The Brum Bulletin - your student newsletter

As we continue to grapple with the challenges of Covid and look ahead to the next few months, it appears highly likely that some level of social distancing will still be required in the summer. Therefore in order for everyone to plan accordingly, we can now confirm that for most students the end of Semester Two assessment period - including exams – will be delivered online.

Read more on Semester two assessments

We really hope you enjoyed the UoBe Festival, from virtual escape rooms to talking about our mental health, it was great to see you book over 7,500 events this year. Next year we want to make it even better, so would love to hear your thoughts about the festival and how we can develop it further.

Complete the survey

UoBe Festival highlights

With more than 100 events and activities, check out some of this year’s highlights. 

Watch now

Student Knowledge Exchange Project

An innovative new project has been launched, in partnership with Keele University, to support students to gain knowledge and experience with internships and enterprise activities, while engaging with organisations.

Find out more

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Festival 2021

Join the Festival, which brings students and staff together to ignite conversations about fostering a more inclusive community.  Events include Gaybourhoods in Amsterdam and Birmingham and much more.

View the programme

 

Student Volunteer Week

Find out about how you can discover new ways to volunteer and develop your skills with the UoB Sport & Fitness volunteer programme. Follow @UBSport and @UBSportVol on Instagram this week to get top tips. 

Volunteer: The Extra Mile

My Provisional Marks

During February, you will receive a communication from your local Department/School/College about your provisional marks. Once available you can access them on the new My Provisional Marks site and reflect with the support of your Personal Academic Tutor.

My provisional marks site

Student Social: Birmingham Canals

Birmingham has so many Instagram ready hot spots you can still explore on your walks.  Here's a great image of the canals by @yuyueliao3332. 

Birmingham on Instagram

Intranet top tip: Academic support

With the second semester underway, familiarise yourself with the academic resources that are available, including skills and language support. 

Academic support

The National Student Survey (NSS) is now live

Don't forget to complete the NSS, this is the opportunity for you to reflect on your experience during your time here at Birmingham. Your feedback will help improve the quality of teaching and student experience for future students.

This year’s survey will also include additional questions specifically about the pandemic, giving you the opportunity to give your feedback more specifically on the impact of the pandemic on your university experience.

Complete the Survey

Dates for your diary 

Chinese New Year Concert

In welcoming the year of the Metal Ox, the University of Birmingham’s China Institute has recorded a special concert to celebrate. This spring-themed concert brings together traditional Chinese and Western music. The concert is available to view on YouTube, Facebook and Chinese social media channel WeChat. More information and how to view the concert can be found here

Fuel your Fire with Pause@UoB
Thursday 11 February, 15:00-16:00

Join Pause@UoB for an informative workshop aimed at improving your wellbeing by taking stock of your energy balance. Relying on tools to manage energy levels, particularly when life gets tough and practical ways to support an improved lifestyle with enhanced wellbeing. Register here.

Barber Concerts: The Linarol Consort
Friday 12 February, 13:00

Join the Barber Institute for the premiere of The Linarol Consort's virtual performance, recorded in our very own Elgar Concert Hall, part of a season of concerts to celebrate 75 years of Barber Concerts. Register here.

Gaining confidence for Online Assessment Centres
Wednesday 17 February, 16:00-18:00

This practical session will focus on giving you top tips and the confidence to take part in online assessment centre exercises.  You will also have the opportunity to get involved in practical group exercises, helping you to gain confidence as a participant as well as receiving group feedback. Everyone is welcome, you do not need to have secured a centre to attend. Register here

#EverydayLookism: Body Image as Public Health
Friday 19 February, 13:00-14:00

In this panel, Professor Widdows is joined by Dr Luke Evans MP and Dr Antonis Kousoulis of The Mental Health Foundation, to discuss why we need to take body image seriously and reframe it as a matter of public health. Register here

The full list of events taking place this month can be found here

PG corner

PGT Essentials

Our first PGT Essentials session of the new Semester is coming up on the 17 February. An online seminar about Beginning Research, designed to help you in the early stages of dissertation projects, essay assignments and PhD proposals. More info and sign-up details can be found here.

PG Skills workshop

If you're thinking about your next career steps, PG Skills on 24 February looks at creative problem-solving and how to sell this skill in numerous sectors and recruitment processes. Sign up here.

Explore Football in the West Midlands

The West Midlands has several top flight football clubs, whilst we can't visit football grounds at the moment, these clubs have plenty of archive matches, interviews, quizzes and features to keep you entertained.

Explore local football

And finally...

  • The window is still open to get involved with the recruitment of our new Vice-Chancellor. The online consultation is open until 17 February, have your say by completing this form (login required). 
  • The University can confirm that our 100% accommodation fee rebate for all University-operated and nominated student accommodation, which covered an initial period from 11 January to 12 February, will now be extended until 8 March (for those that have already applied). More information can be found on the rent rebates FAQs page
  • Sport and Fitness membership refunds. Students who have a Sport & Fitness or Tiverton Gym membership, class vouchers or a sports club membership should have received an email to their student email address. The email explains that a pro-rata refund will be available, starting from when the second national lockdown began on Thursday 5 November 2020. For more information, visit the FAQs page
  • A new Visa for international students coming this summer. The Graduate Immigration Route will be introduced in summer 2021 and it will allow international students who hold a valid Tier 4 (General) visa/Student route visa who graduate in summer 2021 to apply for a visa which will permit the visa holder to remain in the UK for 2 years (or 3 years if you are a PhD student) after graduation.
  • Get tested regularly. If you are coming to campus or you live in UoB accommodation we would encourage all students to take an asymptomatic Covid test every week.
  • Over the last week the West Midlands Police have reported an increase in the number of in-person gatherings amongst student properties that breach the current national lockdown restrictions. Please remember during the national lockdown it is against the law to socialise with people from outside your household meaning that having friends over for a party (even a small one) could land you with a hefty fine!

Colleges

Professional Services