Celebrating 125 years of achievement

Welcome to 125 years of the University �鶹��ѡ.

This milestone anniversary marks a legacy of driving change and shaping society ever since Queen Victoria granted our Royal Charter in 1900. Through our ambitious and progressive approach to education and research, we are proud to have fostered a global community of leaders and problem-solvers.

Our unbound approach to research has enabled us to consistently push boundaries to address global challenges, build a thriving planet, advance life-changing technologies, connect cultures, improve global health and foster a fairer world.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to redefining what is possible and to changing how the world works.

125 Anniversary stories

Throughout our anniversary year, we will feature stories that celebrate the people, events and achievements from the last 125 years, and highlight those that are fuelling our success today.

View all 125 stories >

Our Promise to the City

Exactly 125 years ago, on 24 March 1900, Queen Victoria gave royal approval to England’s first civic university, turning one man’s ‘radical’ vision into a hugely impactful turning point for our country’s education system. The University �鶹��ѡ has decided to mark its milestone anniversary by revisiting its roots and renewing our civic commitment to the city, reaffirming and reigniting a promise to serve Birmingham and beyond.

Read about our civic pledge

Marie Curie

In 1913, Marie Sklodowska Curie was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University �鶹��ѡ. The physicist was awarded a Nobel Prize in 1902, alongside her husband. She was awarded it again in 1911 for her work in the field of chemistry and was the first person to ever win two Nobel Prizes in separate fields. During her award at Birmingham, the principal of the university, Sir Oliver Lodge, called Marie Curie “the greatest woman of science of all time”. Her research into radiation has paved the way for radiology, which still saves lives today.

125 years in images

As part of our anniversary celebrations, the Cadbury Research Library is sharing a digital and physical exhibition of previously unseen (or less well-known), archival images from our research and teaching, campus, and people and community. They say a picture paints a thousand words, and these images tell important stories about the University and the city �鶹��ѡ, its people, and how it has and continues to evolve over a century and a quarter.

Read the stories behind the images