Welcome 2026 Students

Start Date

Welcome Week will take place between Monday 14 September and Friday 18 September 2026. During Welcome Week your course team will schedule activities for you to find out important information about your course, meet your lecturers and other students, and find your way around.

Teaching on your course begins from Tuesday 1 September 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 7 September 2026.

The final deadline to arrive in the UK to complete enrolment will be week 4 (w/c 2 October 2026).

Timetables

Course Leader

Ali Pemberton Smith

Welcome Message

Welcome to the PGCE Primary and Early Years with Qualified Teacher Status programme at Birmingham City University.

We are delighted that you have chosen to join us and begin your journey towards becoming a teacher. Over the coming year, you will develop your understanding of children's learning and development, engage with research-informed practice, and build the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to make a positive difference in the lives of young people.

Teacher training is both rewarding and challenging. It requires commitment, resilience and a willingness to reflect and grow as a professional. Throughout the programme, you will be supported by an experienced and dedicated course team who are committed to helping you achieve your potential and become an effective and reflective practitioner.

Our team is based in the Benjamin Zephaniah Building, and throughout the course you will attend sessions across the City Centre Campus. These sessions will provide opportunities to collaborate with fellow trainees and engage with our partnership schools.

We look forward to working with you as you develop into a committed, creative, confident and collaborative teacher. We look forward to meeting you on 1 September 2026.

Course Location

Your course will be mainly taught in buildings at the City Centre Campus, particularly Benjamin Zephaniah Building (formerly University House).

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!