Graphic Design BA (Hons) / FdA
Welcome and induction information
Welcome to University College Birmingham
Whether you are joining us as a new student or continuing your studies, we want to make sure you get off to a flying start. On this page, you will find your course-specific induction information, together with the information on additional welcome activities happening throughout the week.
Please note: where applicable, new Top-up (Level 6) student information will be shared with returning student information.
Important dates
Enrolment: 14 Sep 2026 - 25 Sep 2026
Induction: 21 Sep 2026 - 25 Sep 2026
Teaching starts: w/c 28 Sep 2026
Induction information for new students (Level 4)
Further information specific to your course, including induction activities, any uniform/kit requirements and our Kick-Start scheme, is available below. Additional changes may be made to the schedules before welcome week. You are required to attend your course induction session and other activities unless you have enrolled after these have passed.
Please check this page again prior to the week commencing 21 September 2026 for any updates or amendments.
Wednesday 23 September
Welcome to BA / FdA Graphic Design at UCB – meet your lecturers, your fellow designers and get to know your studio, the course and the university.
Location: McIntyre House (MH), MH223
Time: 10am-12.30pm
Lecturer(s): Trevor Brown, Dr Arwen Zheng
Please join Trevor Brown, Senior Lecturer, and Dr Arwen Zheng, Lecturer for BA / FdA Graphic Design in the design studio in room 223 McIntyre House on Tuesday 22nd September 2026 at 10am. You will get to know your lecturers, each other and we will discuss your hopes and aspirations for the course, along with addressing any anxieties or concerns you may have. We will explore how the course works, your first-year modules, the university’s facilities and support services along with, for those not from the local area, what Birmingham’s Creative Communities can offer us ! There will be a few fun creative tasks to get you all thinking creatively and we will run through key university dates, the semester calanders and what the rest of the induction week holds for you all. Of course, there will be time for you to ask questions and if needed, you can speak to us individually too. We hope you are as excited as we are that you are joining this supportive and future focussed course that will provide the skills you need to succeed in the creative industries - come with enthusiasm and an open mind and in return we will prepare you for an exciting career.
Welcome week activities and support sessions
Throughout welcome week, we've arranged a programme of support sessions and activities to help you settle into university life, meet other students and discover the services available to you.
You'll have the opportunity to meet teams including Disability and Neurodiversity Support, Mental Health and Wellbeing, the Centre for Academic Skills and English (CASE), and the Library. You'll also have opportunities to connect with the Guild of Students (the student union at UCB), find out more about student life, and take part in activities organised by the Student Engagement and Success Team.
Monday 21 September • Student Support & Wellbeing
| Time | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1pm–2pm | Student Support & Wellbeing (Online) Chat online to members of our Student Support & Wellbeing teams and find out how they can support you during your time at UCB. From advice on managing your mental health and staying on track with your studies to signposting you to other support services, this is an opportunity to learn more about what the team can do for you. |
Join online meeting |
Tuesday 22 September • DNS, Academic Support, Guild of Students
| Time | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1pm–2pm | Disability and Neurodiversity Support (Online) Chat online to members of our Disability and Neurodiversity Support team to find out how the DSA (Disabled Students' Allowance) application system works and how UCB can support students with specific learning difficulties or disabilities. |
Join online meeting |
| 2pm–3pm | Academic Support (Online) Chat online to a member of our CASE (Centre for Academic Skills and English) team to find out how they can support you with your assignments this semester. You will also find out more about ASET/A-ASET. |
Join online meeting Anna Sadowska |
| 3pm–5pm | Maltings Mingle Looking to meet new people and settle into student life? Join the Guild of Students at The Maltings for a fun social evening and the chance to make new friends and connect with other students. |
The Maltings Hideaway |
Wednesday 23 September • WelcomeFest, Library, Academic Support
| Time | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10.30am–3pm There will be a quiet hour from 9.30am-10.30am. |
Come along to WelcomeFest to celebrate the start of the academic year! WelcomeFest is an opportunity to meet new friends and become part of the UCB community. We have a fun-filled programme of activities including:
