What's on for students

Careers Network: Autumn Fair

Wednesday 4 October, 11:00-15:00, Aston Webb Great Hall

Suitable for all students

Come along to the Autumn Fair in the Great Hall for the opportunity to meet a range of graduate recruiters and discover options for your future career.

Register now

Academic Skills Centre drop-in

Wednesday 4 October, 14:00-15:00, online

Suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate taught students

The Academic Skills Centre drop-ins are back! Each Wednesday during term-time you can hop onto Zoom with an Academic Skills Centre advisor, for quick advice. Sessions alternate between focusing on writing and research skills. Join the Canvas course for more information.

Lunchtime English: Essay Writing - an overview

Thursday 5 October, 13:00-13:50, Small Lecture Theatre (S06), Poynting Building

Suitable for international students

Looking to improve your academic English? Join the Birmingham International Academy's Lunchtime English sessions. Sessions run every weekday in term-time, with a different topic each day. Join the Canvas course to find out more.

Society Spotlight: Crochet taster with Hookers & Stitchers

Thursday 5 October, 17:00-19:00, Amos Room, Guild of Students

Suitable for all students

Want to learn to crochet but don't know where to start? Head to a FREE taster session with Hookers & Stitchers - UoB's knitting and crochet society! 

These sessions are open to everyone, whether you've never crocheted before, or used to and have since forgotten. All materials will be provided, but please bring your own if you have (yarn and corresponding size hook).

Barber Lunchtime Concert: Schubert's Masterpieces for Piano Duet - Lecture-Recital

Friday 6 October, 13:00-13:50 (doors open 12:45), Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall Music Building

Suitable for all students

Brothers Joseph and Daniel Tong have been playing together for over 30 years and Schubert’s Fantasy in F minor has remained a treasured part of their repertoire. Join us for this lecture-recital exploring the rich world of Schubert’s music for four hands at one piano.

Barber Lunchtime Concerts are free and unticketed, so you don't need to book.

Late Night Exchange: World Homeless Day

Tuesday 10 October, 18:30-20:30, The Exchange, Centenary Square (B1 2DR)

Suitable for all students

Join us on 10 October as people worldwide come together to mark World Homeless Day. This important day draws attention to the needs of people who experience homelessness locally and encourages community involvement to address the issue through better policies and funding.

At The Exchange, we invite you to an evening of thought-provoking discussions and inspiring stories including a panel discussion exploring the unique challenges of women’s homelessness.

Tickets are free, booking is recommended.

Book now

Careers Network: Engineering, Science and Technology Fair

Wednesday 11 October, 11:00-15:00, Great Hall, Aston Webb

Suitable for all students

Come along to our Engineering, Science and Technology Fair in the Great Hall for the opportunity to meet a range of graduate recruiters and discover options for your future career.

Register now

Careers Network and International Student Team: Making a Student Route visa application (Continuing Students)

Wednesday 11 October, 14:00-15:00, online

Suitable for international students

If you are interested in continuing your studies in the UK, come along and meet the International Students Team who will talk through the eligibility criteria and application process for the student route visa.

Register now

Careers Network: 10,000 Interns Foundation information session

Wednesday 11 October, 15:00-17:00, Room G17, Nuffield Building

Suitable for students who identify as Black or Black Heritage (mixed included) and/or identify as disabled or experience societal barriers that are disabling

We are excited to have special guests from the 10,000 Interns Foundation (partnering with University of Birmingham) visiting us on campus to talk about the foundation and the programmes they offer.

They’ll also be sharing top tips on making your application, and you’ll learn about the application support on offer from both the foundation and careers team at UoB. We’ll also be joined by former interns of the programme who are UoB students or graduates to help you get more insight into what it’s actually like to apply for and complete an internship on these programmes.

There will be an information session 15:00-16:00, followed by an opportunity to chat with the 10,000 Interns team, former interns from UoB, and Careers Network staff. Attending the whole session would be great, but still come along if you can only make part of it.

