What's on for students

The student events calendar will help you find events taking place over the coming semester. From meeting new people to developing skills, there are a variety of events taking place across the University. We've hand-picked some of the highlights that we think you will find interesting and useful.

Unless specified otherwise, events are suitable for all undergraduate and postgraduate students. Got a student event you would like to be added? Contact us with the details.

Your highlights

Events this week

Guild Awards 2023

Monday 20 March, 19:00-23:00, Great Hall, Aston Webb Building

Suitable for all students

Guild Awards is an evening to celebrate the incredible work of student volunteers, held in the stunning venue of the Great Hall. This is the opportunity to shine a light on the amazing achievements of student groups, associations and committee members this year.

Tickets include a drink, a two-course meal and live entertainment during the awards, as well as hearing the announcement of the winners for each of the categories. Tables are for 10 people, and when you buy your ticket you'll be asked who you want to sit with (e.g your group or department). If you don't have a full table, you'll be sat with another group if needed.

Book now

The PGT Cafe: Commuter Students, UGS Scholar takeover!

Tuesday 21 March, 11:00-13:00, Café 1902, University House, Business School

Suitable for PGT students who commute

If you are a postgraduate taught student who is studying as a commuter, join our in-person PGT Cafe to meet other PGTs who are in a similar situation and socialise with others. This lunchtime social is led by University Graduate School Scholars (PGT) Mary (Commuter Champion) and Lauren (Part-time and Distance Champion). Drinks vouchers will be provided for use in the cafe, so you can have a drink on us!

Register now

Guild of Students: Reclaim the Night - Poster Making

Tuesday 21 March, 15:00-16:30, Mermaid Bar

Suitable for all students

Join your Guild of Students to make posters for the Reclaim the Night rally - all supplies are provided. From 16:30, the Not On team will be travelling to the Reclaim the Night rally in Centenary Square, and welcome you to join them.

International Women's Day Open Mic Poetry Night

Tuesday 21 March, 18:15-19:30, Room 420, Muirhead Tower

Suitable for all students

Join the University's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Student Ambassadors in celebrating women and gendered minorities at our Poetry Night. This event will feature performances from talented headliners and will also give staff and students the opportunity to perform at our open mic.

Sign-up for the open mic will be available on the door and we particularly welcome anyone who identifies as a gendered minority to perform. This event is free and open to everyone in the UoB community.

Book now

Reclaim the Night Rally

Tuesday 21 March, 18:30-21:30, Centenary Square, Birmingham city centre

Suitable for all students - the rally is open to all genders, but women-led

Join the Guild of Students' Not On team in Centenary Square for the city's Reclaim the Night rally, marching to protest violence against women in the UK and across the world. You can meet the team there, or meet at Mermaid Bar for 16:30 to travel with the team.

Breast Cancer awareness session

Wednesday 22 March, 12:30-13:30, online

Suitable for all students

Human Resources invite you to join Joanna from Coppafeel as she presents about breast cancer in an effort to raise awareness.

Joanna, is a member of UoB staff and a breast cancer survivor. She now volunteers for Coppafeel to raise awareness of breast cancer and offer advice on how to self-check your boobs or pecs, and signs to look out for.

Joanna's presentation will be informative, engaging and fun, and open to all staff and students who want to find out more on 'getting to know your normal' from someone who has experienced breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Book now

PGT Online Study Group

Wednesday 22 March, 18:00-21:00, online

Suitable for PGT students 

This PGT Study session is led by University Graduate School Scholars (PGT) Lindsay and Lauren, current full-time and part-time PGTs. This structured study session is your chance to meet other PGTs, have a catch up about how you're finding your courses, and have others there to support you whilst you're studying. Set targets at the beginning of the session to keep you motivated!

Register now

A Space of One's Own: reflective exhibition and zine-making workshop on gender, migration, and homemaking among Chinese diaspora

Friday 24 March, 09:00-17:00, Room 420, Muirhead Tower

Suitable for all students

This one-day exhibition draws visual, audio, and textual materials from our interviews with Chinese diaspora communities living in the UK throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

The zine-making workshop that follows the exhibition allows participants to join a creative space to critically examine their life in the UK and beyond, as well as allowing them to join the reflective space offered by the exhibition and add their own voices. The workshop is open to 15-20 female Chinese students.

The one-day event hopes to facilitate intercultural understanding between Chinese diaspora and the British public. It challenges the monolithic narratives about marginalised groups living in the UK with gendered focus. 

Booking required. Please contact the event organiser for booking details.

Barber Lunchtime Concert: Journeys End

Friday 24 March, 13:00-14:00, Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall Music Building

Suitable for all students

Helen Charlston, mezzo-soprano and Keval Shah, piano

We continue to welcome artists in partnership with BBC Radio 3 and are delighted to bring back Helen Charlston after a wonderful recital in our 2021/22 season. She is joined by duo partner Keval Shah for a programme exploring the idea of journeys and the passing of time.

Admission is free, no booking needed.

Walking tour: Many people, one Birmingham

Saturday 25 March, 12:30-14:30, meeting point TBC

Suitable for all students, their friends, and families

Join Professor Carl Chinn on a walking tour to explore the history of Birmingham. The Birmingham we know today is a city of adaptation and inventiveness. But how did it become one of the country’s greatest industrial cities?

Starting with Anglo-Saxon immigrants at the Bull Ring, this enlightening and educational walk through Digbeth and Deritend will take you on a journey through the stories of the people who made Birmingham their home – from Welsh, Irish, Italian, Jewish, African Caribbean and South Asian people to more recent communities. You’ll find out where they came from, why they settled here and how they’ve transformed Birmingham into a diverse and dynamic 21st-century city.

Student tickets cost £3.

