WELCOME TO UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE 2024
3 WELCOME TO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM University means so much more than the degree itself. Potentially living away from home for the first time, making new friends, discovering new places and cultures and stretching your mind – university is like nothing else. We are dedicated to social inclusion, which has given us a richly diverse and hardworking student body that comes from all areas and backgrounds. With the University investing £200 million into training facilities with sectorexperienced lecturers, you know you’ll be trained in the best environments, and our exceptional tailored support includes everything from assignment writing to wellbeing services. Standing proud in the heart of Birmingham, we’re big enough to meet your diverse needs, compact enough to care. Going to university is an exciting turning point in your life, one that can make a world of difference to your future and where your career takes you. Professor Michael Harkin Vice-Chancellor and Principal WINNER STUDENT SUPPORT WEST MIDLANDS WINNER UNIVERSITY OF THE YEAR WEST MIDLANDS WINNER POSTGRADUATE WEST MIDLANDS WINNER INTERNATIONAL WEST MIDLANDS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM
4 5 At our university, placements are a top priority. You will have the opportunity to complete a paid work placement, allowing you to put theory into practice and gain valuable real-world experience. With digital skill sets in high demand, we collaborate closely with employers to ensure you learn the essential industry skills and have plenty of opportunities to practise them. Our industry-designed facilities provide the perfect environment for honing your abilities without leaving campus. Our partnership with the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT) offers unique training opportunities, including Siemens workshops for cyber security students and access to industry-grade equipment for computing students. These resources ensure you receive cutting-edge training and are well-prepared for your future career. PLACEMENTS Shania Sheldon Computer Science BSc (Hons) The University had excellent looking computing rooms, and the variety of self-study environments was a huge attraction for me. On the course, I’ve loved being able to apply things I’ve taught myself to the work we’ve been doing. Kanwal Rauf Head of Department Welcome to the department for computer science and cyber security. As head of computing, I’m thrilled to meet you and support you with your journey in the computing and digital sector. Our dedicated staff, with strong industry connections, are here to guide you every step of the way. You can look forward to hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art Cyber Security Lab, real-world projects and opportunities for internships with leading tech companies. CONGRATULATIONS! HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO... Our courses are developed and taught by experienced lecturers who have built up years of real-world IT and digital experience. We will help prepare you for working in the digital sector by teaching you to understand real world issues that businesses face. ENRICHMENT Joining us, you can expect education and training that goes far beyond everyday classes and lectures. We are committed to providing additional enrichment opportunities for students, from industry trips and expert visits to link ups with local charities, entry into competitions and much more. DEPARTMENT OF DIGITAL WELCOME TO YOUR DEPARTMENT START MAKING FRIENDS NOW! You can now join our Unibuddy Community, where you can chat with students who will be on your course, in your accommodation, or who have the same interests and hobbies as you. You will also be able to connect with student ambassadors, who can answer your questions about your course and uni life. UNIBUDDY COMMUNITY UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM
6 7 SUPPORT AND ADVICE Whatever help you need, our support teams are committed to giving you the advice, skills and practical tools you need to be able to enjoy your time at university – all while helping to look after your health and wellbeing. Our support includes one-to-one academic support, online skills materials, in-class skills, development sessions and more. We pride ourselves on the support we offer our students and all departments have an open-door policy. To make the most of your time with us, please make sure you ask for support when you need it. Here are some links that may be useful during your time with us. CENTRE FOR ACADEMIC SKILLS AND ENGLISH (CASE) CASE offers tailored support to help you achieve your academic goals. We