Top Performance Student Success Bright Future An inspiration to us ...

PRO
GRESS
Top Performance
How our research could
help elite athletes
Student Success
Meet some of our high achievers
Bright Future
Our exciting plans for the
City Centre Campus
An inspiration to us all
The mother helping to steer
youngsters away from gang culture
Birmingham City University Postgraduate Magazine 2012
www.bcu.ac.uk

02
Contents
02 welcome
03-05 News
06-07 Business
08 law
09 Social Sciences
10-11 education
12 Health
13 english
14 Computing and games
15 engineering
16 Media
17 Built environment
18-19 art and design
20-21 Performance
22-23 Preparing to arrive
www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate
welCOMe
frOM
SHeikH
a postgraduate qualification from
Birmingham City University can
provide you with so much more.
Here’s how one student made
the most of all the opportunities
on offer...
I have gained so much more than just a Master’s
in International Human Rights this year.
Not only have I had the opportunity to support
fellow students, but I have also been able to
satisfy my passions and apply my skills to further
opportunities provided by the University’s
Student Academic Partners scheme.
Students are recognised for their
enthusiasm and excellence. I take pride in
being a Student Academic Partner (SAP).
Working alongside staff partners at the Centre
for Academic Success on a SAP funded
project called STAARS (Student Targeting
Active Academic Resources for Students)
and as a student mentor for International
Students in the School of Law Student
Academic Mentoring Partnership (StAMP)
has allowed me to take ownership at
Birmingham City University, boosted my
confidence and made me feel valued as
a significant member of the University
community. But most importantly, it has
taught me to take a leap of faith.
Always aim for the moon, if you fall,
you will fall among the stars.
Overall, SAP is a great initiative run jointly
by the Students’ Union and the Centre for
the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching
that enables students to take charge of their
academic journey and elevate their chances
of success.
Sheikh Sela llB (Hons),
llM international Human rights
ProGress 2012
News
wHy CHOOSe
BirMiNgHaM
CiTy
UNiVerSiTy?
we know that choosing which University
to study at is a huge decision. Here are
some of the reasons you may want to
study with us. and if you’re already
planning to come here, here’s why
you’ve made the right choice!
• One of the UK’s top 10 universities for our
spending on facilities (Complete University
Guide 2013) with £180 million being
invested over the next few years.
• We work with companies like Apple,
Cisco, Cartier and the BBC to develop
cutting-edge curriculums and to
collaborate on course projects.
• We provide the opportunity to gain industry
experience through work placements.
• A student satisfaction rating of 80 per cent
– with 87 per cent of our students agreeing
that staff were good at explaining things
and 84 per cent saying staff were
enthusiastic about what they taught.
• Times Higher Education award winner for
Outstanding Support for Students (2010),
in recognition of our Student Academic
Partners scheme, where students work
with staff to find ways to enhance how their
courses are taught.
What better recommendation of our
knowledge and expertise than the wealth of
professional recognition we receive from the
likes of ACCA, CIOB, CIPD, RIBA, RICS,
plus many more?
We have also been placed in a
‘supergroup’ of modern universities
spearheading research excellence, while
maintaining a strong commitment to teaching
and professional practice.
We’re dedicated to putting students at the
heart of everything we do, to give you the
best opportunities for future success.
How do i find
out more?
www.bcu.ac.uk
ProGress 2012
News 03
MajOr CaMPUS
exPaNSiON
iN THe PiPeliNe
Birmingham City University has submitted
a planning application to continue
its high profile City Centre Campus
development at Birmingham’s eastside –
a total investment of £125 million.
The University’s commitment to Eastside
is recognised as a key part of Birmingham’s
regeneration plans and ambitions to
compete globally.
Already nearing completion is Phase I
of our bespoke developments, which will
provide a new home for Birmingham Institute
of Art and Design (BIAD) and Birmingham
School of Media in a creative hub at Eastside,
building on our existing presence in Millennium
Point. This new facility will be open by
September 2013.
We now plan a second phase of development
at the Eastside site. The proposed 23,000m²
Phase II new build is expected to house new
library, IT, social and support facilities,
as well as two faculties - Birmingham City
Business School and the Faculty of
Education, Law and Social Sciences.
Vice-Chancellor Professor David
Tidmarsh, said: “This is a landmark
development helping us to fully realise our
vision to serve the city, the region and beyond.
“Our City Centre Campus will ensure
the University remains competitive in a
fast-changing marketplace, as well as
safeguarding our status as one of the UK’s
most popular universities.”
Also in the pipeline are plans for a new
home for Birmingham Conservatoire in
the city centre and a new international
college in Bournville, to the south of the city,
bringing our total spending on our buildings
and facilities in the next few years to around
£180 million.
New
ViCe-CHaNCellOr
aNNOUNCed
The University has announced
the appointment of its new
Vice-Chancellor, who will be
joining us during the course of
the 2012/13 academic year.
Professor Cliff Allan, currently Deputy
Vice-Chancellor at Sheffield Hallam
University, has been appointed to the top
role, replacing Professor David Tidmarsh,
who will be retiring in January after six
years in the post.
A long and successful career in Higher
Education has seen Professor Allan in
a number of senior leadership roles. He
joined Sheffield Hallam in 2010, where he
has been responsible for the development
of the University’s academic portfolio and
international strategy, overseeing the
management of HR, Marketing and
Student and Learning Services.
Speaking about the appointment,
Professor Allan said: “I am both honoured
and excited to have been appointed as
Birmingham City University’s next
Vice-Chancellor.
“On visiting the University, I have been
particularly impressed by the spirit of
partnership between staff and students,
which has already received national
acclaim. I am convinced that together
we can further develop this innovative
approach to learning and teaching.”
www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate

04
‘ViBraTiNg SUiT’ —
HelPS OlyMPiC
aTHleTeS
TO PrOgreSS
a pioneering ‘vibrating suit’ created by experts
at the University, could help athletes and other
sports stars to enhance their performance by
providing live information on their physical
technique, allowing them to make real-time
adjustments.
The project has been led by a cross-disciplinary team
including Professor Gregory Sporton from Birmingham
Institute of Art and Design (BIAD), senior academic
at the Faculty of Health Stephen Wanless and PhD
student Jonathan Green.
Professor Sporton said: “The suit is designed to
give wearers feedback about where their body is in
space. It does this by focusing on key points in the
body, taking relative measurements between them
to check the user’s position. This data, much more
simple to acquire and treat in real time than more
complex motion capture systems, is then used
to give the wearer feedback in real time about
their movement.”
The device has recently been tested by rising
star and Olympic hopeful Mimi Cesar, the UK’s
third-ranking rhythmic gymnast, and her coaching
staff immediately recognised the suit’s potential in
giving UK athletes a competitive advantage.
Tested by Olympic hopeful
Mimi Cesar
How do i find
out more?
www.bcu.ac.uk
ProGress 2012
News
SHOeS BaSed ON
fOOTBall COUld
Make rUNNerS
gO faSTer
running shoes built on the same principles
as the football used in the 2010 world
Cup could improve athletes’ performance
on the track, according to new research
from a team based at the University.
