Alumni of the Year

Birmingham City University Alumni of the Year recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements of our graduates. Our alumni make a real difference across the globe in a variety of ways, and the University seeks to acknowledge their contribution to the local, national and international communities through Alumni of the Year.

Nominations are accepted from anyone, including current students and staff and former students and staff for alumni who have made an important contribution to the local, national or international community through their achievements. There will be an emphasis on recognising alumni who have demonstrated rapid achievement after completing their studies.

There are three categories in which alumni can be nominated:

The University will name up to five Alumni of the Year each year in total, from any combination of these categories. If there are no nominees considered of sufficient merit in any or all of the categories in any year, the Selection Panel may choose not to make an award in any or all of the categories.

Making a nomination

Nominations can be made online or by downloading a postal nomination form. Only nominations made on the appropriate form will be accepted.

Alumni can nominate themselves but they must send two letters of support from independent referees with their completed nomination form. Support letters cannot be written by relatives of the nominee and must be received within the deadline date for nominations. Self-nominations without two appropriate letters of support will not be accepted.

Announcement and Presentation of Alumni of the Year

Successful nominees will be informed by post. Each 'Alumni of the Year' will receive a certificate detailing the important contribution they have made in relation to the category as well as an exclusive sterling silver pin badge that has been designed and made by the University's Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre. Each Alumnus/a of the Year will be awarded his/her certificate at one of the University's Award Ceremonies (Graduation). No more than one presentation will be made in any single award ceremony. If an Alumnus/a of the Year wishes to accept their award but cannot attend any Awards Ceremony in the year, the University will endeavour to make alternative arrangements.

Eligibility for Alumni of the Year

• Nominees must be a graduate of Birmingham City University or of one of its predecessor or associated institutions. Nominations are particularly welcome for, but not exclusively sought for, alumni who completed their studies less than ten years prior to the year of the award.
• Nominations will be accepted from alumni resident in the UK or overseas for local, national or international achievements.
• Alumni who have previously been successfully nominated in any category will not be eligible for nomination in subsequent years in any category. Alumni who have been nominated but have not been named Alumni of the Year in any category in previous years will be eligible for nomination in subsequent years.
• Alumni who have been recognised as 'Alumni of the Year' in any category may still be nominated by University staff for the University's Honorary Awards.
• No member of the Selection Panel may be eligible for nomination while serving on the panel.
• No posthumous awards will be made.

Alumni Ineligible for Nomination

• Active politicians
• Current employees of the University
• Current or former members and co-opted members of the Board of Governors or its Committees
• Honorary Graduates of the University
• Nominees who have previously requested no further contact from the University or the Alumni Association will not be eligible for selection as Alumni of the Year.