[JustJen]

I just got an offer from the University of Birmingham to do a PGDipEd Secondary English (yay! ) but am now starting to worry about accommodation.

I'm from the Birmingham area anyway so I know the student areas really well, but I wouldn't know where to start as a postgrad! I don't think I'd want to go back into halls with freshers because the work load is so intense, but I don't know anyone yet to rent a house with.

Does anyone have any recommendations from their own experiences? I know I'm looking early, but I'm off to China to teach for 6 months and will have to do house hunting and stuff via the internet and my family, so it's best to get an idea now!

Also, is anyone else doing a PGDipEd at Birmingham? I've hardly seen anyone on TSR applying!

P.S. I did just notice the typo in the thread title. Perhaps not a good start for an English teacher...

[patnee]

Hi!

I've applied for the History PGDipEd and have an interview next week, so fingers crossed!

I'm planning on living at home if I get a place but this might be useful:

http://www.has.bham.ac.uk/studentacc...d_Houses.shtml

Has postgrad-only houses, so don't know if it might be handy for you to have a look at?

[kate_187]

I applied for PGDipEd but in Early Years. Got told via email I have a conditional place but no official offer letter yet! I might be living with a friend of my aunts, or if that falls through then will have to look for shared housing. Would want to share with teachers if possible, because like you say the work load will be intense!

[JustJen]

(Original post by kate_187)
I applied for PGDipEd but in Early Years. Got told via email I have a conditional place but no official offer letter yet! I might be living with a friend of my aunts, or if that falls through then will have to look for shared housing. Would want to share with teachers if possible, because like you say the work load will be intense!

I'm in exactly the same position and am thinking the same thing! I was going to live at home but they can only promise placements within range of the University itself and my house is way out towards Lichfield And I really don't want to live with undergrads who have time for fun and a life haha, it wouldn't promote good friendships!

[kate_187]

If anyone has got onto the early years/primary course, I made a facebook group.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/209281375832032/

[Becki_22]

I just had my Conditional offer through for PGDipEd in History. Anybody else applying for this or had offers through?

[NatKatt]

I have a conditional place for English I'm looking into accommodation too, will be moving to Birmingham I think, as I am from Cheltenham and the interviewer advised relocating to minimise travel time to school placements. I think I'd be looking to share with other post grads/teachers though

[vicky__]

I have a conditional offer for PGDipEd Chemistry, has anyone else heard?

[meekakitty]

I have a place on the PGDipEd Geography course! Is anyone still looking for accommodation? I am interested in sharing with other teachers if possible?

[DebF]

Hello everyone. I have a conditional offer for a PGDipEd in Chemistry. Looking forward to the start of the course and meeting you all. :O)

[smartarse1983]

Hi

Sorry to derail thread about accommodation - but I couldn't find any other University of Birmingham PGDipEd threads.

Hello!

The welcome pack they sent us, complete with forms etc - do we have to send all the forms back together? I have completed the medical and other ones, but I can't complete the primary school observation one yet, because I am still trying to find a place. Am I better sending off the ones that I can or waiting?

As for accommodation, I'm hoping to be able to commute, that said I live 40 mins NW of Birmingham, so I'll have to see how well that turns out when they send me on placement to somewhere 40 mins SE of Brum!

[Becki_22]

(Original post by smartarse1983)
Hi

Sorry to derail thread about accommodation - but I couldn't find any other University of Birmingham PGDipEd threads.

Hello!

The welcome pack they sent us, complete with forms etc - do we have to send all the forms back together? I have completed the medical and other ones, but I can't complete the primary school observation one yet, because I am still trying to find a place. Am I better sending off the ones that I can or waiting?

As for accommodation, I'm hoping to be able to commute, that said I live 40 mins NW of Birmingham, so I'll have to see how well that turns out when they send me on placement to somewhere 40 mins SE of Brum!

Hi,
I posted my forms off as I sorted them out. I don't think it makes much difference to be honest
xxx

[Myteacherdream]

(Original post by vicky__)
I have a conditional offer for PGDipEd Chemistry, has anyone else heard?

Hi Vicky .I have an interview for PGDipEd Chemistry. Would you please advise on the interview . Id really like to know what kind of questions they ask and the kind of things their exercises are based on, do they ask chemistry questions etc? thanks.

[Myteacherdream]

(Original post by DebF)
Hello everyone. I have a conditional offer for a PGDipEd in Chemistry. Looking forward to the start of the course and meeting you all. :O)

Hi Deb. i have an interview this week for PGDipEd chemistry and would appreciate any advise you have on the inteview and questions, lesson etc. thanks

[gaw821]

I would recommend somewhere like Jarrett Hall as I believe that they have sections specifically for post grads and PhD students. It's quite pricey but very good location. You could ask letting agencies to put you in touch with "young professionals" if you want to avoid sharing a house with undergrads. Opal 1 is also an option but it's pretty far from the uni so the travel costs would add up!

[charliemj87]

Hi,
I'm doing PGDipEd Religious Education and got my unconditional through about 2 weeks ago.

I've been looking at accommodation and have myself on the uni private renting list, which I'll hopefully be getting an answer about tomorrow or Tuesday. I would rather have lived in halls but A) its stupidly expensive and would have cost all of my student loan and B) they have very few places for post grads as undergrads and overseas students get first dibs.

I don't know Birmingham at all so have no ideas what areas or good / bad so figured the uni rentings was the best bet. Plus I had a bad experience with private landlords when last at uni.

I hope to meet all you other PGDipEd's soon! And for those interviewing soon.... good luck!

[Jimmy Mullen]

Those of you that live in the West Midlands, bear in mind that you will only be at the Uni for 1/3 of the course, so you may end up wishing you had just remained at home if your placements turn out to be a lot closer to your house than your accomodation!

e.g. if you live in Wolverhampton and decide to move down to Edgbaston/Selly Oak to be closer to the Uni, only to find that you have placements in Wolverhampton/Walsall for 2/3 of the year.