Timetables and term dates

To view your timetable for the day: Click on the Today's Timetable tile on the iCity homepage

To get a longer-term view of your timetable:

• Log in to iCity
• Click the BCU Links button in the top left-hand side
• Click Your Calendar

You can also View your timetable on the iBCU app which you can download on any IOS or Android mobile phone. You will need your ID and password to log in.

The calendar shows three 'semesters', but usual practice is that undergraduate courses run over two semesters, often but not always, starting in September (some start in January for example). The 'third' semester is primarily (but not exclusively) for postgraduate courses that run over an intense 52 week period with the final semester (or trimester) often used for dissertation writing. Your course guide will make explicit any attendance requirements.

As a student you are expected to be available during assessment weeks. You will be notified by your course team when physical attendance is required during assessment weeks.

Private study weeks are for study, however, you are free to choose how you utilise that time. You will usually be able to decide whether or not you need to physically come onto campus during these private study weeks. Please also bear in mind the latest advice on visiting campus while the University is implementing social distancing measures.

Always check your course guide for assessment deadlines, but a general rule of thumb is that assessment for foundation degrees and first year undergraduates can be handed in (or examinations taken) before the Christmas break. This allows students who are new to Higher Education time to adapt to their learning environment and ensure assessment is out of the way before Christmas, giving more flexibility to prepare for Semester 2 at a reasonable pace.

Second and third year undergraduate students and all postgraduate students can expect to have to hand in assessment or take examinations at any point during the three assessment weeks. It is also important to note that all sorts of assessment (such as group work or presentations for example) can take place at any time during your course (not just during the assessment weeks). Your course guide will tell you when.

Vacation times are shown in yellow on this calendar. During these weeks you are not expected to attend classes or assessment and no coursework is expected to be handed in during vacation times, so you could book a holiday or work during these weeks if you choose. However, always check with your course team before you commit to outside plans to ensure you don’t miss essential learning, especially if you have a placement element to your course.

The University remains open during most of the year, including vacations (with the exception of Christmas week, Good Friday, Easter Monday and other bank holidays). Most online learning material is available at all times, normally 24/7 and some on-campus resources are also open outside of normal office hours. You will be able to check opening times on campus, for example for the library or to use specialist workspaces.

Graduate+ week is term used when employability activities take place. This might include workshops on CV writing, how to make a job application, and how to stand out at interview as well as other support to help students gain employment. As a student you are expected to attend University during Graduate+ activity. It is important to note that employability activity can take place during other times in the academic year too, and is often embedded throughout courses. Also, teaching as usual can take place during Graduate+ weeks. Course teams will indicate what teaching/employability activity is to be expected during these weeks.

Read more about the visa rules for international students and working.