Routes to the Professions

Here is a brief overview of the programme, including compulsory events and key dates.

Launch event

Compulsory activity on campus, Saturday 11 February 2023

During this session, students will have the opportunity to:

• Engage with their University R2P Mentor, their personal contact at the University, who studies a degree related to their academic stream

• Meet the R2P team who will support them while on programme

• Build skills needed for their professional career of choice

• Learn more about Pathways to Birmingham and the benefits of successful completion

• Interact with other students looking to pursue a similar career pathway

Student shadow experience

March/April 2023

All students are offered the opportunity to attend a university lecture with their R2P mentor. Students experience first hand what it is like to be a university student and experience changing teaching styles. Mentors will take students on a bespoke campus tour relevant to their subject area. 

Becoming a professional

Academic stream event on Wednesday 29 March 2023

Students get a chance to:

• Learn what it takes to become a professional from our award winning Careers Network Team
• Hear from our admissions teams and subject staff about educational pathways available to you at the University of Birmingham
• Ask academic staff for tips to strengthen their university application to ensure it stands out from the crowd

Your next step event

Application preparation and support event on Saturday 20 May 2023

This session is designed to help students:

• Prepare for their UCAS applications including admissions tests (including the UCAT), interviews, and personal statements
• Learn more about the Pathways to Birmingham reflective assignment
• Learn about Skills4Uni and its accompanying assessment

Industry insight events

Spring/Summer 2023

Students will be able to access industry insight events where they will be able to learn more about their profession of choice. These events will provide students with an invaluable insight into their chosen profession and aim to help them make important decisions about their future.

Students who successfully complete the Routes to the Professions programme and apply to the University of Birmingham will receive special consideration from admissions tutors. If their application is successful, they will receive two offers from the University of Birmingham; the standard offer and a Pathways to Birmingham offer. The Pathways to Birmingham offer is typically a two grade reduction.

As well as the Pathways to Birmingham offer, students will also be eligible for financial support.

This programme will provide students with valuable experience as well as:

• Guaranteed interview on our Medicine and Surgery MBChB or Dental Surgery BDS course for students who successfully complete the R2P Medicine/Dentistry programme and meet the following criteria:

  • • Minimum GCSE threshold and have the required predicted A level grades
    • Have a strong personal statement with evidence for motivation for Medicine/Dentistry and involvement in society
    • Have taken the UCAT
• Insight into university study and exposure to experiences that will support their applications
• Support to help students to prepare and make successful applications to competitive university courses
• Developing transferable skills required to enter elite professions
• Gaining insight into professional careers and studying at university
• A rare opportunity to shadow a current student during lectures
• Mentoring from current students 

Interview preparation session (Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Social Work and Physiotherapy only)

Students who successfully complete R2P will be invited to participate in an interview preparation session prior to their actual interview for the course. This session is for students to find out more about university interviews and get tips on how to prepare and be successful.

In order to successfully complete Routes to the Professions, and be eligible for a Pathways to Birmingham offer, students are required to:

• Attend a minimum of three events hosted by the University of Birmingham (including the compulsory launch event on Saturday 11 February 2023)
• Engage with your R2P mentor
• Pass Skills4Uni, an online study skills quiz
• Successfully complete the P2B reflective assignment

 More information about each of these aspects of the programme will be provided once places are confirmed.

Routes to the Professions is suitable for Year 12 students who have a strong commitment to study at the University of Birmingham and who are studying A Level, IB or a relevant BTEC course. Applications are open to students who meet the Pathways to Birmingham criteria - check if you are eligible.

As well as meeting the eligibility criteria, we also require students to have the academic potential for studies and careers in the five vocational streams. The academic criteria, as used by the University of Birmingham admissions team, is listed below:

Medicine and Dentistry

• A level predicted grades BBB (including Chemistry and Biology)
• A minimum of seven GCSEs including English Language, Maths, Chemistry and Biology (or Double Award Science) at grades AABB or 7755 in any order

Law

• Predicted grades of ABB at A-level or D*DD BTEC in a relevant subject (Law and Business), or Access to Higher Education in relevant subject –  60 credits overall to include at least 45 credits at level 3. This must include 21 level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 level 3 credits at Merit.
• A minimum of grade C/4 in GCSE Maths and English

Engineering

• Predicted grades BBB at A level including Maths or DDD at BTEC Extended Diploma with sufficient Maths content/BTEC Diploma with A level Maths
• A minimum of seven GCSEs at grade A*/9-C/4 including English, Maths and Physics/Double Science

Nursing

• A level predicted grades BCD (including one of Biology, Psychology and/or Sociology)
• A minimum of five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above including English, Maths and a science subject

Physiotherapy

• A level predicted grades BBB (including Biology/Human Biology, or BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport & Exercise Science, Health & Social Care and Applied Science)
• A minimum of seven GCSEs including English Language, Maths, Chemistry and Biology (or Double Award Science) at 6655 in any order

Social Work

• BTEC Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care/Childcare and Education considered
• A minimum of five GCSEs including Maths and English at C/4

Applications for Routes to the Professions 2024 will open in autumn 2023.

If you have any questions about the Routes to the Professions programme, please email r2p@contacts.bham.ac.uk.