The Brum Bulletin - Your student newsletter
It's official, UoBe Festival is back and bigger than ever! The 2022 UoBe Festival returns from Sunday 23 to Friday 28 January with an exciting line-up of free activities for all students on campus and online. Enjoy a packed programme of talks with headline speakers, masterclasses, challenges, workshops, live entertainment, and film screenings. Whether you want to learn a new skill, make connections, or simply have fun and create memories, there is something for everyone.
Discover more
UoBe Festival
Take a sneak peek at what's in store for you in January.
Watch now
'Time to Talk?'
Our recent ‘Time to Talk?’ campaign focused on the wellbeing support available if you are struggling. We would love to know your thoughts on our campaign so we can continue to keep you informed of how we’re #HereForYou.
Complete our short survey for your chance to win a £15 Amazon voucher.
Changes to the Selly Express
Good news! The Selly Express is running even more frequently with an added journey starting from 6pm, as well as now serving more roads around Selly Oak. Find out more.
Have your say: Take our SELT Survey
Take a few minutes to share your views and drive change through our Student Evaluation of Learning and Teaching (SELT) Survey for semester 1. Complete the survey.
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games are coming to campus!
Paid opportunities
Next summer will see a fantastic celebration of sport and culture when the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the largest sporting event ever held in the West Midlands, takes place. We are looking for students to join us in paid roles as we work to make this event a huge success.
We have roles available across our Accommodation, Cleaning, Food and Beverage, and Community Living teams. Applications will be assessed, and roles will be filled by successful candidates on a first come, first served basis. Apply now so you don’t miss out!
Exclusive pre-sale window for tickets for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – Tuesday 23 November
Missed out on tickets to the Games? Keep an eye on your inbox this week for more details on how you can get your hands on tickets as part an exclusive ticket sales opportunity.
Student Spotlight: Harriet Noy
Congratulations to UoB Alumni Harriet Noy, who recently launched an innovative new app called Hazaar, the UK's first zero waste marketplace. Students can buy items using the app and then hand over in person, so in turn eliminating wasteful packaging. Read Harriet's story.
Help shape Wellbeing Services at UoB
Want to inform how student wellbeing services are offered at UoB now and in the future? As part of our commitment to the initiative 'Making It Happen' we are really interested in your feedback so we can improve your student experience. The survey closes on Friday 3 December so don’t miss your opportunity! Complete the survey.
Dates for your diary
Body Positivity and Inclusivity Week Panel
Thursday 18 November, 7-8pm, Nuffield G13
Join this event as part of Beat UoB's Body Positivity and Inclusivity Week, discussing body image, eating disorders and access to treatment in marginalised groups. The panel is open for anyone to attend and the panelist line-up consists of Guild Officers, Nutritank members and Beat UoB members. Find out more and book.
Disability History Month 2021
Thursday 18 November - Monday 20 December
To celebrate Disability History Month, we're running a programme of events to provide space for conversations between both allies and disabled students, and to celebrate the diversity of our University community. View the full DHM 2021 programme.
UoBe Festival: free sports taster sessions
From Saturday 20 November onwards
The UB Sports team are running a programme of sports taster sessions. These sessions are a great way to learn a new sport or brush up on your existing skills and meet other students. The sessions are open to students of all abilities and equipment will be provided by UB Sport. Book onto a taster session today.
Free self-defence classes at the Guild
Tuesday 23 November, 6-8pm, Dance Studio, Guild of Students
Join the Community Wardens and learn some self-defence techniques. This class is perfect beginners and those who want to improve their personal confidence and learn skills to help them stay safe. Please note, this session is open to female and non-binary students only. Book your place.
Birmingham Conversations: what’s it like to live and breathe in Brum?
Wednesday 24 November, 7-9pm, The Exchange Birmingham
Join us for the launch of this brand new discussion series that provides a relaxed environment for you to have conversations about issues that affect the lives of people across the city. Open to everyone, come along and tell us what it’s like for you to live and breathe in Brum. Book your place. You can also find out more about other events taking place at the Birmingham Exchange.
Sustainability Town Hall event
Monday 29 November, 10am-2pm (panel talk: 11am-12pm), Aston Webb Great Hall or online via Zoom
With the launch of the new Sustainability Pillar in the Strategic Framework, we are holding our first Sustainability Town Hall event to highlight our ambitious sustainability targets and the significant role we are playing in tackling the global sustainability challenges. Visit stalls which outline the sustainability practices, opportunities and ambitions from both staff and student groups between 10am-2pm. You can also join a panel of experts from across the University and the Guild of Students (11am-12pm) to learn about the University’s sustainability strategy, and the actions that are being taken to achieve these goals. Finally, please join us and celebrate the winners of this year's Green Impact Awards (1pm -2pm). This event is available in person and online via Zoom.
Ancestors with Professor Alice Roberts
Thursday 2 December, 6-7:30pm, LT1, Teaching and Learning Building
Join Professor Alice Roberts at this special University of Birmingham event as she discusses her new book - 'Ancestors: A prehistory of Britain in seven burials'. Book your place here (password - ancestors).
PG Corner
Academic Writing Month activities
Academic Writing Month is in full swing and we're supporting you with your academic study goals. You can join the supportive, productive #AcWriMo community on MS Teams for support sessions throughout November at the following times;
- Tuesdays 9:30am-1pm.
- Thursdays 1-4:30pm
- Saturdays 10am-12:30pm.
Ben Pattison Memorial PhD Prize applications now open
The prestigious Ben Pattison Memorial PhD Prize applications are open. The prize is open to all PGR students at UoB and you can win a generous £200 prize fund, applications close on Monday 10 January 2022. Find out more and apply.
PGT Essentials
The PGT Essentials sessions for November and December are online, with recorded workshops to develop your academic skills. Sign up here, or email Elizabeth O'Connor, E.R.OConnor@bham.ac.uk for recording details.
Win a LEGO Old Joe
To celebrate the launch of the UoBe Festival 2022 we're giving you a chance to win an exclusive LEGO Old Joe! To enter simply answer the following question: What date does the UoBe Festival 2022 start? Enter the prize draw.
What's on in Brum: Cadbury World
Explore the world renowned Cadbury World chocolate factory in Birmingham. Learn the history through different chocolate zones, watch the master chocolatiers in action and have a go at chocolate piping yourself. As a student you can do all this for just £10 when you enter the code 'CWST2021' at checkout. Book today.
And finally...
- Term-time addresses. Make sure your address details are up to date in the registration portal. The University is required to hold a record of your term time address for its obligations to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Input your details here.
- Have your say on the Birmingham Health and Wellbeing Strategy: Creating a Bolder, Healthier City. Birmingham City Council are developing their Health and Wellbeing strategy and want to hear from you. The strategy sets out its ambitions to improve health and wellbeing and tackle health inequalities and shape the future of our city. Help shape the strategy and future plans by sharing your thoughts. Find out more and have your say.
- Help us improve the yearly registration and module selection process. To make these tasks simpler for you, the University are redesigning the way you register at the start of the academic year, and how you select their optional modules. Share your thoughts and experience by attending one of our focus group sessions (please note the Online Registration focus group is for 1st year students and the Module Registration focus group is for exchange and joint honours programme students). Find out more and sign up.
- Postgraduate Open Day. Come along to our next Postgraduate Open Day on Saturday 20 November. You will be able to talk with subject and support staff and explore your postgraduate options with us. Book your place.