Register now

Grooving with Pirates

Saturday 14 October, 11:00-12:00, Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall Music Building

Suitable for students with children or young relatives

Join a bunch of merry buccaneers on a funk and jazz adventure across the seas at this Barber Family Concert! A swashbuckling tale of friendship and treasure awaits. A fun mixture of animation, interactive music making and solid groove from the Groove Baby Organ Trio.

Groove Baby return to the Elgar Concert Hall and will have you dancing, shouting and grooving from your seats! Bring your eye patches and your pirate flags and join the fun!

This interactive concert is designed for ages 3 - 7 and their grown-up crew. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £1 for under 18s.

Book now

Devil Dolls at the Lapworth

Saturday 14 October, 18:30-20:45, Lapworth Museum of Geology

Suitable for all students

True-life encounters abound of eerie encounters with apparently possessed or cursed objects that bedevil their unfortunate owners. In this original one-man show, we present an unsettling theatre piece that will demonstrate it isn't always just your imagination playing tricks on you in the dead of night. Your childhood doll really is watching you!

Jonathan Goodwin performs in a show scripted by himself and co-directed with Gary Archer, part of DON'T GO INTO THE CELLAR! Theatre. Tickets cost £12.

Book now

PGR Skills: Introduction to AI tools for researchers

Tuesday 17 October, 13:00-14:00, online

Suitable for postgraduate research students

In this session participants will develop an understanding of how AI tools might be used to augment research processes to create efficiencies. For example, to what extent can generative AI tools like ChatGPT be used to help edit your writing, or with brainstorming ideas for new material?

As well as generative AI tools, time will also be devoted to considering other AI tools available for researchers to aide with specific tasks – from tools that help with discovering and reading academic literature, to those that assist with academic writing and the selection of journal venues.

Book now

PGR Skills: Planning for success

Wednesday 18 October, 10:00-12:00, Fourth Floor Training Room, Main Library

Suitable for postgraduate research students

Designed for those in the very early stages of their research programme (0-3 months), this workshop covers primarily research project management techniques, but also considers the nature of a research programme and the secrets of success.

This workshop is also available online on Thursday 16 November.

Book now

Careers Network: Business, Finance and Consultancy Fair

Wednesday 18 October, 11:00-15:00, Great Hall, Aston Webb

Suitable for all students

Come along to our Business, Finance and Consultancy Fair in the Great Hall for the opportunity to meet a range of graduate recruiters and discover options for your future career.

Register now

Careers Network: Building your personal brand with KPMG

Tuesday 24 October, 13:00-14:00, online

Suitable for all students

You may have been told to ensure that you have a strong personal brand… but what does that mean? This session explores what a ‘brand’ is, what it stands for and how important building your own personal brand is.

Register now

The CyberWomen Conference 2023

Wednesday 25 October, 10:00-17:00, University of Warwick

Suitable for all students

The CyberWomen@Warwick team, in collaboration with CyberWomen@Coventry, is back with the highly anticipated CyberWomen Conference 2023 - and it's free to attend.

As a student-led initiative under CyberWomen Groups C.I.C., the team are on a mission to inspire and ignite a passion for the Cyber Security industry. Get ready for an immersive experience featuring an array of captivating speakers, invaluable networking opportunities, and hands-on workshops covering diverse Cyber Security domains, including Artificial Intelligence, Malware, Data Breach Prevention, Incident Response and more.

Whether you're a seasoned professional, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the Cyber Security landscape, this conference welcomes all. From past attendees to those new to the field, they're here to inspire, educate, and create lasting connections.

Join in the company of Cyber Security experts from across the UK who will be sharing their insights, conducting workshops, and engaging in enlightening discussions. It's a chance to deepen your knowledge, ask burning questions, and explore the limitless possibilities within the industry.

This is an external event organised by CyberWomen Groups C.I.C.

