We are committed to making sure that you get the full university experience at Birmingham. We are working in close partnership with the Guild of Students, to make sure that you continue to have the opportunity to meet people and take part in a wide range of activities outside of your studies.
Welcome home to UoB
In September, we will be welcoming a new cohort of students to the University and also welcoming you back home to UoB and on campus for the first time since March. There are activities on campus throughout Welcome Week (21-25 September) including campus tours, and musical performances. Additionally, Welcome information points on campus will provide an initial place to help you navigate the campus and pick up a University branded face covering. As a returning student this year’s Welcome will help you to navigate the changes you will experience compared with previous years, and signpost you to key support and other University services.
Guild of Students
Our Guild of Students is home to over 300 student clubs and societies, so whether you are interested in baking, skydiving, singing, sports, politics or food - you are sure to find the perfect group for you. You can join a student group at any point in the year and each group will host its own calendar of events and activities.
The Guild are also running the Lakeside event at the Vale in conjunction with the University.
Multi-Faith Chaplaincy
Our Multi-Faith Chaplaincy also offers an inclusive space for prayer, meditation, relaxation and more. All students are welcome, whether you consider yourself to be religious or not.
Staying active
The gym, pool and squash courts have now reopened and classes and badminton have also resumed. Gym membership for Tiverton Gym (in Selly Oak) and Sport & Fitness (on campus) are now available. You can find all of the new membership options and prices on the UB Sport website.
If you already have a membership which has been rolled forward from the last academic year, you should have received an email with your membership re-start date, which is Monday 21 September, and your new end date. As with any membership, you will need to book your session (for the gym, pool, squash or classes) beforehand. This video will give you an idea of what to expect when you return, as things may be a little different from when you left. Find out how to use the service and move around the building safely.
Sport & Fitness tour
Virtual memberships
For those who prefer to workout from home, for the first time we will be offering a Virtual Sport & Fitness membership option. Whilst we are working hard on getting this up and running, in the meantime you can visit the Virtual Sport & Fitness Club Facebook page. Here, all you have to do is answer a few questions to be added to the group, and you’ll have access to live and pre-recorded classes such as Body Pump, Pilates and Body Attack, workouts from our expert instructors, blogs, recipes, and more - so you can be part of the Sport & Fitness community wherever you’re working out.
Student sport
We have 56 sports clubs at Birmingham, so you can discover a new sport or develop your skills in one you love. For those who have embraced outdoor exercise recently, we have an Athletics club, a social running club called ‘Cool Runnings’, Cycling, Triathlon, and Football, and although not all sports may be able to train and compete as usual straight away, clubs will be organising appropriate training sessions to enable teams to get back together. Check out the student club pages on the Sport & Fitness website for information about each sport.
Social sport
For those who don’t want to play competitive sport, UoB Sport & Fitness offers opportunities to discover a new sport in Just Play, and coached sessions through Social Sport and Try A Sport. You may also want to take part in a recreational, friendly league in Campus League. Whilst some sports like Netball and Basketball might not be able to kick off the autumn term as they normally would, a range of socially-distanced sessions - where you can meet new people and do relevant drills and training – will be available.
University Music
Each academic year, University Music provides music-making opportunities for up 2,000 students and members of the local community through a variety of ensembles and projects for choirs, orchestras, instrumental ensembles, jazz groups and those wishing to explore music creatively. Students can become virtual members of the Music Society, joining online for a number of virtual performances, workshops, and social events. Chamber music - both classical and with small jazz bands - will be the focus of the autumn term, with an enhanced level of professional coaching. We are hoping there will be a gradual increase in the size and scale of ensembles as guidance around social distancing for musicians’ changes.
The city
Shops, restaurants, bars and pubs are open where it is safe for them to do so, as the city and the world starts to get back on its feet. Birmingham has a range of wonderful attractions where you can meet up with friends, and acres of green spaces waiting to be explored. Our campus is a green space, and just a mile away is Cannon Hill Park. Birmingham has more than 500 parks, so why not use the Find A Park tool to see what we have on offer. As a city with hundreds of independent businesses, many have adapted swiftly to the current situation and as well as reopening their businesses, they are developing new ways of working to suit everyone's needs - so you'll still find street food stalls, arts markets, cocktails and more throughout the city.
Visit Birmingham have put together a useful web page containing virtual tours, videos and more, and you can also explore our own city website content, including what our students think of the city and their hidden gems.
Explore Campus and Birmingham
Although restrictions across the country are easing, there's still alot you can see and do virtually if you are self-isolating or not, you can experience the fantastic culture, sights and sounds from the comfort of your room. With companies such as the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Royal Shakespeare Company and Aston Villa Football Club offering virtual tours and entertainment.
See what online events and cultural activities you can get involved in.
Walking routes near campus
It’s important to ensure you get regular exercise for your wellbeing. When you return to Birmingham, these walking routes are a great way to get exercise and fresh air.
View the walking routes around the Vale and Selly Oak.
Food and drink on campus
Most of your favourite places to get a coffee and a bite to eat on campus are open again. There will be some changes to the menus with more takeaway items and we are hoping to use as many compostable materials for napkins, cutlery and packaging as possible. All outlets will require face coverings to be worn and we will be cashless. We will also ask you to scan-in to a few more places, in line with Government advice.