Branding for Universities: University College Birmingham

BUILDING A BRAND IDENTITY FOR UCB’S SIXTH FORM CENTRE

Designing a memorable and accessible brand that resonates with prospective students.

OVERVIEW
OBJECTIVES
DELIVERED
RESULTS

Team Members Involved on this Project

Lou

Laura

Ryan

OVERVIEW

University College Birmingham is a leading higher education institution offering programmes from apprenticeships to postgraduate degrees.

In 2024, they invested in a new, purpose-built Sixth Form Centre – a multi-million-pound development enhancing pathways to higher education. To support the launch, they required expert branding for colleges and universities to establish a distinct yet cohesive identity for the new Sixth Form Centre.

THE OBJECTIVES

Engage prospective students with a look and feel that resonates with 15–16-year-olds.
Highlight progression opportunities, showing how the centre bridges the gap between school and university education.
Align the Sixth Form Centre brand with University College Birmingham’s identity and values, while establishing a distinct and recognisable presence for the centre.
Communicate clearly the courses, facilities, and benefits for students and parents.

DELIVERED THROUGH…

COHESIVE BRAND IDENTITY

Working closely with University College Birmingham’s marketing and admissions team, a distinct identity was established for the new Sixth Form Centre, designed to resonate with ambitious, pre-university students.

The new brand maintained the university’s recognisable visual language through familiar colours and photography, while introducing refined typography, dynamic graphic elements, and an aspirational tone of voice.

BRANDED PROSPECTUS DESIGN & PRINTED MARKETING MATERIALS

A 40-page prospectus was created to showcase the Sixth Form Centre’s courses, facilities, and student experience – capturing the new brand identity and engaging prospective students.

The layout, imagery, and copy reflected the centre’s visual language and tone, giving students and parents a clear understanding of what’s on offer.

Other branded marketing materials were delivered, including Exhibition and display design, such as hanging signage for around the university and pull up banners for events.

Sirus Automotive statistics following their website redesign and rebranding

Social media graphics were developed to support the launch of the Sixth Form Centre, increase awareness, and communicate key information. These assets applied the new visual identity across UCB’s online channels, ensuring consistent messaging and appearance while creating accessible, engaging touchpoints for prospective students.

THE RESULT

The project delivered a bold, cohesive brand identity for the Sixth Form Centre, striking the perfect balance between aligning with the UCB brand and standing out with its own personality.

The result is a contemporary, dynamic brand that is unmistakably part of the University College Birmingham community, yet confidently asserts itself as a modern, forward-thinking environment for pre-university learners.

“We are truly thrilled with the brand concepts EDGE has developed for us. EDGE have been very easy to work with, very flexible and accommodating, which is an essential quality in an agency when you’re working on a new project.

Their creative flair and deep understanding of our brand, requirements and aims has led to the creation of something we’re excited to showcase.”

Alma Aganovic | Marketing and Admissions Director

University College Birmingham