University of Birmingham facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
University of Birmingham

Coat of arms
Motto	Latin: Per Ardua ad Alta
Motto in English	Through efforts to heights
Type	Public
Established	1825 – Birmingham School of Medicine and Surgery 1836 – Birmingham Royal School of Medicine and Surgery 1843 – Queen's College 1875 – Mason Science College 1898 – Mason University College 1900 – gained university status by royal charter
Endowment	£142.5 million (2023)
Budget	£909.1 million (2022/23)
Chancellor	Lord Bilimoria
Vice-Chancellor	Adam Tickell
Visitor	The Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP (as Lord President of the Council ex officio)
Academic staff	4,100 (2021/22)
Students	37,990 (2021/22)
Undergraduates	25,150 (2021/22)
Postgraduates	12,840 (2021/22)
Location	Birmingham , England 52°27′2″N 1°55′50″W / 52.45056°N 1.93056°W / 52.45056; -1.93056
Campus	Urban, suburban
Colours	The University College scarves College of Arts and Law College of Social Sciences College of Life and Environmental Sciences College of Engineering and Physical Sciences College of Medical and Dental Sciences
Affiliations	ACU EUA Midlands Innovation Russell Group Sutton 13 Universitas 21 Universities UK

The University of Birmingham is a large public research university in Birmingham, England. It officially became a university in 1900. This happened through a special document called a royal charter from Queen Victoria. It was one of the first "red brick" universities in England. These were new universities built in big industrial cities.

The university is a founding member of the Russell Group. This is a group of leading research universities in the UK. It's also part of Universitas 21, an international network of research universities. In 2019–2020, over 37,000 students attended the university. This makes it one of the largest universities in the UK.

Birmingham University is home to many cool places. These include the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, which has paintings by famous artists like Van Gogh and Picasso. There's also the Shakespeare Institute and the Lapworth Museum of Geology. A very famous landmark is the 100-meter tall Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower, known as 'Old Joe'. Many important people have studied or worked here. These include two former British Prime Ministers, Neville Chamberlain and Stanley Baldwin. Eleven Nobel laureates have also been connected to the university.

Discovering the University's Past

Early Beginnings: Queen's College

A view across Chancellor's Court, towards the Law building

The university's story began with the Queen's College, Birmingham. This college was linked to William Sands Cox. He wanted to create a medical school. The very first medical classes in England were held in Birmingham in 1767–68. These classes were taught by John Tomlinson.

In 1843, the medical college became known as Queen's College. It was the first teaching hospital outside of London.

Mason Science College: A New Start

Ceiling of the Aston Webb building

In 1870, a rich businessman and helper named Sir Josiah Mason started Mason Science College. He made his money from things like pens and key rings. This college became the main part of what is now the University of Birmingham.

By 1882, many science subjects moved to Mason Science College. These included Chemistry, Botany, and Physics. In 1898, it became Mason University College. Joseph Chamberlain became its leader.

Becoming a University: The Royal Charter

It was mostly thanks to Joseph Chamberlain that the university got its royal charter. This special document was given by Queen Victoria on March 24, 1900. This made it an official university.

The Calthorpe family gave 25 acres of land for the new university. Joseph Chamberlain became the first Chancellor. Sir Oliver Lodge was the first Principal. The university's shield still shows symbols from Josiah Mason's family.

From 1905 to 1908, the famous composer Edward Elgar taught music at the university.

Growing and Expanding

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

In 1939, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts opened. It's a beautiful building for art. In 1956, the university started a special course in Geotechnical Engineering. This is about how buildings are built on the ground.

The university also started the UK's longest-running course on Nuclear Reactors in 1956. This was the same year the world's first commercial nuclear power station opened.

In the 1960s, the university built many new buildings. It also helped start other universities like Keele University and the University of Warwick. In 1965, the famous human rights activist Malcolm X spoke at the university.

Amazing Scientific Discoveries

Friezes on the Aston Webb building

The University of Birmingham has been part of many important scientific breakthroughs.

• Vitamin C and Sugars: From 1925 to 1948, Sir Norman Haworth was a chemistry professor. He studied sugars and helped figure out their structures. He won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1937.
• Radar and the Atomic Bomb: The cavity magnetron was developed here. This invention was very important for World War II radar. Also, in 1940, the idea for the atomic bomb was first written down by Sir Rudolf Peierls and Otto Frisch in the Physics Department.
• Proton Synchrotron: In 1943, physicist Sir Mark Oliphant suggested building a powerful machine called a proton-synchrotron. This machine could speed up tiny particles.
• Organ Transplants: In 1947, Sir Peter Medawar studied how the body accepts or rejects new organs. His work helped us understand skin grafting and organ transplants. He won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1960.

Recent Events

The construction of new school of Engineering was completed in 2021.

