Belong at Birmingham
Applications for Belong at Birmingham 2025/26 are now closed.
Belong at Birmingham is the newest strand of our Pathways to Birmingham programmes, running at the University since 2000. Belong at Birmingham supports students from backgrounds currently under-represented within higher education in learning more about university-level study.
You'll have opportunities to develop the skills you need to be successful in higher education and receive support with your university application. After a successful pilot in 2024-25, we are now expanding the Belong at Birmingham programme for eligible students from a wider range of schools and colleges outside of the West Midlands.
Applying to Belong at Birmingham
The programme is open for students who will be in the final year of studying for A-level or equivalent qualifications in the academic year 2025/26.
Completing the programme will bring you many benefits including an alternative offer and funding. We encourage you to explore our programme information and eligibility criteria. If you meet the eligibility, we hope you consider applying.
Applications for Belong at Birmingham 2025/26 are now closed.
Benefits of taking part in the programme
Taking part in Belong at Birmingham comes with so many opportunities. You'll take part in online sessions that will give you an insight into university life and help you prepare for studying at university. You will also learn about academic study and student life at the University of Birmingham directly from our current students. We can also offer funded opportunities to visit the University of Birmingham to see our facilities and beautiful campus for yourself.
If you complete the Belong at Birmingham programme and go on to receive an offer to study at Birmingham, will be eligible for:
- An alternative offer at least two grades below our standard offer for that programme (e.g. an AAB standard offer will become BBB if you complete this programme)
- Enhanced financial support whilst studying at Birmingham
- On-course support throughout your time at Birmingham including access to peer mentors, additional academic guidance and bespoke career support
Eligibility criteria
The Belong at Birmingham programme is for students who will be in Year 13 (or equivalent) in the academic year 2025/26. You must meet the Pathways to Birmingham criteria.
You'll only be able to complete the Belong at Birmingham programme if you apply to study for an undergraduate degree at the University of Birmingham via UCAS. You must make the University of Birmingham your firm choice on UCAS by the 3 June 2026 in order to access the benefits associated with completing Belong at Birmingham
Places on Belong at Birmingham are limited. We can only accept students onto the programme who meet the Pathways to Birmingham eligibility criteria. Where we receive more applications than places, we will prioritise access to this programme for students meeting these two criteria:
- Students who have been eligible for free school meals within the last six years
- Students who have spent any time in care
What Belong at Birmingham involves
If you are accepted to Belong at Birmingham, you will be invited to take part in online events where you will hear from experts on a range of topics related to higher education. There will also be funded opportunities to visit the University of Birmingham campus and meet our staff and students in person. The programme will support you with developing a range of academic skills to help you transition from school/college to university-level study.
You'll put into practice some of the academic study skills you develop throughout the programme by completing an online Skills4Uni quiz, and by producing a short piece of writing reflecting on your time with us and what you've learnt from it.
To complete the Belong at Birmingham programme, you must:
- Apply to study a degree programme at the University of Birmingham via UCAS
- Attend the required online events
- Pass Skills4Uni, an online study skills quiz
- Complete an assignment reflecting on your experiences on the programme
Contact us
If you have any questions, you can email us at belong@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Are you a teacher or adviser supporting a Belong at Birmingham applicant?
Belong at Birmingham applicants must be studying at one of our partner institutions and have a nominated teacher to support their application. Read our Pathways to Birmingham (P2B) coordinators guidance for more information.