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West Midlands Combined Universities response to COVID-19

West Midlands Combined Universities response to COVID-19

In these times when there is so much uncertainty and tough decisions are being taken by businesses and people every day, West Midlands Combined Universities (WMCU) are doing all they can to support not only their staff and students but communities and organisations in the region, through this crisis.

The WMCU is a consortium made up of Birmingham City University, Coventry University and the University of Wolverhampton, each institution has transformed some of their services and realigned certain resources to help tackle the virus and those impacted.

Whilst the consortium was formed to help drive forward innovation, investment, job creation and boost skills in the West Midlands, the three universities have also responded quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has been achieved by bolstering numbers of staff on the NHS frontline, delivering community initiatives for those most in need and repurposed research facilities to produce and deliver vital equipment.

Watch our video or read our latest news stories below.


Case studies

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Take a look at just some of the great initiatives delivered or underway at Coventry University, Birmingham City University and University of Wolverhampton.


Our contribution

Nick Henry (white male with glasses) speaking at a conference

Creative Freelancers

Creative freelancers in Coventry are being urged to join a Coventry University study aiming to help the freelance community shape its future beyond the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coventry Cathedral

Our CPD courses

Find more about our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and short courses.

lady in front of house delivering a food box

Cooking Connections Coventry

Researchers from Coventry University and the University of Warwick have been supporting people aged 55+ across Coventry during the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of a community project based around food and cooking.

Young black lady saying "Yeah"

Our partnership with City Year

We started working with City Year UK in 2019 to support pupils in Coventry Secondary schools. So far, 20 young people, including our students, have helped pupils most at risk of not fulfilling their potential.

chinese male smiling

Our plans to welcome students to campus in September

We are fully committed to delivering as much on-campus learning and the widest university experience possible from September 2020*.

blue covid-19 though paper

50 fully-funded COVID-19 related PhD opportunities

Coventry University has launched a suite of 50 fully-funded PhD studentships designed to deliver research-led solutions to the challenges posed by COVID-19.

image connected car in a street

Securing the future of mobility for a post-pandemic world

Siraj Shaikh has outlined why a focus on cyber security is crucial to ensure that lessons learnt from the pandemic do not go to waste.

View of male looking in a microscope

Inocardia receives £50,000 to test COVID-19 drugs

A Coventry University spin-out company has been selected to test the safety of new drugs being developed to combat COVID-19.

Lady in vegetables field

Farm to Fork strategy

The need to investigate European food systems has been highlighted during the global COVID-19 pandemic, five researchers at CAWR have also voiced their concerns that it is not enough.


Learn more


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