HeadStart
Welcome to Birmingham Newman University.
HeadStart is a number of activities and events for students and ran from Monday 1 to Friday 5 September 2025 on campus and online.
It was an opportunity for new students to get used to their new university, and to settle in early on. It was designed to make students feel ‘at home’.
Why attend HeadStart
HeadStart helped our students find out more about the Newman experience, and feel prepared for the year ahead:
- Meet other students
- Find their way around the campus
- Find out about the support available to help our students succeed
- Start getting comfortable with their new lifestyle
HeadStart schedule & booking
The times of the sessions are below; sessions are a mixture of online and on-campus:
Monday 1 September
This online session introduces you to some of the main digital spaces that you will use while studying at the Univeristy including our virtual learning environment.
We will show you how to find your way around these and build your confidence using these systems.
- Monday 1 September 2025
- 10am to 10:45am
This online session will introduce you to the library, what we do, and how to make use of our resources and staff! We’re much more than just a collection of books!
- Monday 1 September 2025
- 11am to 12pm
- Library webpage booking link (booking not required)
You might not have studied at univeristy before – but this doesn’t mean that you don’t already have important skills! These skills will be invaluable to you in your course. Come along to this online session to find out more.
- Monday 1 September 2025
- 1:30pm to 2pm
What is referencing? How do I do it? What support is available? Nobody likes referencing, but it doesn’t have to be a chore! This online session will walk you through the basics of Newman Harvard Referencing and using our referencing guide. It’s not as tricky as you think!
- Monday 1 September 2025
- 3:30pm to 4pm
- Library webpage booking link (booking not required)
Tuesday 2 September
This online session shows you how to submit assignments on our Virtual learning environment to help build basic skills and confidence for this important part of your course.
- Tuesday 2 September 2025
- 10am to 10:45am
- Tuesday 2 September 2025
- 11am to 12:30pm and 1pm to 2:30pm
- Room: TBC
Your Students’ Union Scavenger Hunt
- Tuesday 2 September 2025
- 1:30pm to 2pm
This in-person session will introduce you to Newman Students’ Union, what we do and how you can get involved to make the most out of your university experience.
Also, we’ll be running a Scavenger Hunt for you to learn more about Birmingham Newman’s campus and where you can find the professional services. There are prizes to be won so come and get involved!
This in-person session will introduce you to the library, what we do, and how to make use of our resources and staff! We’re much more than just a collection of books!
- Tuesday 2 September 2025
- 2:45pm to 3:45pm
- Library Training Room (capacity 20)
- Library webpage booking link (booking not required)
Wednesday 3 September
This on campus session shows you how to submit assignments on our Virtual learning environment to help build basic skills and confidence for this important part of your course.
- Wednesday 3 September 2025
- 12pm to 12:30pm
- Room: TBC
Thursday 4 September
This online session will introduce some of the key points of academic writing style – the type of writing you’ll be doing at university. Come along to find out more.
- Thursday 4 September 2025
- 10:30am to 11am
In this workshop we’ll be looking at how to make digital things like videos or narrated PowerPoints. We want this to be a fun hands-on session – it is particularly aimed at those who are anxious about digital. The session should help to build your knowledge and confidence.
It will also be very useful as most courses at the University ask you at some point to create a multimedia product for one or more of your assignments.
- Thursday 4 September 2025
- 11:15am to 12:15am
- Room: TBC
Online – if you’ve got any quick questions about the skills you’ll need for your studies at university, then this is where we can help. No question is too small- we’re here to help.
- Thursday 4 September 2025
- 12pm to 2:30pm
What is referencing? How do I do it? What support is available? Nobody likes referencing, but it doesn’t have to be a chore! This in-person session will walk you through the basics of Newman Harvard Referencing and using our referencing guide. It’s not as tricky as you think!
- Thursday 4 September 2025
- 1pm to 2pm
- Library Training Room (capacity 20)
- Library webpage booking link (booking not required)
Friday 5 September
Starting somewhere new can be exciting, but we know it can also feel daunting. Our Find Your Community Day is the perfect way to get a head start, meet fellow new students, and start making friends before the term kicks off.
You’ll have the chance to take part in fun activities like a treasure hunt and our pub quiz, where there’ll be prizes to be won. Lunch will be provided, and the bar will be open during the quiz.
Don’t miss out! Come along, get involved, and start feeling at home!
- Friday 5 September 2025
- 11am to 4:30pm
- Meet at Reception
HeadStart FAQ
Do I need to attend everything?
No, you can choose which sessions or events you want to attend. Attend 5 sessions or more to get a ‘Student Success HeadStart Certificate’.
How do I book?
Book through the HeadStart booking form and we’ll send you the link or classroom details.
What if I have any questions?
You can email studentsupport@newman.ac.uk and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
HeadStart
- Monday 1 to Friday 5 September 2025
- On campus and Online
- Meet new students