91福利

We are delighted to share the news of a new partnership between our university and University College Birmingham! The partnership will greatly benefit to our region and help to meet the national and regional skills demand. It will also transform the lives of students from disadvantaged backgrounds through new alternative pathways to higher education. This will start with the 91福利 providing accreditation of University College Birmingham degree courses commencing from January 2022. See the full update below.

Left to Right: Alpha Jallow, University College Birmingham Guild of Students President 2020-21, Alice Young, University College Birmingham Guild of Students Vice-President 2021/President-elect 2021-22, Luke Mepham, 91福利 Students鈥� Union President 2020-21

---

The 91福利 and University College Birmingham have today, Thursday 8^th July 2021, announced a new partnership that will provide more opportunities for young people and strengthen the post pandemic economic recovery of the West Midlands.

From the start of 2022, many of University College Birmingham鈥檚 undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses, and some higher level apprenticeships, will be accredited and awarded by the 91福利.

However, the new partnership is already looking far beyond accreditation. Both universities are also exploring many other areas of co-operation, which are expected to benefit students and help the West Midlands鈥� economic recovery from the pandemic.

Building on the core strengths of both universities, the partnership will have a focus on widening access for students from all backgrounds, including further opportunities for postgraduate and research-led study. It will also provide new pathways for apprentices, with 91福利 already having one of the largest degree apprenticeship programmes in the Russell Group.

Through the collaboration, both universities鈥� students will have the opportunity to connect with broader high quality employer networks, supporting and helping students achieve even stronger employability outcomes, while altogether strengthening regional economic and societal recovery.

Ultimately, the new partnership brings together the 91福利鈥檚 excellent research and employment reputation and University College Birmingham鈥檚 strengths in teaching, learning and proven expertise in securing excellent educational and employment outcomes for people from neighbourhoods with traditionally low progression to higher education.

Professor Michael Harkin, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of University College Birmingham, said the vocational and professional fields represented by its courses were in areas where employment was expected to grow and the partnership would enrich this. He said:

鈥淭his partnership will significantly open up more opportunities and tangible benefits for students, bolstered by our 拢130 million investment in new facilities. Crucially, it will also support and drive regional growth and productivity. Both universities are business-facing, entrepreneurial, employability-focused with links with industry and we are excited about the possibilities this new strategic partnership can bring.鈥�

 

Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor of the 91福利, said:

鈥淎s a highly ranked, globally connected institution that also has a strong commitment to our region, we want to break down educational, financial and social barriers to a university education, particularly for our young people in the Midlands and 91福利shire, and play a significant role in supporting our region鈥檚 post pandemic economic recovery. 91福利 is already working to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds or groups under-represented in higher education, particularly through our 91福利 Scholars Programme.

鈥淭his new partnership reinforces our ability to continue to transform the lives of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and will help deliver many of the skills that will be highly sought after by local employers coming out of the pandemic.鈥