The University of Birmingham, one of Britain's traditional universities, has been highly rated by the government's Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), having achieved outstanding results in the 1996 research assessment exercise.
The university earned ratings of national and international excellence in 35 subject groups.
These included clinical laboratory sciences, hospital-based clinical subjects, physiology, biochemistry, psychology, computer science, electrical and engineering, business and management studies, law, social policy and administration, English and English literature, education and music.
The research assessment exercise is undertaken by the HEFCE every four years to serve as the basis for the arrangements in the funding of research and grant allocations.
The University of Birmingham, established in 1900, has a strong reputation for excellence in teaching and research.
More than 5,500 of the university's 18,000 students are registered for master's and PhD degrees, making its graduate school one of the largest in the country.
