The Union of Students
Student Executive - Student Parliament - Advice Centre - Entertainment - Sports and Societies - Spaghetti Junction - Shops
At enrolment you will be given the opportunity to opt-out of the University's Union of Students if you wish. If you do wish to be a member however, information contained on the enrolment form will be shared with the Union of Students at UCE for membership purposes and to comply with the Companies Act 1985. The Union of Students is governed by the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998. It endeavours to create and promote a positive student experience by providing a wide range of services. These include:
The Union of Students Executive
The Executive comprises 7 UCE students who have been elected to different positions within the Union of Students. The 7 Officers are President, Commercial Services Officer, Communications Officer, Welfare and Education Officer, Sports Development Officer, Student Activities Development Officer and Internal Affairs Officer. Each officer works on behalf of UCE students within their own designated area of responsibility. To contact any of the Union Executive please call 0121 331 6810.
The Student Parliament comprises up to 60 students who are elected from each Faculty, particularly those from interest groups who are under represented in the Union. This ensures that the Parliament reflects a representative sample of the views of all UCE students. Meetings of the Parliament help the Union to keep up to date with current issues within the University. One Parliamentarian from each Faculty is elected to sit on his or her respective Faculty Board. This means that students have the opportunity to raise any comments in relation to their course or the academic regulations.
The Advice Centre is staffed by professional advisers who are able to give support and guidance on a range of issues. It has comprehensive information resources relating to student welfare issues but deals mostly with money, housing and academic matters. In addition, advice is also available on many other issues such as legal matters, health issues, personal issues, employment, overseas student concerns, disability and childcare.
The Centre guarantees absolute confidentiality to all of its clients and makes no charge for any of the services it provides. Enquiries are welcomed from all UCE students. To contact the Advice Centre, please visit the Union Website www.unionofstudents.com or call on 0121 331 6801.
The Union runs a wide range of entertainments throughout
the year starting with the Freshers Festival at the beginning of each academic
year. The Union has Bars at the Perry Barr campus (Bar 42), Westbourne Road
(The Edge) and Hamstead Halls (The Village Inn) and prices always competitive.
The Union also does club deals with
the best nightclubs in Birmingham to make sure you can sample the best nightlife
Birmingham has to offer.
There are many different sports clubs and societies catering for a wide range interests. The various societies provide you with the opportunity to try out new activities and the chance to meet other students with similar interests. Alternatively, if you have a particular interest not already catered for, the opportunity exists to start up your own society or club. For further details on this please go to the Hub which is located in the Union building or e-mail union.hub@uce.ac.uk or call on 0121 331 6801.
You can join any of the Union's clubs or societies at the annual Freshers Festival or if you want to join later in the year, you can visit the Hub or any of the other Union offices around the University.
'Spaghetti Junction' is the official monthly publication of the Union of Students. It provides news on all the Union's current activities and also acts as an awareness-raising tool to help the Union promote events and news of interest or importance to its membership.
'Spaghetti Junction' is designed is to help you become more aware of the Union and its services, but also gives you the opportunity to get valuable experience within a media orientated environment should you wish to get involved in the newspaper's production. If you'd like to get involved in any aspect of the newspaper, please email union.comms@uce.ac.uk or call on 0121 331 6816.
The Union runs 3 shops on 3 different UCE campuses. These outlets offer an excellent range of good quality general and specialist items.
The shop at the main UCE campus stocks everything from UCE
branded clothing to stationary, snacks, drinks, greetings cards and newspapers.
There is also an insurance broker, a mobile phone vendor, a hairdresser and
a travel agent.
Location: Level 2, Union Building.
Opening times: Monday to Friday 8.45am - 5.30pm.
The shop at Westbourne Road stocks convenience items such
as newspapers, magazines, drinks, snacks and confectionery. It also offers an
excellent range of specialist books catering for health and community care students.
Location: Next to Edge Bar, Union of Students.
Opening times: Monday to Friday 8.45am - 4.30pm
The Union Art Shop at Gosta Green aims to provide all the
artist, design and craft material that students studying at the Institute of
Art and
Design will need at far cheaper prices than high street arts suppliers.
Location: Near canteen, Ground floor.
Opening times: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9.00am - 4.45pm.
Wednesday 9.00am - 3.00pm.
Friday 9.00am - 3.45pm.
Bournville is served by local shops on the Green which sell groceries, stationery, hardware and light electrical goods. There is also a post office and a branch of Lloyds Bank. Other shops, including a large Sainsbury’s supermarket and PC World are a few minutes drive/bus ride away in Selly Oak.