The University of Birmingham has achieved its highest ever position in the Guardian University Guide, ranking 14th overall this year. This marks the first time in nearly a decade that the university has entered the guide's top 20.
The improvement is primarily attributed to a significant recovery in student satisfaction, which had declined during and after the Covid pandemic. Deborah Longworth, Birmingham’s pro-vice-chancellor for education, stated that the pandemic prompted a re-evaluation of the education provided, leading to an overhaul of teaching and curriculum.
Changes implemented include a shift from a semester system to a three-term system, which aimed to reduce assessment pressure and create space for new programmes. The university also introduced Ad Alta, a programme designed to develop academic and career skills, with the first 2,000 undergraduates starting last year.
Adam Tickell, Birmingham’s vice-chancellor, noted that the emphasis on employable skills within academic courses reflects the increased number of young people attending university. Matt Hiely-Rayner, who compiles the Guardian’s University Guide, confirmed that improved results from the national student survey were the biggest change for Birmingham.