Birmingham 2026

Birmingham 2026 is the next stage of the process set out in the Strategic Framework 2015-2020. It is an ambitious yet achievable plan to raise the academic performance of the University by growing research activity and increasing our student and staff numbers over the next decade. It provides clear and challenging goals, charting a course for balanced growth led by our excellence in research and teaching, underpinned by financial sustainability.

In 2026 the University of Birmingham will be:

A multi-site global university with Edgbaston at its heart. Students will be able to study for a Birmingham degree at a number of dedicated sites, other institutions and online.
A recognised ‘rising star’ institution, ranked among the top 100 in all major international league tables and among the top 50 in the majority of fields.
A more research intensive environment with at least 40% of our income from research, enabling a significant growth in research output and strengthening the translation of research into economic and societal benefit.
A place of transformative education at the cutting edge of educational delivery. Our teaching and curriculum will be continually reinvigorated and grounded in research.
A destination of choice for the best researchers and students in the world.
An anchor institution in Birmingham, playing a major civic role at the heart of the city, the West Midlands and the wider Midlands region.
Financially strong, with a healthy surplus to continue investment in our academic mission and the student experience.

We will do this by:

Investing in people and the intellectual environment
Strengthening our research position
Extending our global footprint
Leading innovation in education

We aim to:

Increase research awards by 10% per annum to £350m
Secure a top 100 position in all major international rankings
Enhance student:staff ratios
Grow our student numbers by around 11,000, many of whom will be studying overseas
Recruit 1,400 additional academic and research-focused staff
Be among the UK’s top 5 research intensive universities