Create paths to University for bright minds

Countless young people with massive potential are missing out on higher education, due to circumstances entirely beyond their control.

Some may never have contemplated going to university, believing they are not ‘good enough’. For others it may be an unattainable dream, crushed by lack of a quiet study space at home, losing a parent, financial difficulties or daily caring responsibilities for a family member. And for many, COVID-19 has made existing inequalities worse, from uneven online schooling and the lack of access to technology (known as the digital divide) to the loss of family and jobs.

What you can do

Through scholarships and support programmes, you can help vulnerable school pupils and students to recognise their academic potential and help those who have already found their passion to make it happen.

Help young people find their path to University

For example, through the Pathways to Birmingham outreach programme you can offer taster sessions in different subjects, residential summer schools that show what studying is really like, workshops in academic writing, mentoring and much more. Successful participants receive grade offers that reflect the challenges they face and enhanced careers support – and could be eligible for funding of up to £3,500 per year through the Access to Birmingham scholarship/bursary.

Audio described version of Blessing talking about scholarships and student support

Support young carers

If you need to be at home regularly to take care of an ill or disabled family member, taking on university study as well can seem impossible. Many young carers miss out on this key opportunity to shape their own futures, struggling to fit both sets of responsibilities into their day. Nearly one in three young carers have had to miss school to provide caring support, so their grades may not reflect their true potential. 

The Young Carer Scholarship helps young people with their additional costs to travel home regularly to help their loved ones and offers practical and emotional support where needed. Read more about how young carer Katie Potts is providing additional care for her brother and sister, while studying ways to help people with disabilities access modern technology.  

How you can change young people’s lives

• £4,500 could provide a student with a Pathways to Birmingham scholarship throughout their three-year course
• You could could provide a young carer with the financial means to commute to care for family members after lecturers are done for the day. 

To start a conversation about how you could help young people build their future through an education at Birmingham, just get in touch.