offer weekly one-to-one appointments with Academic Skills Centre staff, covering everything from writing essays and reports to presentation skills and improving grades. We also provide high-quality, interactive online resources and in-class support. STUDENT ENGAGEMENT TEAM The Student Engagement team works to improve communication between students, academic staff and support services, offering a single point of contact to discuss any issues you may be having while studying. LEARNING SUPPORT From well-resourced library facilities to our online learning support system (Canvas), our learning support teams provide you with the skills and practical tools you need to reach your full potential. HELPING YOU GET HIRED HIRED is our impartial careers, employability and placements service for students and alumni. Whether it’s guiding you towards your ideal placement, preparing you to stand out in the job market or backing you in setting up your own business, our dedicated team has the specialist knowledge and experience to help craft you into a confident, career-ready graduate. HEALTH AND WELLBEING We recognise that good health and wellbeing are fundamental for effective study and a positive student experience. There are many environmental stresses and personal difficulties which can affect you as a student, so we have a free and confidential health and wellbeing service, which is open to everyone. We understand that support can be needed at any time of the day, so we offer a free 24/7 Student Assistance Programme. DISABILITY AND NEURODIVERSITY SUPPORT We are committed to ensuring every student has an equal and outstanding learning experience, and everyone is welcome - regardless of physical disability, medical conditions, or other specific special needs. We encourage all students to disclose information to us, especially at the start of their course, so our Disability and Neurodiversity Support team can advise and provide discrete assistance throughout your studies, working closely with other support areas to ensure your needs are met and that you enjoy your time with us. FINANCIAL SUPPORT It is important to manage your finances and make sure you access any help you are entitled to. Our staff can give you all the support you need. Whether it is advice on childcare, bursaries, scholarships, schemes or free meals, we can help. DOCTOR AND DENTIST ADVICE We have a university nurse who is available on campus to provide you with practical advice and assistance with medical needs while you study with us. The nurse can assist with many practical issues such as general health advice, contraceptive advice, advice on how to register with a GP or dentist and how to claim costs, minor injury treatments, information on immunisations and advice on completing the HC1 form. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM
8 9 DISCOVER YOUR BIRMINGHAM Whether Birmingham is your new home or you already live in Birmingham, there’s no shortage of exciting experiences waiting for you! Birmingham is a vibrant and diverse city with gorgeous green spaces, delicious food and a rich cultural heritage that offers something for everyone. Birmingham is a shopper’s paradise with the Bullring and Grand Central, home to hundreds of shops. For unique finds, visit independent boutiques in the Custard Factory and Digbeth. SHOPPING CUSTARD FACTORY Food lovers will enjoy the diverse culinary scene, from the Balti Triangle’s South Asian cuisine to street food venues such as Hockley Social club, which offers delicious, affordable options. DINING BALTI TRIANGLE CANNON HILL PARK HOCKLEY SOCIAL CLUB Birmingham’s nightlife is vibrant and varied. Broad Street is packed with bars, clubs and live music venues. For a relaxed evening, head to canalside in Brindleyplace. Theatre enthusiasts can also enjoy performances at the Birmingham Hippodrome or Symphony Hall. ENTERTAINMENT AND NIGHTLIFE The residents of Birmingham love their parks and it’s no surprise as they are Green Flag award winners. Cannon Hill Park, near the University, offers gardens, boating lakes and sports facilities, and there are many other parks and green spaces to choose from in the city centre. PARKS AND RECREATION Birmingham is a sporting city with something for all sports fans. Watch football at Aston Villa or Birmingham City, enjoy cricket at Edgbaston Stadium or try indoor rock climbing at the Creation Climbing Centre. SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES The city hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year, including the Birmingham International Jazz Festival, Birmingham Comedy Festival and the Frankfurt Christmas Market. These events are great for meeting new people and experiencing different cultures. FESTIVALS AND EVENTS VILLA PARK FRANKFURT CHRISTMAS MARKET Ikon Gallery Red Brick Market Cannon Hill Park and the MAC RSBA Gallery Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Library of Birmingham Lapworth Museum of Geology Martineau Gardens Chance & Counters board game bar (£2 per person per hour) Twist bubble tea cafe (drinks under £5) Monty’s deli (sandwiches under £5) Cinema tickets at Odeon New Street (£5 all day everyday) Pottery painting at Bisque & Bean creative coffee hub (£6-£9 per person) Tilt pinball (£1 per game) FUN FREE ACTIVITIES IN BIRMINGHAM ACTIVITIES IN BIRMINGHAM FOR UNDER £10 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM
