The University of Birmingham has been challenging and developing great minds for more than a century. Characterised by a tradition of innovation, research at the University has broken new ground, pushed forward the boundaries of knowledge and made an impact on people’s lives. We continue this tradition today and have ambitions for a future that will embed our work and recognition of the Birmingham University name on the international stage.
With more than 8,000 staff, 38,000 students, and over 300,000 alumni, our staff & student community is not only one of the largest of any UK university, it is highly diverse, with 82 per cent of our home undergraduate students from state schools, 32 per cent from a BAME background, and 35 per cent in the first generation of their family to attend university.
The University of Birmingham was established to unlock the global potential of a progressive city, we remain committed to ensuring our national and global influence while remaining at the heart of the city’s renaissance.
Global Reach
We bring together the people and resources to tackle the major challenges of our time. We draw on and give back to the region through our research, our education and our global reach and reputation.
Purposeful Approach
As an institution dedicated to learning, we contribute to the growth and spread of knowledge and ideas which will help to transform the world; working with partners to take on the big questions, find and implement solutions and make a difference locally, nationally and globally. This purposeful, pragmatic and pioneering approach, focused on the common good, has enabled us to redefine the civic university, becoming the standard against which others are measured.
Our Values
Excellence: We have the highest standards, knowing we can always be better
Leadership: We shape our own future and support others’ success
Pioneering spirit: We are the first to do things and we take calculated risks
Purposefulness: We know our strengths, focus on our goals and persist in adversity
Pragmatism: We are well-grounded and practical, tackling and solving problems
This Strategic Framework 2015-20 charts a course that will allow the University of Birmingham to succeed. The quality of our students, and the creativity and leadership of our people, alongside our willingness to make bold and sometimes tough choices, will enable us to realise our goals. Through this sustained original thinking, our success will be seen in the continued growth of our impact and reputation, and that of the region.
World-class Research
By investing in, and cultivating intellectual talent and ideas, and delivering world-class research and education, we will unlock value, make important things happen, and continue to thrive. The University of Birmingham remains committed to bringing the cream of the world’s academic minds to our beautiful Edgbaston campus, to develop their careers in a progressive, cutting-edge environment. To date, we have appointed more than 60 outstanding, high potential, early career researchers as part of our sector-leading Birmingham Fellowship programme.
Academic Strengths
We offer the Birmingham Fellows five years of protected time for high-quality research, allowing these outstanding, high potential, early-career researchers of all ages to establish themselves as rounded academics who will go on to make a full and excellent contribution to research, teaching and academic citizenship. We want our Birmingham Fellows to enhance the University’s existing academic strengths and contribute to the growing culture of collaboration and interdisciplinarity that exists here.
Research Leaders
Professor Tim Softley, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Transfer, said: ‘Through the Birmingham Fellows Scheme we seek to attract the research leaders of the future into Birmingham’s vibrant and creative intellectual atmosphere, providing an outstanding opportunity and support to accelerate their academic career development and to fulfil their potential.’
Actions & equality
We have recently finalised our new Equality Scheme (2021-2024) setting our next objectives and actions. We are particularly focused on making significant improvements in the representation of women and ethnic minorities, particularly at senior levels, accelerating the progress that we have made in recent years in reducing our gender pay gap and in the actions taken in relation to Athena Swan and Race Equality Charter Mark accreditation. Most importantly, our aim is to embed an inclusive culture that provides opportunities for all to flourish and succeed.
The University of Birmingham in Dubai
The University of Birmingham Dubai exemplifies the qualities and values we have championed for more than a century. Our mission is to deliver a world-class British university education in the global city and international hub of Dubai.
There has never been a more exciting time to become a part of the University of Birmingham. We collaborate with partners across the world to create ground-breaking research, deliver innovative teaching and create opportunities for staff and students to gain international experience.
Our new campus development in Dubai marks the latest phase in the University of Birmingham’s global expansion and builds on our extensive international research collaborations, CPD programmes, distance learning courses, and well-established international teaching activities in Singapore and China.
Our programmes
Following approval by the Dubai Government’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), which is responsible for the growth and quality of education, we will provide opportunities for students to study on a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Initially, these will include Business, Economics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Primary and Secondary Teacher Education, with further programmes to be offered subsequently.
Our new campus
This outstanding new campus demonstrates our commitment to providing a world-leading, research-informed, elite university education in the heart of the United Arab Emirates and continues our legacy of connecting the brightest students from across the globe in a university renowned for research and teaching.
Uniquely designed in the shape of a crescent moon and inspired by the historic Aston Webb buildings in Birmingham, our bespoke new facility in Dubai will visually fuse the history and stature of our Edgbaston campus with the heritage, tradition and beauty of Arabic culture and architecture.
