Sixteen subject areas are now number one in the Russell Group, placing Birmingham among the UK's top 10 universities in the 2026 National Student Survey.
The University of Birmingham has been ranked first in the Russell Group and among the UK’s top 10 universities in the 2026 National Student Survey (NSS), underscoring its continued commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience.
Measured across all survey questions against a benchmark group of 130 universities that routinely appear in institutional league tables, Birmingham achieved its strongest-ever NSS performance.
This year's overall student satisfaction rate of 87.4% is the highest in Birmingham's history. The response rate was also a record, 82%, demonstrating strong levels of student engagement. Over the past two years, student satisfaction with the quality and value of education at Birmingham has increased significantly faster than the sector average.
These results place Birmingham ahead of the wider higher education sector on key measures of student satisfaction, reflecting sustained investment in teaching excellence, academic support, and the overall student experience.
Of the 130 universities included in the benchmark group, 16 subject areas – including Chemistry, Materials Science, Artificial Intelligence & Computer Science, English, Physics & Astronomy, Mathematics, Classics and Law – all place at number one in the Russell Group.
These results reflect the dedication of our academic and professional services staff, who work tirelessly to support our students, and our commitment to working in partnership with our student community.
Professor Deborah Longworth, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education), said: “Being ranked first in the Russell Group and in the top 10 of the UK's top-performing universities in the National Student Survey is a tremendous achievement and one we are incredibly proud of.
"These results reflect the dedication of our academic and professional services staff, who work tirelessly to support our students, and our commitment to working in partnership with our student community.
“Birmingham has a distinctive approach to education. We believe in developing the whole student experience - combining academic enrichment with professional development, employer engagement, wellbeing and belonging.
“We listen carefully to feedback and strive to deliver an outstanding student experience, ensuring our students have the opportunity to succeed both during their time at Birmingham and beyond."
The following NSS criteria have shown significant year-on-year improvements at Birmingham:
Teaching on my course – 90.6% student satisfaction (up by 4%)
Learning opportunities – 87.9% (up by 4%)
Academic support – 90.7% (up by 3%)
Organisation and management – 87.0% (up by 5%)
Learning resources – 91.4% (up by 3%)
Student voice – 83.5% (up by 5%)
Students' union – 82.5% (up by 11%)
Our ongoing focus on skills, employability and student success has undoubtedly contributed to this year’s outstanding NSS success. These results, together with our continued rise in global rankings, demonstrate the impact of that commitment and the momentum we are building as one of the UK's leading universities.
Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, said: “The University of Birmingham unquestionably delivers a world-class education supported by an environment in which students can thrive, develop and realise their ambitions.
“Our ongoing focus on skills, employability and student success has undoubtedly contributed to this year’s outstanding NSS success. These results, together with our continued rise in global rankings, demonstrate the impact of that commitment and the momentum we are building as one of the UK's leading universities.”
The NSS gathers feedback from final year undergraduate students on a range of areas, including teaching, assessment and academic support. The survey provides valuable insight into students' academic experiences and helps universities identify opportunities for improvement, supporting the delivery of an outstanding student experience.
This latest success follows a series of achievements for the University, as Birmingham was again revealed as one of the top two UK universities most targeted by the country’s leading graduate employers, according to ‘The Graduate Market in 2026’.
The University has also risen eight places in this year’s QS World University Rankings to 68th, its highest position in a decade. Ranked equal tenth in the UK, Birmingham has, over the past five years, climbed more places – and done so more consistently – than any other British institution within the world’s top 100 universities.
The University’s Summer Term and UoB Xtra programmes play a central role in Birmingham’s distinctive approach to education. UoB Xtra forms an integral part of the wider student experience and supports the University’s ongoing focus on skills, employability and student success.
For more information, please contact the University of Birmingham Press Office on +44 (0)121 414 2772
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, educators 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 University of Birmingham is committed to achieving operational net zero carbon. It is seeking to change society and the environment positively, and use its research and education to make a major global contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Find out more about our approach to sustainability.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education)
Biographical and contact information for Professor Deborah Longworth in the Department of English at the University of Birmingham.
