The Birmingham Project

Get a head start in developing and identifying your employability skills!

The Birmingham Project is an intensive and exciting one-week challenge for first year undergradaute students that takes place on the Birmingham campus. This employer-endorsed programme offers you the unique opportunity to work in small groups with students from across the institution. 

Take the opportunity to broaden your network, develop strong team working and enterprising skills, and give yourself distinctive and quality experiences to talk about in job or further study applications. 

The Birmingham Project 2023/24 will take place from Monday 10 June - Friday 14 June 2024. 

Quote from a Mathematics student: I learnt how to project manage, how to work as an equal part in a team, and how to design and brand a product I had no idea how to begin building.

What is The Birmingham Project?

Through this unique opportunity, you will work on a collaborative project to explore key social and environmental issues. You will choose one of the six themes prior to the project and you will be allocated to a group who you will meet on the first day. Your group's challenge question will then be revealed and you will work together to develop an innovative business solution. We equip you with the training and skills to do this, and support you in navigating working within a newly formed team. 

The project is assessed through a group video presentation (50%) and a self-evaluation (50%). The assessment will determine whether you receive a pass or fail award.

The programme does not bear any credits and therefore will not contribute towards your degree classification.

As well as the skill development side, it is also an enjoyable experience! Hear from previous students about their experiences below. 

Why take part? 

Recognising and articulating skills effectively is essential when entering the graduate job market. The Birmingham Project is a fantastic way for you to get a head start in developing your skills in a way that employers will recognise; the programme is a great CV booster and a unique experience to talk about in interviews. 

These are just a few of the skills we expect you to develop during the project: 

  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Project Management
  • Leadership
  • Innovation
  • Research

Check out what previous participants have to say below about the skills they have developed through the project! 

What are the themes and challenge questions? 

We have six themes to choose from; an industry professional and a team of academics support each challenge.

You should choose a challenge theme (below) that speaks to you and your interests. There is no prior experience necessary to sign up and the theme does not need to align with your degree programme.

Themes for this year: 

  • Shaping Global Society
  • Exploring Technology and Innovations
  • Developing the Future of Transport
  • Celebrating Arts and Culture
  • Responsible Business
  • Developing Community 

On the first day you will be welcomed into your team and your challenge question will be revealed. The challenge question will be related to your chosen theme. 

Over the course of the week, you will work collaboratively with your team to develop an innovative solution to your challenge question. On the final day you will give an assessed presentation to your peers, industry professionals, and your academic support team.

Which employers participate?

We are proud to deliver The Birmingham Project with the encouragement and backing of some of the region's major employers and most significant innovators. The organisations we work with are passionate about embracing young talent and encouraging skill development at university to ensure that when you leave, you are ready for the world of work. 

What do previous students participants say? 

BSc Chemistry students

'Designing the Future of Transport' theme

“I would 100% recommend the Birmingham Project, it’ll help you find out what type of team player you are. You’ll improve your ability to work under pressure, as two weeks to research and to create a digital output is quite short. Hopefully you’ll see that you’ve changed at the end of it.”

What is the prize for winning in your theme? 

One winning group per theme will be selected by our Judging Panels to win a prize. There will be 6 winning groups in total across the project. 

The prize for each group is arranged by the employer partner. Previous prizes have included a visit to the employer partner's organisation for the opportunity to learn about their business areas from key experts and recruiters. These prize trips will likely take place in June 2024 (dates TBC). 

Taking part in The Birmingham Project isn't just about winning a prize and there will be recognition for all upon successful completion of the project: 

  • University transcript 
  • Digital certificate 
  • Recognition via The Birmingham Award (formerly the Personal Skills Award (PSA))

Want to take part? Find out more below! 

Please only enrol if you are available every day from 09:00-17:00 during the project week (Monday 10 June - Friday 14 June 2024).

There are a limited number of spaces on the project and places will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the maximum number of participants has been reached, students may be asked to join a waiting list.

First year students will be contacted via email in April 2024 with the enrolment link. 

Birmingham Scholar students’ enrolment

If you are a first year undergraduate Birmingham Scholar student, you will be granted early access to enrolment through the Birmingham Scholar Canvas course in April 2024 (dates TBC).

All first year undergraduate students’ enrolment

The enrolment period for The Birmingham Project 2023/24 for all first year undergraduate students will open in April 2024 (dates TBC).