Book now

Careers Network: STEM Women Graduate Careers Event – sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover

Wednesday 25 October, 12:00-16:00, Edgbaston Stadium (free coach from campus)

Suitable for all students, but especially those who identify as female and non-binary students

The Birmingham STEM Women Graduate Careers event is an opportunity to explore career possibilities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics related fields. You can connect with employers, listen to inspiring talks and panel discussions, explore the exhibitors, and even apply for opportunities.

A free coach will run from campus - you can reserve your seat after booking.

Book now

PGR Skills: Engaging with Open Research culture

Thursday 26 October, 10:00-11:00, online

Suitable for postgraduate research students

In this workshop we explore the research cycle through the lens of Open Research culture to establish what it means to be ‘open’. 

Somtimes referred to as ‘Open Science’ or ‘Open Scholarship’, Open Research refers to a set of practices that aims to make the constituent parts of the research process as ‘open’ (accessible, sharable, reproducible) as possible – everything from research data and software, to peer review and publication. However, it is not always easy for researchers to know how, and to what extent, they can engage with these ‘open’ practices in their own research.

Book now

Galleries at Barber Institute of Fine Arts

Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-17:00, Barber Institute of Fine Arts

Suitable for all students.

In our delightful Art Deco galleries you’ll find paintings by the greatest artists of their time, from Botticelli, Bellini, Rubens and Van Dyck, to Vigée Le Brun, Turner, Monet, Renoir and Magritte. You’ll also see superb works of decorative art and sculpture, as well as changing displays of prints and drawings and a coin exhibition.

Find out more

Lapworth Museum of Geology

Monday-Friday, 10:00-17:00, and Saturday 12:00-17:00, Lapworth Museum of Geology

The Lapworth Museum of Geology are delighted to welcome visitors to explore life over the past 3.5 billion years! Explore the collections, meet Roary the campus dinosaur, and enjoy the interactive exhibits.

From rocks and fossils to volcanoes, earthquakes, and even dinosaurs, the Museum captures the imagination of all ages. Entry to the museum is free.

Find out more

Winterbourne House and Garden

Daily, 10:30-17:00 (last entry 16:30), Winterbourne House and Garden, Edgbaston Park Road

Suitable for all students.

Winterbourne House and Garden is open daily, including the shop and tea room. Explore the Edwardian Arts and Crafts garden, lovingly created by the homeowners Margaret and John Nettlefield. Discover the garden's treasures, find a place to relax, and take in the views across the hidden Edgbaston pool.

Entry is free with your student ID card (and for your children under 16).

Find out more

Academic Skills Centre appointments

Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00, Zoom

Suitable for undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and MRes students

The Academic Skills Centre offer confidential individual appointments for undergraduates, postgraduate taught and MRes students (for writing skills) to help with: writing skills, study strategies, referencing, and searching for high quality sources for your assignments.

Appointments are available throughout the academic year from Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00, with a reduced service outside of term time. We can offer you four appointments per academic year.

For students in Singapore, appointments are available Monday to Friday 09:00 to 12:00 UK time (17:00 and 20:00 Singapore time) via Zoom. For students in Dubai, appointments are available 10:00-16:00 UK time (14:00-20:00 Dubai time). Please book five working days in advance.

Book now

A separate form is available for students in Dubai.

Digital Skills appointments

Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00, Zoom

Suitable for all students

The Digital Skills team provides one to one appointments for advice or software support related to a specific task or activity.

The focus of a one-to-one session is to help you to develop the skills that you need in order to be competent in the requisite software. A one-to-one appointment offers a range of approaches that can help you to develop the skills needed to complete your tasks, activities, studies or research. They are not a passive form of learning by this we mean that we will not “do it for you”. Instead we will help you to develop the skills that you need in order to be successful in your endeavours.