The researchers – led by Professor Robert
Ashford, Director of Postgraduate Research
Degrees at our Faculty of Health – studied
the performance of four running shoes. They
measured the aerodynamic drag on each by
placing them on a mannequin’s foot which
was inserted into a wind tunnel.
They concluded that the aerodynamics of a
running shoe, both in terms of upper shoe design
and the overall composition of the frontal aspects,
could affect a runner’s performance on the track.
Despite the importance of aerodynamics in certain
sports, such as the design of the World Cup football,
the research paper’s authors believe there has
been little focus on this aspect in running shoes,
despite recent advances in shoe design with a
focus on materials.
Professor Ashford said: “One could speculate
and argue that if indeed aerodynamics is found
to be important in a long distance race, and if the
athlete is biomechanically compromised in terms
of their swing pattern, total shoe design may
prove to be important in energy consumption and
ultimately the finishing time for such an individual
– whether they are a professional or amateur.”
ProGress 2012
News 05
New eNTrePreNeUrS
OPeN THeir OwN
flagSHiP STOre
are you a budding designer or
inventor? would you like the
chance to sell your ideas directly
to the public?
Recession-busting young entrepreneurs got the
chance to do just that after the University opened
its own shop in the city’s prestigious Mailbox
shopping and entertainment complex.
The 10 students and graduates came
together in May to launch our first Entrepreneur
Store, with more traders being introduced
as the month went on.
The ambitious entrepreneurs all shared
the same vision – that Birmingham, with its
reputation for design and innovation, was the
perfect home for an alternative retail venture.
The store sells a range of creative products
and accessories from the arts, lifestyle,
fashion and homeware sectors, and includes
everything from kitsch handbags to
vintage trinkets.
Biad executive dean Chris O’Neil (front left),
director of employer engagement Beverley
Nielsen (front right), staff and students at the
store’s launch.
Beverley Nielsen,
director of employer engagement
“We are delighted that The Mailbox
is fully backing the Entrepreneur
Store – and recognise that they are
helping the next generation of
designers who we expect to be
soon selling their future brands in
flagship stores across the region,
the UK and beyond.”
www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate

06
layiNg
THe fOUNdaTiONS
fOr leaderSHiP
Studying at the University gave john Thurlbeck –
who had become a youth worker ‘almost by accident’ –
the grounding and inspiration to progress to
leadership and management.
Before studying at the University, john
was working as district Manager of what
was then the Hereford and worcester
County youth Service. after hearing
great things about the course from
several of his colleagues, who had been
funded by the local authority to study
for diplomas at Birmingham City
University, john applied to do the same.
it turned out to be an excellent decision.
“It was great fun and the quality and
direction of the thinking and learning was
superb. I loved the course, the content and
the tutors. It was one of the most fantastic
learning experiences I have ever undertaken.”
Having gained so much from his
experience, John was encouraged by his
tutors to continue studying for a Master’s
in one of our management programmes.
This was to be no mean feat, as it meant
convincing his employers of the benefits of
part-funding him to complete further study
and finding time to complete assignments
and a thesis, alongside a full-time job at a
time when his son was just three years old.
Luckily, it all paid off and John gained a
distinction in 1996.
www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate
His studies left a “real impact” on
John, instilling “a strong set of beliefs in
leadership and management” that he still
holds to this day. As his course was drawing
to an end, John spotted a job opportunity
as Head of Youth Service in his hometown
of Sunderland and was thrilled to get a job
“with the chance to make a big difference to
the lives of young people in Sunderland.”
John spent seven years there, before
leaving to fulfil his dream of running
his own consultancy. As for the future,
his ethos remains the same – he
wants to continue “making a difference”;
to “keep working as long as people
think I can provide something of
value”; and, to see more of the world.
He’s even considering completing a
PhD one day, as first suggested by
his tutor at the University. A clear
indication that he lives by another
saying he picked up during his
studies first time around – “if you
stop learning, you stop leading!”
www.bcu.ac.uk/bcbs
ProGress 2012
Business
ProGress 2012
Business 07
aN iNSPired
VeNTUre frOM aN
eNTerPriSiNg STUdeNT
Jordan Atchison
Our popular postgraduate business
courses attract a lot of international
students – and they now have even
more opportunities to get to know
Birmingham City Business School
(BCBS) and each other after american
postgraduate student, jordan atchison,
had the bright idea for a Business
School Postgraduate Society.
“The original idea was for social
interaction between students, faculty and
local industry; to give an extra forum for
everyone to interact within different disciplines
and courses,” he explains. “It’s been very
successful: lots of interaction and a good
turnout – most students get pretty excited
about the events.”
The combination of social events, guest
speakers and corporate tours of major
locally-based companies such as Jaguar
Land Rover is proving a big hit. The tours give
postgraduate business students from all over
the world a key insight into how successful UK
businesses are run.
So what attracted Jordan, a marketing
graduate, to join our MSc Marketing and
Management in the first place? “I’d read a lot
of good reviews of Birmingham City University
online and a lot about the city in general,” he
explains. “I’ve really enjoyed being here.
Birmingham is very diverse; I get to meet
people from everywhere.”
And the future? Jordan is spoilt for
choice. He’d like to carry on studying here
in the UK or elsewhere before returning
to the US – and he’s currently applying
for a PhD.
PaiNT iT PiNk
TO PUT Off THe
THieVeS
large diggers used on building sites
should be painted a Barbie-shade
of pink to put off would-be thieves,
according to two experts from the
University’s Birmingham City
Business School.
Professors David Edwards and Gary Holt
have been working with industry to help
suggest solutions to the problem of building
site theft. Despite covert and highly technical
anti-theft devices available to vehicle owners,
one of the Professors’ conclusions was that if
a piece of equipment is painted a conspicuous
colour it will make it a less attractive target
for a criminal.
They have drawn their conclusion
following close discussions with stakeholders
through field studies. They believe that thieves
will be deterred from stealing the vehicle
because it would have to be repainted before
selling it on, which takes time and incurs
inconvenience and cost.
www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate

08
SPreadiNg
THe wOrd
Rachelle Harrison
eNHaNCed
exPerieNCe
Amy Walton
when law graduate amy walton came
to our Open day, it was the emphasis
on extra ways to enhance her CV that
really clinched it for her. and since
then she’s certainly taken full
advantage of everything on offer…
www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate
if the mark of a successful student is
one who feels inspired to promote the
University and our courses to others,
rachelle Harrison is surely a shining
example.
Alongside an intensive Legal Practice Course,
(LPC) Amy’s still found time to gain some
invaluable experience. Regular pro bono
work at a local Employment Advice Centre has
given her a fantastic insight into the skills
she’ll need as a solicitor. “I’ve had casework
experience I might not otherwise have had,
learning to run my own case and deal with
time limits. I’ve been to tribunals and
represented clients – it’s great experience.”
Amy has also been heavily involved in a
Student Academic Partnership project to
create more opportunities for law students
to volunteer. Working closely with her Deputy
Course Director, Louise Costello, she has
pinpointed local businesses, charities and
advice centres that can offer students valuable
placements and work experience.
Amy’s managed all this alongside a
part-time job in a local farm shop. “The
LPC is a big investment and that focuses
you – especially if you pay for it yourself”,
she says. “I’ve really enjoyed it. The teaching
groups are small, so you know the tutors
and they know you. You can go to them
about anything.”
