College Student Bulletin - 20 November

November is almost over, but Disability History Month is just beginning. Old Joe will be lit up #PositivelyPurple from Thursday 20 November, alongside a vibrant calendar of events co-created by staff and students.

In this edition, we’ll explore:

You Said, We Did – how your voice is shaping your University
‘Claus for Thought’ on 3 December
What’s your favourite festive film?
Power Your Community for a chance to win up to $10,000

News

You said, we did

Thanks to your feedback, we're making improvements to your learning and campus. Find out more

Christmas on Campus

Join us on Wednesday 3 December for a festive finale to our 125th Anniversary, with a Christmas Lights Switch-on, Carol Service, and a very special visitor to campus. Get Festive

LES Festive Film Screening

Vote for your favourite Christmas classic and join us for a cosy screening, complete with movie snacks. What better way to kick back after all your hard work this term? Sign up and vote

Could hot chocolate be healthy?

Yes, you heard that right! Dr Catarina Rendeiro recently featured in national news that cocoa may reduce cardiovascular risks in men. Read the article

Mental health research success

Congratulations to Prof. Matthew Broome, who’s been awarded the Royal College of Psychiatrists' 2025 President's Medal for his outstanding contributions to mental health research and leadership. See the Winners

Support from the Guild

Whether you’re getting ready to rent next year, or are already in a rental property, the Guild’s Housing Hub has plenty of tips on finding and maintaining your home, and meeting your perfect housemates.

Estranged Students Solidarity Week 24-30 November 2025

We’re here for you year-round. From pre-entry support to help with finances, and an accommodation mentoring scheme, explore our support for estranged students.

Guild Hardship Fund

We know budgeting gets trickier around the holidays, and even the best laid plans can take a wrong turn. The Guild Hardship Fund is here if you are experiencing a short term, unexpected financial difficulty.

Academic Skills Centre

Book your place on upcoming online workshops. You can also access recordings of previous sessions to develop your skills, build your knowledge, and get the most out of your course. What's on at the ASC

Feeding Without Jaws

Dive back in time at the Lapworth Museum's new exhibition Feeding Without Jaws. This immersive exhibition explores cutting-edge palaeontological research on the lives of unusual ancient fishes. Dive in

Power the Community

Open to undergraduate and graduate student teams worldwide, carve out a foundation for energy sustainability and nab part of the prize pool of $31,000, including a grand prize of $10,000. Submit your proposal by Wednesday 15 April 2026. Read about Energy Mentors

Your PGT Community

Develop your Skills and Enhance your CV & Transcript

Tuesday 2 December, 5.00 - 6.30pm | WF15, First Floor, West Medical School

Enhance your skills and build your CV. Join us in-person or online and explore how you can boost your employability. Sign up here

Postgraduate Corner

Preparing for Examination

Book your place on Getting your thesis ready and Preparing for your Viva - the ideal time to attend both of these workshops is three months before you expect to submit your thesis, around the time you're completing your notice of intention to submit.

PGR Careers webinar series

Promoting your Postgrad Skills in Online Applications: Get tips on a range of online application processes for jobs beyond academia, including psychometric tests, competency questions, and recorded video interviews. Wednesday 19 November, 11.00am – 12.30pm.

Interview Skills: Top Tips for Postgrads: Understand more about interview situations within and beyond academia. Thursday 4 December, 10.00 – 11.30am

Global Connections

Wednesday 19 November, 4.00 – 5.30pm | Teaching & Learning Building, Lecture Theatre 2

Be inspired by our panel of UoB international students, researchers and alumni as they explore:

Adjusting to life in the UK: making friends and building connections
Gaining work experience through internships, volunteering and other means
Making the most of your time at UoB

Student Spotlight

Budget like a pro

Student content shaper Van lays out the 50/30/20 rule of budgeting to help you save. Supercharge your finances with our top tips and explore how you can take positive action today. Read the Blog

WiSE Careers

Join WiSE (Women in Science and Engineering) for an insight into careers. Get top tips from recruitment managers, R&D heads, and professionals to maximise your CV’s impact. Sign up

Got something to share?

We’d love to hear from you! Send a photo and a 50 word summary of where UoB has taken you to lesstudentcomms@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

Dates for your diary

For a full list of what’s on, see our Student Events pages

Step Back in Time with Charles Lapworth: Dynamic Earth

Wednesday 19 November 6.30pm | Lapworth Museum

An immersive evening of volcanoes, earthquakes, and rumblings of the Roaring Twenties. Period dress strongly encouraged! Reserve your spot

Insight Into HR: an online panel event

3.00pm Thursday 20 November 2025 | Online

This is a live online panel followed by a Q&A session. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore your future in HR. Register here

Psychology Coffee Morning

Tuesdays 10.00 - 11.00 | The Link, Gisbert Kapp

You’re cordially invited to pop up for a coffee, hosted by Dr Artur Brzozowski, every Tuesday.

Guild Advice Drop-in

12.00 - 2.00pm Tuesday 25 November | Biosciences Undercroft

Have you got questions about wellbeing, housing, finance, international support or academics? Drop in for a chat as the friendly Guild Advice team joins us in Biosciences.

International Student Sessions – Academic Integrity and Generative AI

1.30 - 2.30pm Wednesday 26 November | Old Gym, LG10

Join us as we explore where you can use Generative AI in your studies.

Queer East Film Festival

Wednesday 26 November, 6.00pm – Reception at 5.30pm Some Nights I Feel Like Walking
Friday 28 November 6.00pm - Where is my love? and Incidental Journey

Book free tickets here

And finally...

The January exam timetable will be released on Monday 1 December. Check yours in the MyUoB app, and if you spot any issues please contact your Year Administrator. Get all the info here.

Thinking of a Masters? – join us 2.30 – 4.00pm Friday 28 November to hear about where postgraduate studies in Planning, Environmental Science, Hazards, Human Geography, Climatology and Water Studies could take you. Sign up here.

A fond farewell

It’s time for us to say goodbye to Olivia Rowe, your Student Experience Officer for the schools of GEES and Psychology. But don’t worry, she’ll still be around as a Student EDI Officer, and you’ll find her at the Multi-faith Chaplaincy. Drop in and say hello!