10 11 YOUR FACILITIES If you want to save money and time or want a treat between lectures, there are many facilities around uni that you can benefit from, and they offer fantastic discounts. RESTAURANT AT BIRMINGHAM COLLEGE OF FOOD Ranking alongside Michelin-starred venues in the city and regularly referred to as one of Birmingham’s hidden gems, our restaurant offers a unique dining experience. CAKES AND BAKES Our Cakes and Bakes cafe is in the foyer of our Summer Row campus building and sells a selection of handmade bread, chocolate and confectionery products produced by our bakery students and staff. EATSPACE At our McIntyre House campus building, you can enjoy a variety of hot and cold food for breakfast or lunch, along with your favourite Starbucks beverages at a discounted price. THE DINING ROOM AND RESTAURANT While studying at our Moss House campus building, you can enjoy a coffee and snack from The Dining Room. The Restaurant offers reasonably priced, hot-cooked meals, including freshly-made pizzas from our large pizza ovens, gourmet burgers and a weekly rotating menu of fresh dishes. TREATMENT ROOMS Treatment Rooms is a professional training clinic offering both beauty and hairdressing services, as well as nonmedical treatments for the face, body and hair. KEEPING FIT University College Birmingham has a range of gym facilities which are open to students, offering a wide variety of equipment to help you keep fit on campus and in our halls of residence. There is also a variety of classes available, and we even have a physiotherapy suite where you can book assessments and clinical treatments. If you have any questions, please send an email to gym@ucb.ac.uk The Guild of Students is here to create a vibrant, inclusive community for all students - we can’t wait to welcome you this year! We want to make you feel part of a real community and have your voice heard. Starting uni can seem daunting, but there is no need to worry. There are so many ways you can make friends and get involved. We are here to help! If you ever need to reach us, pop into the Guild office (Moss House) or email us at guildinfo@ucb.ac.uk VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO STAY UP-TO-DATE ON FRESHERS WEEK, EVENTS, AND SOCIETIES/SPORTS CLUBS ucbguildofstudents GuildOfStudentsUCB Never miss an update by connecting with us on social media: A variety of delicious food Gym membership and taster class information Student support: meet the teams able to help you during your studies Information on part-time work opportunities Music throughout the day Wellbeing and navigating life in a big city Student societies and sports clubs A range of fun activities and games We will send out further information as part of your induction. WELCOMEFEST SAVE THE DATE 26 SEPTEMBER 2024, 10AM-3PM AT MOSS HOUSE At the end of your induction period, we invite you to celebrate the start of your university journey. Welcomefest is an opportunity to meet new friends and become part of the University College Birmingham community. We have a fun-filled programme of activities including: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM
12 13 As current students, here is some handy advice we wish we had been told before starting uni. WHAT TO PACK Don’t forget to pack your cooking utensils, especially baking trays! SARAH Don’t overpack! Make a list of the essentials you need. The great thing about being based in Birmingham city centre is you can get a lot of things here - especially clothes! SHAHIN BUDGETING Working in hospitality is a great way to save some money off your grocery bills as you get discounts and sometimes, they provide a meal. Doing this has reduced my grocery bill by, on average, £30 and you get nice food! SARAH I opted to stay in uni accommodation as the price and location were right, but it also gives me security as I pay a set price each month for rent and bills. I recommend working out your monthly payments and what your student loan can cover before you start. This way, you can save some money to have a buffer. LAWRENCE