Making FriendsAnd Settling In

If you’re about to start your first year, then we’re guessing that you can’t wait to explore your student accommodation, meet your new flatmates and join student groups.

From groups to events, we've compiled lots of useful information about how you can make friends and settle in at UoB.

SettlingInto Halls

Whether you're about to move into student accommodation or have been here a while, it's never to late to familiarise yourself with the local shops, laundrettes and other local facilities.

Pritchatts Park

Prtichatts Park is made up of Ashcroft, Oakley Court, The Spinney and Pritchatts Road Studios. If this is where you’re based, learn all about the local shops and facilities.

Facebook Group

Want to find your flatmates? Join the Pritchatts Park Village Group.

Selly Oak

Living in Battery Park, Bournbrook, Jarratt Hall, The Metalworks, Oak Brook Park or Selly Oak Courts? You’ll be based in Selly Oak Village. Get to know your new home.

Facebook Group

Want to find your flatmates? Join the Selly Oak Village Group.

The Vale

Staying in Aitken, Chamberlain, Elgar Court, Maple Bank, Mason, Shackleton or Tennis Court? Familiarise yourself with the Vale Village.

Facebook Group

Want to find your flatmates? Join the Vale Village Group.

Accommodation Support

Who Are TheHall Reps?

The Hall Reps are a team of students who host a range of fantastic events for students living in halls. Each hall has a dedicated Rep and it’s their job to make sure that you have the best and most memorable experience in halls.

Who Are TheStudent Mentors?

The Mentors are a team of current students who are here to support you during your time living in accommodation. From flat meetings (shared living agreements), to homesickness and academic tips, they’re here to provide a helping hand.

Student Groups & Clubs

Joining a student group or association is a great opportunity to discover new interests, find your passions and make friends.

Whether you’re interested in ballroom dance, politics, baking, campaigning or even watching Doctor Who – you’re sure to find the perfect group for you!

We have over 300 groups here at the Guild, including MedSoc, and we encourage you to explore as many as you like, after all this is the ideal opportunity try something new! You can even meet our groups at our Societies Fair and enjoy live demonstations at our Give it a Go Fair during Welcome Week.

Interested in setting up your own group? Learn more about this by emailing the Student Groups Team.

Are you ready to host your own radio show, organise a festival, publish a headline or paint a masterpiece?

Explore Student Groups Explore Student Groups

Sports Clubs

Here at Birmingham there are 56 sports clubs to choose from, which means there really is something for everyone. Have a browse through the range of sports clubs and see which ones you’d like to join.

Explore Sports Clubs

Student GroupFAQs

Great question! Firstly, you can explore our Student Groups webpage to view the range of societies on offer. You can also head to our Societies Fair and Give It A Go Fair during Welcome Week to meet our groups and try new things!

This depends on the group. Associations are free to join, but you can see the cost to join other groups via our Student Groups page.

If you’ve not quite found the group you’re looking for and would like to start a new one, you can visit our groups page to learn more about this.

As little or as much as you'd like. You can get involved with groups at your convenience around your studies.

No, it’s completely up to you. We’d encourage you to join as many, or as little as you’d like. You can make a start by attending some taster sessions, to see which groups you’re interested in. Our main advice would be to get stuck in, but not overstretch yourself as each group will have its own time commitment.

If you're a returning student and wish to continue your membership with a society, you will have to re-join the student group for the year ahead. To do this, first re-register with the University, then proceed to log into the Guild website and purchase your membership once your account reactivates.

We have so many groups that each day will feature different societies, so you will have the chance to meet a range. It’s 100% worth coming along to both days so you can get to know our groups.

Not to mention, we'd really encourage you to come along to our Give It A Go Fair later in the week!

Don't worry, you can join a society all year long. The Fairs are just great ways to get to know the range of groups on offer.

While Societies Fair is more of a chance to chat to new groups, the Give It A Go Fair is much more hands on. It gives you the chance to watch live demonstrations and try out different activities before you join a Society or Sports Group.

Birmingham Medical Society, or MedSoc, is a student-run society for those studying in the University’s College of Medical & Dental Sciences.

MedSoc is run by a committee of 23 members and there are a number of medical student groups you can join. You will first need to subscribe to MedSoc to join a group.

Build Your Perfect Welcome Week

A great way of meeting new people is by going to Welcome events, and believe us there’s many to choose from throughout Welcome Week!

Welcome Fair

One of our stand out events during Welcome Week is our Welcome Fair! Featuring a range of popular brands, here you'll get EXCLUSIVE access to amazing student discounts and can get your hands on some fantastic free gifts.

It takes place on the Monday and Tuesday of Welcome Week, with different brands each day, so you'll want to add this to your 'must see' list. Stop by and get your own goody bag!

Official Events

Whether you’re into spectacular club nights, or relaxed sober socials, there’s lots to choose from. Make sure you explore all of our events, book your tickets and build your perfect Welcome Week.

Here's some to get you started:

View All Welcome Events

Remember, a hello goes a long way, so once you arrive make sure you introduce yourselves, get involved and really start to build your community!

Settling InNews & Videos

News

Graphic which says 'Common mistakes that Freshers make'

Common Mistakes Freshers Make

Thu 08 Sep 2022

Graphic which says 'Student Lauren on money management'

Student Lauren on Money Management at Uni

Mon 05 Sep 2022

Student Chirag on Adjusting to Life in the UK

Fri 02 Sep 2022

Preparing for UK Weather

Thu 01 Sep 2022

View all news

Videos

Instagram Reels

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A post shared by Guild of Students (@uobguildofstudents)

Next Steps

Now you’ve gotten to know your hall and learnt about all the ways that you can make friends and build your community, it’s time to find out how we can support you with anything from academics, to finance, wellbeing or housing.

Guild Advice

Making FriendsAnd Settling In