Starting somewhere new can be daunting—but at MPW Birmingham, we believe the first step should be one filled with welcome, connection, and confidence. That’s why, ahead of the new academic year, we hosted our annual Pre-Induction Day. This is a chance for our incoming students to get a taste of college life before term officially begins.

The day is designed to ease nerves and build excitement, bringing together new students to meet one another, get to know the staff, and begin to feel at home here in Edgbaston.

This year was no different, with students kicking off the day with two key workshops: How to Be Successful at MPW, which offered practical advice on settling in and thriving academically, and An Introduction to the Extended Project Qualification offering students to participate in a specific area of academic interest alongside their studies.

The highlight of the morning was a team-building challenge in which students grouped up to construct a paper bridge. It was a perfect ice-breaker—filled with laughter, creative thinking, and a touch of friendly competition.

Later, former MPW students returned to share their experiences and offer invaluable advice about making the most of college life. Their honesty and encouragement gave the new students a sense of what’s possible at MPW—and reassurance that they’re not alone on this journey.

Of course, no welcome would be complete without pizza—plenty of it, in fact. The day ended with a quiz and a trip to the local bowling alley.

By the end of the day, what began as a room full of strangers had become the beginnings of a community. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome this new cohort to MPW Birmingham —and to support them as they grow in confidence, knowledge, and ambition.