View of Old Joe at night from the university learning center

In 2010, the university hosted the final TV debate for the British general election. In the same year, it was so popular that it didn't have any extra places for students through the UCAS clearing process.

Before the 2012 London Olympics, the Jamaican athletics team trained at the university. This included the famous runner Usain Bolt.

A new library opened in 2016, and a new sports center in 2017. The old library was then taken down.

University Campuses

Edgbaston Campus: The Main Hub

Plan of the new University Campus at Edgbaston, proposed by architects Sir Aston Webb and Mr Ingress Bell in 1909

The Aston Webb Buildings, Chancellor's Court

The main campus is about 3 miles (5 km) southwest of Birmingham city centre. It's built around the Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower, also known as 'Old Joe'. This tower honors the university's first chancellor, Joseph Chamberlain. He was key to getting the university its Royal Charter.

The main buildings, made of red brick, form a semicircle around Chancellor's Court. The clock tower stands in the middle. When it was built, 'Old Joe' was the tallest building in Birmingham. It's still the tallest free-standing clock tower in the world.

Old Joe, the university's clock tower, remains the tallest freestanding clock tower in the world

The campus has many different building styles. A statue of King George I on horseback stands at the entrance. It was moved here from Dublin in 1937.

The Vale is a beautiful part of the campus with an artificial lake. It was designed by landscape architect Mary Mitchell.

Modern Buildings and Growth

The university's Learning Centre (left), School of Computer Science (right) and Sir Eduardo Paolozzi's Faraday sculpture

In the 1960s, the university grew a lot. Many large new buildings were constructed. The Faculty of Commerce and Social Science building, now called the Ashley Building, was built in 1965.

The Physical Education Centre, built in 1966, has a unique roof design. The Mining and Minerals Engineering building, also from 1966, won an award for its design.

The Muirhead Tower, completed in 1969, is a 16-story building. It was updated in 2009. It now holds the Colleges of Social Sciences and the Cadbury Research Library.

A new concert hall, the Bramall Music Building, recently opened. It completes the semicircle of the Aston Webb building.

Campus Features

University railway station

Lapworth Museum of Geology

In 1978, University station opened. It serves the university and its hospital. It's the only university campus in mainland Britain with its own railway station.

The Winterbourne Botanic Garden is also on campus. It's a large Edwardian-style garden. The 'Faraday' sculpture by Sir Edward Paolozzi is located here.

The Lapworth Museum of Geology is in the Aston Webb Building. It's named after Charles Lapworth, a geologist who worked at the university.

Since 2007, the university has hosted a farmers' market on campus. It was the first university in the UK to have an accredited farmers' market.

In 2019, the university finished its "Green Heart Project." This created a large green space in the middle of the campus. In 2021, the university opened The Exchange in the city center. This is a meeting and conference site.

Selly Oak Campus

The university's Selly Oak campus is a short distance south of the main campus. It used to be home to several colleges focused on theology and social work. Today, it hosts the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts. The UK daytime television show Doctors is filmed here.

The University of Birmingham School also opened on this campus in 2015. It's a new school sponsored by the university.

Former City Centre Campuses

The Mason College building housed the Faculties of Arts and Law until 1962 (picture date: 1880)

The original Mason College building in Birmingham city center housed the university's Arts and Law departments for over 50 years. This building was taken down in 1962.

The first Queen's College building was also in the city center. It was demolished in the 1970s, but its historic front remains.

Dubai Campus

The university also has a campus in Dubai. It was started in 2017. A new campus building opened in 2022. All the teachers there are from the UK campus.

How the University Works

Academic Departments

Aston Webb building from the rear

Stained glass window in the Great Hall

The university has many departments covering a wide range of subjects. In 2008, it was reorganized into five main 'colleges'. Each college has many 'schools' or departments:

• Arts and Law: Includes English, History, Languages, Law, Philosophy, and Religion.
• Engineering and Physical Sciences: Covers Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, general Engineering, Mathematics, Metallurgy, and Physics.
• Life and Environmental Sciences: Includes Biosciences, Geography, Psychology, and Sport Sciences.
• Medical and Dental Sciences: Focuses on Cancer, Clinical Sciences, Inflammation, Health Research, Cardiovascular Science, Immunology, Metabolism, and Microbiology.
• Social Sciences: Has the Birmingham Business School, Education, Government, and Social Policy.
• Liberal Arts and Sciences: A broad program of study.

The university also has many research centers. These include the Birmingham Business School, the oldest in England. It also has the University of Birmingham Medical School and the Shakespeare Institute.

International Development Department

The International Development Department (IDD) helps reduce poverty by improving how countries are run. It's known as a leading center for studying international development.

