School's out, University's in this Easter

From treading the boards to building towers - More than 200 school children from Berkshire, Middlesbrough, Birmingham and Redditch will spend their Easter break as University of Birmingham students. 

On April 7,8 and 9,10 young people will gain a taste of university life and discovering what being a student is really about, as part of a programme designed to make higher education accessible to all.

An action-planned programme includes building towers, taking part in a theatre production, led by Zip Theatre, workshops and sports events. Many of the activities will be organised by Birmingham students so that the young people can meet ‘real’ undergraduates and find out more about higher education.

Ester Hill, Widening Participation Officer at the university, said: "We want youngsters to get a taste for university life, to understand the fantastic range of opportunities open to them and to go home determined to reach their own full potential."

Ends

Media information: Anna Dingley, Press Officer, University of Birmingham, 0121 4158134/07769952763

Notes to editor:

Original Thinking at Birmingham

From 1900 to present day, the University of Birmingham has enhanced the well-being of our country - and beyond - through its original thinking.

Birmingham is a centre of research excellence. Its research has been impacting on people's lives for more than a century and it continues to lead the way in breakthroughs and innovations. These include:

1937 creating vitamin C tablets  2008 developing cancer vaccines

1912 first UK course in oil mining  2008 cleaner fuels

1960 Developing pacemakers  2008 tackling global obesity

The University is a truly vibrant, global community and an internationally-renowned institution. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than four thousand international students from nearly 150 different countries.

The University plays an integral role in the economic, social and cultural growth of local and regional communities; working closely with businesses and organisations, employing approximately 6,000 staff and providing 10,000 graduates annually.  The University contributes £662 million to the City of Birmingham and £779 million to the West Midlands region, with an annual income of more than £388.6 million. In 2005, new graduates accounted for almost 60% of the new workers in the City with a degree or higher-level qualification. 44 % of our graduates take up their first employment in the Region.