Unum and Birkbeck celebrate 10-year partnership dedicated to widening access to higher education

Birkbeck and employee benefits provider, Unum, are celebrating a 10-year partnership dedicated to widening access to higher education, breaking down financial barriers and creating opportunities for talented students to fulfil their potential.

Since 2016, the partnership has supported 98 students across flexible bursaries, scholarships and mentoring opportunities, helping to ensure that financial circumstances do not stand in the way of educational success. Together, Birkbeck and Unum have worked to help address the cost of higher education, which, for many learners, can make university seem out of reach.

A cornerstone of the partnership is the Unum Widening Access to University Bursary, which has supported 96 students with costs such as travel, study materials and childcare. A bursary recipient, who is studying FDS Psychology for Educational Professionals, said she “immediately felt relieved” after receiving the support. She added: “I've been seeking work to help finance my studies, but I was beginning to feel anxious about day-to-day costs as my student finance payments only just cover my rent. This support has given me some breathing room while I search for a job.”

In 2021, Unum expanded its support by funding the Unum Postgraduate Scholarship, awarding a full master’s fee scholarship in our MSc Data Science programme. Morayo Davies, the inaugural recipient of the scholarship, embarked on the course to pivot from a career as a management consultant into a data-focused role. 

She said: “Since being awarded this scholarship, I have made huge strides in my data science skills. I’m very excited to have embarked on a career change, which the scholarship opened up for me. After my degree, I used my new skills to secure a technical role where I apply the knowledge I gained at Birkbeck. My role has enabled me to combine my previous consulting experience with a more data-driven perspective. More businesses are looking to harness the power of their data science and I’m very excited to be a part of this.”

Beyond financial support, Unum colleagues have contributed thousands of hours to Birkbeck's Mentoring Pathways programme, helping final-year students develop confidence and prepare for their future careers. One student to benefit was Liubov Zozulia, who graduated with an MSc Banking and Finance in 2025. Through the programme, Liubov was matched with Unum's Chief Information and Digital Officer, Lio Lopez-Welsch. Reflecting on the experience, Liubov said: "Every meeting with my mentor felt like a breakthrough in some way. From the very first call, I felt supported and understood. Lio helped me see my potential in a new way. With his support, I pushed myself to do things I never thought I could."

Through regular conversations, Liubov gained confidence in her abilities, developed a clearer sense of direction for her career and expanded her professional network. She was named runner-up Mentee of the Year at the 2024/25 Mentoring Pathways Awards after being nominated by her mentor. In the 2024/25 academic year, Mentoring Pathways matched 130 mentors and mentees, generating more than 2,600 hours of mentoring. Professional development goals, future career paths and CV writing were among the most frequently discussed topics.

Susan Sanderson, Head of Responsible Business at Unum, said: "At Unum, helping the working world thrive means supporting people to reach their potential – and access to education is a vital part of that. As a responsible business, our decade-long partnership with Birkbeck reflects a shared focus on widening participation and opening up opportunities for talented students, regardless of their background.

"Over the past 10 years, we've seen the tangible difference this can make – from bursaries and scholarships that reduce financial barriers, to mentoring that builds confidence, skills and networks. It's not just about access, but about enabling long-term success. Our volunteers consistently tell us how meaningful it is to support students directly, bringing our purpose to life in a very real way. We're proud of what we've achieved together over the past decade and the role this partnership plays in driving social mobility."

Professor Sally Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor of Birkbeck, said: "Our decade-long partnership with Unum shows what can be achieved when organisations share a commitment to widening participation and social mobility. By supporting 98 students through bursaries, scholarships and mentoring, we've helped ensure that talent and ambition – not circumstance – determine access to opportunity.

“As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, the partnership stands as a powerful example of how long-term collaboration between higher education and business can create meaningful opportunities, remove barriers to participation and empower students to thrive both during their studies and throughout their careers.”