Most of all, she’s really relished the
chance to get hands-on experience. “Law is
all about your CV,” explains Amy. “If you’re
proactive, it’s amazing what experience you
can get!”
Rachelle undertook her LLB Law degree
from 2007-10, where she was ‘Head Mooter’
in the Mooting Society for students to practise
their debating skills; a student representative for
her course; a student ambassador and a mentor
to younger students.
Since returning to complete an LLM Master’s
in Law with International Human Rights, she
has been asked by the Law School careers
tutor to hold career sessions for undergraduate
LLB students and has obtained a number of
public speaking engagements where she has
had to talk about certain aspects of law and her
journey to where she is today.
She said: “I was drawn to the University by
the opportunities to gain a practical application
of the law. The teachers were so friendly and
welcoming, and any time I needed help their
doors were always open.”
Rachelle built her skills by taking
part in mooting competitions in front of real
judges and, as a result of her performance
in one competition, she was invited to shadow
Judge Martin Cardinal for a period of time.
And as part of her dissertation, she got to
spend time working at a top criminal law
firm in New York.
She said: “I’ve undertaken a lot of legal
research that has been used throughout a trial,
taken part in trial preparation, interviewing
witnesses and attended court on numerous
occasions. I’m able to use this experience for
academic credit towards my Master’s.”
Having achieved her aim of becoming a
barrister, Rachelle remains ambitious for more
success, and hopes to achieve Queen’s Counsel
status in future.
“I intend to practise in criminal and
family law, but I always wanted to have
a diverse practice so I am open to different
areas of law. I’ve also considered undertaking
a PhD, so I will have to see what the
future holds.”
www.bcu.ac.uk/law
ProGress 2012
Law
ProGress 2012
Social Sciences
graBBiNg
OPPOrTUNiTieS
wiTH BOTH
HaNdS
Sophie Grace Rowe
from the moment she started her
Criminology degree, Sophie grace
rowe was determined to take
advantage of everything her time
with us had to offer.
Her enthusiasm, hard work and commitment
have led to awards and opportunities,
which have given her a great foundation
for future success.
Sophie graduated in 2011 with a First
Class Honours Degree in Criminology. She
was then awarded the Howard League Bursary,
from the charitable penal reform organisation,
and is now studying towards her Master’s in
Criminology, under the guidance of leading
Criminologist Professor David Wilson.
She has also taken over the Howard
League Society at the University, attracting
increased funding, recruiting over 150 new
members and organising events and speakers,
including ex-convicts such as reformed
offender Noel ‘Razor’ Smith.
But that’s just the start. Alongside her
studies Sophie has managed several roles
including, Student Liaison Officer, Aimhigher
Associate, Senior Student Ambassador,
Support Worker, Student Representative and
committee member for the national Student
Learning and Teaching Network.
In addition, she is Chair of the
Birmingham branch of the New Bridge
befriending organisation, writing to and
visiting prisoners, and a member of the
Warwickshire Youth Offender Panel, which
works to help young offenders understand
the consequences of what they have done
and assigns reparation tasks.
As a result of her extensive involvement
in criminal justice-related organisations
she has been granted professional
membership to the Institute of Community
Justice Professionals.
There is no doubting Sophie’s strong
work ethic. “When I was studying my
undergraduate course I had five part-time
jobs. The knowledge I learnt through my
volunteering roles definitely helped me
achieve a First Class degree and I enjoy
what I do.”
During her time on the course, Sophie
has been filmed for Channel 5’s Killers Behind
Bars programme; her appearance impressed
the director and she hopes to do further
commentary work in the future. “There are
so many opportunities for the future. It’s
very exciting,” she says.
www.bcu.ac.uk/socialsciences
09
aCadeMiC wiNS
PreSTigiOUS
TraVelliNg award
An academic from the University was the
only person in the West Midlands to receive
a prestigious Winston Churchill Travelling
Fellowship.
Criminologist Martin Glynn used the grant
from the Fellowship to travel to Baltimore in the
USA to examine the impact of fatherlessness in
anti-social behaviour.
Martin explains: “My current work in
criminology has identified fatherlessness,
father hunger and father deficit as some key
indicators and contributory factors, motivating
some young men to seek and find solace
in gangs, live risky lifestyles, and engage
in anti-social behaviour.”
Martin’s research assisted in the
understanding of issues affecting young
black men in the region as well as informing
his current PhD ‘The Sankofa Paradigm –
Towards a Critical Race Theory of Desistance’.
eValUaTiNg USe
Of arT iN PriSONS
Senior Lecturer in Criminal and Forensic
Psychology, Dr Laura Caulfield, has been
awarded a grant to investigate the effects of
artistic and creative activities in prisons.
The funding from the Economic and Social
Research Council (ESRC) will support a series
of seminars on enrichment activities in the
criminal justice system, involving a mixture
of academic and practitioner input, with
highly-respected speakers from the UK and US.
As a leading expert in evaluating enrichment
activities in prisons and course director for our
MSc Forensic Psychology programme, Laura
was an obvious candidate to drive the project
forward. She said: “We hope the seminars will
allow us to share best practice in delivering
and evaluating arts based projects in criminal
justice systems around the world.
“It will be a valuable opportunity for people
to learn from experts who have taken part in
criminal justice based initiatives and to draw
on competing and complementary views.”
www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate

10
USiNg life
exPerieNCe
TO HelP
OTHerS
Marcia Shakespeare
a former student, whose daughter was an
innocent victim of gangland violence, has
launched a new charity in her daughter’s
memory, which will attempt to steer other
young people away from gang culture.
Marcia Shakespeare is the mother of
letisha Shakespeare who was tragically
gunned down outside a New year’s party
in aston during january 2003. Her charity
‘The Precious Trust’ – using letisha’s
middle name – was set up to provide
practical help to vulnerable young
women aged between 16 and 19.
She has worked with South Birmingham
College to devise courses in areas such as
hair and beauty, media and fashion. The first
15 students are due to start in September and
will be referred by organisations that work with
people in disadvantaged communities who are
involved, or at risk of becoming involved, in
gangs. As well as gaining a qualification,
the students will also receive one-to-one
mentoring and support from Marcia, in her
capacity as a qualified lecturer.
After the death of Letisha and her friend
Charlene Ellis, Marcia became a prominent
campaigner against gun violence, taking her
message to politicians and speaking at schools
around the Midlands and elsewhere.
She also returned to education, taking a
degree in Sociology and Psychology at the
University from 2006-09 followed by a PGCE
Post-Compulsory Education and Training
qualification from 2010-11.
She said: “Most of the people on the
course were closer to my daughter’s age
than mine and at first I felt a little out of
place, but I realised that I was bringing my
life experience to the course, which was
perhaps different to some of the other
students, and we were learning off and
supporting each other. Within a couple of
months, I felt very comfortable.
“I loved my time at university and I learned
so much. There is a lot of help if you ask for
it, whether it’s financial advice from Student
Services or the Students’ Union or information
on how to use the library.”
On completing her PGCE, Marcia felt she
had the knowledge and experience she needed
to move forward with her ambition of setting
up a charity which could help keep young
ProGress 2012
Education
women away from the dangers of gang culture.