Off-Campus Locations

The Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon-Avon

Some university centers are located away from the main campuses:

• The Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon is for studying William Shakespeare.
• The Ironbridge Institute in Ironbridge offers courses on heritage.
• The School of Dentistry is in Birmingham City Centre. It's the UK's oldest dental school.
• The Raymond Priestley Centre in the Lake District is used for outdoor pursuits and field trips.

University of Birmingham Observatory

The University of Birmingham Astronomical Observatory

The University of Birmingham has an observatory. It's about 5 miles (8 km) south of the main campus. It opened in 1982.

The observatory is used for teaching students. It has two main telescopes. The public can visit during "Astronomy in the City" events. These events include talks and a chance to look through the telescopes.

University Branding

The university's original coat of arms was designed in 1900. It shows a double-headed lion and a mermaid. These symbols come from Mason College. In 2005, the university updated its shield to look more like the original design.

Academic Achievements

Libraries and Collections

The old main library, which has now been demolished

The university has six libraries. These include the Barber Fine Art Library and the Main Library. The Shakespeare Institute's library is very important for studying English Renaissance literature.

The Cadbury Research Library holds the university's old and rare collections. It has over 200,000 rare books and over 4 million unique old papers. These collections help with research and teaching.

The Cadbury Research Library has papers from famous people like Neville Chamberlain and Edward Elgar. It also has the Mingana Collection of Middle Eastern manuscripts. In 2015, a Quranic manuscript in this collection was found to be one of the oldest in the world.

A new main library opened in 2016. The old library was then taken down to create a 'Green Heart' area on campus.

Medical School Excellence

The Medical School

The University of Birmingham's medical school is one of the largest in Europe. It trains many medical students each year. It is known for its research in areas like cancer, immunology, and heart disease. The medical school works closely with hospitals in the West Midlands.

Rankings and Reputation

University of Birmingham's national league table performance over the past ten years

The University of Birmingham is highly ranked. In 2022, U.S. News & World Report ranked it 91st in the world. In 2021, the Times Higher Education placed it 12th in the UK.

In 2013, Birmingham was named 'Sunday Times University of the Year'. In 2013, the QS World University Rankings placed it 10th in the UK and 62nd worldwide.

The university is strong in many subjects. These include music, physics, computer science, and law. It also has a strong focus on science and engineering.

Admissions Overview

The Birmingham Business School

Birmingham is a popular choice for students. In 2021, it ranked 26th in Britain for the average entry grades of its students. About 20% of its undergraduate students come from independent schools.

In 2016, the university offered places to 79.2% of applicants. In 2022, this was 61.3%. Many international students come from China.

Birmingham Heroes: Leading Research

The university highlights its top researchers through the "Birmingham Heroes" scheme. These academics lead research that helps people around the world. Some heroes include:

• Gravitational Waves: Alberto Vecchio and Andreas Freise for their work on detecting gravitational waves.
• Energy and Cooling: Martin Freer, Toby Peters, and Yulong Ding for their work on energy-efficient cooling.
• Health Research: Philip Newsome, Thomas Solomon, and Patricia Lalor for tackling liver disease and diabetes.
• Education: James Arthur, Kristján Kristjánsson, Sandra Cooke, and Tom Harrison for promoting good character in education.
• Mental Health: Lisa Bortolotti, Ema Sullivan-Bissett, and Michael Larkin for helping reduce the stigma of mental illness.
• Life Sciences: Kate Thomas, Joe Alderman, Rima Dhillon, and Shayan Ahmed for their research and teaching in life sciences.
• Cancer Research: Pam Kearns, Charlie Craddock, and Paul Moss for their work in cancer research.
• Healthy Ageing: Anna Phillips, Glyn Humphreys, and Janet Lord who research healthy ageing.
• History and Government: Pierre Purseigle, Peter Gray, and Bob Stone for using history to advise governments.
• New Materials: Paul Bowen and Nick Green for research into new materials for better energy generation.
• Pollutants: Lynne Macaskie, William Bloss, and Jamie Lead for studying pollutants, especially tiny nanoscale ones.
• International Aid: Paul Jackson, Scott Lucas, and Stefan Wolff for helping with post-conflict situations and advice on aid.
• Sustainable Transport: Hongming Xu, Clive Roberts, and Roger Reed for their work on eco-friendly transport.
• Economic Growth: Moataz Attallah, Kiran Trehan, and Tim Daffron for boosting the economy through aerospace engineering and synthetic biology.

Birmingham Fellows: Supporting Researchers

William Bloye's Birmingham University mermaid

The Birmingham Fellowship scheme started in 2011. It helps talented new researchers develop their careers. Fellows get protected time to focus on their research. They also receive support and a start-up package for their projects.

International Partnerships

The University of Birmingham works with other universities around the world. For example, it cooperates with the Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany.

