Foundation Year
Welcome
Welcome to Foundation Year Studies at Birmingham Newman University, and to the first year of your four-year degree programme.
The foundation team is looking forward to welcoming you to the University, and helping you get started on your degree.
Course timetable information
You’ll be in 5 hours of teaching between 9am and 5pm on either Tuesdays or Thursdays.
Full details of your individual academic timetable, including Semester 2 timetable which may differ, will be available via your university email calendar after you have completed online enrolment and set up your student login.
In addition, you will also have a degree subject session. Semester 1 degree subject groups are detailed below.]
In the first semester of study (between September and December), students take two modules: Education and Society and Degree Group.
In Education and Society, students work with your foundation lecturer to develop their academic skills and confidence while exploring a range of ideas and concepts from identity to inequality and applying these to their degree subject.
In Degree Group, students work with a degree-specific lecturer, and develop an understanding of the foundations of their chosen degree.
Please check your individual subject below to find out your induction day.
Overview of induction day
- Meet the team
- Getting to know each other
- Enrolment – Photo ID
- Campus Connect
- Meeting university support services
- Q&A
Induction & timetable information
For on campus activities students are split into groups at enrolment. Each group will have its own timetable.
Please select your Foundation Year course to discover you induction activities and timetable information:
Induction
- Wednesday 17 September
- 10:30am to 1pm
- Room DA001
Timetable
- Wednesdays 0900-1200
Foundation session times
- Tuesday or Thursday, 9am–5pm (students will be allocated one of these days)
Induction
- Wednesday 17 September
- 10:30am to 1pm
- Room DA001
Timetable
- Wednesdays 9am to 12pm
Foundation session times
- Tuesday or Thursday, 9am–5pm (students will be allocated one of these days)
Induction
- Monday 15 September
- 1pm to 4:30pm
- Room HI101
Timetable
- Wednesdays 9am to 12pm
Foundation session times
- Tuesday or Thursday, 9am–5pm (students will be allocated one of these days)
Induction
- Wednesday 17 September
- 11:30am to 2pm
- Room DA022
Timetable
- Fridays 3pm to 6pm
Foundation session times
- Tuesday or Thursday, 9am–5pm (students will be allocated one of these days)
Induction
- Wednesday 17 September
- 12pm to 2:30pm
- Room HI104
Timetable
- Fridays 9am to 12pm
Foundation session times
- Tuesday or Thursday, 9am–5pm (students will be allocated one of these days)
Induction
- Wednesday 17 September
- 12pm to 2:30pm
- Room HI104
Timetable
- Fridays 9am to 12pm
Foundation session times
- Tuesday or Thursday, 9am–5pm (students will be allocated one of these days)
Induction
- Wednesday 17 September
- 12pm to 2:30pm
- Room HI104
Timetable
- Fridays 9am to 12pm
Foundation session times
- Tuesday or Thursday, 9am–5pm (students will be allocated one of these days)
Induction
- Monday 15 September
- 2pm to 5:30pm
- Room HI104
Timetable
- Mondays 9am to 12pm
Foundation session times
- Tuesday or Thursday, 9am–5pm (students will be allocated one of these days)
Induction
- Wednesday 17 September
- 11am – 1:30pm
- Room HI102
Timetable
- Fridays 1pm to 4pm
Foundation session times
- Tuesday or Thursday, 9am–5pm (students will be allocated one of these days)
Induction
- Wednesday 17 September
- 11:30am to 2pm
- Room DA022
Timetable
- Fridays 9am to 12pm
Foundation session times
- Tuesday or Thursday, 9am–5pm (students will be allocated one of these days)
Induction
- Monday 15 September
- 2pm to 5pm
- Room HI104
Timetable
- Mondays: 9am to 12pm
- OR
- Fridays: 11am to 2pm (depending on cohort group)
Foundation session times
- Tuesday or Thursday, 9am–5pm (students will be allocated one of these days)
Induction
- Wednesday 17 September
- 12pm to 2:30pm
- Room HI104
Timetable
- Fridays 12pm to 3pm
Foundation session times
- Tuesday or Thursday, 9am–5pm (students will be allocated one of these days)
Induction
- Monday 15 September
- 1:30pm to 5pm
- Room CH116
Timetable
- Wednesdays 10am to 1pm
Foundation session times
- Tuesday or Thursday, 9am–5pm (students will be allocated one of these days)
Induction
- Monday 15 September
- 1pm to 4:30pm
- Room HI101
Timetable
- Fridays 9am to 12pm
Foundation session times
- Tuesday or Thursday, 9am–5pm (students will be allocated one of these days)
Induction
- Wednesday 17 September
- 11:30am to 2pm
- Room DA022
Timetable
- Fridays 9am to 12pm
Foundation session times
- Tuesday or Thursday, 9am–5pm (students will be allocated one of these days)
Induction
- Monday 15 September
- 1:30pm to 5pm
- Room DA022
Timetable
- Fridays 2pm to 5pm
Foundation session times
- Tuesday or Thursday, 9am–5pm (students will be allocated one of these days)
HeadStart – Monday 1 to Friday 5 September 2025
Headstart is a programme aimed at introducing our new students to University life. We understand that our students come from all walks of life and have personal and individual aspirations for taking this important step in their journey.
