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2. The University of Birmingham - a bold and influential university
With more than 8,000 staff and 34,000 students, the University of Birmingham was the first civic university in the UK. Our heritage as the original ‘redbrick’ is combined with one of the most compelling and ambitious agendas in higher education. We have a clear vision for the future, ambitious leadership, world-class academic strengths, and a secure financial base. Being named The Times and Sunday Times University of the Year 2013–2014 recognised a transformative time in our history, characterised by innovative initiatives such as our much-emulated unconditional offers strategy for exceptional students and our highly successful ‘Birmingham Fellows’ programme for early-career academics. Birmingham is a leading member of the Russell Group and a founder member of the Universitas 21 global network of research universities of which our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir David Eastwood, is the current Chair. We launched our 2021 Strategic Framework, Making Important Things Happen. This provides the framework for another period of development and transforma- tion as we seek to capitalise on our academic range and financial strength as well as the opportunities that emerge in the fast-changing global HE environ- ment. Excellence in education The league table rises we have secured in recent years have led to us becoming an increasingly popular destination for the best and brightest students. Our student population has increased by over 4,000 since 2009/10, and we now have over 20,000 undergraduate and 14,000 postgraduate students. Nearly 5,000 of these are from overseas, making ours the second largest international postgraduate population in the UK. Our student satisfaction levels have risen significantly to 88% for overall satisfaction, placing us as one of the best universities of our type. Our highly successful work to support our students in securing graduate-level employment after their studies with us was recognised in 2015 when we were awarded The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year for Graduate Employment. At 86.7%, our rate of graduate employability is the fourth highest in the UK, and a result of the much-copied Birmingham model for employability. Campus developments Our annual turnover has grown to more than £748 million, and we make use of our financial strength to invest in the intellectual and physical future of the University. Over the past three years, some £680 million has been invested in the Birmingham campus, including a major sports centre and outstanding new student accommodation. Our state-of-the-art Student Services Hub opened in October 2015 and includes facilities for our Careers Network, Student Services and Registry, as well as a suite of one-to-one consultation rooms and a 250-seat lecture theatre. The Hub is based at the heart of campus in the Aston Webb Building and sits between the stunning Elgar Concert Hall and the magnificent Great Hall, venue for our graduations. Our new £59 million technology-rich main library opened in 2016 and provides outstanding facilities for a new generation of students and researchers. The new library houses an increased number of study spaces, flexible training rooms, and A/V listening and video editing booths. Our new £55 million sports centre, opened in 2017, will include the city’s first 50-metre swimming pool – an asset not only for our students and staff but for the wider community.
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