Located on the former Birmingham West Suburban Railway, University station was built in 1977–8 to the designs of the architect John Broome[1] as part of the upgrade of the Cross City line.

The Cross-City Line was electrified in 1993 and the current Class 323 electric multiple units were introduced by British Rail on local services.

In 2017, it was announced that the station would receive up to £10 million as an improvement fund to enhance passenger experience and reduce overcrowding, as part of the Government's Midlands Engine Strategy.

[3] In July 2019, West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM)[4] announced plans to redevelop the station in order to accommodate increasing passenger numbers generally and those arising from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, of which two events were held at venues on the University of Birmingham campus.

The widths of the platforms were doubled and equipped with a canopy for sun and rain protection, and the landscaping was improved.

Fare control is enforced by a line of automatic ticket barriers installed in April 2009, at Five Ways station.

The station is served by West Midlands Trains with local Transport for West Midlands branded "Cross-City" services, operated using Class 323 Electric multiple units (EMUs)[14] until September 2024 and currently by Class 730 EMUs.