Birmingham Newman University is the fastest riser in this year’s Guardian University Guide, with a new ranking of 35^th place after a 73-place ascent.  

The annual rankings of 123 universities in the UK are based on eight measures covering a range of areas related to the student experience, ranging from satisfaction with teaching and feedback, to career outcomes 15 months after graduation.

Birmingham Newman also ranked in the top 20 in the UK for the following subjects:

• General Nursing: 2^nd
• Law: 4^th
• Theology and Religious Studies: 9^th
• History: 11^th
• English: 12^th
• Criminology: 18^th

The University was also ranked 2^nd in the UK for satisfaction with feedback, and 7^th for satisfaction with teaching.

The Guardian University Guide performance marks the latest significant achievement for Birmingham Newman, during a year which has seen repeated recognition for its commitment to student experience, quality of learning and teaching, and good career outcomes and support.

In July 2026, the University was ranked Number 1 in the UK for overall student positivity in the National Student Survey, an accolade swiftly followed by a table-topping ranking for teaching excellence, student experience and student support in the 2026 Daily Mail University Guide.  

Professor Jackie Dunne MBE, Vice-Chancellor, Birmingham Newman University said:

“We are incredibly proud that our University has earned this latest recognition of our efforts to provide the best possible student experience. These results acknowledge the quality of our teaching and our resolute focus on student satisfaction, and act as further evidence of the effectiveness of our approach.

“We are also delighted to be the fastest rising university in such a prestigious guide. It demonstrates the pace of the investment we have placed into improving student experience, and reflects our increasing ambition to deliver greater impact on the people and the communities we serve.

“We are here for our students. We believe in their potential, and will support them in a rapidly changing world, ensuring they have the educational experience in order to succeed, whatever their background.”

In addition to the Guardian, NSS and Daily Mail accolades this year, the University has become Nurse Education Provider of the Year (pre-registration) at the 2026 Student Nursing Times Awards, and earned sliver in the Lecturers and Teaching Quality category at the WhatUni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs). Birmingham Newman is also nominated for University of the Year at the UK Social Mobility Awards, taking place in October 2026.

Awards and recognition

Multi-award-winning university

Birmingham Newman is recognised nationally for student satisfaction, social inclusion and student success, with awards and rankings from some of the UK’s leading higher education guides and surveys.

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