A black and white photograph of the University of Wolverhampton's Wulfruna building.

Facts and figures

Our history

At the University of Wolverhampton, we have been providing quality education for nearly 200 years. 

Our origins date back to 1827 when we were established as a Tradesmen and Mechanics’ Institute in 1827. 

These origins continue to influence the mission of the University, its character, courses, research, knowledge exchange and role as an anchor institution. 

 

Our students

  • 25,000 students worldwide
  • Almost half are 21 or older
  • 35% are part-time students
  • 55% come from Global Majority backgrounds and 45% are White
  • 2/3 of our new students are the first in their family to go to university
  • 77% live within a 20-mile distance of the University
  • We have alumni from 130 nations

The University in numbers

No. 1

In the UK for teaching first generation students 1

29th

In the UK for student positivity 2

55%

research rated as world-leading and internationally excellent 3

90%

Of our graduates are in work or study4

77%

Of graduates work in the West Midlands region4

Top 10%

For local growth and regeneration5

Over 60

Over 60 professionally accredited courses

1 Daily Mail University Rankings 2024.
2 National Student Survey 2023.
3 Research Excellence Framework 2021.
4 Graduate Outcomes Survey, Class of 2020-21.
5 Research England, Knowledge Exchange Framework 2022.