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
Semester 1 – Week beginning 22/09/2025
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.
Module delivery
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.
Induction day
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
IMPORTANT: Please bring your photo ID with you to complete the ID verification check for Student Finance confirmation.
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.
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.
Drop-in sessions: Dates & Times
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
Student Services and Support
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
