Help at Hand

Key members of staff

The key members of staff you will have contact with are your Personal or Student Engagement Tutor, your Module Leads and lecturers, your Senior Lecturers, your Vice and Executive Dean of School, and their Deputies.

On this page, you will also find some details of other support that you may need during your time at University College Birmingham, such as Student Services and HIRED, which is the Careers and Employability support.

Personal or Student Engagement Tutor

You should keep in contact with your Personal Tutor at all times throughout your course. Your Personal Tutor will give help and advice on any matters which may affect your work and progression, together with any initial personal advice.

You should use your time with your Personal Tutor to discuss your academic performance and what targets you should set to achieve. 

On your timetable, there is a tutorial hour where your Personal Tutor will be available for one-to-one meetings. This is the time when you should see your Personal Tutor to discuss your academic progress or any other general concerns that you may have.

Ensure that you get to know your tutor, finding out where they are based and how to make contact via email or phone.

Module Lecturers

Each module will be led by a subject specialist who will oversee teaching, learning and assessment.  They will work with students to measure student satisfaction for each module and make annual updates, in line with current industry practice and graduate skills.

Deputy Dean

Each school has a Deputy Dean, who oversees teaching and learning practices and curriculum updates and design.  They lead on embedding outstanding teaching practice across the curriculum, ensuring that all students achieve their potential.  They will also have a particular responsibility to work with colleagues across UCB to reduce inequalities in outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds.

Vice Dean

The Vice Dean works closely with the Executive Dean, Deputy Deans and your Head of Department to support innovative and flexible approaches to the curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment, utilizing digital and face-to-face solutions to improve your learning and experience.

Executive Dean of School

The Executive Dean oversees the School and its strategic direction. They have overall responsibility for a broad range of Higher Education courses and provide strategic leadership to the School's senior management team. If you have a problem relating to your course, which you have not been able to resolve satisfactorily with your Year Manager or Deputy Dean of School, you should discuss it with your Executive Dean of School.

Financial Support

In addition to the loans and grants available, there are other means of financial support and funding for some students who fit particular circumstances.

Childcare

All full-time university (higher education) students should apply to Student Finance England for help with childcare costs. The amount you can receive depends on your financial circumstances. The application form is available on the government website.

Need help finding suitable childcare? For information about childcare providers, please visit this page. 

University College Birmingham Hardship Fund

If you are a home or EU student studying a university (Higher Education) course and you have financial difficulty, you may be able to access additional funding. In line with funding regulations, applications are prioritised for:

• Students with dependent children, especially single parents
• Mature students with existing financial commitments
• Students with disabilities
• Students who previously were in care or care leavers
• Students who were homeless or living in a 'foyer' for young people

Please note: Each application is assessed individually by our financial support team, and the size of awards varies depending on individual circumstances and the level of need. Applying to the fund does not guarantee that an award will be made.

For further information on the Hardship Fund, please visit our HE Financial Support page.

Care Leavers

If you are a Care Leaver coming to study with us, you may be able to access additional financial support to help with your transition into university. The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 defines a care leaver as someone who has been in the care of the Local Authority for a period of 13 weeks or more following their 16th birthday.

Our financial support offer includes:

• Accommodation is available on a 52-week basis for the duration of your course. With social events throughout the year should you wish to join.
• A complimentary UniKitOut essentials starter pack ready for when you move into our halls of residence this includes bedding, saucepans, and other useful products.
• Advice and guidance are available from university accommodation mentors. All our student mentors are fully trained and available to help you from the moment you know you’re coming to Birmingham, to when you move in and throughout your time with us.
• A rent contribution of £275 payable in semester 1. £200 cash payment in semester 2 (subject to satisfactory attendance)

Please note: we only accommodate students aged 18+ in our accommodation.

In addition, you can access:

• If you’re looking to get a job whilst studying, you are guaranteed to receive an interview for the role of Student Ambassador within Student Outreach. This offers you regular paid work throughout the year, which you can fit around your studies. 
• New UK students starting a full-time undergraduate course may be eligible to receive financial support worth up to £800 in each year of study, which does not need to be paid back. Funds are provided as a credit, which can be spent on the Kick-Start website to purchase course-related materials and a range of products to support your studies. Some of your funds can also be used on campus at our cafeterias and selected other outlets. Some students may also qualify for an electronic tablet or laptop via the scheme to help them access their studies and support learning.
• You can access pre-arrival budgeting advice and assistance with the Student Finance application process.

Please see our financial support page for Care Leavers and Care Experience Students for further information on what you may be able to access.