Brum Bulletin: How does winning £1,000 sound?

The Brum Bulletin - your student news

In this issue...

How does winning £1,000 sound?
Score a £10 voucher by telling us about your campus experience.
Get set for assessments with our online workshops.
Feedback on your journey to uni and bag a £30 voucher.
Students blog on wellbeing, Yom Kippur and Black History Month.
Final chance to win a chocolatey day out with Cadbury World.

News

Win £1,000 with Santander Universities

Through their Brighter Future Grants programme, Santander Universities are giving ten lucky UoB students the chance to win one £1,000 (cash award) each to spend on rent, bills, groceries, study resources or anything else you need.

All students are eligible to enter, including undergraduates, postgraduates, part-time and full-time students, and you don’t need to bank with Santander to apply. Find out how to enter.

Prioritising myself

A busy calendar of socials and studying can take its toll. Student Content Shaper May shares five habits that have helped her look after her mental and physical health. Read May's blog.

What is Yom Kippur?

Student Sophie tell us what Jewish festival Yom Kippur means to her and how it allows the community to self-reflect and implement positive changes moving forward. Hear from Sophie.

Reflecting on my identity

"...this is the first time I am truly celebrating Black History Month. Growing up in Kenya, blackness as a label was never really something I needed contend with...". Continue reading.

100 Amazon vouchers up for grabs

We want to understand your experience of race equality on campus, so we can identify barriers and make improvements. Complete the survey and you could win one of 100 Amazon vouchers worth £10 each. Complete the Race Equality Charter.

Preparing for your assignments

The Academic Skills Centre are running online workshops in term 1 to help you develop key academic skills needed to excel in your assignments. Browse the full schedule.

Win one of 20 vouchers worth £30

Tell us about your journey onto campus and you can help improve the commuter experience, and have the chance to win a £30 voucher at local Brum businesses. Fill in the Travel Survey.

PG Corner

Welcome to the latest updates from the University Graduate School (UGS) specifically for postgraduate students.

Meet your UGS Scholars (PGR) for 2024-25

Your UGS Scholars are current postgraduate researchers (PGRs) here to welcome and support you with a range of events and activities. Find out more about them, and look out for the two scholars from your College.

PGR Events

Join PGR Film Clubs, Social Badminton, and Board Game afternoons to meet new people in your PGR community and take a break from your desk. Follow us on Eventbrite for more information, and stay up to date with PGR events throughout the academic year.

PGT Workshops

The Academic Skills Centre offer postgraduate skills workshops for PGTs - join the 'Developing your Skills for Postgraduate Study' for an introduction to critical thinking, postgraduate writing, time management, and more.

Birmingham Award

Did you know that all postgraduates are eligible to complete the Birmingham Award? Reflect on your career development activities, part-time work, and volunteering to enhance your skills and gain recognition on your transcript, all endorsed by a range of employers.

Wellbeing Officers at UoB

Life at university can have its challenges, but it's important that you ask for help when you need it. Our Wellbeing Officers are here to assist you with anything that might be affecting your studies or personal life. Watch video.

Sustainability at UoB

Become a Birmingham River Champion

This is a citizen science project led by UoB and it’s a great way to get involved, give back to the local community and support biodiversity. You can register your interest on the Birmingham River Champions website or email birminghamriverchampions@gmail.com for more information.

Our diary picks

Poster sale
Friday 18 October, 09:00-18:00
Staff House/University Centre plaza

Grab some new artwork, whether it's your favourite films or bands, some classic artwork, or something completely different.

Barber Lunchtime Concert: Marie-Christine Zupancic and Daniel Browell
Friday 18 October, 13:00-13:50
Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall Music Building

Barber Lunchtime Concerts are free Friday concerts, open to all. Marie-Christine Zupancic, Section Leader Flute of the renowned City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and flautist with Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, takes centre stage as a recitalist in this Barber Lunchtime Concert. No need to book, doors open at 12:00.

Electronic hip-hop, jazz, rap – an invitation for the whole world to dance
Sunday 20 October, 19:00
Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Inspired by a year of turbulent politics, culture wars and the pandemic, Soweto Kinch produced White Juju for jazz quartet and symphony orchestra. Student tickets are £8.

Business Fair 2024
Wednesday 23 October, 11:00-15:00
Aston Webb Great Hall

The Business Fair is a careers fair exclusive to UoB students and recent graduates, with a focus on employers in Finance, Business Management and Consultancy.

Dance the night away for Navratri on campus
Friday 25 October, 18:00-21:00
Debating Hall, The Guild

UoB Hindu Society is hosting Raas-Leela, our Garba and Dandiya event. Join us for an unforgettable evening of garba, with a live band, food and vibrant energy!

Live at The Lapworth: Love Story - a quartet tribute to Taylor Swift
Wednesday 30 October, 18:00-19:30
Lapworth Museum of Geology

Shake it off at the Lapworth Museum with a gorgeous string tribute to Taylor Swift! The Sekine Quartet will perform classical covers of Taylor’s hits in the captivating prehistoric setting of the Museum. Book your place.

Artisan Market
Tuesday 5 November, 10:00-16:00
Green Heart

Find stalls selling local produce, handmade items, vintage and unique gifts, crafts, and baked goods. Alongside local craftspeople and producers you’ll find some of our own students on the stalls with their creations.

Visit our What's On page for the latest student events.

Celebrating Benjamin Zephaniah

As an inspirational figure in Birmingham, we're celebrating Benjamin Zephaniah on Wednesday 30 September (13:00-14:30). Find out about the impact he had on the city, personal stories about him, and his poems and spoken word. More on the event.

Win a sweet day out to Cadbury World

Two students can win a pair of tickets to Brum's iconic Cadbury World. Learn how your fave confectionery is made, enjoy the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema and the new Quest ride. Hurry, closes soon! Enter now.

And finally

Make your idea a reality with £2,000

The Alumni Impact Fund allows you to deliver creative, impactful and exciting projects that benefit other students. Your idea could be anything from an event to a workshop, show, exhibition or tournament. You can apply as an individual, student society or sports club. Apply before Monday 28 October. Find out more.

The Birmingham Award

The Birmingham Award is the university's recognised free employability skills award for students. Endorsed by graduate employers, the award supports you to develop and recognise the skills you gain through extra-curricular activities and how to articulate these skills in preparation for real world recruitment process.

Lunch with a Leader

Lunch with a Leader gives you the chance to sit down over lunch with one of our leading alumni. Our first session coming up on 6 November is with Professor Simon Hepburn, Chief Executive of The Security Institute. Students taking part can use this towards the Birmingham Award.

Student memberships at Sport & Fitness

Memberships include access to our Gym, Pool, Classes and Squash courts. Want to workout on campus? Become an Off-Peak member, or a Weekend member with prices from £154 for the year. If you're living in Selly Oak, join our newly refurbished Tiverton Gym with Peak and Off-Peak annual or monthly direct debit options starting from £17 a month. Browse memberships.

Module Evaluations

We will soon be asking you to complete mid-module evaluation surveys for the modules you are taking this term. From week four, look out for a message asking you to answer five questions about your teaching and learning experience. We will use your responses to see what we are doing right and to see where changes could be made. Your feedback is extremely important to us and we listen carefully to it.

If you have any suggestions for the student newsletter please email: studentcommunications@contacts.bham.ac.uk.