PGCE Primary (3-11) with recommendation for QTS

Birmingham Newman University

Studying at Birmingham Newman University has been a really positive experience overall. One of the best aspects is the strong sense of community — it’s a smaller university, which makes it feel more supportive and personal. Lecturers are approachable and genuinely invested in students’ progress, and it’s much easier to build relationships with both staff and classmates compared to larger universities. Another highlight is the campus environment. It’s compact and easy to navigate, with a friendly atmosphere that helps you feel comfortable quickly. The focus on student wellbeing and support services is also a big plus, especially during busy or stressful periods. That said, there are areas that could be improved. Because it’s a smaller university, facilities and resources can feel a bit limited compared to bigger institutions. There could also be more variety in extracurricular activities and societies to give students a wider university experience. Overall, it’s a great place to study if you value a close-knit, supportive environment, but expanding resources and opportunities would make the experience even better.

Negative: In the past I have needed some support with finances and living arrangements. When asking the Univeristy for some advice they took months sometimes never even responded to my questions. I felt very unsupported through this. Positive: Support from lecturers has been good. They respond to emails and queries well.

It’s a small friendly university and I know where I can go to get support from staff. Lecturers are approachable and care about you. Car parking however does need improving

I think the staff are all very friendly and helpful, quite often everyone says good morning to each other as they pass and as quite an anxious person I already feel welcomed and feel like I can talk to anyone or ask questions. I sometimes feel that some messages can be missed so I think using one platform for communication would help.

One of the best things about my uni experience has been the supportive community and the quality of the teaching. The lecturers are passionate and genuinely care about helping students succeed, which makes a huge difference. There are also loads of opportunities to get involved — whether that’s joining societies, attending events, or taking part in projects outside of lectures. The campus itself is a really nice place to be, with great facilities and plenty of spaces to study or just relax with friends. I also think more support around careers and life after uni would be really helpful — it’s something a lot of students start to think about quite late, and having more structured guidance earlier on would make a big difference.