UCB Ahead

University College Birmingham

Prepare for success

UCB Ahead is a one-week on-campus course designed to prepare international students for their higher education programme at University College Birmingham.

The course takes place two weeks before students start their academic programme. 

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.

Overview

Course dates: 2 February 2026 to 6 February 2026
Location: On campus in Birmingham.

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.

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 February 2026
  • Have paid at least 50% of your tuition fee and have your CAS..

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.  

Apply now

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