Marcia added: “I wanted to help
disadvantaged people by providing
educational opportunities, and to do that I
needed to get more qualifications myself.
What I’ve learned is that anyone can do a
university-level qualification, whatever
background you’re from – you just need to
persevere, realise that no one is looking at
you or judging you, and ask for help where
you need it.
“I went through a journey from being a
victim of a violent crime to looking at how
I could put something positive into the
community and trying to make it stop.
This is about saving people’s lives and if
I can save one life, I will have achieved
what I set out to do.”
For more information about the charity,
email theprecioustrust@gmail.com.
www.bcu.ac.uk/education
ProGress 2012
Education 11
award-wiNNiNg TeaCHiNg Andrew Hartshorn
a former teaching student has been
judged one of the ‘rising stars’ of his
profession after receiving the Outstanding
Newcomer to design and Technology
award from the design and Technology
association (daTa).
PrePariNg
TeaCHerS fOr
21ST CeNTUry
STUdeNTS
Louise Wheatcroft
Our academic staff are at the centre of
the latest thinking on their specialist
subjects. Here, senior lecturer in Primary
english louise wheatcroft says that
policy makers should be looking to
make more of an effort to recognise the
importance of preparing teachers for
the next generation of students: one that
is both digitally literate and net-savvy.
What we are beginning to see now is a gap
appearing between the experiences of digital
literacy that primary school children have
outside of school and their experiences of
technology in the classroom.
Andrew Hartshorn currently works
at Langley School in Solihull, where he
specialises in Food Technology. He is always
keen to try new and exciting strategies,
and incorporate new technologies into
his teaching.
He attributes much of his success to his
time at the University where he was able to
build his knowledge and experience while
on placement at two different schools in the
city, as well as learning from his tutors.
He said: “I chose Birmingham City
University, quite frankly because it is the
best at what it does. Ofsted says so,
alongside previous students and teachers.
The course attracted me because it is
challenging yet supportive, backed up by lots
of experience and there is a great amount
of prestige in being trained here.
“I was expecting it to be tough and it
has been the toughest course I’ve ever done,
but also the most rewarding – I have gained
It was almost 20 years ago when education
pioneer Seymour Papert commented that
children have entered into a love affair with the
computer. We cannot ignore the pace of digital
technology. Increasingly, children and young
people are becoming more proficient with
technology than their parents.
Nearly every classroom I have taught in
has an interactive whiteboard, and I have also
found that laptops and tablet computers have
begun to replace the class computer. It should
come as no surprise then that our teachers will
need relevant training to operate in this new
teaching environment.
Many experts are now of the opinion that
there is a generational divide between people
who have grown up in a digital world and
people who were born before the internet
became commonplace.
One might assume that today’s young
teachers are already ‘digital natives’ and are
therefore already equipped with the digital
literacy and skills needed to teach in the 21st
century classroom. However, I would warn that
it is unhelpful to make such assumptions.
new skills and developed professional links
that will help me through my career.”
As well as securing his first teaching post
while still at the University, Andrew was also
asked to write for DATA after the head of the
association observed him in her capacity as
external examiner of the course.
He added: “My tutor was amazing; she
was just like a scary Mary Poppins! She was
always there no matter what time of day or
night it was, and was always looking to give
me the chance to do my best. She left me in
no doubt of what was expected of me and the
high standards I needed to strive for.
“The most important thing is to
remember why you are doing the course,
keep smiling and talk to your tutor. They
have seen it all before and can give you the
words to get through. Birmingham City
University gives you the opportunity; it’s
up to you to make the most of it.”
Research shows that a significant number
of young people actually have limited access
to technology and limited skills and are not
transferring their personal experiences of
digital literacy into their professional roles
as teachers.
www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate

12
fOrMer
STUdeNT
reTUrNS aS
PrOfeSSOr
Professor Mark Radford
when Professor Mark radford
undertook his degree course in 1991,
he was one of just 15 nursing students
in his year.
Now Deputy Director of Nursing at University
Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, he also
returns to his place of study as a visiting
lecturer and has seen vast changes, with
thousands of students now on a nursing
courses at the Faculty of Health.
“I was able to experience a great university
and a great city,” he says. “Ever since I qualified
I have worked as a visiting lecturer and more
recently as a professor so I have been involved
as a student, academic and clinician.
“Staff here really take responsibility for
your career and development beyond your
initial degree.”
Mark took up his nursing career straight
after graduating but also furthered his studies
with a Postgraduate Diploma and PhD at
the University, researching communication
between doctors and nurses in acute
hospital settings.
“Now that nurses have developed new
skills and knowledge, there is more
collaboration. They are able to influence
doctors and make decisions for patients
independently,” he says.
This is an important aspect of his role
today, where he oversees around 3,000
nurses and midwives, and care is given
in a 1,200-bed Midlands teaching hospital.
“The leadership challenges of
running a university hospital are huge,
but hugely rewarding,” he says.
www.bcu.ac.uk/health
leCTUrer
gaiNS QUeeN’S
NUrSe TiTle
a nursing lecturer has received
national recognition for his outstanding
dedication to the NHS.
Stefan Cash, a senior lecturer in Child
Health, was awarded the prestigious Queen’s
Nurse title for his commitment to patient
values and improving practice, including the
development of a pre-hospital Paediatric
ProGress 2012
Health
Assessment course for ambulance staff.
On receiving the award Stefan said: “I am
delighted to be awarded the Queen’s Nurse
award. I am firmly committed to both improving
and maintaining the high standards of practice
and patient-centred care both in the community
setting and in its wider context. I believe the
award allows me the opportunity to work with
colleagues who share the same values as
myself, and, most importantly, learn from their
experiences.”
Stefan worked within the NHS for 13 years
before joining Birmingham City University in
2005 as a Senior Lecturer in clinical skills at
the Faculty of Health. He took up his current
position as Senior Lecturer in Child Health
in 2008.
ProGress 2012
English 13
SHeddiNg
ligHT
ON CiTy
HiSTOry
Fiona Joseph
a graduate of the University’s
postgraduate creative writing
programme has shed new light on the
history of Birmingham’s Cadbury family
by telling the little-known story of the
heiress to the chocolate empire who
turned her back on the family fortune.
Fiona Joseph published Beatrice, a
biography of Beatrice Cadbury, through
her own publishing company, Foxwell Press,
making use of the writing and business-related
skills she was taught as part of her course.
After completing a degree in History and
English, followed by a PGCE and then a
Master’s in linguistics, Fiona initially worked as
a university lecturer, before setting up her own
business delivering English as a Foreign
Language (EFL) resources. After taking a creative
writing course at an adult education centre in
2004, Fiona decided she wanted to take her
talent further and chose to join the creative
writing course in 2008.
She said: “I wasn’t one of those people who
always wanted to be a writer, but I had started
to write a few short stories and articles,
and the trigger for me to study it more seriously
was a rejection I got from a local short story
magazine. They actually wrote a very nice reply
saying they liked parts of it but felt it needed a
bit more work and I realised that, if I was to
really write successfully, I needed to put a lot
more time in.
“I saw the course as an opportunity to
experiment, find out what sort of writing I
wanted to do and of course get better at it.
