The Best Universities in the West Midlands of the UK

The West Midlands is a region in England, home to several large cities, including Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, and Stoke-on-Trent. As a student, the West Midlands offers many opportunities for academic success and social activities.

The West Midlands is home to many fantastic universities, including the University of Birmingham, the University of Warwick, Coventry University, and Aston University, among others. These universities offer a wide range of courses at all study levels on state-of-the-art campuses.

The West Midlands is well connected by public transportation, making it easy for students to get around and explore the rest of the UK and beyond. Additionally, the cost of living in the West Midlands is generally lower than in other parts of the UK, making it an affordable place to study.

Learn more about West Midlands’ universities below, and if you would like to apply, arrange a free consultation with SI-UK London today.

UK Universities in West Midlands

University of Warwick

The University of Warwick is among the UK’s most prominent universities, with several of its subjects ranking in the global top 50, including Statistics (14th), Mathematics (23rd) and English Literature (26th). The Warwick Arts Centre at the university campus is one of the largest of its kind and attracts around 300,00 visitors each year.

• UK ranking: 9th
• Warwick acceptance rate: 14%

University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham received the royal charter in 1900 and is the founding member of the Russell Group and Universitas 21. With more than 23,000 undergraduate and 12,000 postgraduate students, Birmingham is the 7th largest university in the UK.

• UK ranking: 20th
• Birmingham acceptance rate: 13.54%

Aston University

Aston University is known for its excellent placement records, with over 73% of students taking a placement year, the highest in the UK. It was named University of the Year in 2020 by The Guardian newspaper. 

• UK ranking: 45th
• Aston acceptance rate: 50%

Harper Adams University

Founded in 1901 and getting university status in 2012, Harper Adams University is home to around 5,000 students from over 30 countries. Harper Adams was named the UK’s best modern university in 2017 by Times Higher Education. 

• UK ranking: 47th
• Harper Adams acceptance rate: N/A 

Coventry University

Coventry University is the fastest growing and sixth-largest UK university, with over 38,000 students across its two campuses in Coventry and London.

• UK ranking: 55th
• Coventry acceptance rate: 32%

Keele University

Keele University is spread over a 625-acre campus with state-of-the-art facilities, including a science park and conference centre. The University is known for its nursing and medicine programmes, considered among the best in the UK.

• UK ranking: 64th
• Keele acceptance rate: 82%

Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University is known for its diversity on campus. The School of English and the Birmingham School of Media are among its most popular departments.

• UK ranking: 94th
• Birmingham City acceptance rate: 53%

Staffordshire University

In 1990, Staffordshire University was the first to introduce a single honours degree programme in Film, Television and Radio Studies. Students around the world rate its media courses highly.

• UK ranking: 106th
• Staffordshire acceptance rate: 57%

University of Worcester

The University of Worcester offers world-class academic programmes at its technology-laden campuses that house a state-of-the-art library and study facility, the Hive, containing over a quarter of a million books.

• UK ranking: 110th
• Worcester acceptance rate: 89%

Newman University, Birmingham

Newman University, Birmingham, is famous for its academic excellence and sports facilities. Students often performed well in the fields of arts and finance. In the 2019 National Student Survey, Newman was the 1st in Birmingham and 4th in the region for overall student satisfaction.

• UK ranking: 118th
• Newman University acceptance rate: 83.1

University of Wolverhampton

Established in 1899 as Science, Technical and Commercial School, the University of Wolverhampton comprises four faculties, further divided into eighteen schools.

• UK ranking: 127th
• Wolverhampton acceptance rate: 25%

Three Reasons to Study in the West Midlands

1. Academic excellence

England’s West Midlands is home to some of the UK’s top-rated universities that are known for their research-intensive programmes. In addition, students experience latest curricula and modern infrastructure at these universities.

2. Things to do

The West Midlands region encompasses five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Peak District National Park, Malvern Hills, and other spellbinding natural delights. Students can explore several cultural and historical sites, including the Ironbridge Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3. Lower cost of living

The cost of living in England’s West Midlands is relatively lower than that of many other regions.

Study in England

Are you considering studying in England? Arrange a free consultation with SI-UK London and get all your questions answered regarding the course and university selection, entry requirements, and scholarship opportunities.