The Crescent Competitors

Birmingham City University is dedicated to transforming the prospects of our learners, inspiring them to become makers and doers. We are an integral part of the city in which we are based, with courses shaped by the needs of industry and partnerships with some of the country's leading employers. The University focuses on practice-led, knowledge-based learning, providing access to cutting-edge facilities and real-world experience. We benefit from around 50 professional accreditations and have a well-established reputation for delivering in-company training and development programmes. Our teaching staff come from and maintain their links with industry, ensuring you are given an insight into the latest thinking. We are constantly looking for new ways to enhance the learning experience, with inspiring visiting lecturers and learning environments that are designed to replicate the workplaces you aim to enter. We even give you the chance to gain work experience in real roles around the University, through our student employment scheme. The work undertaken by our research staff and research students is not only enriching our courses, it is literally shaping the world. In the Research Excellence Framework 2014, which measures universities’ research performance, 90% of Birmingham City University’s total submission was judged to have delivered ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ impact externally. We have been pioneering vocational education in the city since 1843, through a series of predecessor institutions. Having achieved University status in 1992, we changed our name to Birmingham City University in 2007, reflecting our commitment to, and pride in, our home city.

Birmingham Hippodrome is one of the UK’s busiest and most vibrant arts venues. Proudly based in the heart of Birmingham, we are an independent charity, run by a board of voluntary trustees with no regular funding from public sources. We are on a mission to provide that “goosebumps” feeling through memorable and extraordinary experiences with a vision for a “distinctive, world-class Birmingham cultural scene with the Hippodrome at its heart”. Our rich history spans over 125 years, with the Hippodrome now welcoming over 600,000 paid visitors a year to our main house and Patrick Studio. In 2023, we established our New Musical Theatre department, the first of its kind in the UK, dedicated to developing the artform from a base outside of London. Our New Work & Artist Development department focuses on creating a home for over 1,300 West Midlands artists, providing a new platform for networking and developing work within the region. We work with a range of partners on our hugely successful Festivals programme of off-site work, drawing in over 250,000 visitors a year. Our Hippodrome Education Network delivers creative activities in over 20 partner schools. Additionally, we engage with young people from across the region through other programmes of work, including curtain raiser performances, our Hippodrome youth theatres and Young Advocates scheme. To learn more visit: birminghamhippodrome.com

We’ve taken the traditional game of darts and supercharged it for the 21st century by developing a range of fast and exciting multiplayer games. All housed in an incredible venue with a breath-taking bar where outstanding food and drink is served to you as you play. Welcome to the home of Social Darts® With venues located across London, Birmingham and Manchester; we build incredible events to effortlessly bring groups as small as 6 or as large as 650 together. Whether you’re entertaining clients, celebrating a company milestone or launching a new product, we can tailor the Flight Club experience to suit your exact needs. With the ability to host team or individual tournaments led by our Gamesmasters we promise you a social event like no other. Food and Drinks packages Our food & drinks packages have been designed to offer the perfect balance for a great event. With a selection of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, there’s something for everyone.