Preparing for University

Get ready for your new life as a student

Help and advice

If you're heading to uni soon, you're bound to have loads of questions about how best to prepare, and what you need to know. We've put together some handy info so you can start your uni experience in the best way possible!

What to take to uni

Packing for uni? Here’s our checklist so you know what to take and what you can leave at home.

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Stationery essentials

Our list of everything you need in your pencil case to make sure you're ready for lectures and study sessions.

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Finance and budgeting

We cover all you need to know about finance and budgeting before, during and after uni.

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How to make friends

Nervous about making friends? Check out our top 3 ways to put yourself out there and make connections at uni.

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Preparing for the academic side of uni

Find out more about the shift to university study and how to get yourself ready.

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Differences between school and uni

Starting university is exciting but it also brings a lot of change. Find out the key differences you can expect at uni.

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Take a virtual tour

Experience a day in the life as a BCU student through immersive 360-degree tours of our campuses. Take a look at our industry-standard facilities, innovative learning spaces and bustling social spots.

GET READY FOR UNI: THE PODCAST!

Wondering what university has in store? First-year students Ethan and Libby host BCU's Get Ready for Uni podcast, where they discuss their experiences of studying at university so far. From managing money for the first time, to discovering a new city, they cover all of the big questions you might have about making the transition to university life.

Preparing for university

Birmingham City University students, Jess, Tierney and Shelby are here to advise you on how you should be preparing for university

Birmingham

A-Z Guide of Birmingham

If you're new to Birmingham, discover all you need to know about the city and what makes it special in our A-Z Guide.

Get to know Birmingham

Freshers guide to Birmingham

We've compiled everything you need to check out as a fresher in Birmingham - from bars to fun places to go.

Places to go

26 facts you didn't know about Birmingham

We all know Birmingham is the UK's second city. But what makes it really great, you might ask?

Discover Brum

Get ready for uni: LIVE!

Starting university this September? We hosted a series of live talks, with sessions from real students and expert staff. From making friends to budgeting, getting work experience to feeling motivated, our sessions will be a productive and fun way to get ready for university this Summer. 

Hear from our students

How much I spend at uni

Second-year student Emily shares how much she spends weekly on accommodation, food and other essentials.

Student living costs

Having a part-time job at uni

Caitlin shares what it's like balancing part-time work and university, and what the challenges and benefits are.

Working alongside uni

More information

Accommodation

Find your home from home at BCU. We offer eight halls of residence options, ranging from on-campus to inner-city living. You can take a virtual tour of each accommodation option to find the one for you.

More about accommodation

Admissions

Read our admission FAQs to get your application questions answered. If your question isn’t covered, we have all the details of how to get in touch

More about admissions

Student support

From disability and mental health support to CV and job interview training, BCU ensures you have all you need during your time here – and beyond – to succeed and flourish in your studies and career.

More about student support

Social media

Follow our social media channels and discover more about life at BCU, including what the University and city will offer you if you study here.

More about social media