Impact Challenge

The Impact Challenge (IC) is a week-long work experience opportunity, open to 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. 

The main dates for Impact Challenge are Monday 16 June to Friday 20 June 2025. 

After the Impact Challenge week there will be a compulsory follow up workshop on how to add your skills to your LinkedIn profile and an evaluation activity. Every participant will need to attend the 90-minute session in person on either Monday 23rd June 14:00 on campus or Wednesday 25th June 11:00 online. For further details or questions, please email the team at p2c@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

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

Key Dates

To fully commit to Impact Challenge, please bear in mind the following key dates:

  • Applications open: Monday 24th March 2025
  • Application deadline: Thursday 24th April 2025 (09:00)
  • Impact Challenge main event on campus: Monday 16 June to Friday 20 June 2025.
  • Follow-up event: on campus 14:00 Monday 23rd June 2025 or online 11:00 Wednesday 25th June  2025

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 note, 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 by Friday 2nd May 2025. 

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

""Humaira Ravat
BA English Language and Literature

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.

""Ayesha Islam
BA Theology and Religion

Our group worked with the Chinese Community Centre to help them find out how effective the centre is to people. Visiting the centre was fun, I felt like I was on a professional business trip but still safe as everyone around me was so kind. I have gained confidence into exploring my career choice.... and I am open to new experiences.

""Blessing Panache Nhundu
BSc Sport and Exercise Studies

The Impact Challenge has already helped me because I have now done two placements and in the process of starting two businesses. By completing the Impact Challenge, I had the foundation I needed to boost my confidence to take on more opportunities that summer.  

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