Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 bcu.ac.uk CONTENTS 4 Welcome to our University 36 Shot by BCU 8 Why study with us? 38 The city is your campus SEE FOR YOURSELF 10 The heart of the UK 40 City life 12 On course to a career 44 A place to call home The best way to explore what Birmingham 14 46 Go abroad City University has to offer is to come and Your degree your way see us in person. Our Open Days provide 16 Our graduates 48 Your Students’ Union the perfect opportunity to chat to our 18 Our campuses 50 Get into sport staff and students, and check out our first-rate facilities. 24 The facilities you need 52 Financing your degree 28 Inspiring staff 54 Courses by subject area birminghamcityuniversity myBCU 32 First-class support 212 Keep in touch myBCU 34 Our research 214 Apply here @mybcu www.bcu.ac.uk/visit The information in this prospectus is aimed at applicants starting their programme at Birmingham Birmingham’s Big City University in 2020/21. Wheel at Christmas 2 3 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 bcu.ac.uk WELCOME I’D LIKE TO GIVE YOU A WARM WELCOME TO BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY. I AM IMMENSELY PROUD TO BE THE CHANCELLOR OF THIS VIBRANT AND DIVERSE INSTITUTION. Our University offers the sort of education I’d My advice is to come and see for yourself have loved when I was younger – right in the what’s happening at the University and heart of the thriving city of Birmingham, with across the city. I did, and that’s why I was fantastic facilities that blew me away when I thrilled to accept this amazing role. first visited. The teaching staff are incredibly ! passionate about their subjects and give our I look forward to working with you, helping talented students the chance to go on and you become part of Birmingham City achieve their ambitions. University’s next generation of talent. Sir Lenny Henry Chancellor Birmingham City University 4 5 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 bcu.ac.uk I AM BCU VICTORIA EVERYONE PICTURED ON THE COVER AND BELOW IS A STUDENT IBRAHIM BA (Hons) Digital OR RECENT GRADUATE OF BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY. LLB (Hons) Law Marketing IN THEIR OWN WORDS, THIS IS WHAT THEY LOVE ABOUT BCU. “When I joined BCU, I instantly ASIM “I’m so thankful for my felt that this was more than LLB (Hons) Law supportive lead lecturer just an institution to study who cares about my at. I knew that this was “It’s just great to be able future. I also love that DEVON a family of like-minded to go somewhere where my other two lecturers BA (Hons) Business individuals who all aspire everybody is accepted are both successful and Management to high achievements.” for who they are.” businesswomen.” “At BCU I’m part of an institution that provides the materials, tools and guidance I need to pursue my interest in management.” SAMIA BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design “Coming to BCU has not only given me a chance to pursue my career but has also helped me step out of my comfort zone.” VICKY BA (Hons) Media and CHLOE MARY Communication BA (Hons) English, BA (Hons) Accountancy JACK graduated 2017 “When I saw the BCU media BA (Hons) Media and LUKE “There is so much on facilities, I was blown away. Communication BSc (Hons) Digital “BCU has been the offer! I am so humbled I knew this was the right Media Technology catalyst to my to have visited China, place for me to try and see “I feel part of a community personal growth and mentored young what I could do with my here, like I can be my “Birmingham City University transformation over students in Birmingham, creative skills.” true self, something I has really helped me the last few years.” volunteered in Morocco hadn’t experienced until develop not only as a with underprivileged my first year here; it was student, but as a person.” kids and much more!” beyond refreshing.” 6 7 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 bcu.ac.uk The Hive, City Centre Campus WHY STUDY 1 2 3 4 WORK WITH INTERNATIONALLY A GLOBAL ENHANCING CAREER GLOBAL BRANDS ACCREDITED COURSES CITY PROSPECTS We have a large number of industry We have around 50 internationally Study with us and you will be located We offer career support and advice partners and work with big-name recognised accreditations for our at the heart of the dynamic city of throughout your time with us and employers like the BBC, the NHS, Jaguar courses from such bodies as the Birmingham – with all its social and for up to three years after you Land Rover, Cisco, Microsoft and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, employment possibilities. In fact, graduate. Our Graduate+ scheme WITH US? Royal Shakespeare Company. All of Chartered Institute of Management Birmingham was recently declared embeds career-related skills into our courses incorporate work-related Accountants and Royal Institute of the most rapidly improving city in the every one of our degree courses, HERE ARE OUR TOP 10 REASONS TO experience, with many giving the option British Architects. country in which to live and work from becoming a course representative of a year-long placement. (Good Growth for Cities index 2017). to studying abroad. CHOOSE BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY. See page 38. See page 12. 