LIFE IN THE UK Birmingham has a very diverse and multi-cultural population. Our community at the University includes students from many different nationalities, cultures and ethnicities. Men and women have equal rights in the UK. It is unlawful to discriminate against anyone for reasons relating to gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, age disability, pregnancy or belief. At University College Birmingham, you can expect to be safe and treated respectfully in line with British laws and values. Equally, we expect you to behave in line with this and have zero tolerance for anyone not adhering to it. FAITH/RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS Birmingham Central Mosque 180 Belgrave Middleway, Birmingham B12 0XS https://centralmosque.org.uk Birmingham Buddhist Centre 11 Park Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8AB www.birminghambuddhistcentre.org.uk Gas Street Church 41 Gas Street, Birmingham, B1 2JT gasstreet.church is near to The Maltings accommodation, but for different types of churches in different locations, visit www.findachurch.co.uk St. Chads Cathedral St Chads Queensway, Birmingham B4 6EU www.stchadscathedral.org.uk Ramgarhia Sikh Temple 51 Graham Street, Birmingham, B1 3JR www.rstuk.com Birmingham Central United Synagogue 4 Speedwell Road, Birmingham, B5 7PR www.centralshul.com Shree Geeta Bhawan (Hindu Temple) 107-177 Heathfield Road, Birmingham, B19 1HL www.shreegeetabhawan.com LIFE AND WORK IN THE UK THINGS TO DO IN BIRMINGHAM Recommended by our students: 1 Cadbury world 2 Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery 3 Ghetto Golf 4 Legoland Discovery Centre 5 The National Sea Life Centre 6 Cannon Hill Park 7 Nando’s 8 Glee Comedy Club 9 Cineworld 10 Walkabout (Guild affiliated) SPORTS AND FITNESS University College Birmingham is happy to have several sport teams. These teams compete in the BUCS (British University & Colleges Sports) leagues against other universities. Being a member of a sport team can enhance your time at university by keeping you physically active and helping you meet new friends. Football (men’s) Rugby (men’s) Basketball (men’s) Basketball (women’s) Netball (women’s) Jiu Jitsu (mixed) Each team will have at least one hour training per week with a professional coach, with competitive matches being held on Wednesday afternoons. More details will be available at WelcomeFest. LOCAL GYMS Moss House Gym (at University College Birmingham) • 3rd Floor, 3 Holland Street, Birmingham B3 1QH The Maltings Gym (at University College Birmingham) • Granville Street, Birmingham B1 1SB The Gym Group • Broadway Ladywood Middleway, B16 8HA • City centre, 79-84 High Street, B4 7TE Pure Gym • Fiveways Entertainment Centre, Broad Street, B15 1DA • 1 Snow Hill Plaza, St. Chads Queensway, B4 6HY • Arcadian Centre, 80 Hurst Street, B5 4TD Anytime Fitness • Harborne Court, 67-69 Harborne Road, B15 3BU NEARBY SUPERMARKETS AND SHOPS BATHROOM, BEDROOM, KITCHEN B&M Priory Square Shopping Centre B4 7LL Primark 38 High St, Birmingham B4 7SL Argos Union St, Birmingham B2 4SH FOOD Morrisons 30 Hagley Rd, Birmingham B15 1TR Tesco Express Bath Row, 165 Granville Street, Birmingham B1 1JW Oriental Supermarket 100 Holloway Head, Birmingham B1 1NB DISCOUNT STORES Poundland 76-77 Corporation St, Birmingham B2 4UQ Bullring Markets Edgbaston St, Birmingham B5 4RB Smoking – In 2007, England imposed a complete smoking ban in public places. All university residences and buildings are non-smoking. This also includes smoking in cars with anyone under the age of 18 and taxis. Make sure you take notice of non-smoking zones in public areas. If you are in the company of others, it is polite to ask if they mind whether you smoke. Water – Tap water in the UK is tested regularly and very regulated, so is safe to drink unless told otherwise. Toilets – British toilets are the flushing, pedestal type. Toilet paper is provided and should always be flushed away after use. Separate facilities are usually available for disabled people and for nappy/baby changing. Electricity/plugs – British electricity works on 230 volts/50 cycles and most sockets take 13-amp square pin fused plugs. Make sure your electrical equipment can be used safely at this voltage. Adaptors can be purchased in most shops. Climate – Britain gets cool with wet winters and warm, wet summers. It rarely features the extremes of heat or cold, drought or wind that are common in other climates. The weather conditions are also very changeable, so be prepared for the weather to change rapidly. HOW DO I USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT? Birmingham City Council’s website has a very insightful section on transport that will help you find all the necessary information on how to use each different type of transport – bus, National Rail, West Midlands Metro, etc. You will get advice on how to purchase tickets, ticket finders, timetables, journey planners and much more. Additionally, you can use apps/websites like NX Bus and Trainline to plan a journey and/or buy tickets online for buses and trains. If you are planning to take the bus and you want to pay in cash, make sure you have the exact change needed for your ride, as the machines cannot give change back. On average, you can find slightly cheaper prices online or paying contactless instead of using cash. Transport for West Midlands Student Discounted Travel Coming to the UK for the first time may be very different to what you are used to. If you are having trouble adjusting to UK life and need someone to talk to, get in touch with the wellbeing team; wellbeing@ucb.ac.uk or if you are looking to engage with like-minded people get in touch with the Guild of students www.ucbguild.co.uk INTERNATIONAL STUDENT’S GUIDE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM 10 11
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