Virtual Applicant Taster Days
Take a look at our dates and booking details, and see what you can expect on the day.
View your schedule for the day and find out what you’ve got to look forward to.
Dates and booking
- Wednesday 24 February - book your place by Sunday 21 February
- Saturday 6 March - book your place by Wednesday 3 March
- Wednesday 14 April - book your place by Sunday 11 April
Notes
- As part of the application process, you will receive a formal email inviting you to register for an Applicant Taster Day. If you have been offered a place and have not yet received your invite, please let us know.
- You will find your username and password instructions in the official acknowledgement email we sent to you when we first processed your application.
- Some dates may not host Applicant Taster Days for all courses. The available dates for your course will be shown after you click ‘Book Your Place’ and login. If a date is not listed, then it is not available for your course.
An Applicant Taster Day is more in-depth than an Open Day and gives you a more tailored experience, focused on the course and department you have applied to.
In line with current government guidance, our 2021 Applicant Taster Day events will now be delivered online. We will welcome you on to campus as soon as it is safe to do so, but in the meantime these events are a great opportunity to experience a flavour of student life and ask us your questions.
Here are some of the things you'll be able to see and do during your Virtual Applicant Taster Day:
Get in-depth information about your chosen course.
Hear about the student experience at BCU, and where your course will take you.
Take virtual tours of our campus and facilities.
Talk to your future academic tutors.
Our current students will tell you what it’s really like to study here.
Find out about finance, accommodation, student support and BCUSU.
Please take a look at the event schedule below. If you’ve booked a place, you’ll receive an email 30 minutes before the start of the event with a link to access the sessions on our website.
Schedules
Courses included: Bsc (Hons) Architectural Technology and Bsc (Hons) Architectural Technology with Foundation Year
-
12 - 12.20pm
Welcome to School of Engineering and Built Environment
During this welcome talk, you can find out about the courses in our School, what to expect from your course and how you will be learning. After this, you’ll move into smaller groups for your practical taster session, with course staff and students - and plenty of time for discussions and questions about student life here at BCU.
-
12.20 - 12.30pm
Break
-
12.30 - 2pm
Taster lecture: Building Exploration with BIM360
In this session, we will introduce you to the tools and software you will be using as an Architectural Technologist. You will use plans and digital models of a building to understand how to navigate a model, and learn how to collaborate with different professionals in a construction project. We will also demonstrate some of the work you'll be doing using the Autodesk BIM360 platform - one of many you'll use during your time on the course! As an Autodesk training centre, we are able to offer advanced digital technologies that replicate the real industry. At the end of our activity, you will have the chance to ask our student ambassadors who are studying on the course any questions about student life and studying at BCU.
-
2pm onwards
Explore BCU
Learn about key areas of university life, with virtual tours, information on finance, admissions, student support and accommodation, and a chance to ask us your questions.
Courses included: Bsc (Hons) Architectural Technology and Bsc (Hons) Architectural Technology with Foundation Year
-
10 - 10.20am
Welcome to School of Engineering and Built Environment
During this welcome talk, you can find out about the courses in our School, what to expect from your course and how you will be learning. After this, you’ll move into smaller groups for your practical taster session, with course staff and students - and plenty of time for discussions and questions about student life here at BCU.
-
10.20 - 10.30am
Break
-
10.30am - 12pm
Taster lecture: Building Exploration with BIM360
In this session, we will introduce you to the tools and software you will be using as an Architectural Technologist. You will use plans and digital models of a building to understand how to navigate a model, and learn how to collaborate with different professionals in a construction project. We will also demonstrate some of the work you'll be doing using the Autodesk BIM360 platform - one of many you'll use during your time on the course! As an Autodesk training centre, we are able to offer advanced digital technologies that replicate the real industry. At the end of our activity, you will have the chance to ask our student ambassadors who are studying on the course any questions about student life and studying at BCU.
-
12pm onwards
Explore BCU
Learn about key areas of university life, with virtual tours, information on finance, admissions, student support and accommodation, and a chance to ask us your questions.
Courses included: BSc (Hons) Building Surveying and BSc (Hons) Building Surveying with Foundation Year
-
12 - 12.20pm
Welcome to School of Engineering and Built Environment
During this welcome talk, you can find out about the courses in our School, what to expect from your course and how you will be learning. After this, you’ll move into smaller groups for your practical taster session, with course staff and students - and plenty of time for discussions and questions about student life here at BCU.