Come and say hello to the support services, the Engagement Team, and the Guild of Students. They will all be available to answer any questions you may have. |
Moss House Ground floor |
| 1pm–2pm | The Library (Online) Chat online to a member of our Library team to find out more about the fantastic resources we have on offer (both print and online), in addition to how we can help you find them! |
Join online meeting Academic Librarians |
| 2pm–3pm | Academic Support (Online) Chat online to a member of our CASE (Centre for Academic Skills and English) team to find out how they can support you with your assignments this semester. You will also find out more about ASET/A-ASET. |
Join online meeting Laura Hands |
Friday 25 September • Library
| Time | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2pm–3pm | The Library (Online) Chat online to a member of our Library team to find out more about the fantastic resources we have on offer (both print and online), in addition to how we can help you find them! |
Join online meeting Academic Librarians |
Additional activities • Guild of Students
| Date and time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 29 September 11am–2pm |
Guild Funfair Guild of Students will be running a funfair with games and activities in Moss House, where you will be able to speak to the three elected Officers responsible for making your views heard at UCB. |
Moss House Ground floor |
| Thursday 1 October 6pm–8pm |
Dress as your Course Night Join the Guild of Students for a fun "Dress as your Course" night at the Hideaway! Whether you're a future chef, nurse, business boss, athlete or educator, this is your chance to get creative with your outfit, have a laugh and meet other students in a relaxed social atmosphere. Drinks and refreshments will be available to purchase throughout the evening. |
The Maltings Hideaway |
Other useful information
Have a question about your course or timetable? (Online)
| Session | Time | Location | Lecturer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Have a question about your course or timetable? (Online) Use this link to connect with one of the teaching team – we are here to help! | Thursday 24 September, 3pm-4pm | Join online meeting |
The Kick-Start Scheme (Home students)
Induction information for returning (continuing) students
Welcome to the new academic year! Whether you're returning to UCB or joining us as a new student, your lecturers have arranged activities to help you prepare for the year ahead. If you're studying a Top-up course, please follow the Level 6 (final year) induction information below.
Level 5 (Year 2)
| Session | Time | Location | Lecturer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome back! an induction session to look at what's in store for your 2nd year... and meet the new first years ! We hope you are excited to start your 2nd year on BA/FdA Graphic Design at UCB and we hope you have a had a great summer. We have 6 new modules for you over the next year and we would like to break these down in more detail in an induction session Tuesday 22nd September 2026 from 12pm – 2.30pm. We also have a new group of first years we would like to you meet, and of course we can talk though any concerns or questions you may have. We can look at what things went well or didn’t for you last year and we can explore strategies so you don’t repeat these in year 2. You will have an opportunity to talk to 1-1 with Arwen or me should you need to, and we will let you know what else induction week offers. | Wednesday 23 September, 12pm-2.30pm | McIntyre House (MH), MH223 | Trevor Brown, Dr Arwen Zheng |
| Have a question about your course or timetable? (Online) Use this link to connect with one of the teaching team – we are here to help! | Wednesday 23 September, 3pm-4pm | Join online meeting | |
| Come along to WelcomeFest to celebrate the start of the academic year! Reconnect with friends, meet new students and enjoy a lively afternoon of food, entertainment and activities. It's also a great opportunity to discover the support and opportunities available across UCB, and chat to the Guild of Students, the Engagement Team and university support services to help you make the most of the year ahead. | Wednesday 23 September, 10.30am-3pm There will be a quiet hour from 9.30am-10.30am. | Moss House (MS), Ground floor | Multiple teams |
Reading lists
To view the recommended books and journal articles for the modules you will be studying as part of your course, search for your course or module name on the dedicated page for the reading lists at the link below.
Please note that you will not have full access to eBooks and journal articles until you have a UCB username and password (after enrolment). For more information about the library and our resources, please visit the UCB Library website. To contact the library, please email library@ucb.ac.uk.