University News Last updated 27 July 2018
The first ever music festival dedicated to celebrating the success of students on A-Level results day is coming to Birmingham City University.
Major acts such as RAYE, Birmingham duo Lotto Boyzz and DJ Roman Kemp will be headlining BCU Fest on Thursday 16 August – the same day thousands of students across the country gain their places in higher education.
The unique festival, to be staged on the University’s doorstep in Birmingham’s Eastside City Park, will offer tickets to all students who have received an offer to study at Birmingham City University for the 2018/19 academic year.
Extra tickets will be available on the morning of the event for students offered a place through Clearing, with the University’s hotline opening at 6am.
Music and food
BCU Fest will also offer ticket holders complimentary food, provided by local independent traders, with Birmingham City University Students’ Union operating a licensed bar.
Lotto Boyzz said:
“There’s nothing quite like a Birmingham crowd and we are hyped to return home for BCU Fest.
“Get ready for Lotto Boyzz!”
The event will kick-off with a performance by the Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Samba band at 11am. The decks will then be overseen by Birmingham-based music producer and DJ, Gemma Whitfield, currently studying a Masters in Music Technology at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Professor Philip Plowden, Vice-Chancellor, Birmingham City University, said:
“I look forward to welcoming prospective students to BCU Fest on Thursday 16 August. A-Level results day can be extremely stressful but it’s important to recognise that it’s also a time for celebration, as gaining a place at university is no mean feat.
“The festival will provide an opportunity for prospective students who aren’t holding an offer to visit in person and see if a place might be available. Our staff will be on hand to talk students through the wealth of options available to them.
“More and more students are choosing to apply for university through Clearing and, with BCU Fest, this process will be more accessible than ever, while, at the same time, providing a unique opportunity for our new students to celebrate together.”
This is one of several initiatives that the University has adopted in recent years to make life easier for students in Clearing.
As part of this year’s Clearing process, prospective students can apply for courses by taking a photo of their exam results and direct messaging it to the University on social media platforms to start their application – Snap, Snap, Send! It will also be the first time the institution has used Instagram to review Clearing applications.
In 2015, Birmingham City University was the first institution to make Clearing offers via Facebook and Twitter, before innovating with a non-stop, 37-hour service the following year.
Chancellor
In 2017, Birmingham City University Chancellor Sir Lenny Henry offered university places directly to students on A-Level results day when he joined staff on the Clearing hotline. The Dudley-born actor, writer, comedian and charitable campaigner took calls from 7am at the institution’s City Centre Campus, talking to would-be students looking for degree places.
Sir Lenny Henry, Chancellor, Birmingham City University, said:
“After my stint on the hotline last year, we decided that we can dispense with my expert advice this time around and instead step things up in a massive way by hosting BCU Fest – the biggest and best party possible! I’m just disappointed that Kajagoogoo were unavailable, as I’m sure they would have got the crowd going.
“For those unable to come down to BCU Fest, our lines will be open non-stop for the first 44 hours, and we will also be talking to students over social media to make sure we give as many people as possible the opportunity to get the university place they’ve worked so hard to secure.”
Anyone who has applied or gained a place at Birmingham City University ahead of the 2018/19 academic year is eligible to register for tickets for themselves and their friends, as well as current students and those who gain or wish to apply for a place at the institution through Clearing on Thursday 16 August.