University of Birmingham

We’re proud to celebrate members of our University of Birmingham community who have been recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours for their outstanding contributions to society.

From advancing cancer research and improving outcomes for children and young people, finding exceptional fossils, to inspiring future conservationists, these honours reflect the breadth and impact of our community’s work.

Congratulations to those recognised - your dedication to making a difference makes us incredibly proud.

🔗 Read more: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2026/university-of-birmingham-community-recognised-in-2026-kings-birthday-honours

New research: character education has been linked to stronger GCSE results 💡

A major study analysing over 3 million pupils across 3,000+ secondary schools has found that schools recognised for strong character education consistently achieve higher academic progress than those without this focus.

The difference equates to more than half a GCSE grade per pupil across subjects.
This positive trend was sustained over time and was also seen in schools serving higher numbers of disadvantaged pupils.

Character education - promoting traits such as integrity, perseverance, responsibility and kindness - was associated with improvements in pupil behaviour, motivation and wellbeing, helping to create stronger conditions for learning.
The findings reinforce a key message: developing character doesn’t come at the expense of academic success, it can actively support it.

🔗 https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2026/character-education-linked-with-better-gcse-results-new-research-finds

Meet the University’s latest newcomer to campus - a Peregrine Falcon chick which has been growing at the top of Old Joe 🐣

Peregrines are a protected species in the UK, so avian experts have travelled to the top of the clock tower to check on the birds and to ring the chick so we can aid in conservation efforts.

Peregrine Falcons have been nesting at the top of Old Joe since 2013; they favour high vantage points such as cliffs and rocky outcrops, so Old Joe is the perfect choice!

The nest has been livestreamed via our YouTube channel for the past few months, and those who have been following the falcons may have noticed the chick isn’t always in his nest any more.

We are working with volunteers at the British Trust for Ornithology who have advised this is completely normal as he grows - he needs lots of exercise to prepare for fledging.
He may be off camera, but mum and dad are keeping him well fed, he is safe and has plenty of space to move around in Old Joe’s bell chamber!

Supporting your child through their next steps after school can feel exciting, daunting, and everything in between, but you don’t have to do it alone! ❤️

We offer guidance for parents and carers, whether you’re helping with university choices, applications, key dates, or important decisions.

On our website, you can sign up for helpful updates, practical advice, and clear information to help you feel confident supporting your child through this new chapter.
Read more and sign up here: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/parents-and-carers-guide

We also have a closed Facebook group for parents and carers, where you can meet other families, share advice, ask questions, and learn more about life at Birmingham.
Request to join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/UoBparents

Celebrating Birmingham pride on and off the pitch ⚽
What a fantastic day at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park as the Trevor Francis Memorial Cup Finals brought together young talent, families, and our city community.

As proud partners of Birmingham City FC, we were delighted to support this inspiring tournament – and even prouder to see our medical students offering free health checks to fans throughout the day, as well as our students who gave pre-match talks and acted as match presenters.

This was a fantastic day showcasing the power of sport to inspire. Bringing together schools from across Birmingham and Solihull, the tournament created an unforgettable experience for young people not only through sport, but through character development inspired by Trevor Francis’ values of dedication, humility and resilience.

This competition reflects the goal the University shares with our partners at BCFC to inspire young people across the city and region to greater sporting and academic heights.
Congratulations to all who took part, and to Tudor Grange Academy and Plantsbrook School on their brilliant wins! 👏

🔗 Read more:

Ranking success!
The University has climbed two places to 12th in the Complete University Guide 2027, reinforcing our position among the UK’s leading universities.

This continued upward momentum reflects our commitment to delivering an outstanding, research-intensive education that equips students with the skills, knowledge and confidence to succeed in their careers and beyond.

This ranking rise follows a strong performance in the recent National Student Survey, outperforming the sector with a 4.2% improvement.

We’re proud to be continuing our trajectory as a world-leading institution, shaping future leaders and driving research that makes a difference.

🔗 Read more: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2026/university-of-birmingham-rises-two-places-in-the-complete-university-guide-2027

We’re proud to call Birmingham our home 💛
From its creativity and culture to its resilience and sense of community, this city a truly special place.

What do you love about living and working in Birmingham?

It might be that walk along the canal, a favourite café, a view you never get tired of, or the moment the city started to feel like home.

We’d love to hear those memories, places and moments that make our city special to you!