“A strong appeal was that I would be
learning from tutors who were themselves
published writers, so as well as the more
technical aspects of the course, we were
also taught how to build a career.”
The idea for the book on Beatrice came
about when Fiona was chatting to a Dutch
client of her EFL business from The Werkplaats
School – an institution in the Netherlands well
known for its free-spirited and progressive
approach to education, which had been set
up by a poor couple by the name of Kees and
Betty Boeke, nee Cadbury. Further research
proved that Betty was indeed Beatrice Cadbury,
daughter of Richard Cadbury, who founded the
factory in Bournville with his brother George.
Fiona said: “I was really intrigued – how
someone like that ended up living in poverty
in the Netherlands and it turned out she
had given away her shares to the workers,
declaring her inherited wealth incompatible
with her Quaker beliefs, while her husband
was then deported for protesting against the
First World War.
“I’m now on a bit of a mission to get
Beatrice’s story known and am regularly
giving talks at libraries and local societies,
as well as promoting the book itself. What I
would really like to do is turn her story into
a radio documentary and even a TV drama,
and I’m currently exploring different
options for doing that.”
Fiona now enjoys a varied career, with
her work split between her EFL business, the
graded readers for the publisher in America
and promoting her book, and planning talks.
She said: “I would like to do another
biography – I’m just looking for the perfect
subject – and I hope that in future my
company can publish works by other writers.
I do take my work seriously but I have a lot
of fun with it as well.”
www.bcu.ac.uk/english
BriNgiNg OUr
exPerTiSe
TO VieNNa
No matter who you are or where you’re
from, language and how we use it marks
us out as different from other species.
The symposium Studying Change in the
History of English: New Directions in
Linguistics (SCHENDL) 2012 took place
on February 24 and 25, 2012, in honour of
Professor Dr Herbert Schendl’s 70th birthday.
The symposium was held at the
Department of English and American
Studies at the University of Vienna and was
co-organised by Dr Ursula Lutzky from our
School of English. The presentations
addressed change in the history of English
in its widest sense, with a particular focus
on sociolinguistic and pragmatic approaches
to change.
Our research into the area of linguistics
formed part of the symposium with
Professor Richard Ingham presenting on
English/Anglo-Norman code-switching in
later medieval charter boundary clauses.
www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate

14
BUildiNg ON
a degree
Michael Goodwin
iNSPiriNg gaMeS
eNTrePreNeUrS
as one of the leading universities for
developments in the computer games
industry, our popular gamer Camp for
aspiring games developers is
launching a new course designed to
prepare individuals to be the next
generation of video games entrepreneurs.
Gamer Camp: Biz is designed to combine
managerial and business know-how with a
comprehensive and realistic understanding of
the game development process.
Although managers in the industry will not
be coding or designing art assets on a daily
basis, it is vital that they have a comprehensive
and realistic understanding of the game
development process, and how all the disparate
elements operate and come together to
produce the polished game you see on the shelf.
This mirrors the business model of
companies such as Facebook, where all
managers are expected to understand coding
and programming, even if they are not working
with it on a daily basis.
On Gamer Camp: Biz, we give people
who want to work in games an in-depth
experience of the full game development
process combined with all the hard-edged
business skills they need to run a small games
business or manage a studio production.
Gamer Camp: Biz is suitable for both those
in the games industry and graduates with an
appropriate degree who are keen to strike
out on their own.
www.bcu.ac.uk/gamercamp
ProGress 2012
Computing and Games
while we welcome postgraduate
students from a huge range of work
and educational backgrounds, many
of them come to us having previously
studied here at undergraduate level.
Security engineer, Michael Goodwin, was
so impressed with his experience as an
undergraduate that he decided to come
back for his MSc in Computer Networks.
He said that the chance to continue working
with the same staff, from whom he had
enjoyed learning before, was a big draw in
choosing where to take the next step in his
academic career.
“I completed my undergraduate
degree here, and found the course very
interesting, and the tutors very helpful, and
the labs very well equipped,” he said. “All
of the tutors are very helpful and go out of
their way to make sure things are working as
they should. They’re very knowledgeable and
well-experienced staff, who have had years
of ‘in industry’ experience, that they are now
passing on to us.”
He especially enjoyed getting the chance
to build his practical experience with the
equipment that he now uses every day in
his job with a security reseller, supporting
customers, advising colleagues and installing
new equipment.
“It helped having this hands-on
experience, and not just being taught theory
in a classroom,” he explained.
The student experience is another big
attraction, with Michael making the most
of the opportunities on offer.
“Birmingham is a very vibrant city,
catering for many types of students. The
whole atmosphere of the University is good,
the Students’ Union is very well-organised,
and the Millennium Point location is very well
situated in the centre of the city.”
www.bcu.ac.uk/tee/ctn
ProGress 2012
Engineering 15
TraiNiNg
fOr THe
PrOfeSSiONalS
Adam Stubbs
Having already gained a Master’s
degree in Mechanical engineering,
an MSc in automotive Calibration and
Control marked a second postgraduate
course for adam Stubbs.
As a member of the engineering staff
at Caterpillar-Perkins, his supervisor
suggested he might consider enrolling
on Birmingham City University’s relatively
new Automotive Calibration and Control
postgraduate degree, since it offered a
unique study opportunity for professionals
involved in powertrain engineering.
The degree course had been
engineered by Birmingham City University’s
automotive powertrain technology team
when they realised that the automotive
industry had a shortage of calibration and
control engineers.
Adam was so competent in his studies
that he gained the University’s Faculty
of Technology, Engineering and the
Environment (TEE) postgraduate prize.
As a new Caterpillar-Perkins recruit,
Adam was able to apply his training and
expertise directly in the practical and
commercial contexts of daily work-life –
a principle we seek to repeat across all our
postgraduate courses where possible.
Adam’s project involved the successful
development and application of a sophisticated
engineering control approach to the design
complexities of turbocharged diesel engines.
Adam says: “I found all the University’s
assignments relevant, extremely useful and
enjoyable. I would now like to develop
my technical expertise further and gain
chartered engineer status with IMechE.”
In the longer term Adam has thought
about research to gain a doctorate, but in the
meantime is enjoying his favourite pastimes
of mountain-biking and renovating his Fiat
sports car.
www.bcu.ac.uk/tee/edms
frOM
aPPreNTiCe
TO MaSTer
Steven Bourne
experienced engineer Steven Bourne
has gone all the way from apprentice
to Master of Science, picking up
awards and accolades on his way.
His company, eadS astrium, where
he designs telecommunication
satellites as a Structures engineer,
sponsored him to attend one day
a week for his accredited MSc in
Mechanical engineering. it’s an
arrangement that’s worked for everyone.
Steven found that taking the course boosted
not just his skills and knowledge but his
belief in his abilities too, especially in
presenting to large groups.
“My course has provided me with some
excellent engineering skills which have given
me the confidence and ability to do this job. I
believe my academic success has also given
my employer the confidence to trust me
with the responsibilities associated with my
current job role,” he said.
