University News Last updated 21 November
Here at BCU, we’re incredibly lucky to have such a broad range of graduates. Whether it’s competing in an Amazon Prime series or developing new rides for Merlin’s UK theme parks, it’s been another action-packed year for our alumni. Check out some of our personal highlights!
Alumni of the Year get awarded
This year, two outstanding individuals were recognized with our Alumni of the Year awards. In January, award-winning entrepreneur Sophie Marie Bennett, who is the Founder and CEO of Black Owned Birmingham, received her award in the ceremony for students from Business, Law and Social Sciences. Since then, Sophie has put on How to Start a Business workshops and appeared on our BCU Alumni Podcast. Watch now
Then, in July, we awarded the Rollercoaster King, John Burton, the award during our Summer graduation ceremonies. The Architecture graduate is the Senior Creative Lead at Merlin Entertainments, and responsible for some of your favourite rollercoasters, including Hyperia at Thorpe Park. We sat down with John to talk about his career so far. Read more
Graduates return to BCU
Ed O’Driscoll, who completed an MA in Social Media in 2015 but had to pull out of his ceremony after his father sadly passed away on the day of his graduation, finally crossed the stage 10 years later in our Summer graduation ceremonies. Read more
Ten Education Alumni reunited at our City South campus, to celebrate 50 years since they studied at the City of Birmingham College of Education, before it became part of the City of Birmingham Polytechnic, a predecessor to Birmingham City University. We caught up with them to find out what their time at university was like in the 1970s. Read more
Alumnus wins Youth Activist of the Year award
Eltayeb Bashar, who graduated from BCU in 2023 with an LLB Law degree, who is the CEO and co-founder of registered UK charity The Anti-Racism Initiative, won the award for Youth Activist of the Year at the Inspirational Youth Awards 2025. Read more
Alumna opens fully accessible gym
Product Design alumna Jennifer Smyth, who was paralysed in a ‘freak accident’ in 2013, opened a fully accessible gym earlier this year for people with disabilities. Read more
Alumnus unveils new World War II sculpture
BCU Fine Art Alumnus Luke Perry unveiled his latest piece of public art, “Fighting from Home”, a sculpture honouring reserved occupations during the Second World War, in Cradley Heath in November. Read more
Alumna competes in major Amazon Prime fashion series
Emily Brookes, who graduated from BCU with a BA (Hons) Fashion Design in 2025, was a contestant in Amazon Prime’s six-part series, RE/style. After joining BCU’s Hatchery Program in the summer, and winning first prize for her upcycling fashion brand, “This Ain’t My First Rodeo,” the competition certainly wasn’t her first time upcycling clothes for a competition. Read more
Alumnus secures grant for event business
BCU Music Industries graduate Alfie McIntyre secured PRS funding for his Birmingham-based music events and media company, OurTurn, earlier this year. Founded while he was still studying, the business showcases emerging local artists and is run by Alfie with support from a small creative team. Read more
BCU Alumni Podcast
There's also been 10 new episodes of the BCU Alumni Podcast! Listen now
In their Graduate era
A whopping 7,645 graduates crossed the stage at their graduation ceremony this year, officially becoming part of the BCU Alumni Community. We were there at the heart of the action, celebrating with graduates and their family and friends, and gifting lots of graduation freebies!