University News Last updated 24 March
Birmingham City University (BCU) has once again been ranked among the UK’s top 10 higher education providers for social mobility.
The latest English Social Mobility Index, compiled by London South Bank University (LSBU) and published by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), places BCU seventh out of 100 universities—up one place from last year.
The Index assesses how effectively institutions transform students’ lives, measuring performance across access, continuation rates, and graduate outcomes. It highlights both the number of socio-economically disadvantaged students supported and the extent to which their life opportunities improve.
Covering all undergraduate study modes (excluding apprenticeships), the Index combines metrics on access, continuation, and outcomes. BCU performed particularly strongly in access and continuation, the latter measuring the proportion of first-year students who complete their course or remain in higher education 12 months after enrolling.
More than half of BCU students are the first in their families to attend university, while over 40% of graduates go on to build their careers in Birmingham - demonstrating the University’s tangible impact on social mobility and regional growth.
BCU’s Strategy 2030 outlines its ambition to be an exemplar anchor institution, with a mission to create and share knowledge for a more inclusive society. Through this strategy, the University has introduced a wide range of initiatives focused on accessible, inclusive, and practice-based teaching - helping to drive social mobility and community development.
This latest recognition follows a series of recent achievements for BCU, including being named one of the UK’s Best Employers by the Financial Times, and receiving both the Athena Swan Institution Silver Award and the 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 that 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."