The benefits of studying at our world-renowned School are many: You will be taught by
academic staff, who are global leaders in their field; we attract an average of £10 million-plus in research income each year; we have excellent industrial links with companies from BP and GSK to Unilever and Procter and Gamble, and we boast world-class teaching and laboratory facilities.
How you will learn
Throughout your degree, we'll encourage you to develop your core technical and transferable skills, your stepping stone into employment or further study. As well as honing your individual skills, teamworking is a key part of the course, and you'll take part in team-based project work each year. Industry experts will share their insights via a series of guest lectures, while our transferable and teamworking skills weekend in the Lake District takes you off campus to learn new ways of working collaboratively.
Your studies will be a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and project work, while your final year sees you working closely with industry figures, as you develop your design project. All modules are linked to Canvas - a virtual learning environment for lecture notes, additional learning units, self-tests and supplementary interactive information.
Support
You will have access to a comprehensive support system to help you make the transition to higher education when you start at Birmingham. During your first year, we want you to have a smooth transition into university. You will be able to talk to your tutors about this and discuss if there are any particular areas where you need support.
Personal Tutors
You will be assigned your own personal tutor who will support your academic progress, help you develop transferable skills and handle any welfare concerns. In your first two years you will have a weekly meeting with your personal tutor in small groups of around 6-7 students. You will also meet once a term on an individual basis. In your third year you will meet with your tutor once a term although they will still be available for you to meet with more regularly if you require.
Wellbeing Officers
Alongside your personal tutor, you will also have access to dedicated wellbeing officers who provide professional support, advice and guidance to students across a range of issues. They can meet with you to discuss extensions, disabilities, reasonable adjustments, extenuating circumstances, or talk through any problems you might be experiencing, and help you access wider support on campus and beyond if you need it.
Our Academic Skills Centre helps you to become a more effective and independent learner through a range of high-quality support services. The Centre offers workshops on a range of topics, such as note-taking, reading, academic writing and presentation skills.
The Academic Writing Advisory Service (AWAS) will provide guidance on writing essays and dissertations if you need it. You can receive individual support from an academic writing advisor and meet with postgraduate tutors who specialise in particular subjects too.
How will you be assessed
Your learning with us is diverse, and the way you'll be assessed is equally so. Each module will be assessed in a number ow ways, such as via exams, written assignments and laboratory and project reports. The balance between exams and coursework varies across each module. As you move towards employment or further study, you'll find your final year has a strong emphasis on project work.
Our Collaborative Teaching Laboratory
Contact Hours
Depending on the modules you select, each week you will have 16-18 hours of lectures and classes/labs per week, plus possible timetabled extra support classes for some students.
Assessment Methods
You will be assessed in a variety of ways, and these may be different with each module you take. You will be assessed through coursework, which may take the form of essays, group or individual presentations and formal examinations. Each module is assessed independently.