Key facts and figures

The University of Wolverhampton received a commendation – the highest possible accolade – in its most recent assessment by the Quality Assurance Agency: the independent body that evaluates standards and quality in UK higher education.

Research at the University of Wolverhampton is world-leading, ground-breaking and life-changing. It informs the teaching and learning we deliver here at Wolverhampton. 

REF2021

Our research is at its highest ever level according to the Research Excellence Framework 2021.

75% more staff were submitted for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 than REF2014.

The results show that more than half of the University’s research is judged as internationally excellent (3) or world-leading (4), in total 93% is internationally recognised.

Sixteen subject areas have research of world-leading standard, including the University’s work on changing perceptions of the Black Country, cybersecurity, autism, intelligent transport systems, Brownfield regeneration, eliminating gender and race discrimination and improving health outcomes for all.

The University was awarded four stars overall in 2023 in the QS Stars ™ scheme – with the highest five stars for teaching, employability, facilities, internationalisation, and inclusiveness.

The QS Stars scheme is a global rating system which assesses the strengths of universities worldwide against several categories.

The University embeds employability into all its programmes to create opportunities and connections for its students. 

87% of the University’s UK graduates from the most recent cohort are in work or further study according to the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey (published 2025, Class of 22-23). It also showed almost 60% are in highly skilled roles.

The National Student Survey is completed by final-year university students across the UK and is managed by the Office for Students (OfS). 

Student satisfaction at the University of Wolverhampton is above sector average across a number of categories, the latest National Student Survey results show (2025). 

• Teaching on my course - 87.4% 2025 up from 84.9% 2024 (better than the national average)

• Learning opportunities - 85.2% 2025 up from 82.5% 2024 (better than the national average)

• Assessment and feedback - 85.4% up from 81.6% (better than the national average)

• Student voice - 79.7% up from 74% (better than the national average)

• Academic support - 84.9% up from 79.8%

• Organisation and management - 75% up from 68.6%

• Learning resources - 87.3% up from 84.9%

  ^{[Figures for full-time, first degree students.]}
  A number of courses achieved an outstanding score of 100% satisfaction by students in response to survey questions:
  
  

• Accounting and Finance - 100% scored for “How well teaching staff explained things”

   

• Animation - 100% scored for “How we supported their learning”, “How their course developed knowledge and skills they will need in the future” and “Freedom to express their ideas, opinions and beliefs.”

   

• Architectural Design Technology - 100% scored for “Teaching on my course”

   

• Building Control Degree Apprenticeship - 100% scored for “Teaching on my course”

   

• Computing and Information Technology - 100% scored for “Academic support” 

   

• Education Studies - 100% scored for “How well teaching staff explained things”, “Assessment and feedback”, “Organisation and management”, and “Academic support” 

   

• Football Coaching and Performance - 100% scored for “Teaching on my course” and “Learning opportunities” 

   

• Health and Wellbeing - 100% scored for “Teaching on my course”, Academic support” and “Learning resources” 

   

• International Hospitality Management -100% scored for “How well teaching staff explained things” 

   

• Professional Policing - 100% scored for “Academic support”, “How well teaching staff explained things”

Research England’s Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) recognises the diverse contributions that universities across the country offer their local areas. The framework aims to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of public funding use for knowledge exchange while aiding continuous improvement in higher education providers. KEF identified the University of Wolverhampton as being in the top 10% nationally for public and community engagement, as well as in the top 10% for local growth and regeneration.   

The University of Wolverhampton’s roots go back to the 19th century Wolverhampton Mechanics’ Institutes and School of Art. It offers a broad range of subjects at foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate level – many accredited by prestigious professional bodies. Over 30,200 students studying at teaching campuses in the Midlands and through nationwide partners benefit from innovative and excellent teaching. This QAA-commended university is ranked third in England for social mobility (Higher Education Policy Institute) and boasts world-class research along with an 87% graduate employability rate (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025).

• Over 30,200 students studying worldwide with the University of Wolverhampton. 
• We have students learning with partner institutions in countries including Nepal, India, China and Sri Lanka. 
• Our students and alumni come from 130 countries across the globe. 

• We help our students to increase and fulfil their potential and move into fulfilling careers. 
• No one is left behind at Wolverhampton – we are there to support each student on their academic journey. 
• We're ranked third in England for social mobility, and have been in the top 10 for four years running – making higher education accessible for individuals and communities for the first time (Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), The Social Mobility Index 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).
• We are ranked 4th in the UK for teaching first generation students (those who are the first in their family to go to university) by the Daily Mail University Rankings 2026. 
• We climbed the Complete University Guide rankings for the 5th year in a row, up three places to 108. We also have several areas ranking particularly highly in the most recent The Guardian’s Rankings, including Education (7th in UK), Fine Art (6th in UK), Graphic Design (12th in UK), and Physiotherapy (7th in UK).
• We have been providing opportunities to students for nearly 200 years and the choice of courses we offer is as diverse as our community.