Hackathons have become the beating heart of student innovation, and in 2025, the University of Birmingham took a bold step into this dynamic space by launching BirmingHack. Organized by the University’s Computer Science Society (CSS) with support from the Guild of Students and the School of Computer Science, this inaugural event was designed to empower students, spark creativity, and foster community in Birmingham’s thriving tech ecosystem.
Running from March 22 to March 23, 2025, BirmingHack invited UoB students to immerse themselves in a 24-hour coding sprint, tackling challenges, building prototypes, and competing for exciting prizes. The energy of the weekend not only showcased the Technical prowess of Birmingham students but also laid a foundation for what could become one of the region’s flagship hackathons.
What is BirmingHack?
BirmingHack 1.0 is more than just another hackathon—it represents Birmingham’s next generation of student innovation. Unlike large open hackathons that attract participants worldwide, this debut edition focused exclusively on University of Birmingham students. The aim was clear: build a strong homegrown culture of collaboration before scaling to national levels in the future.
Held in the School of Computer Science, the event was free to attend and open to students 18 or older. Organizers provided food, resources, and support to ensure participants could focus solely on building their ideas.
Teams of up to four students competed in diverse tracks, ranging from AI-driven applications to voice technology, and even a mini-capture-the-flag (CTF) competition, giving the hackathon a distinctive cybersecurity twist.
The Organizers: CSS and Partners
At the core of BirmingHack lies the University of Birmingham Computer Science Society (CSS), an organization dedicated to enriching the academic and professional journeys of CS students. CSS frequently hosts workshops, socials, and technical events, but BirmingHack marks their most ambitious undertaking yet.
Partnering with CSS were:
- AFNOM, the university’s ethical hacking club, responsible for running the mini-CTF.
- The Guild of Students, lending official university recognition and student engagement resources.
- The School of Computer Science, providing both the venue and institutional support.
Together, these groups demonstrated how student societies, academic departments, and campus organizations can collaborate to build something larger than themselves.
The Hackathon Experience
Kickoff and Energy
The hackathon officially began at 9 AM on March 22 with registrations and a buzzing sense of anticipation. By late morning, students gathered for the opening ceremony, where organizers introduced the rules, prize categories, and workshops planned for the weekend.
Hacking and Workshops
Coding officially started at noon, with participants diving headfirst into projects. Throughout the day, students could attend sponsor-led workshops covering everything from Git best practices to building voice AI applications. These workshops not only helped participants sharpen their skills but also gave sponsors the chance to engage with talent directly.
The AFNOM Mini-CTF
One of the event’s standout features was the AFNOM mini-CTF. CTF (Capture the Flag) competitions test participants’ cybersecurity skills by challenging them to solve puzzles, exploit vulnerabilities, and secure systems. By integrating this into the hackathon, BirmingHack highlighted Birmingham’s growing reputation in ethical hacking and cybersecurity training.
Community and Fun
Beyond coding, the organizers ensured that students had time to relax and bond. Activities like a chess tournament and late-night socials created a balance between hard work and enjoyment, making BirmingHack feel like more than just a competition—it became a community experience.
Categories and Prizes
The diversity of prizes reflected the hackathon’s spirit of exploration:
- Neuphonic: Best Hack Using Voice AI (multiple placements)
- AlgoSoc: Best AI Hack Without an LLM Wrapper
- Guild of Students (GDS): Most User-Friendly Hack
- CSS: Most Fun Hack
- Majestic: “Surprise Us!” category
- Best Newcomers: Encouraging first-time hackers
Projects were submitted via Devpost, where judges evaluated them on creativity, technical depth, and usability.
Example Projects
Some of the innovative submissions highlighted on the Devpost gallery included:
- FLOORPLAN – Tools for mapping and planning spaces.
- Speaking With Claire – A communication assistant project.
- Ocular – Vision-related tech for accessibility or recognition.
- ThesauRace – A creative take on gamified learning.
These projects demonstrated not only technical skill but also the wide range of interests among UoB students—from accessibility to gamification to cutting-edge AI.
The Role of Sponsors
Sponsors play a vital role in hackathons, and BirmingHack was no exception. Organizations like Neuphonic, Majestic, The Trade Desk, and Kainos provided resources, mentorship, and prizes.
For students, this meant networking opportunities with potential employers and exposure to real-world industry tools. For sponsors, it was a chance to tap into emerging talent, showcase technologies, and invest in the student innovation pipeline.
The Unique Flavor of BirmingHack
What set BirmingHack apart was its hybrid identity. On the one hand, it followed the classic hackathon formula: students, 24 hours, and prototypes. On the other, it layered in elements that reflected Birmingham’s strengths:
- Cybersecurity culture, through the AFNOM mini-CTF.
- Voice AI focus, with multiple dedicated prize categories.
- Community-driven ethos, limiting participation to UoB students to build local capacity.
This gave the hackathon a distinctive personality, rather than simply replicating models from other universities.
Why Hackathons Matter
Hackathons like BirmingHack go beyond the weekend itself. They serve as:
- Skill accelerators: Students learn practical tools in compressed timeframes.
- Networking hubs: Participants connect with peers, mentors, and sponsors.
- Innovation incubators: Some projects can evolve into startups or research initiatives.
- Confidence builders: First-time participants gain exposure to collaborative problem-solving under pressure.
For the University of Birmingham, hosting its own hackathon demonstrates commitment to nurturing the next generation of tech leaders.
Looking Ahead: The Future of BirmingHack
Though 2025 marked its first edition, BirmingHack’s organizers have ambitious plans for the future. By starting small and building strong foundations, CSS and its partners are setting the stage to eventually open participation to students across the UK, positioning Birmingham as a hub for student-led innovation.
The combination of sponsorship growth, student enthusiasm, and university support suggests that BirmingHack could evolve into a recurring, large-scale event, comparable to long-established hackathons like HackTheMidlands or Major League Hacking (MLH) competitions.
Final Thoughts
BirmingHack 2025 was more than just a hackathon; it was a statement of intent from the University of Birmingham’s student community. It showcased the technical brilliance, creativity, and resilience of its participants while celebrating collaboration and fun.
As this event grows in scale and reputation, it could become one of the defining student hackathons in the UK. For now, its first edition has already made history as the moment Birmingham launched its own student-driven hackathon movement.
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