University of Birmingham top of the Russell Group in National Student Survey

The University of Birmingham has been ranked first in the Russell Group in the 2026 National Student Survey, and among the top ten universities in the UK.

The university recorded its strongest ever result, with overall student satisfaction of 87.4 per cent, the highest in its history, and a record response rate of 82 per cent.

Sixteen subjects top the group

Measured across all survey questions against a benchmark group of 130 universities, 16 of Birmingham's subject areas came top of the Russell Group, including Chemistry, Materials Science, Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science, English, Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics, Classics and Law.

Several areas also improved sharply on last year:

• Teaching on my course: 90.6 per cent, up 4 points
• Learning opportunities: 87.9 per cent, up 4 points
• Organisation and management: 87.0 per cent, up 5 points

"Being ranked first in the Russell Group and in the top 10 of the UK's top-performing universities in the National Student Survey is a tremendous achievement and one we are incredibly proud of," said Professor Deborah Longworth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Tickell said the university's focus on skills, employability and student success had contributed to the result. The survey gathers feedback from final-year undergraduates across the UK.