Book now

Maths Support Centre

Monday-Friday, 10:00-16:00, Main Library or Zoom

Suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate taught students

Many students experience difficulties with mathematical and statistical content during their university studies. We offer advice and support to Taught students from all disciplines. Whether you need help with your programme of study or guidance on numerical reasoning tests, we are here to help you develop your mathematical skills.

Drop in support is available 10:00-16:00 in the Main Library on weekdays - no need to book, just turn up to see our tutors. Appointments are available for those unable to attend the Main Library.

Find out more

Academic English 1-1 appointments

Monday-Friday, online

Suitable for international students

1-2-1 English is available to all undergraduate and postgraduate international students. It is a bookable service, see below, and provides individual and confidential support with Academic English. The aim of the tutorial is to teach and advise you so that you can improve your academic studies and submissions. During your 30-minute consultation you will be able to ask questions about any aspect of your English. 

You can book up to 4 sessions per semester. Book via the Canvas course.

Research Skills appointments

Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00, Teams or Zoom

Suitable for postgraduate research students

The Research Skills Team offers one-to-one appointments on the following topics:

• Literature searching (advising on but not undertaking literature/systematic reviews)
• Referencing and EndNote
• ORCiD and curating online publication profile
• Research metrics
• Using other libraries
• Introductory advice in Open Access, Research Data Management and copyright

Book now

Tea with a research librarian

Tuesdays, 15:00-16:00, Zoom

Suitable for postgraduate research students

Each Tuesday one of our Research Skills Advisors makes themselves a cup of tea and waits patiently for your questions. Join them via Zoom to keep them company, and ask anything research skills or library-related.

• Library collections and resources
• Doing excellent literature searching
• Managing your references
• Basics of managing data
• Setting up an ORCID
• Anything else library related you've always wanted to ask - no question too basic!

PGRs can access the link from their Canvas course.

Digital Skills appointments

Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00, Zoom

Suitable for all students

The Digital Skills team provides one to one appointments for advice or software support related to a specific task or activity.

The focus of a one-to-one session is to help you to develop the skills that you need in order to be competent in the requisite software. A one-to-one appointment offers a range of approaches that can help you to develop the skills needed to complete your tasks, activities, studies or research. They are not a passive form of learning by this we mean that we will not “do it for you”. Instead we will help you to develop the skills that you need in order to be successful in your endeavours.

Book now

PGR development from the Research Skills Team

Visit our PGR development page where you will find details and booking links for workshops and online courses for PGRs delivered by the Research Skills Team in Library Services.

Find out more

Induction training

Visit our online induction material page for new postgraduate researchers where you will find information including an introduction to library resources, spaces, and support, and how we can help you to develop as a researcher, how you can use keyword and subject heading searching to make your literature search precise and effective and Key databases to help you find literature in your subject amongst lots of other useful information.

Find out more

Pause@UoB drop-ins

Wednesday and Thursdays, 11:00-17:00, Lodge No. 1 (North Gate)

Suitable for students up to their 25th birthday.

Pause@UoB are an NHS-backed initiative that offers you emotional support right here on campus, led by our friendly team of qualified therapists, practitioners and trained volunteers. Drop-in sessions on Wednesdays and Thursdays will start again from Wednesday 6 April.

Find out more

UBHeard - mental health support line

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Suitable for all students

UBHeard is a confidential listening and support service for all registered students (undergraduate and postgraduate) that gives you immediate emotional and mental health support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

You will be able to speak to a mental health professional and counsellor who will guide you through any issues you may currently be facing – at University or at home. UBHeard offers immediate in-the-moment telephone support, and where appropriate, up to six sessions of counselling for mild-moderate issues.

Find out more

Student Mentors

Drop in weekdays, 16:00-20:00, Shackleton or by email and phone

Suitable for students living in University accommodation

Your Student Mentor Scheme Team are here to offer you help and support whilst you live in University accommodation.