-
12.20 - 12.50pm
Case study: Development options for an iconic listed building
Get to know an iconic listed building: In this session we’ll introduce you to Louisa Ryland House, an iconic listed building in Birmingham’s central business district, that was recently acquired for redevelopment. You'll learn about this case study together with Real Estate and Property Development and Planning students, to share insights and collaborate before delving into a Building Surveying focus.
-
12.50 - 2pm
Taster lecture: Survey an iconic listed building
Once you have had an overview of the case study, we'll use this to look in depth at the opportunities for restoring and repurposing the building. We’ll discuss the changing city centre and high street context, how to evaluate the structural and historic features of a building, and some of the constraints developments experience in city centre locations. You’ll weigh up options to recommend a suitable redevelopment strategy and find out some of the many factors that go towards deciding a best option for any development project when working within a multidisciplinary team. This activity is designed to provide you with a good understanding of what is involved in a career in Building Surveying and the types of activities you could do on the course. At the end of our activity, you will have the chance to ask our student ambassadors who are studying on the course any questions about student life and studying at BCU.
-
2pm onwards
Explore BCU
Learn about key areas of university life, with virtual tours, information on finance, admissions, student support and accommodation, and a chance to ask us your questions.
Courses included: BSc (Hons) Building Surveying and BSc (Hons) Building Surveying with Foundation Year
-
10 - 10.20am
Welcome to School of Engineering and Built Environment
During this welcome talk, you can find out about the courses in our School, what to expect from your course and how you will be learning. After this, you’ll move into smaller groups for your practical taster session, with course staff and students - and plenty of time for discussions and questions about student life here at BCU.
-
10.20 - 10.50am
Case study: Development options for an iconic listed building
Get to know an iconic listed building: In this session we’ll introduce you to Louisa Ryland House, an iconic listed building in Birmingham’s central business district, that was recently acquired for redevelopment. You'll learn about this case study together with Real Estate and Property Development and Planning students, to share insights and collaborate before delving into a Building Surveying focus.
-
10.50am - 12pm
Taster lecture: Survey an iconic listed building
Once you have had an overview of the case study, we'll use this to look in depth at the opportunities for restoring and repurposing the building. We’ll discuss the changing city centre and high street context, how to evaluate the structural and historic features of a building, and some of the constraints developments experience in city centre locations. You’ll weigh up options to recommend a suitable redevelopment strategy and find out some of the many factors that go towards deciding a best option for any development project when working within a multidisciplinary team. This activity is designed to provide you with a good understanding of what is involved in a career in Building Surveying and the types of activities you could do on the course. At the end of our activity, you will have the chance to ask our student ambassadors who are studying on the course any questions about student life and studying at BCU.
-
12pm onwards
Explore BCU
Learn about key areas of university life, with virtual tours, information on finance, admissions, student support and accommodation, and a chance to ask us your questions.
Courses included: BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering and BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering with Foundation Year
-
12 - 12.20pm
Welcome to School of Engineering and Built Environment
During this welcome talk, you can find out about the courses in our School, what to expect from your course and how you will be learning. After this, you’ll move into smaller groups for your practical taster session, with course staff and students - and plenty of time for discussions and questions about student life here at BCU.
-
12.20 - 12.30pm
Break
-
12.30 - 2pm
Taster lecture: Explore Civil Engineering
In this session, you will explore the different areas of civil engineering and construction management including buildings and infrastructure, health and safety, design standards and calculations. We will start by giving you an insight into our civil engineering courses and discuss a selection of famous case studies that we use on the courses. You will get the chance to take part in a practical activity, which includes design standards and calculations as well as health and safety challenges. At the end of our activity, you will have the chance to ask our student ambassadors who are studying on the course any questions about student life and studying at BCU.
-
2pm onwards
Explore BCU
Learn about key areas of university life, with virtual tours, information on finance, admissions, student support and accommodation, and a chance to ask us your questions.
Courses included: BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering and BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering with Foundation Year
-
10 - 10.20am
Welcome to School of Engineering and Built Environment
During this welcome talk, you can find out about the courses in our School, what to expect from your course and how you will be learning. After this, you’ll move into smaller groups for your practical taster session, with course staff and students - and plenty of time for discussions and questions about student life here at BCU.