This programme is an opportunity to:
- Talk to staff before starting university
- Meet other students
- Understand and navigate the campus
- Find out about the support available
- Start getting comfortable with university life
Welcome Week Services Fair – Your Chance to Meet the Teams!
As part of your induction to Birmingham Newman University, our Services Fair is your opportunity to meet the teams who will support you throughout your studies and explore the services available to help you succeed.
Dates & Times
- 1 September – 11am – 2pm
- 4 & 5 September – 11:30am to 1pm
- 15, 17, 18 & 19 September – 11am to 2pm
Note: The Students’ Union Welcome Fair will take place on 16 September – see their website for more details.
You’re welcome to drop in and take part on any of the fair dates — it doesn’t have to be the day of your induction.
- Chat with Careers about your future plans, grab some sweets and an employability bag, and register on My Career for a chance to win a £25 Amazon voucher.
- Make a badge with our Environmental Officer, download the OurNewman app to spin the wheel and win a prize, and join the Library for Q&A activities and their Prize Every Time Lucky Dip.
- Advice & Wellbeing will be offering stress tests, sound therapy, and an Affirmation Station, while E-Learning invites you to take their “Who You Gonna Call?” quiz for a prize draw entry.
- Try the Sport team’s exercise bike challenge and visit the Chaplaincy to choose the “word of the day” and share some positivity.
And that’s just the start — there’ll be many more services, activities, and opportunities to explore each day of the fair. Come along, get involved, and make the most of what’s on offer!
The Disability & Inclusion team and the Advice & Wellbeing team will be holding drop-in sessions on campus from 15–19 September.
- 15 September – 11am to 2pm: DW102 (Dimple – Disability & Inclusion)
- 16 September – 11am to 2pm: DW101 (Jas – Advice & Wellbeing)
- 17 September – 11am to 2pm: DW102 (Jas – Advice & Wellbeing)
- 18 September – 11am to 2pm: CH116 (Jas – Advice & Wellbeing)
- 19 September – 11am to 2pm: CH004 (Dimple – Disability & Inclusion)
No appointment needed – just drop in for advice, support, and guidance.
Key information
Subject Leads
- Head of Subject – Dr Emma Folwell
- Programme Lead – Dr James Brennan
Teaching Team
If your place is confirmed, you will be taught by a range of tutors from both the foundation and degree teams during your first year.
A foundation tutor may also contact you in September to introduce themselves and learn more about you.
The foundation team includes:
- Helen Bardy
- Dr Rory Booth
- Dr James Brennan
- Michael Gilsenan
- Dr Pushpa Kumbhat
- Dr Frankie Hines
Stay connected with OurNewman app
OurNewman is your go-to place for everything you need as a Birmingham Newman student. With the app, you can:
- Receive personalised notifications about your course, timetable, and deadlines
- Access to your files, emails, and course resources
- Find support services and keep up to date with campus events
Student Handbook
Birmingham Newman University Student Handbook – 2025-2026 (PDF – 4MB)
