Group of students having a conversation on campus on a sunny day. Red brick building in the background.

Academic Enrichment Programme

A summer school for eligible students in non-selective state schools across the West Midlands

The Academic Enrichment Programme (AEP) is a four-day residential summer school for Year 12 students in the West Midlands region.

The programme offers an insight into the university experience, including taster lectures covering various academic subjects, a chance to live in university accommodation, and exciting new social experiences.

Applications for AEP 2024 are closed.

We encourage you to explore our programme information and consider applying in 2025 if you are studying at one of our partner institutions. Your head of sixth form will be able to confirm if your school is a P2B partner school. If your school is not a partner school but you think it may be eligible, please email aep@contacts.bham.ac.uk for more information.

Is your school outside of the West Midlands region? Have a look at our National Access Summer School instead.

Benefits of taking part in the Academic Enrichment Programme

If you successfully complete the programme and apply to the University of Birmingham, you will:

  • Receive a Pathways to Birmingham offer which is typically a reduction of up to two A level grades (e.g. BBB rather than AAB)
  • Be guaranteed interviews for Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Pharmacy
  • Be eligible for financial support

By participating in the Academic Enrichment Programme, you will also benefit from:

  • First-hand experience of academic learning at a research-led institution
  • Support with raising academic grades through two study skills sessions in Year 13
  • Experience of living in university accommodation and socialising with like-minded students
  • Support from current undergraduates via e-mentoring
  • Support with the decision-making process
  • An invitation to attend an enhanced induction day before the start of the academic year (Kick-Off Day)
  • Becoming a Birmingham Scholar when you start your degree

The Academic Enrichment Programme is a good fit for Year 12 students who are dedicated to studying at the University of Birmingham and are taking qualifications that align with the degrees offered here. You must meet the Pathways to Birmingham criteria.

In addition to this, you must have achieved the minimum academic requirements for the university; please check the University of Birmingham course pages for more information. There are separate academic criteria for Medicine and Dentistry applicants.

Due to the competitive nature of this programme, applications will be selected based on the socio-economic criteria as listed for the Pathways to Birmingham programmes, and potentially on academic grades in line with our entry requirements.

Check your eligibility
Male student smiling, red brick building with grass and trees in the background

From sessions about finances to personal statement advice, I learnt so much from the AEP summer school. Having a mentor also helped me with the process of making and perfecting a personal statement, especially since he also did civil engineering.

Phil, Academic Enrichment Programme graduate

Are you a teacher or adviser supporting an AEP applicant?

AEP applicants must be studying at one of our partner institutions and have a nominated teacher to support their application. Read our Pathways to Birmingham (P2B) coordinators guidance for more information.

Next steps

See also