I AM BCU Awards

This award recognises a student who has thrown themselves into University life. They've taken their studies in their stride, engaging in learning, connecting with lecturers, peers and beyond, and taking pride in their work and community. They will have made an impact on those around them - whether it's encouraging and supporting others with their work, creating opportunities through meet-ups or society events, or coming up with solutions and ideas for any problems.  

Eligibility: All students 

This award recognises BCU’s very best teachers; the kind of people who work hard to develop the talent for tomorrow. These are the teachers that inspire you with their passion for their subject, and challenge you to improve and develop your skills along the way. Through their inspiring and inclusive teaching, they’re producing an environment for students to thrive and become world-ready citizens. 

Eligibility: All teaching staff 

This award recognises the outstanding individuals in our ever-growing apprentice community. They are committed to developing themselves and making an impact in their workplace. We value the impact that apprentices make and are proud to celebrate the talents bridging the space between education and industry, helping to close skill gaps and shape the workforce of tomorrow. 

Employers can also make a nomination using this form.

Eligibility: All BCU apprentices

This is a person making a difference in their community – whether that’s to the BCU community or in the local area. They are an integral part of their community, helping to make positive change and transform lives. This could be as part of a local or global initiative, driving innovation and pushing forward environmental sustainability, or offering a helping hand where needed.  

Eligibility: All staff and students

This award recognises our budding and seasoned entrepreneurs, as well as those creating opportunities for our entrepreneurs. They could be bringing a business idea to life, developing an established business, or supporting someone with their start-up. This person could be championing the University’s STEAM agenda (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), leveraging the use of our STEAMhouse collective to identify gaps in the market and make a business venture a success. 

Eligibility: All staff and students 

If your confidence is faltering and you need someone to help you believe in yourself, or something goes wrong and you’re not sure where to turn – that’s when your Personal Tutor will be on hand to help. Your tutor might have helped involve you in the BCU community, identified opportunities to help you achieve your goals, or gone above and beyond to support you. They’ll help you through a tough time with a friendly face and sound advice about your course, future career and all aspects of University life. 

Eligibility: All personal tutors 

The best researchers are those who create knowledge for good and change the way that we see the world, encouraging us to tackle challenges in new ways. This person’s research will have a positive impact on people’s lives, producing knowledge to benefit culture, industry, society and the environment. They may also be early-career researchers, generating new discoveries to tackle real-world problems. Above all, they will be producing high quality research that solves problems and drives societal change, either in the local community or globally. 

Eligibility: All research staff and students 

Our Research Supervisors are the beating heart of our research community, supporting and motivating research students, guiding and challenging where needed. Whether they are new to research supervision or already have extensive experience, this staff member is a good listener, sets expectations early and encourages collaboration. They may have changed a researcher’s perspective or inspired them to push through a challenge. They’re an honest but friendly face, offering constructive criticism and a helping hand whenever needed. 

Eligibility: All research supervisors 

This award celebrates those who have done the most to champion equality, diversity or inclusivity, whether it’s within our multicultural BCU community or more widely in the city of Birmingham. Either through campaigning, bringing people together or creating opportunities for everyone, this person will be a role model who works hard to make sure people of all backgrounds are included in the conversation. 

Eligibility: All staff and students 

Our student representatives are the all-important link between students and staff. Friendly and approachable, they provide advice and support to their fellow students, build connections across the University, advocate for change and work with University and BCUSU staff to implement improvements.  

Eligibility: Student Course Reps and Lead Reps. Find your rep on the BCUSU website.

This award recognises some of the great teams working across the University – groups of staff and students bringing together their individual skills and knowledge, to organise events, run projects and to make a positive difference to life at BCU. These are the teams that have worked together to offer new opportunities, champion the University community, and go above and beyond to support those around them. 

Eligibility: All staff and students teams 

This award recognises the vital role our technical support staff play in teaching and learning, as well as research across the University. This staff member uses their technical expertise and practical skills to ensure the smooth-running of our courses, enabling students to achieve their potential and learn hands-on skills relevant to industry. They will have made a positive impact on University activities, thinking differently about challenges, understanding and incorporating technological advancements, and be turning concepts into reality and theory into practice. 

Eligibility: All technician staff 

This award recognises all the essential staff who keep the University’s cogs turning. Whether they work in one of our faculties or a Professional Services department, this person is always championing the BCU community and creating opportunities for others. They build connections and help deliver the University’s strategy on a day-to-day basis, going above and beyond to ensure the University delivers the best possible service to the BCU community. 

Eligibility: All non-teaching staff