Celebrating 25 years of opening doors to Higher Education with Access to Birmingham
The pioneering Access to Birmingham scheme is celebrating 25 years of providing life-changing opportunities to students from under-represented groups.
A2B student and Psychology graduate, Niamh Wilson, on graduation day.
This year marks a huge milestone for the University of Birmingham’s Access to Birmingham (A2B) scheme – 25 years of opening doors to higher education for students from under-represented backgrounds. Since launching with just 41 students in 2000, A2B has grown into a nationally recognised programme, supporting thousands of students from state schools across the UK to access and thrive at the University.
As the 25th cohort of A2B students embark on their own university journey, we take the opportunity to hear from previous A2B graduates about their own experiences and the positive – and sometimes unexpected - impact this programme has had on their lives and careers.
What is Access to Birmingham?
The University of Birmingham has a longstanding and pioneering approach to improving access to higher education. This is underpinned by a core belief that all student groups are supported to enter, succeed, and secure good outcomes at university, irrespective of their backgrounds or personal circumstances. 25 years ago, this ethos led to the creation of one of the first university-run fair access schemes – Access to Birmingham.
Access to Birmingham was designed to provide young learners from under-represented groups with the opportunity to find out more about university life and study, as well as supporting their entry and transition to higher education. It opened the door to higher education for many young people who may not have otherwise considered it to be a viable option, helping instil confidence and raise aspirations.
Today, what began as a single programme has now evolved into the flagship initiative within the University of Birmingham’s Pathways to Birmingham (P2B) scheme, a suite of programmes for aspiring Year 12 and 13 students. Pathways to Birmingham has since opened up to students beyond the region, offering even more bright young people the life-changing experience of attending university and ensuring higher education is accessible to everyone who possesses potential and talent.
Approximately 7,500 students have come through A2B or P2B in the last 25 years and the 2024-25 academic year has seen the highest number of applications to the University from A2B or P2B students ever recorded.
Dreaming bigger: a pathway to possibility
Elizabeth Chandler, Head of Outreach for University of Birmingham’s Pathways to Birmingham (P2B) said:
“Many bright, young learners are less likely to go to university due to a combination of economic, social, educational, and personal factors. For many groups, they simply have fewer chances to experience higher education for reasons beyond their control. Through extensive engagement with schools, students, staff and alumni, the A2B scheme helps to introduce participants to university life and study, supporting their application and transition to higher education as well as providing a range of support during their studies.”
Before I learned about the Access to Birmingham (A2B) programme, I didn’t seriously consider going to university. Coming from a low socioeconomic background, I didn’t see higher education as an achievable goal. It wasn’t discussed in my family, and the idea of university seemed distant. However, with the encouragement of my A-level law teacher who introduced me to the A2B scheme, everything changed.
In addition to breaking down barriers to accessing higher education, the scheme also includes financial support in the form of the P2B Scholarship. P2B scholarships are funded by alumni and friends and help ease the financial pressure felt by many students – a lifeline for some who are struggling to make ends meet.
A2B student and Law graduate, Oliver Wilkins, throws his mortarboard in the air on his graduation day.
A2B student and nursing graduate, Arooj Nila, with her family.
2023 LLB Law graduate Oliver Wilkins who is now a Future Trainee Solicitor at Squire Patton Boggs said: “Before I learned about the Access to Birmingham (A2B) programme, I didn’t seriously consider going to university. Coming from a low socioeconomic background, I didn’t see higher education as an achievable goal. It wasn’t discussed in my family, and the idea of university seemed distant. However, with the encouragement of my A-level law teacher who introduced me to the A2B scheme, everything changed.”
Arooj Nila (BNurs, 2018), who is now an Account Manager at Vantive had shared similar concerns regarding access to higher education. She said: “Coming from an immigrant background, the A2B scheme at the University of Birmingham was life-changing. It gave me a sense of belonging in a space that could easily have felt out of reach. Through its support and belief in my potential, A2B helped me turn barriers into opportunities and gave me the confidence to dream bigger.”
Shaping careers
From solicitors and doctors to careers in academia and founding and directing their own businesses, A2B graduates have gone on to enjoy successful and fulfilling careers utilising not only their degree but also the vast array of skills they learned while attending the University of Birmingham.