-
10.20 - 10.30am
Break
-
10.30am - 12pm
Taster lecture: Explore Civil Engineering
In this session, you will explore the different areas of civil engineering and construction management including buildings and infrastructure, health and safety, design standards and calculations. We will start by giving you an insight into our civil engineering courses and discuss a selection of famous case studies that we use on the courses. You will get the chance to take part in a practical activity, which includes design standards and calculations as well as health and safety challenges. At the end of our activity, you will have the chance to ask our student ambassadors who are studying on the course any questions about student life and studying at BCU.
-
12pm onwards
Explore BCU
Learn about key areas of university life, with virtual tours, information on finance, admissions, student support and accommodation, and a chance to ask us your questions.
-
12 - 12.20pm
Welcome to School of Engineering and Built Environment
During this welcome talk, you can find out about the courses in our School, what to expect from your course and how you will be learning. After this, you’ll move into smaller groups for your practical taster session, with course staff and students - and plenty of time for discussions and questions about student life here at BCU.
-
12.20 - 12.30pm
Break
-
12.30 - 2pm
Taster lecture: Explore Civil Engineering
In this session, you will explore the different areas of civil engineering and construction management including buildings and infrastructure, health and safety, design standards and calculations. We will start by giving you an insight into our civil engineering courses and discuss a selection of famous case studies that we use on the courses. You will get the chance to take part in a practical activity, which includes design standards and calculations as well as health and safety challenges. At the end of our activity, you will have the chance to ask our student ambassadors who are studying on the course any questions about student life and studying at BCU.
-
2pm onwards
Explore BCU
Learn about key areas of university life, with virtual tours, information on finance, admissions, student support and accommodation, and a chance to ask us your questions.
-
10 - 10.20am
Welcome to School of Engineering and Built Environment
During this welcome talk, you can find out about the courses in our School, what to expect from your course and how you will be learning. After this, you’ll move into smaller groups for your practical taster session, with course staff and students - and plenty of time for discussions and questions about student life here at BCU.
-
10.20 - 10.30am
Break
-
10.30am - 12pm
Taster lecture: Explore Civil Engineering
In this session, you will explore the different areas of civil engineering and construction management including buildings and infrastructure, health and safety, design standards and calculations. We will start by giving you an insight into our civil engineering courses and discuss a selection of famous case studies that we use on the courses. You will get the chance to take part in a practical activity, which includes design standards and calculations as well as health and safety challenges. At the end of our activity, you will have the chance to ask our student ambassadors who are studying on the course any questions about student life and studying at BCU.
-
12pm onwards
Explore BCU
Learn about key areas of university life, with virtual tours, information on finance, admissions, student support and accommodation, and a chance to ask us your questions.
Courses included: BSc (Hons) Construction Management and BSc (Hons) Construction Management with Foundation Year
-
12 - 12.20pm
Welcome to School of Engineering and Built Environment
During this welcome talk, you can find out about the courses in our School, what to expect from your course and how you will be learning. After this, you’ll move into smaller groups for your practical taster session, with course staff and students - and plenty of time for discussions and questions about student life here at BCU.
-
12.20 - 12.30pm
Break
-
12.30 - 2pm
Taster lecture: Design and Build a Tower
In this session, you will have the opportunity to design and construct a tower efficiently - and calculate its costs. Through this you’ll gain an understanding of the role of Quantity Surveyors and Construction Managers in a construction project. Then, using virtual simulation, we will navigate around a digital model of a building to extract information, such as material costs and types. In this model, you’ll learn about some of the activities that you will be doing during your time on the course using industry-standard technologies to become a 21st century Quantity Surveyor and Construction Manager. At the end of our activity, you will have the chance to ask our student ambassadors who are studying on the course any questions about student life and studying at BCU.
-
2pm onwards
Explore BCU
Learn about key areas of university life, with virtual tours, information on finance, admissions, student support and accommodation, and a chance to ask us your questions.
Courses included: BSc (Hons) Construction Management and BSc (Hons) Construction Management with Foundation Year
-
10 - 10.20am
Welcome to School of Engineering and Built Environment
During this welcome talk, you can find out about the courses in our School, what to expect from your course and how you will be learning. After this, you’ll move into smaller groups for your practical taster session, with course staff and students - and plenty of time for discussions and questions about student life here at BCU.
-
10.20 - 10.30am
Break
-
10.30am - 12pm
Taster lecture: Design and Build a Tower
In this session, you will have the opportunity to design and construct a tower efficiently - and calculate its costs. Through this you’ll gain an understanding of the role of Quantity Surveyors and Construction Managers in a construction project. Then, using virtual simulation, we will navigate around a digital model of a building to extract information, such as material costs and types. In this model, you’ll learn about some of the activities that you will be doing during your time on the course using industry-standard technologies to become a 21st century Quantity Surveyor and Construction Manager. At the end of our activity, you will have the chance to ask our student ambassadors who are studying on the course any questions about student life and studying at BCU.
