Birmingham City Students' Union
Analysis
Birmingham City Students' Union is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Birmingham. It was registered in July 2011, 15 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, religious activities, arts/culture/heritage/science and amateur sport, which this site groups under religion. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 03426445). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending July 2025, Birmingham City Students' Union reported income of £3.9m and spending of £3.6m, spending 94% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from July 2021 to July 2025, income grew from £2.7m to £3.9m (+42%), an average of +9.2% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to July 2023, when income rose by 16%. Over the whole period it spent 96% of the income it received.
Among 20,496 England and Wales charities whose main cause is religion and that reported income, Birmingham City Students' Union sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 99% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Christian Institute (£3.8m), Gloucester Cathedral (£4.0m) and The Baptist Union Corporation Limited (£3.8m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 63%, charitable activities 36% and investments 1.1%. Charitable activities took 95% of spending and raising funds 4.7%. Reserves of £1.1m would cover about 4 months of spending at that rate. It employed 113 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 63%
- Charitable activities 36%
- Investments 1.1%
- Other 0.4%
In the charity's own words
Our purpose is to enhance our students experiences and have a positive impact on their lives.We have spent the last 12 months delivering the third year of a strategic plan.Our vision is to positively impact on and enhance the lives of every Birmingham City University student.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Christian Institute | Newcastle upon Tyne | £3.8m |
| Gloucester Cathedral | Gloucester | £4.0m |
| The Baptist Union Corporation Limited | Oxfordshire | £3.8m |
| The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Trinity Clapham, Southwark | London | £4.0m |