5 6 7 8 9 10 LEARN FROM PRACTICE-BASED HELP WITH EARN WHILE INVESTING IN 97% EMPLOYED / THE BEST RESEARCH STUDY COSTS YOU LEARN YOUR FUTURE IN FURTHER STUDY Many of our teaching staff come from Almost 90% of our research was Our new ‘Meet or Beat’ scholarship Our student employment agency, We have invested more than £260 Our commitment to ensuring students and maintain links with industry. Ten judged to have delivered ‘outstanding’ offers a £1,000 scholarship to students OpportUNIty – Student Jobs on million in industry-standard, state-of- develop the skills and experience are National Teaching Fellows - or ‘very considerable’ external impact who receive a Special Unconditional Campus, allows you to apply for the-art facilities to ensure you have employers need means that 97% of our awarded for excellence in university in the most recent review, the Research Offer and then go on to Meet or Beat paid roles at the University, gaining the best possible environment for graduates are in employment or further teaching and learning. We received Excellence Framework 2014. our published entry requirements. experience in crucial aspects of job practice-based learning. study within six months of graduation silver status for quality of teaching in See page 34. See page 52. applications and valuable feedback See page 24. (Destinations of Leavers from Higher the Teaching Excellence Framework on your work. Education survey 2016/17). (TEF) 2017. See page 28. 8 9 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 bcu.ac.uk Aberdeen Dundee THE HEART Glasgow Edinburgh NOT ONLY IS BIRMINGHAM ONE OF THE UK’S MOST EXCITING AND DIVERSE CITIES; IT IS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST ACCESSIBLE. Newcastle Belfast Durham We are at the centre of the UK’s road, Local transport is also excellent, rail and coach networks, so travelling with a network of trains, buses and further afield is no problem, while a recently extended tram network commuting from the surrounding providing easy access to all University area to our centrally located sites. For more information on our Leeds York campuses is easy to do. campus locations within the city, see page 38. Manchester TRAIN TIMES Liverpool Sheffield FROM BIRMINGHAM www.bcu.ac.uk/maps Derby Nottingham LONDON 1H 26M Leicester LEICESTER 1H 00M BIRMINGHAM NOTTINGHAM 1H 10M Coventry Worcester MANCHESTER 1H 30M Leamington Cambridge Spa Gloucester LIVERPOOL 1H 35M Oxford LEEDS 2H 00M Cardiff Reading London BRISTOL 1H 30M Bristol NEWCASTLE 3H 15M Library of Birmingham Bullring Birmingham Town Hall Southampton Exeter All journey times and routes are approximate Bournemouth 10 11 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 EARN WHILE YOU LEARN Our students are given the opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, including taking part in a realistic application process, enhancing your prospects in the job market. GET THE CAREER SUPPORT YOU NEED We offer a wide range of online and face- to-face services to help you develop your employability skills, plan your career and access the latest job opportunities. This includes one-to-one support with job applications and interview preparation, and mentors from a range of sectors. ON Our students can access careers support throughout their time as a student and for up COURSE to three years after graduating. WORKING WITH INDUSTRY COURSES BUILT FOR YOUR FUTURE Many of our courses offer you the chance Our courses were designed with input from current to work on live projects with businesses students and industry professionals, ensuring they or get involved with community projects meet your needs and those of potential employers. related to your course. Our new business Employability skills, enterprise and practice-based innovation centre, STEAMhouse, features projects are built into the curriculum, giving you TO A a range of co-working, artist production, experience of the career you may wish to pursue. incubation and networking facilities for A range of learning, assessment and feedback small and medium-sized businesses in the methods are used and you’ll have the chance to West Midlands. study a range of optional modules, so you can tailor CAREER your learning to your own interests.