University announces two initiatives to provide skills boost

University College Birmingham (UCB) has announced two significant measures aimed at widening participation and supporting the West Midlands skills economy.

The launch of eight fully funded Employers’ Scholarships targeted at students facing financial and personal barriers to higher education, and a rise in its cost-of-living allowance to £6,000 for new undergraduates starting in 2026.

Each one of the new suites of Employers’ Scholarships covers full tuition, accommodation and a substantial bursary.

Backed by organisations including Siemens, Hobart, Red Carnation Hotels, Miss Macaroon and the City of Birmingham Rockets Basketball Club, the programme provides mentoring, industry experience and a direct route into sectors experiencing skills shortages.

The initiative forms a core part of UCB’s Widening Access and Participation Plan and is designed to support motivated students from areas of economic hardship in Birmingham.

The Cost of Living Allowance is non‑repayable, non‑means‑tested and simple to access, and positions UCB as a sector outlier at a time when national policy offers little relief for students.

“As long as the cost of living for students remains challenging, the pressures facing young people will not go away," said Professor Michael Harkin, vice-chancellor and principal.

"At University College Birmingham, we see this reality every day; students are working harder than ever simply to stay afloat and, in many cases, opting out of higher education altogether.

“Raising our Cost-of-Living Allowance to £6,000 is a deliberate choice to stand with them.

“Combined, these two initiatives cement our ongoing dedication to widening participation, removing barriers and ensuring that talent, not background, shapes our students’ future.”