All 15 of the Mentors are current students, so know what living in halls is really like! They can help you with information, guidance and support in a range of areas - including wellbeing, accommodation, academic and financial queries

So if you have a query or need advice from a friendly fellow student – talk to them! You can drop in to their base at Shackleton (next to the Duck & Scholar) between 16:00-20:00 weekdays during term time, or contact them by email, phone, or on their socials.

Email Student Mentors

Follow on Instagram

Find out more

Better than Well

Support available throughout the week (see timetable below), The Lodge, North Gate

Better Than Well is a community of recovering students on campus at UoB who support each other in shaping and maintaining an abstinence based life in higher education through peer support, mutual aid, “sober social” activities and recovery focused groups and meetings.

What we offer:

• A weekly open meeting in ‘celebration’ of recovery that provides continued support to BTW members, face to face and on zoom. This meeting is a chance for recovering students to share their thoughts, feelings, concerns, hopes and successes around life as a student in recovery.
• Drop-ins at The Lodge, North Gate, for students to take a break from their studies and busy schedules for a tea, a friendly chat and helpful support.
• Support in attending addiction recovery support meetings in the local community, a local representative from the recovery community will be on hand to take students to local meetings.
• A 12-step recovery meeting on campus
• Mindfulness meditation classes
• A monthly “Sober Social” activity
• Access to Smart Recovery meeting on campus

View the Better Than Well Timetable

Community Safety Team drop-ins

Monday-Friday, 10:00-16:00, No. 2 Lodge, by North Gate

Based in the new Community Safety Hub at Lodge No.2, North Gate, our friendly team offer you a safe, confidential space to ask any safety questions or share your concerns. Available all year round and open 10:00-16:00, Monday to Friday you can pop along to pick up FREE safety and security products.

Working with the Guild, the Team are able to offer personal safety alarms, home security devices, and bike D-locks.

Selly Express

Monday-Friday, 19:00-00:00 midnight, bus stop behind the Main Library/Spar

The Guild’s shuttle bus service, the Selly Express, is your FREE evening shuttle bus service from campus to Selly Oak.

The bus runs from Monday - Friday during term time, and collects students at 19:00, 20:00, 21:00, 22:00, 23:00, and 00:00, close to the Main Library, behind Spar (on the corner of Westgate and Ring Road).

You don’t need to buy a ticket to ride the Selly Express. Just show up with your student ID and tell the driver exactly where you’d like to be dropped off, and we'll either drop you at the exact location, or for smaller roads that the bus may not be able to navigate, as near to your front door as we possibly can.

Find out more

The Multi-Faith Chaplaincy are providing regular opportunities for collective prayer and worship across various faith traditions, both in person and online. Subscribe to the weekly Multi-Faith Chaplaincy newsletter to find out what is happening each week.

Subscribe to the newsletter

Social Sport

Check out the daily timetable for social sport at Sport & Fitness! Choose from a range of sports on a Pay & Go basis, including basketball, netball, kickboxing, badminton, and boxing.

The Just Play sessions are hosted by Sport Activators to maximise your time to play, whist the Coach & Play sessions provide some coaching and the opportunity for a friendly game.

Find Social Sport

Climbing

Did you know we have our own climbing wall? For beginners, our Taster Sessions are a great introduction with a qualified instructor. If you're already a competent climber, our Pay & Go sessions let you get stuck in - all equipment (except shoes) is included.

See Climbing options

Fitness Classes

Explore the range of Fitness Classes that take place throughout the week, available on a Pay & Go basis. From Barre to Yoga, Aqua Fit to Boxercise, there is something for all needs and abilities.

Check out the timetable

Student Memberships

We offer a range of student memberships across Sport & Fitness and Tiverton Gym. Find out which one might suit you.

Explore memberships

Active Residences

Active Residences is a sport and exercise programme designed specifically and exclusively for University of Birmingham students living in University and partner-owned accommodation.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never played sport or exercised before; there’s something for everyone and it’s right on your doorstep.

So, join us and get active to help improve your wellbeing, mental and physical health, and feel a sense of belonging in our student community.

Check out the timetable