University News Last updated 11 March
Birmingham City University (BCU) has been named one of the UK’s Best Employers in the Financial Times’ annual ranking.
BCU placed 249th in the list of the top 500 UK-based employers, compiled by the Financial Times in partnership with data provider Statista following an independent survey of 20,000 employees in 2025.
Participants were asked to share their views on their current employer across areas including working conditions, pay, career development opportunities and company reputation.
The recognition follows a series of recent achievements for the University.
BCU was named a leading institution in the People & Planet University League 2025, rising 28 places from 40th to 12th. Alongside improvements in sustainability, carbon reduction, education and ethical investment, the University recorded one of the biggest sector improvements in Workers’ Rights.
Earlier this year, BCU was also awarded the Athena Swan Institutional Silver Award by Advance HE, recognising its ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality across higher education.
Last month, the University received the Race Equality Charter Bronze Award from Advance HE, part of a sector-led initiative designed to improve the representation, experience, progression and success of staff and students from racially minoritised ethnic groups.
BCU is one of the largest employers in Birmingham, with more than 3,000 academic and professional services staff. Its Strategy 2030 is built around four core enablers: People and Culture, Environmental Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Size and Shape.
Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of BCU, said: "I am delighted to see BCU named as one of the UK's best employers; our staff are committed, incredibly hard working, and embrace working for a forward-thinking university which promotes fairness and innovation in education.
"In our Strategy 2030, we state that for us to achieve our 'Create knowledge for good' pillar, we will be driven by our people, supported by culture, and enabled by our environment. This news is incredibly positive in ensuring that we are working towards our vision of being an exemplar anchor institution."