GET TO KNOW BIRMINGHAM Making friends will help with exploring as you might meet someone who knows Birmingham well or if they don’t, you have someone to explore with. SARAH I spent my gap year travelling, which taught me to be independent. If you haven’t already, why not get a friend or family member to visit Birmingham for a day or overnight? There are lots of things to do and this way, you will become more familiar with the city. LAWRENCE COOKING Why not try cooking a few dishes at home that are quick and easy to make? You will really appreciate this when getting to uni, especially on busy lecture days. JOEY As simple as it is, things like using a new stove can be confusing – do not worry, at The Maltings, there are accommodation staff available that can help. MARIA LET’S TALK STUDENTTO-STUDENT Unibuddy is a great way to get your questions answered by current students and even make friends before you start! There is also the Guild that has lots of societies to join and activities to take part in. MIRANDA Welcomefest is a fantastic time to meet other students. 100% you should make sure you go along, have fun, make friends and grab some freebies! IKECHUKWU MAKING FRIENDS SARAH SHAHIN LAWRENCE MARIA MARIA JOEY MIRANDA IKECHUKWU If you want to get part-time work, you can visit the HIRED department where the Unitemps branch is. They have lots of jobs available inside and outside the University. The pay is good! IKECHUKWU Working is a great way to network and gain experience. Most employers are understanding and will help you to fit work around your studies. MIRANDA PART-TIME WORK UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM
14 15 ESSENTIAL CHECKLIST FOR YOUR FIRST WEEK OF UNIVERSITY PLEASE HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION Complete your online registration – you will receive an email and text message from our Admissions team to do this Enrolment and ID card collection Join our Unibuddy Community to meet other students and ask any questions you might have Attend Welcomefest! Meet new people, get freebies and take part in fun activities Attend induction and meet fellow students on your course Download and read through your programme handbook Log into Canvas, look at the dashboard and familiarise yourself with it Download the Canvas app onto your mobile or tablet Complete quizzes and final knowledge check on the ‘Preparing you for study’ Canvas course Check your schedule – do you know which building and rooms your lectures and tutorials are in? If you need disability and neurodiversity support, get in contact with our support team. Remember to bring along your documentation in an accessible format Find out how to access your reading lists for your modules Complete ASET or A-ASET, if you are a new starter Familiarise yourself with the University’s referencing and style guide. You can download it and print it off from the student portal or collect a printed version from the library CHECKLIST FOR WHEN YOU’VE ENROLLED TRAVELLING AROUND YOUR CITY FOR DISCOUNTED TRAVEL AROUND THE WEST MIDLANDS, YOU COULD APPLY FOR A SWIFT CARD THAT CAN BE USED FOR TRAM, BUS AND TRAIN TRAVEL. NEW UK STUDENTS STARTING A FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE COURSE ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT WORTH UP TO £800 – WHICH DOES NOT NEED TO BE PAID BACK. THIS CAN BE USED TO SUPPORT WITH YOUR TRAVEL TO UNIVERSITY. SCAN HERE FOR TRAVEL OPTIONS Being based in Birmingham city centre makes it incredibly easy to travel around. Whether you prefer travelling by car, coach, rail, bus, tram, bike or even e-scooter, you have many options. There are also lots of student discounts available when using public transport. Saving pennies and the environment at the same time! UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM
University College Birmingham Summer Row, Birmingham B3 1JB Phone: 0121 604 1000 ucb.ac.uk University College Birmingham Snow Hill New Street Bullring & Grand Central Moor Street Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Library of Birmingham Broad Street A38 Birmingham City Centre Library of Birmingham Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Snow Hill Station 2 5 1 6 Summer Row The Link Camden House James Cond Centre for Sustainable Construction McIntyre House Moss House Sixth Form Centre Baskerville House The Maltings 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. New Street Station 3 4 The Maltings (Accomodation) 10/15 minute walk away 7 Summer Row Great Charles St Queensway Paradise Circus Newhall St Lionel St Fleet St Charlotte St Holland St George St Sand Pits Birmingham and Fazeley Canal 9 Granville St Cambridge St 8
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