 subjects at Birmingham are in the Top 100, including Medicine, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Psychology, and Biosciences.
Earlier this year, Birmingham was again named one of the top two UK universities most targeted by the country’s leading graduate employers, according to ‘The Graduate Market in 2026’. The report covers 1,600 universities worldwide and affirms the University’s reputation as a destination of choice for those seeking a top-flight career in many areas.
Professor Deborah Longworth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Birmingham, said: “To reach 68th in the QS global rankings is a fantastic milestone for the University of Birmingham.
“Our climb reflects the growing recognition that higher education must move beyond transactional learning.
“In an increasingly AI-shaped world, it is the uniquely human skills - like empathy, ethical reasoning, and complex judgement - that employers are crying out for. We are proud that Birmingham’s commitment to deliberately developing this 'human premium', alongside rigorous academic expertise, is resonating on the global stage."
“Our trajectory to 68th in the world is a testament to our staff who continuously strive to add value to the Birmingham experience for our students.”
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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, teachers and more than 40,000 students from over 150 countries.
England’s first civic university, the University of Birmingham, is proud to be rooted in one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the country. A member of the Russell Group and a founding member of the Universitas 21 global network of research universities, the University of Birmingham has been changing the way the world works for more than a century.
The Complete University Guide 2027 league table rankings have seen the University of Birmingham continue its upward momentum, rising two places, from 14th to 12th, placing it firmly as one of the best universities in the UK. Each year, the Guide league tables rank the best universities in the UK, overall and in 74 subject areas.
Students choosing Birmingham join a university that prides itself on exceptional links to a wide variety of leading industries and employers. Recent graduate employment data showed that more 2024 Birmingham graduates got highly skilled jobs than the 2023 cohort. Just over 80% of the University’s students were in graduate-level jobs or further training 15 months after graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2023/24 - June 2026).
The University of Birmingham was named among the world’s top 250 institutions for producing the most employable graduates by the Global Employability University Ranking & Survey 2026 (GEURS). Birmingham is one of only 16 UK universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, listed in the ranking which surveys major international employers to identify which universities they believe best prepare students for the workplace.