UCB Ahead
University College Birmingham
Prepare for success
UCB Ahead is a one-week on-campus programme designed to prepare international students for their higher education course at University College Birmingham. Students will develop essential academic skills and gain an insight into university life to ensure a successful and comfortable start to their studies with us.
UCB Ahead is completely free of charge, although students will need to cover the cost of their accommodation if they do not qualify for free accommodation at The Maltings. Further details below.
Overview
Teaching dates: Monday 15 to Friday 19 September 2025
Conditional free accommodation dates: Saturday 13 September to Saturday 20 September 2025
Location: University College Birmingham
Cost: Free (excluding accommodation)
What you will learn
You will attend sessions hosted by various teams across the university. Sessions will cover:
- An introduction to UCB
- Expectations of you as a student
- Academic culture in the UK
- How you will be assessed and what assignments will look like
- How to improve your academic writing
- How to access extra academic support, should you need it.
Why attend UCB Ahead?
- Develop your academic and writing skills
- Learn about UK academic culture and what to expect with assignments
- Find out about the support you can access
- Give yourself the best chance of succeeding academically
- Meet other new students and build connections with members of staff
- Familiarise yourself with the university and the city of Birmingham.
You may also be eligible for free accommodation for the duration of UCB Ahead. See details below.
Free accommodation
International students who have paid their fees in full by 1 September 2025 will be offered free accommodation at The Maltings for the duration of UCB Ahead.
The Maltings is our university-owned accommodation located in the heart of Birmingham. It’s the perfect place to spend your first week as a student and you will benefit from:
- Secure and safe environment
- En suite rooms with free bedding
- 15-minute walk from campus
- WiFi and bills included at no extra charge.
You are allowed to check in from Saturday 13 September. Check out is Saturday 20 September. You can check in and check out on any day between 13 and 20 September.
Students who are not eligible for free accommodation at The Maltings must arrange and pay for alternative accommodation.
Who can attend UCB Ahead?
To apply for UCB Ahead, you must:
- Be an international student
- Be starting a full-time course at University College Birmingham in September 2025
- Have paid at least 50% of your tuition fee and have your CAS.
You will be able to add one week of free accommodation in your application; however, only students who have paid their full tuition fee will be offered a room.
How to apply
If you meet all the above criteria, you can apply for UCB Ahead via the form below. If you have any questions about UCB Ahead, please contact the international team: international@ucb.ac.uk.
In your spare time
You can also take part in fun activities outside of your UCB Ahead timetable.
Catch the cricket at Edgbaston
Warwickshire County Cricket Club play at the iconic Edgbaston cricket ground from Monday 15 to Thursday 19 September. The County Championship tie against Essex gets underway at 11am each day, and tickets are just £5 for those aged 16-25 and £15 for adults. Edgbaston can be reached in 40 minutes on foot from campus, or you can travel on public transport.
Purchase your tickets here. Please check Warwickshire’s official social media channels as games can finish early or be called off due to bad weather.
Guild of Students events
The Guild of Students has organised an array of exciting and informative events for new students in September, and some of these take place during UCB Ahead:
Birmingham City Walking Tour
When: 15 September, 4pm
Where: Tour begins outside McIntyre House
Our elected officers will show you around the Jewellery Quarter, all of our UCB buildings in central Birmingham, and the best route to the Maltings from campus.
International Social Event
When: 18 September, 4pm
Where: The Maltings
The perfect opportunity to meet new international students and make friends in a relaxed environment. Keep an eye on The Guild’s social calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Visit the Theatre
Catch a show at The Rep – Birmingham’s world-class producing theatre. Comedy thriller Murder at Midnight will be showing at The Rep from 16 to 20 September.
Why not lose yourself in a gripping murder mystery one evening? Tickets can be purchased here.
Visit the Artisan Market
On 20 September, you will have the opportunity to visit the Artisan Market, located in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. This event gathers a unique mix of independent creators, skilled artisans, and specialty food vendors, all offering one-of-a-kind, handmade items you won’t come across anywhere else.
More information can be found here.
Please note, these events are for reference only and are not organised by University College Birmingham. You must only attend activities if they do not clash with the UCB Ahead sessions listed on your timetable.