University College Birmingham

University College Birmingham is a university in Birmingham, England. It was awarded full University status in 2012 along with Newman University. It is not a member of Universities UK.The college was granted the right to award its own degrees by the Privy Council in November 2007, giving it the status of a university college.In January 2008 this was reflected when it was renamed University College Birmingham.[

The university has buildings at Summer Row and Newhall Street, as well as the Postgraduate Centre at George Street.

The university has Halls of Residence, with space for 872 students, at The Maltings, and Cambrian Hall, which are both situated just off Broad Street, the main entertainment district in the city. The new development at The Maltings also includes a sports hall, shop and student bar, Joshuas.

The university has a range of specialist facilities including training restaurants, a fully equipped health and leisure club, libraries, hairdressing and beauty therapy salons, food and beverage test laboratories, a video production suite, demonstration theatres and computer suites including a facility for Early Years students.

The college opened a second teaching building in 2001 at Richmond House, in nearby Newhall Street which houses its hairdressing and beauty salons and sports therapy suites, both of which are open to the public. Further Education courses in sport and tourism are also taught there. In 2014, UCB opened its new Postgraduate Centre at George Street, a dedicated teaching and research facility for its postgraduate students.

In 2019/20 the university had 4,930 students in higher education, including 495 postgraduates and 4,435 undergraduates.There are also currently 10,335 further education students,around 10% of whom are from outside the United Kingdom. UCB was rated as 'outstanding' by OFSTED in 2009. It is also one of the few universities or colleges in the UK with Hospitality Assured status.It also currently holds the Beacon Status, Catey Education and Training Award, Investors in People, Charter Mark and the Matrix award.

All of the university's courses include opportunities to obtain work experience, and many degree-level courses give the option of a 48-week paid placement, which takes place approximately halfway through the course. The type of organisation reflects the interests of the student as well as the requirements of the programme being studied – for example, hospitality students may choose to work in hotels, restaurants, country clubs, theme parks, conference and exhibition venues, leisure centres, all-inclusive resorts, or in contract and retail caterers.

Many students undertake their placement in the UK, but there are also many opportunities available each year elsewhere in Europe, as well as the United States and Canada. Typically, students work in a number of departments to gain first-hand experience of different parts of the operation.

Many students undertake their placement in the UK, but there are also many opportunities available each year elsewhere in Europe, as well as the United States and Canada. Typically, students work in a number of departments to gain first-hand experience of different parts of the operation.