Universitas 21
Universitas 21 (U21) is a prestigious global network of research-intensive universities across six continents dedicated to fostering international collaboration and enhancing the quality of higher education worldwide. By connecting member institutions, U21 facilitates the sharing of knowledge, ideas, and best practices through member-led initiatives and programmes designed to benefit staff, students, and faculty members, promoting a diverse and inclusive academic community.
"I can say with confidence that not only are we delighted to be part of its global network of research universities but also proud to be one of the founding members. Since its inception, the University of Birmingham has always taken a leading role and we have continued to increase steadily our involvement for the benefit of our staff and students; encouraging increasing numbers of students to spend some time studying at U21 partner institutions, and enabling staff to develop their international perspective through involvement in U21 strategy meetings and events.”
The University of Birmingham is an active member of Universitas 21, leveraging this membership to enhance its global engagement and academic offerings. Through U21, the University of Birmingham participates in various collaborative projects, research initiatives, and student exchange programmes that benefit staff, faculty, and students.
U21 offers numerous schemes to its member universities. Student mobility programmes provide opportunities for students to study abroad at other member institutions, promoting cultural exchange and broadening educational experiences.
Students Programmes
Global Citizens Programme
Global Citizens Programme
A three-week online leadership development course to help students gain global skills.
For: Current students, undergraduate, and postgraduate.
RISE
RISE
RISE (Real Impact on Society and Environment) is U21’s international showcase of student achievement in sustainability and social innovation, designed to accelerate the scale and impact of student-led projects by connecting them with a network of experts in academia and industry
For: Current students, undergraduate and postgraduate
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia.
For: Postgraduate students only
School for Sustainable Policy Leadership
School for Sustainable Policy Leadership
The U21 School for Sustainable Policy Leadership invites postgraduate students from diverse academic disciplines to an enriching experience focused on sustainability, leadership, and global impact.
For: Current postgraduate students
School for Sustainable Policy Leadership
Sustainable Micro-Internships
Sustainable Micro-Internships
Students participate in providing a solution to a real-life SDG-related challenge to gain a sustainable micro-internship certification.
For: Current students, undergraduate and postgraduate.
Academics & Professionals
Early Career Researcher Workshop
Early Career Researcher Workshop
Encouraging international networking and the development of interdisciplinary collaborative research for those in the early stages of their research career.
For: Early Career Researchers
Early Career Researcher Workshop
Mid-Career Researchers Programme
Mid-Career Researchers Programme
Convening Mid-Career Researchers from across U21’s global membership to share knowledge, perspectives, and ideas. An opportunity to refocus and reset, adopt the right mindset, and identify the skills and attributes required to adapt and thrive within a creative and collaborative research culture.
Global Leadership Programme
Global Leadership Programme
An opportunity for emerging and high-potential leaders from academic and professional disciplines, specially selected from the world-leading universities in the U21 membership.
For: Academic and professional staff
U21 Global Leadership Programme
Community of Practice
Community of Practice
Communities of Practice provide a route for all staff within the U21 network to gain new professional perspectives, share ideas and resources, and make important international links. They connect with their counterparts and peers from across the world operating in particular disciplines/areas of work. Communities of Practice are self-managed, collaborative initiatives.
“In my opinion, the fantastic range of opportunities for international travel and study is the best thing about being a student at the University of Birmingham. In my time here, I’ve been sent to represent the university at a research conference in Tokyo and a Summer School in Sydney, as part of Birmingham's membership of the amazing Universitas 21 group.”
“In a busy academic career, there are only limited opportunities to take time away from your day-to-day activities to focus on a specific area of interest. The U21 Staff Fellowships give you the time and the space to think, a network of good practice to explore, and the funding to make it happen!”