City News

Birmingham City University is the new name unveiled today for the former University of Central England in Birmingham.

The move follows extensive consultation with students, staff and key university stakeholders, who were asked to vote on three alternative names for the university. 

Of the 4,700 people who responded to a survey earlier this year, the greatest number (42.8%) voted in favour of Birmingham City University.

“The University of Central England name has performed well over the years; however, moving to a shorter, more powerful name will give the University a much stronger future identity within the education and learning marketplace,” explained the University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor David Tidmarsh. 

“Birmingham City University has major plans for change, which include significant investment in new and improved student facilities.  Birmingham rightly has ambitions to promote itself as a major University city; these developments put us in a much better position to support Birmingham’s drive towards a stronger knowledge based economy.”

The University is planning to invest £250 million to create a major new city centre campus in Birmingham’s Eastside district, near Millennium Point, which will become the focus for creative arts provision. It will continue its policy of investing in faculties for learning as well as substantially improved social and recreational facilities and student support.  A new gym and sports hall will be completed by 2009, along with a range of IT and learning improvements.

Reaction to the University’s Name Change from Birmingham City Council

Speaking from China, where he is on a 7 day visit to promote Birmingham City Council, Leader Councillor Mike Whitby, said: "I am very pleased by this news. Everyone I meet here in China has an extremely high regard for the City of Birmingham and our reputation here is growing.

"By including "Birmingham" in their name, the University will help promote our City even further, giving enhanced recognition to our world class educational facilities. Only this morning I was discussing ways of encouraging more Chinese students to come to our City and it was clear that a very strong geographical indicator was key when choosing a university.

“This fresh identity will promote to a whole new audience the crucial role that Birmingham City University plays in both educating people and helping to create future academics, leaders and key members of the 21st century economy in Birmingham and beyond.”
 
Research shows that universities which have the name of their location in the title are more easily recognised and remembered by potential applicants, increasing their ability to recruit high calibre students.  It is equally important to graduates when they are seeking employment or promotion, as high recognition enhances the value of students’ awards.