Great Britain holds the second-place spot for the number of international students. Every year, hundreds of thousands of applicants arrive, eager to receive a quality education at prestigious institutions. Birmingham is home to dozens of these schools, colleges, and universities. Here’s a brief journey through the history of the city’s educational development. Find out more at birmingham1.one.
From the History Books
The first mentions of education in Birmingham, as in neighboring regions of England, appear in documents dating back to the time of the Saxon migrations. They moved to Britain in entire families and tribes, establishing cathedral schools in their settlements. Until the 19th century, a close link between religion and education was evident in England, with most educational institutions founded by the church.
In the 19th century, England underwent several reforms that transformed local attitudes toward education. By the 1890s, schooling became compulsory for children aged 5 to 10. In the following decades, the duration of mandatory schooling steadily increased. Today, children study for at least 11 years.
In the 20th century, Birmingham’s education system was reorganized and continuously improved. Institutions were divided into primary and secondary schools, grammar schools, and colleges. Some higher education institutions were merged. In the 1960s, most schools became comprehensive, meaning they could no longer select students based on academic performance or their own criteria.
In the 1980s, Birmingham schools began operating under the state-established National Curriculum. At the same time, parents were given the freedom to choose a school for their children. Consequently, the choice of schools, colleges, and universities was no longer limited by place of residence, religious affiliation, or other factors.
Birmingham’s First School
Birmingham’s first school, founded in 1874, was the “Free School.” It was a state institution with a teaching system similar to that of modern schools. Its founder was John Terry, a lawyer who strongly supported the development of Birmingham’s education system. He enlisted the support of James Powell, a teacher and entrepreneur who invested significant time and money into the city’s growth. For his efforts on behalf of the local residents, he was nicknamed the “Duke of Birmingham,” and the opening of the first state school is considered one of his most important achievements.
In 1873, John Terry and James Powell announced the purchase of a plot of land for the school’s construction. On April 20, 1874, the grand opening took place. All prospective students were divided into four classes. Initially, the school didn’t even have chairs, and children sat on simple benches. However, more comfortable conditions were gradually created. At first, parents paid the teachers directly, but as the administration settled its construction debts, the fees decreased.
In 1888, the school moved to a new building after the original was damaged by fire. By then, the institution had expanded to 15 classes. Throughout the 20th century, other city schools opened, but the “Free School” remained popular. It closed in 2001. Although the building was a cultural and historical asset slated for reconstruction for educational purposes, these plans never came to fruition. Today, the “Free School” remains a significant chapter in the history of Birmingham’s educational development.
Birmingham’s First University
The University of Birmingham, founded in 1900, plays a crucial role in the city’s educational history. In that year, it received its royal charter—official state recognition—from Queen Victoria. The University of Birmingham succeeded Queen’s College and Mason Science College, which were the foundations of the city’s education system in the 19th century.
From its inception, the University of Birmingham was famous for its innovative chemical research, with its alumni among the first to win Nobel Prizes in the field. It was also one of the first universities in the world to rapidly teach students the fundamentals of computing in the mid-20th century. A course in “Computer Technology” was taught here as early as 1959. By the 1970s, hundreds of its graduates became sought-after computer science specialists across England.
The University of Birmingham continues to successfully educate students across various departments today. The institution is constantly expanding, embracing new scientific fields and enlarging its campus, which has become a sprawling student city. In 2024, a new building for the Faculty of Molecular Sciences was opened.
The Arrival of Other Universities
Birmingham’s second university opened 66 years after its first: in 1966, Aston University received its royal charter. Located in the heart of the city, it attracts students from all over the world. Over the years, it has graduated thousands of young people who have achieved success and global recognition. In fact, in early 2025, Aston University was named the University of the Year for Graduate Success. It also ranks among the top 10 universities in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2025.
In addition to Aston University and the University of Birmingham, the city is home to five other universities. One of the latest to open is Arden University, a private, for-profit institution. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various subjects, focusing on today’s most popular specialties like business and management, IT, and marketing. Arden University keeps pace with the times, offering various learning formats, including distance and blended learning, making it accessible to young people from different countries.
Modern-Day Facts
Today, Birmingham’s education system is considered a model of excellence. Local residents are satisfied with the quality of instruction in primary and secondary schools, while the high standard of education in the city’s colleges and universities is appreciated not only by Brummies but also by people from neighboring regions and around the world. Here are a few facts about education in the city:
Education in state schools is completely free for all Birmingham residents. However, some parents prefer to send their children to fee-paying private schools.
Most of the city’s schools are Roman Catholic, with Jewish and Islamic schools also present. However, in the 21st century, an increasing number of non-denominational institutions are emerging.
After finishing school, more and more young people choose to enroll in colleges. This helps them try out a chosen profession and decide which university to apply to later.
In addition to schools, colleges, and universities, Birmingham offers hundreds of courses designed for people of all ages.
On the initiative of the City Council, Birmingham operates “BAES” – the Adult Education Service. It offers programs that help adult residents gain additional education to change careers or advance in their current field.
To support this high level of education, the city operates over 40 libraries, some of which are exceptionally large and house unique collections.