The Brum Bulletin - Your student newsletter
A big UoB welcome to the first issue of this semester’s Brum Bulletin, your fortnightly update of everything you need to know about the University, all in one handy e-newsletter! In this issue, we have got loads of useful information to help you settle in (or settle back!) and find your way around the University and the city.
We hope you have enjoyed our Welcome so far and are settling into student life now the semester has properly begun. It’s been great getting to see so many of you on campus already - can you spot yourself in our Welcome highlights video?
Welcome 2021
We hope you enjoyed Welcome as much as we did – missing the Alpacas? Take a look at our highlights reel for a taste of what Welcome was like.
Watch now
Get jabbed at Old Joe
Back by popular demand, pop along on Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 October from 10.00am to 4.00pm for your Covid vaccination.
Thanks to the success of our pop-up vaccination clinics, we are happy to add two new dates for you to ‘grab a jab’.
To make it quick and easy for you, all you need to do is simply turn up on one of the dates below (no appointment necessary) next to Old Joe and get your first or second dose (after eight weeks) of the Pfizer vaccine.
• Monday 11 October, 10am to 4pm - next to Old Joe, Chancellors Court
• Tuesday 12 October, 10am to 4pm - next to Old Joe, Chancellors Court
You don’t even need to be registered with a GP or bring any ID to get your jab, but it will help to bring your NHS number along, if you know it.
A massive thank you to everyone who has had their vaccine so far. If you haven’t, a reminder that you can also book a vaccination appointment through your GP or visit a local walk-in vaccination site. More information on the NHS website.
Return to campus
We want you to feel confident to explore campus safely and to enjoy your time in Birmingham. Here's a reminder of the Covid safety measures we have in place on campus, so we can continue to keep looking after each other.
Watch now
Win £1,000 book vouchers
As part of a recent campaign launched by National Book Tokens, you can nominate someone, or even yourself to win £1,000 worth of book tokens to spend on general reading, or university text books.
Find out more and enter
Birmingham Pride 2021
This September, Birmingham Pride returned bigger and better than ever. This year, the University joined forces with six other local universities to mark the celebrations, and even Old Joe made an appearance.
Read the full story
Student Spotlight: Zaeem Moti
Congratulations to Medical student, Zaeem Moti who was recently selected to join the Healthcare Leadership Academy Scholars programme, a prestigious scholarship set up to develop and nurture healthcare leaders of the future.
Find out more
Changes to the Student Conduct Regulations
Watch this video from the Guild of Students to find out what the latest changes for 2021/22 mean for you during your time at the University.
Watch the update
Student Social: The Exchange
The Birmingham Exchange is now open! This beautifully renovated building is open to all and offers exciting research talks, heritage tours and fun activities. Have you visited yet? Don't forget to share your images by tagging @unibirmingham.
Explore the Exchange
Intranet top tip: Your Academic Life
Now that teaching is back in full swing, remember to visit the intranet for the latest information on library services, study spaces and academic support.
Your academic life
Dates for your diary
Black History Month
Thursday 7 October, 17:00-19:00, 4th floor Main Library
To celebrate Black History Month we've organised a range of exciting activities, kicking off with a student talk. Aimed at Black UoB students, this workshop by ‘Black People Talk’ is a space to talk about depression, low mood, and to learn ways to cope and thrive with each other. Space are limited, sign up now. We will be delivering two further events in November and December, look out for more details soon. Other events taking place for all students this month include a "Proud to Be" panel discussion, Black History Month quiz and much more. See the full programme.
Selling Online with Shopify and Facebook
Monday 11- Friday 15 October
The B-Enterprising team will be hosting an induction week for our unique Shopify and Facebook challenge. Students will build a brand-new Shopify store for a charity, then promote it with the help of experts from Facebook. In return, you will gain certification from both Facebook and Shopify. Find out more and sign up.
An Introduction to Early Years Imaginative Play with Pyjama Drama
Wednesday 13 October 2021,14.00 via Zoom
This session is ideal for students who work with or wish to work with young children in the future. The session explores how to create an imaginary world and how to use these techniques to deliver a game aimed at three - five year olds. Find out more and sign up.
E-UniWell presents FestiWell
Tuesday 19 - Thursday 21 October
Join us for a virtual festival of well-being, featuring insightful events from UoB and our partners across Europe. Find out more and sign up.
How to get a job with help from NatWest Group
Wednesday 20 October 2021, 14.00 via Zoom
This session is part of NatWest Group's ground-breaking support for students. Early Careers experts and recent graduates in NatWest Group will share tips about how to prepare for an interview, signpost opportunities and give you an insight into what employers are really looking for when you apply for a job. Find out more and sign up.
Etsy: Growing your Business Online
Thursday 21 October, 15:00
On 21 October, B-Enterprising are running an introduction to Etsy with expert help to set up and optimise their Etsy shop. Every participant will get Etsy freebies! Find out more and book.
PG corner
PGT Essentials
We have announced our PGT Essentials sessions for Semester One: monthly online workshops designed to set you up for your studies. Topics include Returning to Study, Critical Thinking, and Time-management/Procrastination. Find out more and register here.
Postgraduate Professional Development Awards
PGT students can also sign up to the Postgraduate Professional Development Award Canvas course. This course provides a flexible way for you to develop key employability skills and get support with your future career through our programme of Masterclasses.
Our full calendar of PGR and PGT events can be found on our UGS events pages, including regular Yoga and Shut Up and Work sessions, Westmere Scholar events, and the funding opportunity to become a UGS PGT Ambassador.
What's on in Brum: Thinktank, Science Museum
Thinktank, Birmingham's award winning science museum, offers an enlightening and fun-filled day out. Now you can explore it for free with "Free Student Wednesdays" - simply show up with your student ID card for hours of great fun.
Explore the Thinktank
And finally...
- Birmingham Commonwealth Games Queens Baton Relay kicks off. The relay begins on 7 October at Buckingham Palace before embarking on its 294-day journey through the Commonwealth, arriving back in England in July 2022. As an official partner we are also planning a series of events for students, staff and alumni, to mark the baton’s progress. Follow the journey.
- Have your say in our short vaccine survey. We would really like to know how many of you are fully vaccinated, or are going to need a second vaccine dose, so we can support the vaccination effort with extra capacity on campus to make it nice and easy for you to get vaccinated. To let us know your vaccination status, please complete this survey (only take a couple of minutes). We want to hear from everyone – including people who do not want to or cannot be vaccinated. Complete the survey.
- Join a cycling skills training session. The new academic year sees the start of the Green Heart Riders, a community cycling club for the university, supported by Cycling UK. Hear from Cycling Instructor Paul Robertshaw and find out how you can join one of the training sessions, at basic, everyday and advanced level. Hear from Paul.