-
12pm onwards
Explore BCU
Learn about key areas of university life, with virtual tours, information on finance, admissions, student support and accommodation, and a chance to ask us your questions.
Courses included: BSc (Hons) Property Development and Planning and BSc (Hons) Property Development and Planning with Foundation Year
-
12 - 12.20pm
Welcome to School of Engineering and Built Environment
During this welcome talk, you can find out about the courses in our School, what to expect from your course and how you will be learning. After this, you’ll move into smaller groups for your practical taster session, with course staff and students - and plenty of time for discussions and questions about student life here at BCU.
-
12.20 - 12.50pm
Case study: Development options for an iconic listed building
In this session we’ll introduce you to Louisa Ryland House, an iconic listed building in Birmingham’s central business district, that was recently acquired for redevelopment. You'll learn about this case study together with Building Surveying and Real Estate students, to share insights and collaborate before delving into a Property Development and Planning focus.
-
12.50 - 2pm
Taster lecture: Restore and repurpose an iconic listed building
Once you have learnt about the case study, we'll use this to look in depth at the opportunities for restoring and repurposing the building and weigh up options to recommend a suitable redevelopment strategy. Together we’ll discuss the changing city centre context, current and future economic, social and environmental conditions and some of the law and policy that constrains development and goes towards making sustainable places. You'll find out some of the many factors that go towards deciding a best option for any investment and development project.This activity is designed to provide you with a good understanding of what is involved in a career in Planning and the types of activities you could do on the course. At the end of our activity, you will have the chance to ask our student ambassadors who are studying on the course any questions about student life and studying at BCU.
-
2pm onwards
Explore BCU
Learn about key areas of university life, with virtual tours, information on finance, admissions, student support and accommodation, and a chance to ask us your questions.
Courses included: BSc (Hons) Property Development and Planning and BSc (Hons) Property Development and Planning with Foundation Year
-
10 - 10.20am
Welcome to School of Engineering and Built Environment
During this welcome talk, you can find out about the courses in our School, what to expect from your course and how you will be learning. After this, you’ll move into smaller groups for your practical taster session, with course staff and students - and plenty of time for discussions and questions about student life here at BCU.
-
10.20 - 10.50am
Case study: Development options for an iconic listed building
In this session we’ll introduce you to Louisa Ryland House, an iconic listed building in Birmingham’s central business district, that was recently acquired for redevelopment. You'll learn about this case study together with Building Surveying and Real Estate students, to share insights and collaborate before delving into a Property Development and Planning focus.
-
10.50am - 12pm
Taster lecture: Restore and repurpose an iconic listed building
Once you have learnt about the case study, we'll use this to look in depth at the opportunities for restoring and repurposing the building and weigh up options to recommend a suitable redevelopment strategy. Together we’ll discuss the changing city centre context, current and future economic, social and environmental conditions and some of the law and policy that constrains development and goes towards making sustainable places. You'll find out some of the many factors that go towards deciding a best option for any investment and development project.This activity is designed to provide you with a good understanding of what is involved in a career in Planning and the types of activities you could do on the course. At the end of our activity, you will have the chance to ask our student ambassadors who are studying on the course any questions about student life and studying at BCU.
-
12pm onwards
Explore BCU
Learn about key areas of university life, with virtual tours, information on finance, admissions, student support and accommodation, and a chance to ask us your questions.
Courses included: BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying with Foundation Year
-
12 - 12.20pm
Welcome to School of Engineering and Built Environment
During this welcome talk, you can find out about the courses in our School, what to expect from your course and how you will be learning. After this, you’ll move into smaller groups for your practical taster session, with course staff and students - and plenty of time for discussions and questions about student life here at BCU.
-
12.20 - 12.30pm
Break
-
12.30 - 2pm
Taster lecture: Design and Build a Tower
In this session, you will have the opportunity to design and construct a tower efficiently - and calculate its costs. Through this you’ll gain an understanding of the role of Quantity Surveyors and Construction Managers in a construction project. Then, using virtual simulation, we will navigate around a digital model of a building to extract information, such as material costs and types. In this model, you’ll learn about some of the activities that you will be doing during your time on the course using industry-standard technologies to become a 21st century Quantity Surveyor and Construction Manager. At the end of our activity, you will have the chance to ask our student ambassadors who are studying on the course any questions about student life and studying at BCU.
