Brum Bulletin: Your summer plans are sorted
The Brum Bulletin - your student news
In this issue...
- From halls to the Artisan Market: finding love at UoB.
- Could you create the winning design for a new UoB tote bag to be sold on campus?
- Santander Universities are giving away 10 MacBooks to UoB students.
- Your summer plans are sorted with UoB Xtra.
- If you're a talented vocalist, it's time for you to take the big stage.
- Fancy winning 5k and a trip to Dubai? Find out how.
- Last chance to bag a £20 voucher to spend at Ryman.
News
Give your feedback and you could win £150
Calling all undergraduates, it's time to share your views on your university experience completely anonymously.
If you're a final year, you can feedback through the National Student Survey (NSS). Continuing students will have received the UK Engagement Survey (UKES).
Not only will your feedback help us make changes to better your university experience, but you'll be entered in a prize draw to win one of five £150 cash prizes for each survey. Have your say.
UoB love story
"Clara and Kyle’s story began at the University of Birmingham in 2014, where they first crossed paths at Joe’s Bar during a Battle Re-enactment Society (BatSoc) social...". Continue reading.
Tote-ally 125...
Design a tote bag to celebrate the University’s 125th anniversary – and you could win £125-worth merch and see your design on sale on campus. Find out more.
Win a MacBook
We've teamed up with Santander Universities to offer you the chance to win one of ten MacBook Air laptops. Anyone can enter - you don’t need to bank with Santander. I'm feeling lucky.
Birmingham's Got Talent
We're looking for a small selection of talented vocalists to join the University Jazz Orchestra on the main stage for our 125 concert. The deadline for applications is 7 March at midday. Apply now.
Save the date: UoB Xtra 2025
Get ready for an unforgettable June packed with three weeks of FREE awesome activities and events. From Monday 9 - Friday 27 June 2025, enjoy a jam-packed fun programme including an outdoor cinema and the return of our Campus 3K. About UoB Xtra.
Make a difference in your community
Want to make a positive impact on those around you during your time at UoB? There are many ways you can do this and make a difference from volunteering in the community to donating your pre-loved items to charity shops. Give back.
Win £5,000 & a trip to Dubai
The Intercampus Enterprise Competition (IEC) 2025, the University’s flagship enterprise competition, has officially launched. Finalists can attend the grand final in Dubai and the top prize is a whopping 5k! Deadline to enter is Sunday 2 March 17:00. Tell me more.
PG Corner
Welcome to the latest updates from the University Graduate School (UGS) specifically for postgraduate students.
It's nearly time to Have Your Say!
PRES and PRES launch in a fortnight (3 March) and with that comes your opportunity to share your thoughts on life at the University of Birmingham. Plus you could win £150 for filling in the survey.
Public Engagement for PGRs
Thursday 20 (13:00-15:00) and 27 February (09:30-11:00)
Online and in-person (Westmere House)
Discover how to effectively share your research with the public and enhance its impact in these interactive workshops, led by the experts in UoB's Public and Cultural Engagement Team.
PGR Research Poster Competition
Enhance your skills, connect with peers, and gain recognition in the Research Poster Competition 2025. Submit your abstract by 2 March for a chance to participate. Don’t miss out on prizes, networking opportunities, and opportunities for academic growth!
PGR Shut Up and Work
Join monthly online co-working sessions to stay focused, overcome procrastination, and make progress on your research. It's a supportive environment where you can work alongside others and take breaks together. Our next one is 27 February. Find all dates and sign up.
My self-care routine
As a student, looking after your mental health and wellbeing is important. Get some inspiration from Student Content Shaper May on how she relaxes after a busy day on campus. Watch video.
Sustainability at UoB
Plastic-free campus
Food Fellows is always looking for ways to be more sustainable – now they’re trialling a scheme to encourage customers to bring their own containers.
At Med School Café and Campus Infusion, single-use disposable boxes will now incur a 25p surcharge. Customers who buy hot drinks using their own reusable cups at Food Fellows Coffee Shops already get 25p off. Give us your feedback to improve the service.
Our diary picks
Postgrad LIVE Study Fair
Tomorrow, 12:00-15:00
Great Hall, Aston Webb
Considering a Masters or PhD? Join us tomorrow to find out if postgraduate study is right for you. Meet top universities, discuss your options, and get personalised funding advice.
Ginny Lemon is coming to campus
Tomorrow, 18:00-19:30
Main Lecture Theatre, Arts
As we continue our LGBTQ+ History Month celebrations, join us for an evening with drag icon Ginny Lemon who'll be sharing their experiences of how they’ve had to overcome boundaries on the road to success all while navigating their true self. The talk will also be followed by a Q&A.
Housemate finder
Tomorrow, 17:00-19:00
The Hub, Prichatts Park
Unsure who to live with next year? Your Residence Life team are here to help - come along for a relaxed and friendly way to meet other like-minded people, with games and activities to help you break the ice. Groups and individuals welcome!
Aquathlon
Saturday 22 February, 11:00-14:00
On campus
Aquathlon 2025 sees entrants take on a 400m swim in Sport & Fitness, and a 5km run through campus, with some great prizes to be won. Entry costs £34.50.
Virtual forest escape room
Tuesday 25 February, 15:30-16:30
Room 229, Engineering Building
Take a walk through the time travelling trees as part of Carnival on Campus! During this immersive activity, you'll virtually tour our forest laboratory, uncovering clues and solving puzzles together using VR headsets or touch screen devices.
Artisan Market
Tuesday 4 March, 10:00-16:00
University Square
Find tasty food, handmade gifts, and more as the bustling Artisan Market comes to campus.
Visit our What's On page for the latest student events.
See Brum in a different light
From 19–22 Feb, a series of city centre locations will be transformed into a free, spectacular gallery of illuminated artworks for all to enjoy and explore. More on Birmingham Light Festival.
Final chance to win with Ryman
Ryman is the place to be for all your stationery and printing needs. Conveniently located on campus, you can get 10% off as students. Answer one simple question about Ryman and you can win a £20 gift voucher. Quick, enter now!
And finally
Write a blog for us
To help us normalise being open about mental health, we're looking for more students to share their lived experiences of mental health such as anxiety and stress as well as other topics. If you’d like to share your story, we’d love to hear from you. You can email us at studentcommunications@contacts.bham.ac.uk with an overview of what you'd like to write about. If successful, you'll be given a £15 voucher for your time.
School bans alone not enough to tackle negative impacts of phone and social media use
First study of its kind finds that restrictive school policies don’t lead to lower phone and social media use overall, nor better outcomes among students. Find out more on the study.
If you have any suggestions for the student newsletter please email: studentcommunications@contacts.bham.ac.uk.