The Brum Bulletin - Your student newsletter
The semester two assessment period is almost over and you will soon be able to relax (and enjoy the sunshine if you’re here in Birmingham!). You can continue to enjoy our Spring into Summer activities until the end of the semester on 25 June.
Spring into Summer @ UoB
UoB Games is here! Enjoy social sporting events and coached sessions for beginners including rounders, badminton, tennis and basketball. Plus enjoy some great movies in the Green Heart including The Greatest Showman, Aladdin (2019) and The Avengers.
Spring into Summer
For our international students
We are looking forward to welcoming you back to our learning community on campus at the start of the next academic year. We believe that the best university experience is one where you will be able to study with us on our outstanding campus - to get the most out of living in the UK as well as studying with us. Of course, we also understand that for some students, ongoing pandemic restrictions might mean that physical travel is not possible. If this is the case for you, we will ensure there are online resources available so you can progress with your studies throughout Semester 1 until you are able to join us on campus.
These resources will include a wide range of online learning material as appropriate to your programme including: digital/online resources to prepare for lectures, high-quality recordings of lectures and other teaching, regular face-to-face tutorial sessions, group-work sessions (subject to timetables/time zones), and online discussion forums. You will be supported to access and make the most of other learning and support resources online. We will provide further updates through the summer months about travel, vaccinations and other useful advice as the circumstances continue to develop.
Are you keeping Covid safe?
Restrictions are easing but it’s vital that we continue to follow the guidance to help us all stay safe.
Watch the film
Graduate skills guide
The Office for Students have launched the Graduate employment and skills guide, developed to signpost you to public, private, and voluntary sector opportunities, to help you build employability skills and gain work experience or enter the labour market.
View the reosurces
Commonwealth Games volunteering
There's still time to apply to be a volunteer at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth games. Find out about what opportunities are available and attend one of the volunteering workshops by Careers Network.
Find out more
Call for video participants
Are you comfortable being on camera? Do you want to be part of a project promoting the use of the student intranet? The Communications and Engagement Team are looking for student participants to appear in an upcoming promotional video for students.
Find out more and apply
Call for focus group participants
We are busy making plans for September and we need your input to help shape Welcome this year, we're looking for first year students to give their views on what they expect when returning to campus. All participants will be entered into a prize draw with two chances to win a £50 Amazon voucher.
Take part
International Students – Share your experiences!
The University is currently working with Nous Group to conduct a review to help understand the experiences of international students at Birmingham and we want to hear from you.
Find out more and sign up
Student Social: Sun on campus
We hope you're enjoying the good weather here. Don't forget to share your images and tag the University @unibirmingham, here's a great shot by @bethhastington.
Summer on campus
Intranet top tip: UB Heard
This confidential service offers immediate web or telephone support from mental health professionals. The service is for all students and is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Find out more
Dates for your diary
Hall Reps: The Pritchatts Park BBQ
Wednesday 9 June, 17:00 - 20:00
Sign up here for one of three slots to attend the Pritchatts Park BBQ! Featuring a great selection of BBQ items and vegan options, this is our biggest event of the year so far and is not to be missed! Book a space.
Affect, Empathy, The Body
Friday 11 June, 14:00 - 17:00
Organised by Professor Lisa Downing, this online symposium explores some of the ways in which key concepts of affect, empathy, and the body shape the work being carried out by, between, and on the borders of humanities and mental health research. Book a space.
Meet the EPS Careers team
Tuesday 15 June 14:00 - 16:00
If you are in the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences the come along and along and meet the EPS Careers team. This is an opportunity to come and say 'hello' in person and ask us your careers questions. Speak to Richard and Ruth about your future career and study options and plans, Harj about internship and work experience opportunities and Yezi about international opportunities. See the full schedule on our Canvas page.
Crafted in time: printmaking workshop
Thursday 24 June, 18:30-19:30
Join artist Kaitlin Ferguson for an inspiring evening of printmaking, in response to the Lapworth Museum’s collection. Kaitlin will share her own arts practice as well as her favourite specimens from the collection. Following this, she will guide you through different playful printmaking techniques you can do at home. Book a space.
School of code bootcamp
July 2021
Interested in developing your IT and coding skills? Join this free 16-weeks intensive, teaching a wide-ranging curriculum covering the fundamentals of Modern Web Development and javascript, and then helping them into their new tech careers! Find out more and sign up.
Spring into Summer @UoB
Monday to Friday, until end of June
Enjoy a range of outdoor activities on campus and online including arts and crafts, yoga, outdoor games and food stalls. Book onto an activity.
PG corner
Life after academia conference
Are you a CAL postgrad thinking about careers, or early career research funding? Careers Network are holding their annual Life After Academia conference and Guide to Postdoc Fellowships event in June - meet alumni, explore your options, and get expert advice.
PGT Essentials: Researching Your Dissertation
Join this online workshop on 23 June, to support the first steps of your final research project. Book a space.
PGT in Three
Submissions are open throughout June for "PGT in three" - the UGS is looking for a 3minute video, accompanied by 3 slides, about your dissertation project or other area of your studies to be part of its inuagural Research Festival. Enhance your CV, gain exposure for your research, develop your research impact, and win prizes! More info and submissions available here.
PGTs you have until 15 June to complete the Postgraduate Taught Experience survey!
Have your say on your experiences at Birmingham and help shape postgraduate study at the University. You could win an £50 Amazon voucher. Complete the survey.
Win some artwork by Brumhaus
Fancy some great art by local artist Brumhaus? Answer this simple question for a chance to win. What is the nickname for people living in Birmingham? You can also purchase directly from the print shop, UoB students can get an exclusive 10% discount code off UoB prints using code BRUMBULLETIN.
Enter the prize draw
Tree top adventure mini golf
Check out this new adventure mini golf based in the city centre. Come and play the two indoor, 18-hole mini golf courses. Tackle the Tropical Trail or Ancient Explorer then brave the Bonus 19th hole to win a free round.
Explore Birmingham
And finally...
- Learning and Teaching Survey now open. Now is your chance to share your views on your learning experience in semester 2 - the Student Evaluation of Learning and Teaching Survey for semester 2 opened on 7 June. The survey is quick and easy to complete, on a mobile phone, tablet or PC. It’s open to all UG and PGT students, in all years of study. Complete the survey now.
- The Birmingham clean air zone has now launched. Find out what this means in practice here, and learn more about air quality on two fascinating campus tours on 17 June at 11:00 and 13:00.
- Join us for Pride 2021. The University will be collaborating with five other local universities to form a joint presence at the Birmingham Pride 2021 parade on 25-26 September: UNIfied at Pride. You're invited to book to join the University team on the float and parade brigade.
- Donate your unwanted items with Junkbusters. If you're moving out and want to get rid of any items, the Junkbuster team will be around to collect any donations (clothes, shoes, kitchenware, toys etc.). Find out how to donate your items.
- Moving out time is fast approaching. So check out the Community Wardens' and Guild Advice top tips on moving out of the community.
- Home testing kits are available to collect on campus, You can collect a free home testing kit (which contains seven tests) from locations across campus. You don’t need to book but please ensure you have your student ID with you when collecting. Locations and opening times.