Birmingham student Jodie Anderson graduates this summer with a BA Honors in History from the University and has an exciting future ahead with a fully funded law conversion course and barrister training placement.

Jodie began her degree in 2009 having come through the University’s award winning access program A2B (Access to Birmingham). The scheme, which has been running since 2000, is designed to help students from families in the West Midlands who have little or no experience of Higher Education come to University.

Jodie’s hard work has paid off and she has been awarded a scholarship from the Inner Temple to cover her conversion course and the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) at the College of Law (London Bloomsbury), with a combined total cost of over £20,000. The esteemed Inner Temple (one of the four Inns of Court) scholarships are awarded on merit first, reserved for applicants with outstanding intellectual qualities, motivation, diplomacy and the ability to create impact. The prestigious BPTC training will enable Jodie to qualify as a barrister.

Jodie started her degree in 2009 having gained support from A2B, a scheme designed to help students from families and communities in the West Midlands who have little or no experience of Higher Education find out about what studying at university involves.

Jodie said “My experience at Birmingham has allowed me to follow my heart studying History, my love and passion, whilst opening up so many fantastic opportunities. I am apprehensive but excited about starting the Law conversion programme and the BPTC. It will be hard work, but I am determined to succeed – becoming a barrister was always a dream I never believed possible.”

Before enrolling on the law course in September 2012, Jodie is working as a student ambassador for UniFest 2012, another Aim Higher programme close to her heart.

Notes to editors

Jodie Anderson lives in Coventry and attended President Kennedy School in Coventry.