He added that he would recommend
the course to anyone looking to build their
career in the engineering field. “It will help
to cement and expand upon your existing
engineering knowledge and help you to
develop good technical and managerial
skills. Also, if you are a young engineer
wanting to become chartered, it is almost
essential to be educated to Master’s level.”
www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate

16
iNTerNaTiONal
Prize–wiNNer
Rebekah Pennington
There is no better way to prepare for
a career in the media industry than
working on real-life projects for
genuine media outlets, and one of
our Ma radio and audio Production
students has benefited from her
award-winning contribution to a
documentary for alternative music
radio station xfm.
Rebekah Pennington worked on the Xfm 25
project, a 12-part documentary series jointly
produced by the University’s Birmingham
School of Media and Xfm London, with each
episode profiling an influential album released
during 1986, followed by the entire album
played in full. The series won gold in the ‘Best
Music Special’ category of the 2012 New York
Radio Festival.
For her part of the project, Rebekah
interviewed DJ Mary Anne Hobbs, which in
turn led to her securing work experience on
the Xfm Breakfast Show. She then worked on
an internship programme with Xfm for her
course project, which involved her looking
back through the Xfm archives and creating
an audio timeline of key events in Xfm's
history over the last 20 years.
She said: “I first became involved at
Xfm by meeting Mary Anne Hobbs while
working with my lecturer, Sam Coley, on a
documentary about the Beastie Boys, and
then I helped out on a show with Eddie
Temple-Morris in London. After having a
positive time on the show with Eddie and
seeming to hit it off with Mary during the
short interview I did with her, I emailed
them both asking if there was any more work
experience going and it all came from there.
“For my internship, I started on the
breakfast show with Danny Wallace, which
was a great experience. I then began to help
out with production across the whole of the
station. Now I have other projects I am
completing for Xfm over the rest of the
summer into autumn.”
Rebekah decided to study radio production
after previously completing a degree course in
music production at the same time as being a
member of a band herself.
She said: “I had six years’ experience in
performing live after I started a band when
I was 15 years old. I played on many tours
and at many popular UK and European music
festivals such as the Isle of Wight and T in the
Park. All of this live performance experience
went hand in hand with my undergraduate
degree in music production, composition and
professional practice.
“The MA is an academic course,
although we do complete a lot of hands-on
assignments, and we were given opportunities
and guidance to create and find our own work
placements. There has been a very supportive
network available and I feel I have had the
freedom to follow my own interests.”
www.bcu.ac.uk/media
ProGress 2012
Media
NBa STar aT
Media eTHiCS
CONfereNCe
former NBa basketball star john
amaechi - one of the first openly
gay athletes in professional sport -
was among the guest speakers at
a media ethics conference being
hosted jointly by the Council of
europe, the european federation
of journalists and Birmingham
City University - home to one of the
country’s leading media schools.
The event brought together journalists,
regulators and sportspeople under the Council
of Europe’s MARS – Media Against Racism
in Sport – banner.
Guest speaker Amaechi played for
a number of leading US teams, including the
LA Lakers and New York Knicks, as well as
in Europe and the UK. He now works as a
psychologist and educator and writes for
the New York Times.
Other guests included Hepburn
Harrison-Graham, founding member of the
Black Collective of Media in Sport, Stéphane
Bijoux, the Executive Director on Diversity
in News for France Télévisions and
representatives of the Professional
Footballers’ Association.
ProGress 2012
Built Environment 17
glOBal aiM
fOr PlaNNiNg
Career
Dean Collins
when dean Collins spent a few years
travelling in asia, he was inspired by
the sprawling high-rise schemes and
decided he wanted to become an
urban planner.
Now, with a First Class degree and Master’s
in Spatial Planning behind him, as well as
strong career experience, he has come full
circle and is moving to Hong Kong to pursue
his dream.
Dean was 27 when he joined the
University and knew he would have to
study hard to achieve his goals.
“I was prepared to give my all and put
everything into my studies. My experience at
the University taught me to think and
analyse. You get out what you put in.
“It was great being around like-minded
people, both students and lecturers. I know
that I have made lifelong friends through
my studies.”
His girlfriend is also a Birmingham City
University graduate and planner but they
actually met while travelling in Vietnam. They
and their young son are now heading to Hong
Kong and are excited about their bold move.
“I am taking a gamble but there seems to
be a lot of opportunities out there and I have
made contact with some firms and received
positive responses. It will be an adventure.”
With Dean’s drive and enthusiasm,
success surely awaits.
www.bcu.ac.uk/tee/bsbe
www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate

18
BriNgiNg arT TO
THe iNNer CiTy
Claire Farrell
Ma Visual Communication
graduate Claire farrell specialises in
breathing new life and colour into
some of the most neglected corners
of inner-city Birmingham.
She established EC-Arts in 2006, while still at
the University, to create opportunities for art
in unusual locations. Her first project was the
Festival of Xtreme Building, which saw a team
of artists and architects produce experimental
structures on a disused piece of land in the
city’s Eastside district.
Subsequent commissions included
painting murals on temporary hoardings
around waste ground in Digbeth and on the
Birmingham Central Library building, an art
installation which used advertising billboards
as blank canvases, a performance by musicians
from the City of Birmingham Symphony
Orchestra in Ladywood Fire Station and a
short film to mark the opening of Birmingham
Coach Station.
What ties together all of these diverse
strands, Claire says, is bringing art out of the
gallery into the public realm and coming up
with concepts that suit particular locations.
She said: “I try to show that you can
create art even in difficult times – the halted
developments around the city because of the
economic crisis have created some negative
aesthetics but even there you can be creative –
and the feedback I’ve received shows that
it’s appreciated.”
As Claire has become a well-known name
on the local arts scheme, she is now in a
position to create opportunities for others,
with several students from Birmingham City
University being given the opportunity to get
involved in her projects, either as artists or
assisting at the project management stage.
She added: “The University was a massive
influence on me and I’m still in contact with so
many people – not just fellow students but also
the staff who were instrumental in getting me
involved with some of the projects I worked on.
I always tell people who are students now that
they must make friends with their
lecturers because they have great contacts
in their industry and if you show willing and
potential, they will introduce you, but you
have to have the right attitude first.”
www.bcu.ac.uk/biad
ProGress 2012
Art and Design
ProGress 2012
Art and Design 19
CaPTUriNg area’S
eVeryday life
Staff, students and graduates
from Birmingham institute of art
and design (Biad) were commissioned
to create a series of new pictures,
capturing the everyday life of the
Colmore Business district, in
Birmingham City Centre.
MA Visual Communication students Chaporn
Pongsuwan, Patr Srisook and Ross Vincent
were among the team working on the ‘Take to
the Streets’ project. Inspired by the work of
the Magnum photographers – the international
photographic co-operative founded in 1947 –
their pictures document the changing face of
the area, and how various organisations are
working together to reinvigorate Birmingham’s
streetscapes.
Each of the seven Magnum photographers
involved interpreted street life differently,
which led to the production of both
stand-alone images and narratives exploring
the identity of people or places. What united
the work was its location on the street and a
spontaneous rather than posed approach.
