Welcome 2026 Students

Start Date

Teaching on your course begins from Monday 26 January 2026. Please check your timetable for details.

You will be able to see your timetable on iCity using your BCU login details as soon as they are released. You should have received your BCU login details when you were invited to enrol.

International Students

We expect all international students to engage with their studies in person from w/c 26 January 2026.

The final deadline to arrive in the UK to complete enrolment will be week 4 (w/c 20 February 2026).

Please check the guidelines on entering the UK from your country or territory before planning your journey. 

Timetables

Course Leader

Solomon Adjei

Welcome Message

Hello and a very warm welcome to the MRes Built Environment here at Birmingham City University. We are delighted to have you join us and to welcome you as a postgraduate research student and a valued member of our vibrant and growing research community within the Department of Architecture and Built Environment.

By choosing to undertake an MRes, you have made a significant commitment to developing your research capability, and we fully recognise the dedication this requires. Throughout your studies, you will be supported by a team of highly experienced academics and researchers who are actively engaged in impactful, industry-relevant and internationally recognised research. They will work closely with you to guide, challenge and support you on this research-led journey.

At BCU, we are committed to distinctive, original and rigorous research that creates new knowledge and delivers real-world benefits. Research within the Built Environment spans critical contemporary challenges such as sustainability, climate resilience, low-carbon construction, digital innovation, urban development, policy, procurement, and professional practice. Through your research, you will develop advanced methodological skills, critical thinking, and subject expertise, while contributing insights that can influence industry, policy and society at local, national and global levels.

Our strong research culture is evidenced by the University’s performance in REF2021, where 93% of BCU’s research was recognised internationally for originality, significance and rigour, including a substantial proportion judged to be world-leading. You will benefit from this culture through research seminars, workshops, interdisciplinary collaboration, conference engagement and opportunities to disseminate your work through publication and public or industry-facing activities.

The MRes Built Environment is designed to prepare you for advanced research and professional practice. In addition to developing deep expertise in your chosen area, you will gain a wide range of transferable skills in research design, ethics, critical analysis, project management and academic communication—skills that will support your future career, whether in doctoral study, industry, consultancy or policy-related roles.

Please take time to explore the information and resources available to you, as they are designed to help you settle into the programme and understand what is expected of you. If you engage actively, communicate regularly with your supervisors, and make use of the support available, you will find this to be a challenging, rewarding and transformative experience.

Please make sure to confirm your optional modules as soon as possible to help us enrol you into these modules on time.

Always feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.

Once again, welcome to the MRes Built Environment at Birmingham City University. We wish you every success and look forward to the valuable contributions you will make to our research community.

Course Location

Your course will mainly be taught in:

STEAMhouse, City Centre Campus (Room numbers start with CST)

Student Support Centre

Visit us at The Research Hub

Located on our City Centre Campus, The Research Hub is your dedicated space as a Postgraduate Research student.

Whether you’re looking for a place to focus, connect with fellow researchers, hot desk, or share your work, the Hub is here to support you throughout your research journey.

Research Hub opening hours:

• Monday to Friday – 7am to 7pm

For more information about the Research Hub and other dedicated PGR spaces at BCU, visit our dedicated Research Hub page.

First day on Campus

We look forward to welcoming you to Birmingham City University!

You must have your ID card visible at all times when on campus, so if you have received yours before your first day, ensure you bring this with you. If you enrolled late you will need to collect one on campus during your first few days. Please remember that your ID card is for your use only. You must never let anyone else use it.

To complete your enrolment, you will need the following:

• Passport (or other form of photo ID if you are a UK/EU student)
• Original qualification documents if applicable (you will be emailed a list of the documents we need to see once you have completed your online enrolment)
• Visa (international students only)

What else? The rest is up to you! You will find a shop, café, pub, computer access and water fountains on campus, but we do recommend you bring the following on the first day:

• Laptop, if you have one
• Notepad and pen
• Reusable water bottle
• Snack
• Money

And remember, the weather in Birmingham can be changeable!