NEW STUDENT GUIDE
(College)

Welcome to University College Birmingham!

We hope you will agree that you have made a great choice in choosing to study with us. And we want to make sure you get off to a flying start. This college student guide has been put together to give you an insight into University College Birmingham and provides various valuable bits on information that will help you to settle into life as a student with us – and make the most of your experience. It is worth bookmarking this page, so you can easily find it, whenever you need to reference it.

Students outside University College Birmingham Open Day

Before you arrive

An initial checklist!

Before you start your course at University College Birmingham, make sure you have checked off all the things on this list, that apply to you:

  • If you have a medical condition that might, in your opinion, affect your academic performance; or if you have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia; you should contact the Disability Support team located in The Link (email: evidence@ucb.ac.uk)

  • If you are a full-time student on a course which will bring you into contact with young children and/or vulnerable adults, you will need to complete a criminal record check (known properly as a Disclosure and Barring Service check) before you can undertake a work placement. This is a statutory requirement, designed to protect children and/or vulnerable adults. You should have received details from University College Birmingham regarding what you need to do specifically, but if you have not please contact the Placement Office on 0121 604 1000 ext 2398.

  • If you are a student on a course subject to Fitness to Practise requirements, you will also be required to complete a criminal record check; and should supply any documents that you have been instructed are necessary for this.

  • Check the induction and registration dates and times for your course, which will have been sent to you.

  • Ensure that you complete and return any forms as requested by University College Birmingham as soon as you are able.

  • Then, use the information in the next section of this page to make sure you are clear on how enrolment and induction works, and what you might need to bring with you.

Getting here

 

Information on travelling here by rail, bus, car or coach.

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College term dates

An up-to-date list of all key dates across the term.

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Our campuses

 

You will mainly use 'Summer Row' and 'The Link'!

Find out more

Our facilities

We have invested over £160 million into state-of-the-art facilities, that will help you explore your ambitions through hands-on learning and practical experience; mirroring what you will find in the workplace.

Find out more

Students outside University College Birmingham Open Day

When you arrive

(Your guide to enrolment) 

Induction and enrolment sessions

Ahead of you starting with University College Birmingham, you will be communicated with the most up to date information on completing your online registration, uploading your results - and induction and course-specific information.

Be sure to attend the induction and enrolment sessions for your course. When you enrol, you will collect your student ID card (see below). You should ensure that you bring the following items with you, to enrolment:

  • Evidence of entry qualifications
  • Necessary documents for fees assessment/payment (see below)

Other documents to bring with you:

Please ensure that you bring the following items with you to Birmingham, if you do not live locally:

  • An official document to prove your identity and nationality e.g. passport or birth certificate.
  • If you were not born in the UK or EU, please bring either your passport, biometric residency permit or Home Office letter confirming your residency status in the UK. If your most recent passport does not contain your residency status (which confirms your current leave to remain in the UK) you must also bring the passport which contains this. 
  • If you are an asylum seeker - please bring your Application Registration Card with you too.
  • If you receive a government benefit in your own name, please bring a copy of your benefit letter (this must be no more than six months old).
  • GCSE and/or other qualification results, either the certificates or result slips. Even if your course does not have a GCSE entry requirement, we still need to record your results.

Your ID card

You will be issued with an ID card when you enrol on your course. The card should be kept safe as it will be valid throughout the duration of your course. You will need your card to enter University College Birmingham's campus buildings, to borrow books and other materials from the libraries, to join the Guild of Students, to use University College Birmingham sports facilities, to gain entry to examination rooms, when submitting work for assessment and when collecting certificates.

If you lose your card, you can obtain a replacement from the University College Birmingham Finance Office, on the First Floor of The Link. There is a charge of £5 for a replacement card.

Make the most of your time at UCB

A checklist for once you're settled in ...

  • Become a member of the National Union of Students (NUS). Membership is free, although a charge entitles you to admission at concessionary rates to theatres, cinemas and other places of entertainment, reduced price travel on national and regional coach, bus and rail networks, and many other privileges.

  • Make the most of your time at UCB by visiting the Guild of Students at the start of term. This will introduce you to the numerous clubs and societies existing in University College Birmingham, along with other organisations providing services to students. If you are seeking part-time work, it will also be a chance for you to find out about hired@UCB and to meet some employers. (More information on the Guild can be found below).

  • Buy a season ticket If you live out of walking distance from University College Birmingham, you might want to purchase a season ticket - for travel on trains and/or buses in the Birmingham area. If you are aged between 16 and 18, then you will be eligible for the Network West Midlands 16-18 Photocard. If you are aged 19 or over, then, as a member of the NUS, you will be able to travel at a reduced rate on all public transport services in the West Midlands. The telephone number for Centro, the regional bus and train operator, is (0121) 200 2700.

The Guild - your students' union

As soon as you enrol at University College Birmingham, you automatically become a member of the Guild. Run by students (elected every year), for students; the Guild is your students’ union and the home of student life at University College Birmingham.

The Guild exist to make sure that you have an amazing experience whilst studying at University College Birmingham. So make use of your Guild membership to enhance your time at University College Birmingham - and make the most of everything we have to offer.

Find out more information on the Guild and what opportunities they have available by visiting their official website.

Discover the Guild
Student charter - University College Birmingham

College student support

Your award winning support services

From the moment you become a student with us, you will benefit from the outstanding support from teachers, career advisors, and our award-winning student services team, who will be there throughout your student journey.

The College Student Support section of our website contains information on all of the different info, advice, guidance and support services that are available to you, as one of our students (including health and wellbeing support, learning and development support, careers and employment support, disability support, financial support; and more.)

It will also direct you to all the information you need to help make the transition from school to college life, as smooth as possible!

Find out more

Where to find your support team?

 

Student Services is based on the Ground Floor of The Link and is the one stop shop for all students - providing information, advice and guidance on non-academic matters – across our range of support services.

 

There is no need to arrange an appointment, just drop in and speak to a member of the team.

The 'Student Engagement Team'

 

The Student Engagement Team work to improve communication between students, academic staff, and support services at University College Birmingham.

They help to organise university-wide events, collaborating with various courses and schools to enhance the student experience for all our college students. There is an open-door policy, so any students seeking support or advice can walk in and speak to a member of the team.

The Student Engagement Team can also help direct you towards the right support team, information, or key services; to help address your concerns.

Find out more

Academic matters

Lessons and assessments

Your individual course information will tell you everything you need to know about your specific course modules and assessment. But, if you are looking for additional information on the assessment style and process, and how we ensure academic fairness here at University College Birmingham, you can find all of this information over on our Policies & Regulations page.

You will also find information on what you can do in unfortunate or unpredicted circumstances such as not being able to submit work on time, or not receiving the grades that you had hoped for.

Rules and regulations

Similarly, to make yourself familiar with academic procedures, rules and policies, and see what we have in place to make sure every student has a safe, welcoming, and fair space for them to nurture their academic talents; you can also access the Policies & Regulations page for all information.

Find out more

Looking for more information?

College and sixth form student support

Whether you need support with your learning, finances, health and wellbeing or other areas, our range of dedicated support services are here for you.

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Financial support for college students

We know your finances and financial future are important to you so we try and give you as much advice about study costs and about the support available…

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College courses

Discover our full range of college courses at University College Birmingham.

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College courses - University College Birmingham

College and Sixth Form Centre application

Apply for one of our A-levels and vocational courses, find out more about the interview and offer process and how to enrol at University College Bir…

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Trading Room 1 at University College Birmingham

Facilities

Supported by a £200 million investment in new campuses, equipment and resources, University College Birmingham's facilities are nothing short of world class.

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