The project culminated in the production
of a book and a small touring exhibition of
photographs, showing the area as an exciting
collage of constantly shifting, insight and
surprising juxtaposition. The photographs
will finally be added to Birmingham Central
Library’s Photography Collections, adding an
important new chapter to the history of street
photography in the city.
www.taketothestreetsbirmingham.co.uk
Crockett & jones Shoe Shop
by Chaporn Pongsuwan
Birmingham City University
students and staff were among
those at the book launch.
www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate

20
jack McNeill
“Der kleiner Harlekin is a piece that’s
not often performed because it’s
complicated to put on and needs a lot of
rehearsal but it is a real challenge and
I’ve always been a big fan of theatre as
well as music so I’m really looking
forward to getting involved in this type
of performance.”
a Varied
MUSiCal
Career
Jack McNeill
in today’s constantly-evolving music
industry, a musician is likely to pursue
a ‘portfolio career’, working in several
areas simultaneously. Birmingham
Conservatoire graduate jack McNeill
plays clarinet for various groups and
orchestras on a freelance basis; he
has released three albums as part of
a folk duo where he plays guitar; and
works as a music teacher for students
of various ages and abilities.
ProGress 2012
Performance
Already an accomplished musician after
undertaking a degree at the Conservatoire,
Jack nonetheless felt he would benefit from
further experience and tuition, moving on to
complete a Master’s and then the Advanced
Postgraduate Diploma (APD) in Music
(Professional Performance) with us.
He said: “I’d reached a point when I’d
finally got a clear idea of what I wanted to do,
but I still felt I had a lot to learn. The courses
were fantastic – they all had just what I
wanted, particularly the APD which is really
about gearing you up for a career as a
professional performer.”
As Jack built his reputation as a musician
both during and after his time at the
Conservatoire, the contacts he made proved
invaluable, as he worked with fellow students
and tutors on a variety of projects.
He added: “I formed my folk duo with
Charlie Heys, who was also a student at the
Conservatoire, and we sometimes play with
other musicians from our course as well.
I have my own chamber music group, The
Wernberg Trio, which again was formed with
two other former Conservatoire students.
“I’ve also begun the process of putting
my name forward for orchestral and solo
performances. It’s something I’m just starting
out at and hope to develop further, and it’s just
a matter of getting your name out there and
making contacts.”
This summer, he will be performing
in a London 2012 Festival event,
‘Stockhausen – a Festival of Light’; a
celebration of the work of pioneering and
controversial German composer Karlheinz
Stockhausen. Jack’s performance of Der
kleiner Harlekin, will involve him playing
solo, in costume, dancing as he plays.
Jack is relishing the challenge of doing
something different.
www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire
ProGress 2012
Performance 21
TakiNg firST
STePS ON
THe STage
Math Sams
Our intensive postgraduate acting
programme is designed for students
who already have some theatrical or
higher education experience, and want
to gain the rehearsal and performance
techniques they need for a career
as a professional actor.
For PgDip Acting graduate Math Sams, the
technical and artistic expertise he gained
during his time at Birmingham School of
Acting (BSA) has provided the springboard
for securing his first stage roles.
Since graduating, he has toured with
children’s theatre throughout Ireland, and in
A Christmas Carol around England. He played
Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing at
National Trust sites, and has also secured
roles in London fringe theatre. He has taken
part in a number of small-scale films, to get
footage for a showreel, to help him secure
more roles in future. In each case, Math
says he has benefited from the confidence
instilled at BSA, as well as the intensive
training he received.
He said: “BSA is a bright, exciting place to
be and study. The teachers are passionate and
inspiring. I left with a real confidence in my
ability to pursue a career in acting and to
excel in that career.
“I was very lucky in the roles I was cast
in throughout the year. I’m very proud of what
I and my fellow cast members were able to
achieve. Make use of every moment you
have there. Listen to the tutors, and really
throw yourself into those areas that may seem
peripheral, but are not: movement, fitness,
breathing and voice – they’re bedrock.”
www.bcu.ac.uk/bsa
fUNdiNg SUCCeSS
fOr OUTSTaNdiNg
CONSerVaTOire
STUdeNTS
Five postgraduate students at Birmingham
Conservatoire have been awarded funding
to assist with their studies after impressing
a panel of eminent musicians with their
outstanding talent at the 2012 Postgraduate
Performance Awards.
The Musicians Benevolent Fund works in
close collaboration with conservatoires across
the UK on the Postgraduate Performance
Awards, recognising talented young artists.
Following an audition, excelling students
are offered funding to help with maintenance
costs while studying, with individual awards
ranging from £1,000 to £5,000. The Fund
also works with students to build ongoing
relationships and provide professional
development opportunities.
The Conservatoire nominated seven
postgraduate students to audition for awards,
with five students being successful. A further
two Conservatoire students going on to study
elsewhere were nominated by their new
institution and were also successful, resulting
in an impressive 77 per cent success rate.
Postgraduate students receiving awards
included Ben Murray (trumpet) and Hetti
Price (cello) who both received £1,500, and
Martyn Sanderson (sackbut) who received
an award of £4,000.
Martyn said “I ensured I was well prepared
for my audition and wanted to show the
versatility of the sackbut by playing juxtaposing
pieces. I was delighted to hear that I had
received an award and it will help a great deal
towards my next year of study.”
CONdUCTOr leadS
SPeCTaCUlar
OUTdOOr SHOw
Postgraduate conducting student
Dan Watson recently took centre stage
when he led an ambitious performance in
Birmingham City Centre as part of the UK’s
Olympics preparations.
The Voyage marked the opening of the
London 2012 Festival in the West Midlands on
Friday 22 June, after the original launch date
a day earlier was rained off.
The show explored themes such as
departures, arrivals, hopes and fears, using
a 50ft replica ship as its centrepiece. The
production was played out on the ship, which
was built to look as if it was “moored”
alongside the Town Hall, with a skyline
projected onto the side of the building, as
acrobats swung through the air, through the
ship’s rigging and actors in costume moved
among the audience.
The story was set in the period from
1940 to 1960, which represented the last
great age of sea travel and the start of
mass emigration.
The show also included contributions
from the Conservatoire’s brass band and two
undergraduate vocal students.
The Friday night show attracted over
10,000 revellers, and was one of 70 arts
events during the Cultural Olympiad.
www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate

22
CeNTral
TO yOUr
SUCCeSS
The University’s Centre for academic
Success provides all students with
free access to a range of academic
support services, helping you develop
your study skills and optimise your
educational aspirations.
It provides support in the following areas:
• Report and essay writing
• Study skills (critical analysis)
• Revision and exam techniques
• Referencing
• Stress management
• Presentation skills
• Personal and career development
• Mathematics, ICT and computing
• Statistics
• Time management.
You can tap into a wealth of resources
including one-to-one or group tutorial sessions,
academic and personal development
workshops, online study resources and
feedback on assignments, prior to handing
them in.
The Centre runs a series of six workshops
on researching and writing dissertations and
provides a statistics advisory tutorial service on
all stages of the quantitative research process,
including the use of statistics software.
How do i find
out more?
www.bcu.ac.uk
There are also pre-sessional programmes
and English language courses for international
students which provide assistance in essential
areas including academic writing and maths.
Find out more by emailing success@bcu.ac.uk
or visit www.library.bcu.ac.uk/learner.
iNVeSTiNg iN
STUdeNTS
We already enjoy an enviable reputation for
student engagement, but over the coming years
we plan to do even more to help our students
to become involved in the life of the University,
through increased opportunities for paid work
at the University in a wide variety of roles.
