University News Last updated 24 March
Birmingham City University (BCU) has been named in the top 10 higher education providers for social mobility in the English Social Mobility Index.
The latest results, compiled by London South Bank University (LSBU) and published by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) shows that BCU is seventh out of 100 universities in the rankings, rising one place since 2024.
The Index measures an institution’s commitment to transforming the lives of its students by grading its accessibility, continuation rates, and graduate outcomes for undergraduates.
The 2025 results show the number of socio-economically disadvantaged graduates and how far they improve their life opportunities, at each higher education institution in England.
The Index combines access, continuation and outcomes measures for undergraduates for all modes of study, with the exception of apprentices.
BCU scored highly for both access and continuation, which records the percentage of first-year students who complete their course, or remain in higher education for 12 months after starting their course.
With more than half of BCU students being the first in their families to attend university, and over 40% of its graduates building their careers in Birmingham, the university’s commitment to social mobility is making a meaningful, real-world difference.
BCU’s Strategy 2030, which sets out a vision to be an exemplar anchor institution, states that the mission is to create and share knowledge for a better and more inclusive society.
As part of the Strategy, a wide range of initiatives have been introduced at BCU to change lives with inspiring, accessible, and inclusive practice-based teaching, leading the way in promoting social mobility and community development.
The latest rankings follow a series of recent achievements for the University.
It includes being named one of the UK’s Best Employers by the Financial Times, receiving the Athena Swan Institution Silver Award and a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award.
“We're delighted that BCU is seventh in England in the Social Mobility Index,” said Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of BCU. “We are a forward-thinking university, which promotes fairness in education.
“With a strong commitment to diversity and widening access, we're proud to provide our students with the skills, confidence and opportunities they deserve for their time at university, and beyond.
"Our mission to continue to advance our social mobility is vital to us an institution, and our Strategy 2030 ambitions."