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Black-and-white photograph from 1980s of a group of students playing rugby with Aston Webb in the background.

Help today’s students to create lifelong memories

You can give a student in hardship the chance to take part and experience all that Birmingham has to offer. 
Support a student in hardship
Black-and-white photograph from 1980s of a group of students playing rugby with Aston Webb in the background.

University should be about so much more than getting a degree. It should be a time to make friends, discover new interests, try new things and embrace opportunities that can shape your whole lifetime.

But today across the UK, the continuing cost-of-living crisis is putting increasing pressure on university students. Rising everyday costs mean that, for some, there is very little left after paying for essentials, affecting their ability to take part in university life.

How is the ongoing cost-of living crisis affecting students at Birmingham? 

A 2026 survey by the University of Birmingham Guild of Students revealed the difficult choices some students are making simply to manage financially: 

  • 38% sacrificed travelling home to see their families.
  • 43% regularly skipped meals.
  • Almost 1/4 of respondents always avoided turning on the heating.
  • 28% had left clubs and societies.
Give students a chance to take part

More than a degree. A world of possibilities.

Your generosity can help remove the financial barriers that stand in the way. You can give a student the chance to take part, feel they belong and create the kind of memories you may still treasure from your own time at Birmingham. 

University gave me confidence, purpose, friendships and a sense of where I wanted my life to go. I want today's students to have the same opportunity to discover what university can mean for them.

Headshot of Olly Ashton
Olly Ashton
Birmingham Graduate and President of Guild of Students

Three ways you can help share the Birmingham experience:  

  • Students at the Community Breakfast putting food on their plates.

    1) Community Breakfast

    Sometimes, something as simple as breakfast can make a big difference. Our free Community Breakfast gives students more than something to eat before lectures. It gives them a welcoming place to meet friends, connect with others and start their day feeling part of the Birmingham community.

    Help a student fuel up for learning
  • Guild Mermaid statue with Old Joe in the background and students milling around.

    2) Student Support Fund

    An unexpected cost or difficult month can leave a student struggling to afford food, heating or travel to campus. The Student Support Fund can ease immediate financial pressure, helping students manage everyday costs and focus on their university experience.

    Support students when it counts
  • A mid-match image of women's hockey.

    3) Sport Access Fund

    Membership fees, kit, travel and other costs can prevent some students from joining in. The Sports Access Fund helps remove financial barriers and gives students the opportunity to say “yes” to joining in, to new friendships and new experiences.

    Give students a chance to join in