Being named a finalist for the Undergraduate of the year awards is a significant achievement, with thousands of students across the UK, competing for recognition.
Birmingham City University Accounting and Finance student, Eve Hutton, was shortlisted as a finalist for the Undergraduate of the Year Awards 2025 in the Future Insurance Professional category.
The awards, run by Target Jobs UK, celebrates the very best undergraduate talent across the country. Each award is supported by a leading employer, offering finalists and winners exclusive opportunities such as paid internships, trips abroad and tailored career development.
Why did you choose to study Accounting and Finance at BCU?
I took a short business and management course that had a variety of different modules including accounting, and I immediately developed a passion for it. It felt like the right career path for me.
What are your current career goals and plans?
I would like to pursue a career in accounting hopefully; however, I am open to a variety of paths that are in similar areas. I would like to experience working abroad too.
Tell us a bit about your road from student to being shortlisted for Undergraduate of the Year. Why do you think you were shortlisted for this?
Initially, I was not going to go through with the application as I did not have the confidence to believe that I would make it far. But then thought I would just be myself and try my best and that was enough. It was a shock when the email came through, and it was so rewarding. I think I was shortlisted because I was honest about my struggles and displayed determination.
What is the biggest challenge you've faced throughout your education and how have you overcome it?
I struggle with mental health, specifically anxiety. It has taken a lot of fails and setbacks to get to where I am, but it has all been worth it! I have mainly focused on surrounding myself with the right people and knowing when I need to ask for help.
Looking back is there anything you wish you knew at the start of your degree?
I wish I knew to give myself a little leniency, as a degree is a lot of work, and a lot of pressure. You get out what you put into it.
Accounting and Finance
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What advice would you give to new students at BCU?
It will be scary and exciting! No matter who you are or what you think you are capable of, just put your all into the full experience, as I know you will thrive!
If you had to sum up your BCU experience in three words, what would they be?
Motivating, challenging, rewarding!
Eve’s experience: A reminder to believe in yourself
Eve’s journey from discovering a passion for accounting to being recognised as one of the UK’s top undergraduates is nothing short of inspiring. Her honesty, resilience and determination have not only earned her a place as a finalist in the prestigious Undergraduate of the Year Awards but also serve as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when you believe in yourself - even when it feels daunting.
Whether it’s navigating mental health challenges, embracing new opportunities, or simply learning to give herself grace, Eve’s story is one that resonates with many students. Her advice to future BCU students is clear: lean into the experience, trust your journey, and know that growth often comes from the most unexpected places.