Impact Challenge

The Impact Challenge (IC) is a week-long work experience opportunity, open to Undergraduate penultimate and final year Birmingham Scholars and/or those who have a home address in an IMD Quintile 1 or are registered as disabled / in receipt of Disability Student Allowance.

Work with employers to solve real-life problems and have the chance to learn and see first-hand how an organisation operates and how you can make an impact to their business. You will work in small groups on a project, set by an employer, where each group then presents back their output(s) at the end of the week. 

Applications will open again in Spring 2026, when we will confirm the next programme dates.

What will I gain from attending?

  • Gain real insight into the day-to-day working life and see first-hand how the organisation operates
  • Explore your career options with better knowledge and understanding of what you’d like to pursue
  • Learn from professionals about their journey to finding a career.
  • Move forward with increased confidence and inspiration to find work experience opportunities
  • Enhance your skills and attributes which a key in boosting your employability

This programme is run by the Pathway to Careers team, for any queries please get in touch with us at P2C@contacts/bham.ac.uk.

Eligibility and sign up

The Impact Challenge is open to penultimate and final year students who have not previously taken part in the Impact Challenge and are: 

  • Birmingham Scholars, defined as:
    • Students in receipt of a Pathways to Birmingham - (P2B) which includes the programmes Access to Birmingham, Routes to the Professions, National Access Summer School
    • Students in receipt of a Realising Opportunities offer
    • Students in receipt of a Sanctuary Scholarship
    • Care experienced or Care Leavers 
  • And/or have a home address in an IMD Quintile 1 (indices of multiple deprivation, IMD Deciles 1 and 2, lowest 20%) neighbourhood*
  • are registered as disabled / in receipt of Disability Student Allowance.

* If your home address is in Northern Ireland you will need to contact us with your home postcode so that we can check your eligibility to apply. 

For more information about how the University aims to improve access, provide equal opportunities and enable progress through higher education and in to graduate levels roles click here: Widening Participation and Access - University of Birmingham 

We encourage students who are not certain about their eligibility to get in touch via P2C@contacts.bham.ac.uk for verification.

How to apply:

Please submit your application by 9am on Thursday 24th April 2025. We receive many more applications than there are places, so each application will be reviewed in detail and successful applicants will be notified via email within 10 working days of the application deadline.

If you are offered a place on the Impact Challenge, you must accept your place by replying to the email within 5 working days or your place will be offered to someone on our waiting list. Once your place is confirmed, you will then be able to select your top three preferred employers and will be paired with one. 

Previous employers

Previous employers at Impact Challenge include:

  • Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust 
  • BT Group 
  • Limitless Travel 
  • PwC
  • Sainsbury's
  • Sport 4 Life 
  • West Midlands Police

 

Student Reviews

Louis MorganLouis Morgan,
BSc Biomedical Science (Impact Challenge 2024)

I participated in the Impact Challenge (2024) with an amazing team and a very supportive mentor from Amazon. Our project focused on creating a consulting-based educational programme to help teenagers build employability skills. Through this experience, I developed key skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and public speaking, particularly during the final pitch presentation. Collaborating under pressure and presenting our ideas to a panel gave me the confidence to communicate clearly and persuasively. This experience has strengthened my ability to build relationships, present ideas effectively, and think strategically—skills that are essential to my current graduate role in MedTech.

Hayley TeohHayley Teoh,
BA History of Art (Impact Challenge 2024)

I really enjoyed having the opportunity to meet new people and work with a small local business. It was incredibly rewarding to see the impact we made. I have learned to use my initiative when solving problems and it has given me the confidence to present to large audiences.

Amanpreet DhakAmanpreet Dhak,
LLB (Impact Challenge 2025)

I really enjoyed having the opportunity to meet new people and work with a small local business. It was incredibly rewarding to see the impact we made. I have learned to use my initiative when solving problems and it has given me the confidence to present to large audiences.

Ummay AimenUmmay Aimen,
BSc Psychology in Education (Impact Challenge 2025)

I really enjoyed having the opportunity to meet new people and work with a small local business. It was incredibly rewarding to see the impact we made. I have learned to use my initiative when solving problems and it has given me the confidence to present to large audiences.

Richmond BoatengRichmond Boateng,
BSc Geography (Impact Challenge 2024)

I really enjoyed having the opportunity to meet new people and work with a small local business. It was incredibly rewarding to see the impact we made. I have learned to use my initiative when solving problems and it has given me the confidence to present to large audiences.

Colleges staff intranet

Professional Services staff intranet