Student Life at Birmingham

Guild of Students: Your Student Union

University of Birmingham Guild of Students

The University of Birmingham Guild of Students is the university's student union. It started in 1876. Its main goals are to represent students and provide social activities.

The Guild offers many student societies and volunteering projects. There are around 220 different groups to join. It also provides services like advice, job support, and student mentors.

The Guild publishes a campus newspaper called Redbrick. This was one of the first university newspapers in the UK. Student officers are elected each year to lead the Guild.

Sport and Fitness

Birmingham University playing fields

Playing fields from the Clock Tower

The University of Birmingham has excellent sports facilities. The Sport and Fitness Centre opened in 2017. It has a gym, squash courts, a 50-meter swimming pool, and a climbing wall. There are also international standard hockey pitches and athletics tracks.

The university is ranked high in the British Universities and Colleges Sport league table. It offers over 180 fitness classes and 56 different sport clubs. These include rowing, football, rugby, and hockey. Over 4,000 students take part in sports each year.

Many students and alumni have competed in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. For example, cyclist Paul Manning won an Olympic Gold medal. Pamela Relph MBE won two Paralympic gold medals in rowing.

The university hosted the Jamaican track and field team before the 2012 London Olympics. This included Usain Bolt. The team used the university's facilities to prepare.

In 2022, Birmingham hosted the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The university was a main venue for hockey and squash. It also served as the largest athletes' village.

The university offers scholarships to talented athletes.

Student Housing: Where Students Live

The university provides housing for most first-year students. About 90% of university housing is for new students.

The university has three main housing areas, called 'villages'.

Vale Village

High Hall as it appeared just prior to demolition in 2013

The Vale Village is home to about 2,700 students. It includes Chamberlain Hall, Shackleton, Maple Bank, Tennis Court, Elgar Court, and Aitken residences. Mason Hall was rebuilt and reopened in 2008.

Shackleton Hall was updated in 2004. Maple Bank was also refurbished in 2005. The new Chamberlain Tower opened in 2015.

The largest student event, the Vale Festival (or 'ValeFest'), is held here every year. It raises money for charity.

Pritchatts Park Village

Barber Institute interior

Pritchatts Park Village houses over 700 students. It includes 'Ashcroft', 'The Spinney', 'Oakley Court', and 'Pritchatts House'. These are a mix of purpose-built flats and converted houses.

Selly Oak Village

William Bloye's mermaid fountain at Birmingham University

Selly Oak Village has three residences: Jarratt Hall, Douper Hall, and The Metalworks. Jarratt Hall is a large complex with a central courtyard.

Northfield Manor House

Northfield Manor House

The university also owns the Northfield Manor House. It was once student housing. After a fire in 2014, it was rebuilt and now has flats.

Student Housing Co-operative

The Birmingham Student Housing Co-operative opened in 2014. It provides affordable, student-managed housing.

Famous People from Birmingham University

Amazing Academics

Nobel Prize winner Sir Norman Haworth

Nobel Prize winner Sir Peter Medawar

Many brilliant people have taught or worked at the university. These include:

• Nobel Prize Winners: Sir Norman Haworth (Chemistry), Sir Peter Medawar (Zoology), John Robert Schrieffer, David Thouless, Michael Kosterlitz, and Sir Fraser Stoddart.
• Scientists: Famous physicists like John Henry Poynting and Sir Otto Frisch. Chemists like Sir William A. Tilden.
• Musicians: Composers Sir Edward Elgar and Sir Granville Bantock.
• Writers: Author David Lodge and poet Louis MacNeice.
• Economists: Lord King of Lothbury, who became Governor of the Bank of England.
• Leaders: Sir Oliver Lodge, the first Principal of the university.

Notable Alumni

British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain

British Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin

Saint Lucian Prime Minister, Kenny Anthony

Bahamian Prime Minister, Perry Christie

Chief Justice of Hong Kong, Geoffrey Ma

Many successful people have graduated from Birmingham University.

• Nobel Prize Winners: Francis Aston, Maurice Wilkins, Sir John Vane, and Sir Paul Nurse.
• Prime Ministers: Two British Prime Ministers, Stanley Baldwin and Neville Chamberlain. Also, Prime Ministers from other countries like Kenny Anthony (St. Lucia) and Perry Christie (Bahamas).
• Business Leaders: CEOs of major companies like J Sainsbury plc and BP.
• Judges: The Chief Justice of Hong Kong, Geoffrey Ma Tao-li.
• Actors and Artists: Famous actors like Tim Curry and Tamsin Greig. Musicians like Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran and Christine McVie from Fleetwood Mac.
• Sports Stars: Olympic medalists like cyclist Paul Manning and rower Pamela Relph MBE. Triathletes Chrissie Wellington and Rachel Joyce. Hockey player Lily Owsley who won Olympic gold.

In Spanish: Universidad de Birmingham para niños