Book now

Weekend Workshop: Time to HIIT the gym or leave HIIT at home?

Saturday 25 March, 15:00-17:00, The Exchange, 3 Centenary Square (B1 2DR)

Suitable for all students, their friends and families

In this session you can try different types of HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) to see if its for you. 

We all know that exercise is a good idea, but many of us struggle to find the time for it. High intensity interval training (HIIT) is a quick and effective way to exercise. But can we get the same health benefits when we take HIIT out of the gym and into our own homes? In this session you can try different types of HIIT training and find out for yourself.

There will be physical activity involved in this session, so please wear appropriate clothing and bring water.

Book now

Events this month

Monday 27 March - Sunday 2 April

Careers Network: Teach, Travel, Explore with Chatteris in Hong Kong

Tuesday 28 March, 13:00-14:00, online

Suitable for all students

Find out about the Chatteris International Graduate Programme and opportunities to teach abroad, collaborate on outreach programmes, and experience all the Chatteris have to offer. Chatteris is an educational not-for-profit organisation based in Hong Kong.

Book now

Sleep Awareness Day

Thursday 30 March, 16:00-17:30, The Exchange, Centenary Square

Suitable for all students

It's time to shout about the quietest part of our day. Join the Midlands Sleep Group, a network of academics and clinicians, to explore why sleep matters, sleep disorders, interventions, and social jetlag.

Book now

Next month

Monday 3 April - Sunday 9 April

The Exchange Easter Egg Hunt!

Monday 3 - Thursday 6 April, 10:00-15:00, The Exchange, Centenary Square

Suitable for students with children or young relatives

Discover The Exchange Easter Trail and explore our fascinating historic building and current exhibition A Place to Call Home. And everyone who cracks the code and finds our golden eggs can claim a special prize!

Lapworth Museum Tour

Monday 3 April, 12:00-13:00, Lapworth Museum of Geology, Aston Webb building

Suitable for all students

Dumbfounded by dinosaurs, confused about clastics, puzzled by pyrite? Why not join museum staff and volunteers on a tour of the Museum and get the chance to see behind the scenes!

All tours are free of charge and are run on a first come first served basis - please meet at reception.

PGR Mental Health Workshop: An introduction to Mental Health 

Wednesday 5 April, 10:00-11:30, online

Suitable for PGR students

Join the University Graduate School and Bloomwise, a mental health consultancy set up by UoB PGRs, for an essential workshop on the fundamentals of mental health.

It includes an introduction to the topic and covers mental health disorders. From the numbers behind mental health in the UK and worldwide, to tips around encouraging positive mental health, this workshop is suitable for people not acquainted with the topic all the way to mental health professionals themselves.

You will take away the knowledge that will enable you to understand the topic of mental health, and key tips such as identifying the different types of mental health stressors and early warning signs, and how to improve your wellbeing. 

Register now

Bright Network Webinar: Commercial Awareness Masterclass

Wednesday 5 April, 13:00-14:00, Online 

Suitable for all students

A candidate's commercial awareness is one of the top attributes that an employer values most when hiring. Not only is showing a commercial interest a great way to stand out during applications, but it can also elevate your commercial understanding whilst in role and help you better understand business need.

In this Commercial Awareness Masterclass, we'll be joined by Bright Network's Ben Triggs (Thinking Commercially podcast) and careers expert, Jake Schogger, who will give his top tips on building your commercial awareness this year.

Here's what we'll cover: 

  • What is commercial awareness?
  • Why is it important for applicants?
  • How does it come up in interviews?
  • How can you demonstrate it?
  • Discussing a news story
  • How can you build your commercial awareness?
  • Q&A on all thing’s employability 

Register now 

To find out more, sign up on Bright Network's event page

A link will be sent in confirmation email or prior to the event

Monday 17 April - Sunday 23 April

Careers Live! Early Careers within Intelligence

Monday 17 April, 13:00-14:00, online

Suitable for all students

Join MI5, MI6 & GCHQ at the Careers Live event and we’ll tell you all about the work we do and the roles we’re currently recruiting for.

Please join us virtually on Monday 17th April 2023 at 1pm where we will explore the Early Careers routes into Intelligence roles, as well as hearing insights from employees who work in the Intelligence field, learning more about their experiences and getting some helpful advice.  Look at our website information for further details about early careers within intelligence.

Register now

Student Workshop - Barber Print Club @ Winterbourne House

Wednesday 19 April, 14:00-16:30, Winterbourne House and Garden (G12 on campus map)

Suitable for all students

Join the Barber’s Print Club for a fun, messy, hands-on printmaking workshop with local artist Laura Onions and learn the techniques used to craft the beautiful prints within our collection.

£3 per ticket. Limited capacity. Booking is required. Remember to bring your UoB ID card for free entry!  No experience is necessary, and all materials will be provided.

Book now

Weekend Workshop: Your family archives

Saturday 22 April, 14:00-16:00, Assembly Room at the Exchange (B1 2DR)

How do we decide what is treasure and what is trash? This workshop explores how we all act as archivists by making that decision.  Our homes are places of intergenerational collection and curation, with family members acting as archivists, deciding what to keep and what to destroy. Join Dr Imogen Peck, Assistant Professor in British History, as she delves into what we choose to pass on to the next generation and why. Bring along an object (or a photo of it) which you have inherited or would like to pass on and explore its meaning in this friendly, thought-provoking workshop.

Tickets are £3 per person (student discount)

Book now  

Other events

Daily events and services

Galleries and museums on campus

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.

The museum will be closed for maintenance from Monday 5 July and is planned to reopen on Wednesday 21 July.

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 support

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

Research support

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

Wellbeing support

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

Safety and security support

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

Regular prayer and worship

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

Sport and Fitness

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

Colleges

Professional Services