1. University of Wolverhampton
  2. Strategy 2035
  3. Facts and Figures
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

  • 29,400 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

UK's Fastest Growing University

  For UCAS acceptances 1

£160m Investment

  Campus, Digital and Facilities Over Past Six Years, further £70m planned 2

Every Student, Placements Guaranteed

  Visit wlv.ac.uk/placements for details 3

Top 10

  For Growth and Regeneration 4

1. UCAS Undergraduate End of Cycle Data


3. wlv.ac.uk/placements


4. Research England, Knowledge Exchange Framework 2022

Recent Accolades

  • 5-STAR ‘EXCELLENT’ RATING from the QS Stars university rating, 2026, with the highest rating for: teaching, global engagement, facilities, environmental impact, and diversity, equity and inclusion 
  • TOP 10 UNIVERSITY VOTED BY STUDENTS in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 'University of the Year' category, 2026 
  • 1ST IN UK FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHS in the AdvanceHE Postgraduate Research Experience Survey 2025 
  • RATED TOP 3 IN ENGLAND FOR SOCIAL MOBILITY by the Higher Education Policy Institute, Social Mobility Index 2025 
  • GOLD AWARD FOR UNIVERSITY ACCOMMODATION: RATED No.1 in the Investor In Students, Institutional Insight Survey, 2026   
  • WE HAVE RESEARCHERS RANKED IN THE TOP 2% OF SCIENTISTS in the Stanford Elsevier Top Scientists List 2024   
  • WE HAVE RESEARCHERS RANKED IN THE TOP 0.5% OF SCHOLARS IN THE WORLD in ScholarGPS, Top Scholar list 2024