Preparing for university | Birmingham City University
Source: http://www.bcu.ac.uk/student-info/preparing-for-university
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:13
Preparing for university | Birmingham City University
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Get Ready for University
Prepare for your new life as a student
Sign up now for exclusive access to our Get Ready for Uni Hub
Get ready for uni now!
Sign up to our free Get Ready For Uni Hub to get exclusive access to a hub full of tips, advice, and resources to help you feel confident and ready for university life. Here's what you can expect:
Insider advice from current students
– Get real tips from those who’ve been in your shoes, covering everything from moving away from home to making new friends.
Course preparation tips
– Get subject-specific advice to help you hit the ground running in your studies.
Freshers’ Week and social life tips
– Find out how to make the most of your first weeks at BCU and how to make friends from day one.
Practical guides and checklists
– Make sure you have all the uni essentials ticked off and got your budgeting habits perfected.
Wellbeing and study skills
– Learn how to manage your time, stay motivated, and balance university life.
Sign up for free
Who better to guide you through university life than the students who’ve lived it? From moving away from home to making the most of Freshers’ Week, they’ve been there, done that and they’re ready to share their best advice to help you feel prepared and excited for what’s ahead!
Get more advice from our students
What do you want to know?
Here are just a few of the things that might be on your mind when it comes to university.
How can I make friends during Freshers' Week?
Building new friendships is a key part of your university experience. In our podcast episode, "Making Friends at Uni," friends Libby and Ethan discuss how they met and how they’d recommend making friends.
More tips on making friends
I want to hear from current students about their experiences
The Get Ready for Uni Hub features stories and insights from current BCU students, sharing their journeys and offering advice to help you prepare for your own university adventure.
Connect with our students
How do I budget my student loan so it actually lasts?
Our budgeting guide breaks down real-life student spending, with tips on stretching your loan, cutting costs, and even making extra cash while you study.
Get budgeting help
What is a lecture, and how is it different from school lessons?
Instead of sitting in a small classroom, you’ll be in a larger hall, listening to an expert (your lecturer) talk about key topics. In the hub, we’ll show you how to take useful notes, stay engaged, and make the most of your lectures so you don’t fall behind.
More info about uni
What mental health support is available at BCU?
Starting university is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming at times—and that’s completely normal. Whether you’re feeling homesick, stressed about coursework, or just need someone to talk to, BCU has a range of support services to help. In the Get Ready for Uni Hub, we break down what’s available.
See support available
What do I need to bring with me to university (and what about stationery)?
Packing for university can feel like a huge task, but don’t worry—we’ve got a handy checklist in the Get Ready for Uni Hub to make sure you don’t forget anything important!
Get your checklist
What’s the difference between college and university?
If you’re coming straight from college (or sixth form), university life might feel like a big shift. Unlike college, where your timetable is often packed with classes and tutors oversee much of your learning, university is more about independent study. In the Get Ready for Uni Hub, we break down what to expect and share tips to help you adjust.
What to expect at uni
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.
Explore BCU
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
Recent searches
No recent searches
Popular searches
Virtual Tour
Interview advice
Postgraduate study
Scholarships
Open Days
Suggested searches
Accommodation
Life in Birmingham
Reaching beyond
Graduate Scholarship
Degree Apprenticeships
We use cookies on this website to improve the experience we provide. By continuing to use our site you agree to this, or visit our
cookie policy
to manage your settings.
Saved courses
Search website
Get Ready for University
Prepare for your new life as a student
Sign up now for exclusive access to our Get Ready for Uni Hub
Get ready for uni now!
Sign up to our free Get Ready For Uni Hub to get exclusive access to a hub full of tips, advice, and resources to help you feel confident and ready for university life. Here's what you can expect:
Insider advice from current students
– Get real tips from those who’ve been in your shoes, covering everything from moving away from home to making new friends.
Course preparation tips
– Get subject-specific advice to help you hit the ground running in your studies.
Freshers’ Week and social life tips
– Find out how to make the most of your first weeks at BCU and how to make friends from day one.
Practical guides and checklists
– Make sure you have all the uni essentials ticked off and got your budgeting habits perfected.
Wellbeing and study skills
– Learn how to manage your time, stay motivated, and balance university life.
Sign up for free
Who better to guide you through university life than the students who’ve lived it? From moving away from home to making the most of Freshers’ Week, they’ve been there, done that and they’re ready to share their best advice to help you feel prepared and excited for what’s ahead!
Get more advice from our students
What do you want to know?
Here are just a few of the things that might be on your mind when it comes to university.
How can I make friends during Freshers' Week?
Building new friendships is a key part of your university experience. In our podcast episode, "Making Friends at Uni," friends Libby and Ethan discuss how they met and how they’d recommend making friends.
More tips on making friends
I want to hear from current students about their experiences
The Get Ready for Uni Hub features stories and insights from current BCU students, sharing their journeys and offering advice to help you prepare for your own university adventure.
Connect with our students
How do I budget my student loan so it actually lasts?
Our budgeting guide breaks down real-life student spending, with tips on stretching your loan, cutting costs, and even making extra cash while you study.
Get budgeting help
What is a lecture, and how is it different from school lessons?
Instead of sitting in a small classroom, you’ll be in a larger hall, listening to an expert (your lecturer) talk about key topics. In the hub, we’ll show you how to take useful notes, stay engaged, and make the most of your lectures so you don’t fall behind.
More info about uni
What mental health support is available at BCU?
Starting university is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming at times—and that’s completely normal. Whether you’re feeling homesick, stressed about coursework, or just need someone to talk to, BCU has a range of support services to help. In the Get Ready for Uni Hub, we break down what’s available.
See support available
What do I need to bring with me to university (and what about stationery)?
Packing for university can feel like a huge task, but don’t worry—we’ve got a handy checklist in the Get Ready for Uni Hub to make sure you don’t forget anything important!
Get your checklist
What’s the difference between college and university?
If you’re coming straight from college (or sixth form), university life might feel like a big shift. Unlike college, where your timetable is often packed with classes and tutors oversee much of your learning, university is more about independent study. In the Get Ready for Uni Hub, we break down what to expect and share tips to help you adjust.
What to expect at uni
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.
Explore BCU
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
Recent searches
No recent searches
Popular searches
Virtual Tour
Interview advice
Postgraduate study
Scholarships
Open Days
Suggested searches
Accommodation
Life in Birmingham
Reaching beyond
Graduate Scholarship
Degree Apprenticeships