Birmingham Gives: a student’s journey of giving back

Nearly 500 donors have given over £218,000 to date, which will support a variety of projects, including Pathways to Birmingham scholarships for talented students, such as Birmingham Gives Ambassador Victoria. She passionately championed Birmingham Gives and showcased the lasting difference alumni donations make.

Victoria (BSc International Business with Languages, 2025) herself benefitted from the University’s flagship access scheme, Pathways to Birmingham (P2B). She shares what being a Birmingham Gives Ambassador meant to her.

Giving back as an Ambassador

'I chose to become a Birmingham Gives Ambassador to give back to a programme that has had a profound impact on my journey at University. The support I received has been invaluable, providing me with academic guidance and international opportunities that not only helped level the playing field but also opened doors that might have otherwise been out of reach. Becoming an Ambassador felt like a meaningful way to show my appreciation and help ensure others can benefit from the same support.

'Being an Ambassador was a rewarding and eye-opening experience. It provided me with a behind-the-scenes look at the social mobility programmes at Birmingham and the effort required to make them successful, especially from the perspective of someone who had previously benefitted from them.

'I especially enjoyed filming the videos for our donors, which helped me become more confident speaking on camera and enhanced my public speaking skills. The team was incredibly supportive and collaborative, making the experience even more enjoyable and, in my opinion, contributing to the overall success of the campaign.'

Instilling confidence to pursue Higher Education

Victoria took part in the Academic Enrichment Programme (AEP), which formed a part of Pathways to Birmingham. It was a big factor in giving her confidence in pursuing university and more specifically the University of Birmingham. She also received a P2B scholarship, funded by alumni and supporters, which helped her during her studies.

'AEP holds a special place in my heart. I first participated in it as a Year 12 student, uncertain about my future and where it might lead. The experience provided me with valuable insight and guidance when I needed direction most.

'Later, I had the privilege of returning to AEP each year as a Student Ambassador, helping other students navigate those same uncertainties and ensuring they had the support needed to make informed decisions about their next steps. I greatly enjoyed my time with AEP, both as a participant and an ambassador, and I’ve even stayed in touch with some of the fellow Ambassadors I worked alongside. The personal statement mentoring, academic sessions and inspirational talks played a crucial role in shaping my decision to apply to the University, as they gave me the confidence to pursue that goal.'

Looking ahead to life after graduation

'One of the biggest highlights of my time at Birmingham has been the international opportunities available to students. I’ve had the chance to work at a children’s camp in the United States, spent a year on work placement in Madrid and, after graduation, I’ll be spending a month in Hong Kong studying Chinese Cultures as part of a summer school programme.

'These are experiences I could only have dreamed of before University, and they’ve become some of my most treasured memories. They’ve also been incredibly relevant to my degree in International Business, helping me build both personally and professionally. In September, I’ll be starting a graduate scheme in project management with a global engineering consultancy firm.'

Thank you once again to all our alumni and friends who have supported bright, talented and deserving students through Birmingham Gives.

Find out more about how you can support more students like Victoria through P2B.