University of Wolverhampton named as one of the best in the country - find out why

It has been named third in a list provided by the Higher Education Policy Institute.

Birmingham’s Aston University, which has a large proportion of students from the Black Country, ranked second on the list, which was headed by the University of Bradford.

The prominence of Wolverhampton provides a powerful endorsement for its work in helping students who may be the first in their family to take on the opportunity for a university education.

Four universities in the West Midlands were ranked in the top 10 in the analysis, which takes into account how many socio-economically disadvantaged graduates an institution takes in, as well as their outcomes afterwards.

Birmingham Newman University came fourth and Birmingham City University seventh. Staffordshire University was placed in 15th position.

The comprehensive annual ranking is compiled each year by London South Bank University (LSBU). It uses data on access, continuation and outcomes for undergraduates.

The West Midland universities come well ahead of highly respected Russell Group universities, including Imperial College London, London School of Economics and King's College London, who came eighth, 10th and 11th, respectively.

The index combines data on the proportion of a university's intake that are from the two most deprived groups, whether they continue their studies or not, how they progress once graduating and median salaries of graduates once they embark on a career. Salaries are weighted to account for differences across the country.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Ebrahim Adia said: “Retaining such a high ranking for social mobility highlights that our Strategy ‘Creating Opportunity, Transforming Futures’ is a lived reality.

"Each year we recruit thousands of students from diverse backgrounds, and we give them the support, knowledge, skills and confidence to progress to successful graduation.   In the process, we transform their lives, the lives of their families and the economic prospects of Wolverhampton and the Black Country.

"The introduction of credit-bearing Professional Placements for all our undergraduate students from September 2026 will further enhance opportunity and help our students to experience the world of work during their studies, develop employer connections and enhance their career prospects.

"I am heartened by the fact we are extending our social mobility ambition to other parts of the UK and internationally and that many more students will benefit from the transformational power of higher education and the University of Wolverhampton.”

University of Bradford interim vice-chancellor Professor Nick Braisby said the university’s recognition for social mobility “speaks to the heart of what Bradford stands for and it also comes at a time when the value of higher education is being actively questioned – at moments like these it is important to be clear about what universities are for”.

The top 20 universities in the Social Mobility Index 2025:

1. The University of Bradford

2. Aston University

3. The University of Wolverhampton

4. Birmingham Newman University

5. The University of Salford

6. The University of Greater Manchester

7. Birmingham City University

8. Imperial College London

9. The University of Huddersfield

10. London School of Economics and Political Science

11. King’s College London

12. Teesside University

13. Edge Hill University

14. City St George’s, University of London

15. Staffordshire University

16. The University of Central Lancashire

17. The University of Leicester

18. London South Bank University

19. University of Cumbria

20. Keele University