At Birmingham we offer an inspiring educational experience. An original "redbrick" university and founding member of the Russell Group of institutions, we are home to approximately 28,000 students. The University is a truly vibrant, global community and is internationally-renowned, incorporating over 5,000 international students from nearly 150 countries around the world. Named as the University of the Year by The Times and The Sunday Times in 2013-14, this accolade is testament to quality of work that takes place at Birmingham. Outstanding research that informs teaching From 1900 to the present day, Birmingham has been leading the way in research and education.The University is an internationally powerful, research-led institution and as well as our commitment to providing excellent teaching, academic staff are engaged in a wide range of research that has created a major positive impact across the globe. Birmingham is the national hub for an innovative STEM programme, a national initiative to promote interest in science, technology, engineering and maths among young people and enhance higher level skills in the workplace. We are the first link in a chain of Cancer Research UK Centres, our academics are taking the lead on the ATLAS Project at the Large Hadron Collider, and a transformational gift of £15 million in 2013 means that we are establishing an Institute for Forest Research which will study the impact of environmental change on woodlands. These are just some of the highlights that place Birmingham at the forefront of 21st century research. You will be studying at the heart of our academic community, alongside a challenging, international academy of over 2,000 individuals, many of whom are global experts in their field. This means that your studies will include all the latest approaches, thinking and understanding. Our campus The 250-acre parkland campus in Edgbaston provides a safe, friendly environment and has all the facilities you would expect to find: bars, cafes, shops, a sports centre, banks, art gallery, botanical gardens, doctor’s surgery, dental practice and its own railway station - all the facilities you need to support your learning, social life, sporting and other interests while at university. The University is just far enough from Birmingham city centre to enjoy the benefits of campus life, but close enough to be within easy reach of all the amenities of one of the UK's largest cities. Birmingham is a vibrant, multi-cultural city with one of the youngest populations in Europe, boasting the largest public library in Europe, a redeveloped transport hub and the famous Bullring shopping centre. Preparing you for success At Birmingham you’ll have access to a wealth of opportunities in which to develop life and leadership skills that employers recognise as the hallmark of a high quality graduate. You will have access to specialised careers advice based in your academic area, benefit from our vast alumni network in the form of mentoring, and have the opportunity to undertake internship and/or work experience placements. Our representative offices and staff in Delhi, India; Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in China; and Chicago in the United States, as well as our membership of the U21 global network and partnership working in Brazil, ensures that the University is well connected and measures success against international standards.