Superb Teaching Earns Second Successive The Times And Sunday Times University Of The Year Award for Birmingham Newman
Birmingham Newman University is the 2027 The Times and Sunday Times University of the Year for Teaching Quality.
After being chosen as last year’s University of Year for Social Inclusion, this marks the second major Good University Guide accolade for the Bartley Green-based institution. The Guide sees the University leap 27 places to 80th place in the overall rankings, making Birmingham Newman the fastest-rising West Midlands university.
In measuring the teaching quality of universities, The Times and Sunday Times base their findings on national indicators of student satisfaction, teaching excellence, and academic support. To achieve University of the Year status in this category, Birmingham Newman is recognised as having given a strong demonstration of its ability to foster an inclusive learning environment that empowers students from all backgrounds to make the most of their ability.
The award is the latest in an eye-opening run of success for Birmingham Newman. Last week, the University was the fastest riser in the 2027 Guardian University Guide, and in July 2026 became the No.1 university in the UK for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Jackie Dunne MBE said:
“It is an honour to have earned such prestigious recognition from a leading benchmark of quality within higher education.
“This award, matched by the tremendous progress we have made in the overall rankings, act as a powerful endorsement of both the teaching quality we offer, and our commitment to believing in the potential of everyone who walks through our doors.
“It is a source of intense pride that our institution has made such an enormous impact over the near-60 years we have been in existence. And it is hugely rewarding to know the sustained, positive effect we have on our students is beginning to earn consistent national recognition.
“Credit for this, and for all our recent achievements, goes to the tireless, dedicated efforts of our University’s staff.”
In addition to the accolades mentioned above, the University became the Nurse Education Provider of the Year (pre-registration) at the 2026 Student Nursing Times Awards; earned sliver in the Lecturers and Teaching Quality category at the WhatUni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs); and topped the rankings for teaching excellence, student experience and student support in the 2026 Daily Mail University Guide.
Birmingham Newman is also nominated for University of the Year at the UK Social Mobility Awards, taking place in October 2026.