The ‘OPPORTUNITY – Student Jobs’
scheme will be modelled on a similar project
which has already been running for a number
of years at Northwest Missouri State
University, in the USA, which now employs a
quarter of its 7,500 students at any one time.
Under the scheme, you will receive
feedback at every stage of your employment
experience so that if, for example, your CV
needs some work, you will be pointed towards
assistance the University can provide in
this area. You will receive ongoing support
in developing your employability skills and
regular feedback from your line managers
while in a role.
Look out for more information when the
scheme is officially launched.
feeS and
fiNaNCe
ProGress 2012
Preparation
funding your Study
While getting a full scholarship to cover the
cost of your study and living expenses can
be difficult, there’s no limit to the amount of
smaller bursaries you can apply for. Whatever
type of funding you’re trying to secure there
tends to be a lot of competition, so you should
apply as early as you can.
Start at the beginning
Your starting point should be your university,
who can tell you about any funding available
through scholarships or studentships from
UK research councils.
Be competitive
There are many competitions to ‘win’ Master’s
funding, often offered by course directories
such as FindAMasters.com. Make sure you
read the entry details carefully and tailor your
response to the criteria; you’ve got to be
in it to win it!
Think outside the box
There are a large number of charitable trusts
and learned societies that offer grants to
postgraduate students. Tracking these down
can be time-consuming, but could bring
valuable return. Check out the FindAMasters
alternative guide to postgraduate funding which
tells you how to apply to charities and trusts:
FindAMasters.com/funding-guide.
Be practical
Remember that on average postgraduates in
the UK earn 13 per cent more than other
graduates*, so if you’re unable to secure
funding, don’t despair. You could take out a
professional and career development loan
from your bank (the Learning and Skills
Council pay the interest on the loan while you're
studying), combine your study with part-time
work to ease the pressure, or, if you have them,
you could use savings – after all, postgraduate
study is an investment in your future!
Andy Pritchard writes the student advice sections
on FindAMasters.com and FindAPhD.com and is a
regular contributor on PostgraduateForum.com.
*One step beyond: Making the most of postgraduate
education. March 2010.
ProGress 2012
Preparation 23
freQUeNTly aSked
QUeSTiONS
Choosing a course
How do i decide which postgraduate
course is right for me?
Think about what you want to get out of
postgraduate study. Do you want to enhance
your knowledge in a subject related to your
Bachelor’s degree? Are you seeking a course
which will provide a professionally recognised
qualification? Do you want to change direction
completely? Gather as much information as
you can so that you can compare those
subjects which interest you and determine which
would be most appropriate for your needs.
will my course be accredited by a
professional body?
A number of our postgraduate courses are
accredited by professional bodies. Check the
course web pages for details.
Can i continue on to further study?
Once you’ve completed a postgraduate degree,
you could consider continuing with your studies
and embarking on a research degree. The
University offers a variety of opportunities to
pursue this through our Centres of Excellence.
Fees and funding
How much will it cost?
Fees vary from course to course. Check the
course web page to find out about the fees
which apply to any particular courses you are
interested in.
Can i pay in instalments?
Fees above a certain amount (currently £450
per academic year) can be paid in instalments.
Home and EU students may only pay instalments
by Direct Debit. International students
can pay in a number of ways; please see
www.bcu.ac.uk/international.
How can i fund my studies?
The majority of postgraduate courses are not
supported by government funding, apart from
PGCE courses, postgraduate Social Work and
NHS-funded qualifications. See the ‘Fees and
Finance’ article for more details on possible
funding options.
are there any scholarships available?
A number of scholarships are available to
international students. There are presently no
University-wide scholarships for UK and EU
students, but scholarships may occasionally
be available from external organisations for
particular courses. There are also loyalty
discounts available, in certain circumstances,
for students progressing from an undergraduate
to a postgraduate course at the University.
Working and studying
Can i study part-time?
Many of our postgraduate courses can be
studied on either a full-time or part-time basis.
Some courses also offer the option to study by
distance learning.
How many hours will i need to put into
my studies each week?
This depends on the individual course itself, as
timetabling can vary. Some full-time courses
require attendance for the full week whilst others
only require attendance for two or three days
per week. Part-time courses can be studied
one day per week; others may require attendance
over a couple of evenings. You will also need to
complete private study in your own time.
will my course include a work
placement?
Some of our postgraduate courses include
a placement. Others may involve internship
opportunities, field trips or international visits.
Check the course web page for details.
what opportunities are there for
part-time work alongside my studies?
Once you receive your timetable and have a
better idea of how many hours a week you will
be studying, you will be able to determine
how many hours a week you would be able
to allow for a part-time job. There are many
opportunities for students to work in
Birmingham and even on campus at
Birmingham City University.
are there any child care facilities?
Birmingham City University has a nursery at
City North Campus, which offers affordable
child care to students, staff and, when available,
the general public. We also have a dedicated
Child Care Adviser based in our Student
Services department.
Postgraduate life
what are my options for accommodation?
We offer a range of housing options, from
self-contained flats to adapted accommodation
for students with special requirements. Our
housing is safe, secure and affordable, and
offers you the chance to live and study close
to the centre of Birmingham. Most of our
accommodation is mixed but we do have a
limited amount of single-sex accommodation
available; you should state this requirement
on your form.
what is Birmingham like to live in?
Living in Birmingham offers you the chance
to experience an exciting, diverse city with
world-class restaurants, entertainment and
shops. Birmingham is home to more than
one million people from a range of different
cultures and ethnic groups, including the UK’s
largest student population outside London.
what is the social life like for
postgraduate students?
There’s a great social life in the city and at
the University. The Students’ Union organises
events throughout the year both in the city
centre and at their lounges at City North and
City South. You can find out more about what
is available at www.bcusu.com.
what clubs or societies can i join?
Birmingham City Students’ Union is home
to a wide variety of sporting, social and
subject-based clubs and societies. And if you
can’t find a society covering an interest or
activity you are passionate about, the Union
can help you to start your own!
i have a disability – what support is
available to me?
Our Disability Services team offers practical
support and advice for applicants and students
with physical or sensory disabilities, specific
learning difficulties (ie. dyslexia), autism or
chronic medical conditions. They also provide
information about Disabled Students’
Allowances, run a Personal Assistance Scheme
and offer a dyslexia screening and diagnostic
service. See www.bcu.ac.uk/disability-support.
www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate

are yOU ready TO PrOgreSS?
How to contact us
Birmingham City University
City North Campus
Perry Barr
Birmingham
B42 2SU
T: +44 (0)121 331 5000
E: mainreception@bcu.ac.uk
F: +44 (0)121 331 7994
W: www.bcu.ac.uk
For UK/EU course enquiries
T: +44 (0)121 331 5595
W: www.bcu.ac.uk/enquiries
For international course enquiries
T: +44 (0)121 331 6714
E: bcuinternational@enquiries.uk.com
F: +44 (0)121 331 6314
W:www.bcu.ac.uk/international
For UK/EU applicant enquiries
T: +44 (0)121 331 6295
E: admissions@bcu.ac.uk
For international applicant enquiries
T: +44 (0)121 331 5389
E: international.admissions@bcu.ac.uk
bcu.ac.uk
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