Parents Welcome Address

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2 Parents Welcome Address 21 September 2013 Elgar Concert Hall Bramall Music Building

3 Learning & Teaching at Birmingham Professor Jeff Bale Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education)

4 History 1825 Medical School Founded 1900 University granted its Charter 1961 Modern expansion of the campus began m per week upgrading to buildings and infrastructure 2012 Chancellor s Court project, completion of the semi-circle with the opening of the Bramall Music Building

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6 Strategic goals Enhance our research power Provide our students with a distinctive, high quality experience Sustain our financial strength and use it purposefully Enhance our performance and status as an engaged university Be the destination of choice amongst our peers

7 The student experience at Birmingham Engaging with an innovative and respected academic community Empowering students through enriching personal development opportunities A sense of belonging to a vibrant and exciting institution 88% final year students satisfied (National Student Survey 2013)

8 Approaches to learning Curriculum led by enquiry-based learning Teaching staff are research-active Students expected to become independent learners Monitored through rigorous quality assurance procedures and student feedback mechanisms

9 Student Charter Our commitment to students; their commitment to us Sets out the general principles of the partnership between students, the University and the Guild It s not a contract, but a statement of mutual expectations and aspirations

10 Student profile Undergraduates: 19,000 of which approximately 2,000 are international Approximately 20% undergraduates recruited locally Postgraduate Taught: 10,000 of which approximately 3,500 are international Postgraduate Research: 2,900 of which approximately 800 are international

11 Careers Network Dedicated Employability Teams in each College PSA recognises over 150 extra-curricular activities Student Enterprise & Business Start-up services 300 employer visits and 7 major Career Fairs annually Funded internship and work experience programmes Dedicated support for International students Top 8 targeted university by graduate recruiters Local, national and global Alumni Mentoring

12 Estates developments Main Library Sports Centre Student Hub New and redeveloped Halls of Residence Investments in catering and retail Development / refurbishment of learning spaces New computer clusters across campus

13 Academic support Dr Regina Santos University Senior Tutor

14 Personal tutoring system All new undergraduate students assigned a Personal Tutor Personal Tutor is established member of staff Meets tutees on 1-to1 basis at least termly Quality overseen by School Senior Tutor and University Senior Tutor The Personal Tutor oversees students academic progress and identifies further help and opportunities

15 Transition Review Held in early part of Spring Term (Jan/Feb) to focus on: - Academic progress - Discussion of detailed academic feedback from assessed work to date - Encouragement of early career planning - Identify future personal and academic goals

16 University Senior Tutor Part of the PVCs Education Team, with remit to meet with and assist students who: - Are experiencing difficulty with their personal tutor - Have complaints relating to academic and student support matters - Are considering withdrawal

17 Academic Skills Centre & Maths Support Centre Based in Main Library Offers 1-to-1 appointments and workshops covering a range of academic skills e.g. critical thinking, statistics, dissertation writing Provide support for students required to re-sit an examination

18 Common first year academic issues In all cases students should always approach their Personal Tutor first: - Transferring programme - Academically struggling and hence failing to show reasonable diligence - Experiencing extenuating circumstances - Understanding plagiarism

19 Student support Dr Chris Twine Director, Student Services

20 Parents and the University We understand parents remain the primary source of support for our students All students aged 18 or over are treated legally as adults Require consent from student to share information with parents The University does have a duty of care to its staff and students

21 What you can do to help Encourage your son/daughter to access the help and advice available at the University Access parents webpages on Welcome website Read and understand the programme handbook provided to your son/daughter Provide us with feedback Download the UoB Student app

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23 Student Services Counselling Wellbeing Disability Mental Health Advisory Service Learning Support Chaplaincy and much more! International students advice Student funding and money management Student Enquiry Services

24 Key principles We aim to create independence, not dependence Students are responsible for their choices, actions and consequences Our services are designed to foster confidence and ability to face challenges and opportunities

25 Integration into University life is exciting but also challenging Parents and students if in doubt, ask and we can help See you at the Degree Congregations!

26 Welcome from the University of Birmingham Guild of Students! Presented by Poppy Wilkinson, Guild President September 2013

27 Introduction Every student at the University of Birmingham is automatically a member of the Guild of Students... We re a registered charity and the students union for more than 28,000 students; We represent students to the University and other organisations, and we re the voice on the issues that matter to students most; And we re also here to help students develop skills outside of study, have fun, meet people and make sure their time at Birmingham is special.

28 Our Vision and Values

29 Sabbatical Officer Team The sabbatical officers are elected every year to lead the Guild. Each officer has a different remit and it s their role to improve the student experience Molly Wright Tom Wragg Dave Charles Hattie Craig Vice President (Student Activities & Development) Vice President (Democracy & Resources) Vice President (Housing & Community) Vice President (Education) Jethro Lee Vice President (Welfare) Vicki Harris Vice President (Sport) Poppy Wilkinson President

30 Help & Advice Developed just for Birmingham students, our support services can help students cope with the demands of university life The Advice & Representation Centre offers free, impartial and confidential advice; The Job Zone gives access to hundreds of part-time vacancies;

31 Our Strategic Plan Representation Because we re a students union, students decide how they re represented and who represents them Guild Development Forum and Officer Question Time; Guild Council; Elections; Student Representation Scheme.

32 Our Getting Strategic Involved Plan There s no better way for students to meet like-minded people, learn a new skill or embrace student life outside study than getting involved in a society or a volunteering project... More than 200 student groups and societies; Nine liberation and representation associations; A wide range of volunteering opportunities. k k k And, if a students can t find a group they want to join, we can help them to set one up!

33 Living in University Accommodation There are many ways we support new students to settle into University accommodation Residents Associations live in University accommodation and are responsible for making sure students have the best possible experience. They are elected each year by fellow students living in accommodation and organise events and activities for students to join in. Student Mentors provide advice and guidance to all students living in University accommodation. The Scheme can help with a variety of issues relating to: shared living and accommodation, your academic course, financial matters, and your general wellbeing whilst studying at the University.

34 Living Locally We also support students living in the local community Community Wardens aim to make the local area safer, cleaner and greener for all residents. Our team of Wardens work in places where students live in significant numbers, helping to tackle crime, neighbour and refuse disposal problems, to encourage a sense of pride in the local area. SHAC is a dedicated lettings agency for students at Birmingham. It provides high quality student accommodation from reputable landlords. And unlike other lettings agencies, it won t charge you administration fees.

35 Our Being Strategic Entertained Plan During Welcome Week, and throughout the year, we provide entertainment just for students at Birmingham k k k

36 Safety First The Guild of Students hosts a variety of events for students - getting them home safely is a priority for us We offer a free night bus service, picking students up from city centre nightclubs and the Guild, and transporting them back safely.

37 Thank you

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