Birmingham City University is constantly discovering world-leading new knowledge to create a dynamic learning environment that combines excellence in research with pioneering teaching.
Results from a prestigious national audit - Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) - have led to Birmingham City University being placed in a ‘supergroup' of modern universities spearheading research excellence to the very highest quality.
This outstanding success has also resulted in the University hitting a funding jackpot after its research allocation from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) was doubled in 2009 to nearly £2million. When including consultancy, industry partnerships and related enterprise activities, Birmingham City University generates in total more than £5million in creating new knowledge.
Rising Star
Birmingham City University is now fully recognised as a ‘rising star' research institution, with the highest percentage of work rated as world leading compared to any other modern university in the UK. This research excellence is shared among students because it informs pioneering teaching, often delivered in state-of-the-art facilities or through virtual learning environments.
Research in Action
At the same time this wealth of expertise is developing the University's new knowledge base, helping to increase the capability to deliver knowledge transfer partnerships and other similar third stream activity. Such direct engagement with business helps drive local and national economies, while the University's internationally-recognised expertise is exported overseas. (See research in action for more information.)
Real-world Applications
Combining new knowledge, from a range of disciplines, to real world applications is a major strength for the University. For example, Birmingham City University's reputation for world-beating arts research has helped attract more knowledge transfer awards than any other UK university from funding body Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
The emphasis in the arts and humanities includes international expertise in music, the visual media, linguistics and the literary. Strengths in fields of a social-scientific nature include criminal justice policy, town and country planning, education, plus management and enterprise. The University's expertise is housed in specialist centres of excellence, as well as six faculties where research informs top quality teaching
Centres of Research Excellence
The University has a number of Centres of Research Excellence, which are the main focal points for research activities. Multi-disciplinary approaches are encouraged across the University for the development of successful partnerships at regional, national, European and global levels. More detailed information about our research priorities and activities can be found via Faculty and Research Centre web pages.
- Birmingham Conservatoire
- Birmingham Institute of Art and Design
- Birmingham City Business School
- Education, Law & Social Sciences
- Faculty of Health
- Technology Engineering & Environment
- Research Centres of Excellence:
- Research Centre for Design Innovation
- Centre for Fine Art Research
- Research and Development Unit for English Studies
- Research Centre for Composition and Performance Using Technology
- Centre for Criminal Justice Policy and Research
- Centre for Research into Quality
- Strategic Development Research Unit
