Success Continues for University of Birmingham in Global Rankings

The University of Birmingham remains amongst the best performing research-intensive universities in the world.

The University of Birmingham has maintained its position amongst the best performing research-intensive universities in the world — with seven areas placing in the Top 50 of the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Two of the University’s five faculty areas are in the top 100 of the prestigious global ranking — with Life Sciences & Medicine at 68 and Arts & Humanities placing at 64.

Birmingham programs rise in ranks

Sport, Dentistry, English, Theology, Anatomy & Physiology, Performing Arts, and Linguistics all place in the Top 50. Once again Sport is in the top 10 (sixth) with Linguistics rising 21 places to 28, Performing Arts up three places to 49 and English up one place to 26. There are 27 subject areas in the top 100 — an increase of five on last year.

The most noteworthy increases are: Psychology (+16 to 58); Materials Science (+22 to 70); Mechanical Engineering (+19 to 85); Sociology (+26 to 100); and Environmental Sciences (+21 to 100).

“Students at the University of Birmingham benefit from an outstanding research-intensive education that develops the knowledge, skills, and attributes sought after by employers and delivers great career prospects for our graduates.

Birmingham was recently revealed as the UK university most targeted by the country’s leading graduate employers, according to ‘The Graduate Market in 2024’. This latest survey of almost 1,600 universities world-wide underscores our reputation as a destination of choice for those wishing to secure a top-flight career in many areas.

“With 27 subject areas in the top 100 — seven of which are in the top 50, with sports-related subjects in the top 10 — the rankings recognize Birmingham as a place for leading scientists, professionals, and students who want to be involved in world-class research and achieve a degree that will enhance professional opportunities around the world.”

The QS World University Rankings are the most used global rankings and are a measure of a university’s global reputation.

Reputation for a world-class training environment

Birmingham has a reputation for providing a world-class training environment, not only for its own international student-athletes, but also for hosting international athletes ahead of world sporting events. The University provided competition venues for squash and hockey during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

In 1946, Birmingham became the first university in the UK to offer a degree in Sport and Exercise Sciences, extending the original focus on Physical Education. Today, the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences offers a range of study options at undergraduate, Masters, and PhD level.

This year’s rankings cover 54 academic disciplines, in each of which 1,597 universities are assessed. If the institution both offers the subject and produces enough research papers it will be given a score. From these scores, a ranking table is produced to display anything from the leading 50 to the leading 500 institutions by subject. The rankings are compiled using indicators selected to assess institutions’ international reputation in each subject area, plus research impact.