Manmohanjit Sandhu (BSc Biomedical Sciences 2023; MSc Biomedical Innovation 2024), Director and Co-founder of MedTech startup TargEye said: “I can directly trace my journey back to the opportunities and belief that A2B instilled in me. It didn't just open the door to higher education – it enabled me to walk through it with purpose. I’m deeply grateful for the support I received, and I’m passionate about encouraging others from similar backgrounds to pursue higher education. I try to do this by sharing my story, offering guidance where I can, and championing the importance of widening access to education.”
Oliver Wilson added: “Looking back, the Access to Birmingham programme truly changed my life. It provided me with the support, encouragement, and financial resources I needed to pursue my dreams when I didn’t think they were possible. I went from not knowing what I would do after A-levels to being on track for a successful career in law. The programme gave me the confidence to not only aim for university but to thrive in an environment that I once thought was beyond my reach. My time at the University of Birmingham opened my eyes to so much more than just academics; it introduced me to a diverse group of people from all over the world and gave me lifelong friendships and experiences. I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunities the Access to Birmingham programme gave me.”
Manmohanjit Sandhu (BSc Biomedical Sciences 2023; MSc Biomedical Innovation 2024), Director and Co-founder of MedTech startup TargEye.
A shared experience
A common passion amongst the A2B students and graduates is a keen desire to pass on their experiences, highlight the possibilities to other young people who face barriers to attending university, and encourage future generations to dream big.
During her time at UoB, Niamh Wilson (BSc Psychology, 2021) felt so passionately about opening up access to higher education that she took up paid work as an ambassador to support prospective students on the University’s outreach schemes. Now a Commercial Manager at Meadowbank Tree Services Ltd. Niamh recalled: “A standout experience for me was a particular student I mentored during a Year 10 local Summer School. From the first day he arrived, I knew I had my work cut out to bring him out of his shell and get him enthused and excited for the upcoming few days. He told me he felt as if he shouldn't be there and didn't understand why his schoolteacher had signed him up to attend. He went on to tell me he was from an area where knife crime and postcode wars were the norm for him and how he'd recently lost a close friend to this.
“It wasn't until the second day, when attending a Social Policy lecture, that I think it was world-changing for him. The lecture was surrounding knife crime, and the political, social, and economic effects of it. Well, this was something my mentee had first-hand experience with, and seeing him light up, participate in a confident and deeply passionate way was extremely moving. He spoke with maturity far past his years and was able to offer insights into parts others were fortunate enough not to consider. After the lecture, he was beaming and told me that he had no idea that this was something which he could study. From this point, he threw himself into the experience and attended the activities with positivity and excitement. Upon leaving the Summer School, he told me how much it had impacted his mindset and wanted to go on to study Social Policy at university.“
This really showed me just how powerful this programme is for disadvantaged young people who may have had no one to advocate, teach, or believe in them. I truly hope he went on to change his path, but I full-heartedly believe that the Summer School and the P2B programmes are essential in making that an opportunity.”
The University of Birmingham is extremely committed to its Outreach work and proud of the ongoing impact of the Access to Birmingham programme. We are a civic university, and one that continues to be accessible to all who have the ability and potential to achieve academically and personally.
Meanwhile, Judah Chandra (BA Social Policy with a Year Abroad 2016), Employability and Placements Officer at the University of Leeds said he saw the ripple effect within his own family. “The most profound highlight was the positive impact on my family, especially my younger brother,” he said. “Inspired by my journey, he pursued optometry, became a student ambassador himself, undertook a placement in Denmark, and is now a specialised optometrist with a passion for global eye health, volunteering internationally and planning a PhD.
Judah added: “I am immensely grateful for the A2B scheme and the dedicated professionals who have driven it for 25 years. Its impact extends beyond individuals to entire families. Reflecting on my journey from an 18-year-old starting university in 2012, it has been incredible.”
Elizabeth Chandler, Head of Outreach added:
“The University of Birmingham is extremely committed to its Outreach work and proud of the ongoing impact of the Access to Birmingham programme. We are a civic university, and one that continues to be accessible to all who have the ability and potential to achieve academically and personally. Via Access to Birmingham and Pathways to Birmingham, we are able to ensure that a wide variety of students are able to achieve a University of Birmingham degree, and in many cases, they will be the first in their family to do so, which is a huge achievement. We look forward to welcoming many more students through the scheme in years to come.”