-
2pm onwards
Explore BCU
Learn about key areas of university life, with virtual tours, information on finance, admissions, student support and accommodation, and a chance to ask us your questions.
Courses included: BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying with Foundation Year
-
10 - 10.20am
Welcome to School of Engineering and Built Environment
During this welcome talk, you can find out about the courses in our School, what to expect from your course and how you will be learning. After this, you’ll move into smaller groups for your practical taster session, with course staff and students - and plenty of time for discussions and questions about student life here at BCU.
-
10.20 - 10.30am
Break
-
10.30am - 12pm
Taster lecture: Design and Build a Tower
In this session, you will have the opportunity to design and construct a tower efficiently - and calculate its costs. Through this you’ll gain an understanding of the role of Quantity Surveyors and Construction Managers in a construction project. Then, using virtual simulation, we will navigate around a digital model of a building to extract information, such as material costs and types. In this model, you’ll learn about some of the activities that you will be doing during your time on the course using industry-standard technologies to become a 21st century Quantity Surveyor and Construction Manager. At the end of our activity, you will have the chance to ask our student ambassadors who are studying on the course any questions about student life and studying at BCU.
-
12pm onwards
Explore BCU
Learn about key areas of university life, with virtual tours, information on finance, admissions, student support and accommodation, and a chance to ask us your questions.
Courses included: BSc (Hons) Real Estate and BSc (Hons) Real Estate with Foundation Year
-
12 - 12.20pm
Welcome to School of Engineering and Built Environment
During this welcome talk, you can find out about the courses in our School, what to expect from your course and how you will be learning. After this, you’ll move into smaller groups for your practical taster session, with course staff and students - and plenty of time for discussions and questions about student life here at BCU.
-
12.20 - 12.50pm
Case study: Get to know an iconic listed building
In this session we’ll introduce you to Louisa Ryland House, an iconic listed building in Birmingham’s central business district, that was recently acquired for redevelopment. You'll learn about this case study together with Building Surveying and Property Development and Planning students, to share insights and collaborate before delving into a Real Estate focus.
-
12.50 - 2pm
Taster lecture: How to value an iconic listed building
This activity will be carried out in course groups. Once you have learnt about the case study, we’ll use this to look in depth at the value metrics to maximise the financial return for the investor while considering the other aspects, such as the physical constraints of this listed building and the wider planning environment of a changing city centre. You’ll find out some of the many factors that go towards deciding a best option for any investment and development project.and weigh up options to recommend a suitable redevelopment strategy. At the end of our activity, you will have the chance to ask our student ambassadors who are studying on the course any questions about student life and studying at BCU.
-
2pm onwards
Explore BCU
Learn about key areas of university life, with virtual tours, information on finance, admissions, student support and accommodation, and a chance to ask us your questions.
Courses included: BSc (Hons) Real Estate and BSc (Hons) Real Estate with Foundation Year
-
10 - 10.20am
Welcome to School of Engineering and Built Environment
During this welcome talk, you can find out about the courses in our School, what to expect from your course and how you will be learning. After this, you’ll move into smaller groups for your practical taster session, with course staff and students - and plenty of time for discussions and questions about student life here at BCU.
-
10.20 - 10.50am
Case study: Get to know an iconic listed building
In this session we’ll introduce you to Louisa Ryland House, an iconic listed building in Birmingham’s central business district, that was recently acquired for redevelopment. You'll learn about this case study together with Building Surveying and Property Development and Planning students, to share insights and collaborate before delving into a Real Estate focus.
-
10.50am - 12pm
Taster lecture: How to value an iconic listed building
This activity will be carried out in course groups. Once you have learnt about the case study, we’ll use this to look in depth at the value metrics to maximise the financial return for the investor while considering the other aspects, such as the physical constraints of this listed building and the wider planning environment of a changing city centre. You’ll find out some of the many factors that go towards deciding a best option for any investment and development project.and weigh up options to recommend a suitable redevelopment strategy. At the end of our activity, you will have the chance to ask our student ambassadors who are studying on the course any questions about student life and studying at BCU.
-
12pm onwards
Explore BCU
Learn about key areas of university life, with virtual tours, information on finance, admissions, student support and accommodation, and a chance to ask us your questions.