At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome new students, provide information, and support events during Welcome Week.
- Company: University of Birmingham, dedicated to student employment and community.
- Benefits: Earn £13.45 per hour, gain valuable experience, and enhance your CV.
- Other info: Flexible hours around your studies with excellent training provided.
- Why this job: Be an ambassador for the university and make a positive impact on new students.
- Qualifications: Confident communication skills and a proactive attitude are essential.
The predicted salary is between 13.45 - 13.45 £ per hour.
To work as a Welcome Assistant, supporting the Student Experience & Partnerships team in delivering key Welcome activity for new and returning students. The main objective is welcoming, providing information and key services to new University students and visitors throughout Welcome (Saturday 19 September to Friday 25 September 2026). Welcome is one of the University’s busiest and most significant periods of the year and it is important that new students and their families have a positive first experience of the University to help them find their feet and settle in. It is a demanding, but thoroughly rewarding and enjoyable role.
You will be involved in providing front line information, advice, and services to new students from all over the world and will act as an ambassador for the University in welcoming new students and their guests to campus. Events and activities will be organised throughout Welcome and information about these will be available on the Welcome what’s on page (including, Welcome Events, Campus Tours, Information Points, Student Community Hub). This role requires you to engage with new students, answering their questions and pointing them in the right direction, as well as spending time interacting with them to help engage them in activities, chat to them about your experience and reassure them. The roles could include campus tours, supporting at Welcome events, queue management, and taking feedback. You will work a variety of tasks across the week.
Main duties
- Adhere to safety measures and protocols laid out by the University and through training.
- Be friendly, approachable, and proactive in whatever role is required.
- Welcome new students to the University of Birmingham and act as an information point for new students and their families.
- Support the smooth running and operations of Welcome activities.
- Support venue managers to manage events safely.
- Check Teams and other communications for updates.
- Undertake any other duties as necessary and appropriate to the successful delivery of Welcome.
Some roles will:
- Support the Airport Collection service, including travelling to Birmingham airport to welcome students and provide directions.
- Deliver campus tours to new students and their families.
- Provide information and answer queries at indoor or outdoor Welcome Information Points.
- Support Welcome events for students, such as fairs, talks and drop-in activities.
- Proactively encourage students to engage with activities such as the Welcome Fair and Student Community Hub Marquee.
- Proactively collate student and visitor feedback through various mechanisms.
Required knowledge, skills, qualifications & experience
- Must have the confidence and ability to talk to and communicate with a wide range of people and be proactive in doing so.
- Must have the ability to work on own initiative, and able to demonstrate a good team working ethos.
- Must have the ability to manage time effectively and ensure that timings/working hours are adhered to.
- Flexibility to maintain a professional demeanour across a range of formal and informal settings and a varying pace of work.
- Must have an understanding of what good customer service is and ideally experience of working in a customer facing environment.
- Must be available to work between Saturday 19 and Friday 25 September 2026.
Further details
Arrivals Weekend and Welcome Week: Saturday 19 September to Friday 25 September (up to 35 hours), with a very small number of shifts available on the Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September. All Welcome Assistants are required to be available for the duration of Arrivals Weekend and Welcome Week. The hours/days of work may vary but are likely to be in the region of 20-35 hours throughout this week. These hours cannot be guaranteed and will vary depending on business requirements. Hours will be agreed and discussed with successful candidates by the team in the lead up to the week. Hours are subject to continuing satisfactory staff performance. Welcome Assistants are expected to be flexible, due to the variety of roles required.
Successful candidates will be expected to dress smartly and appropriately for the role and weather, adhere to safety protocols and measures, and act in a professional manner at all times. Successful applicants will be expected to attend an in-person training session on Wednesday 16 September, 14:00 – 16:00, which will be paid. Following completion of the training, or at any point during the period of employment, Student Services reserve the right to end the employment without notice. This is to ensure that all staff have a proven aptitude for customer service focussed work and maintain professional standards at all times.
Work is dependent on the continuation or change to these guidelines; hours of work may change or become unavailable, due to unforeseen circumstances. Our students’ health and safety is our primary concern. We will take all necessary steps to ensure you stay safe whilst undertaking your roles. We also expect that you abide by any instructions or safety measures you are provided with to help ensure the safe running of venues and events and highlight any issues you become aware of to a relevant staff member.
For any informal queries, please contact the Welcome Team (welcomeassistants@contacts.bham.ac.uk)
The University of Birmingham restricts all students to working up to 20 hours per week during term time for a maximum of 13 consecutive weeks. If your application is successful and your course does not follow the usual academic term timetable (e.g. PGT, PGR or PhD student), you and your supervisor must formally agree vacation periods if this role exceeds 20 hours per week. In addition to this, please be aware if you are an international student you will be required to apply to the Registry for the appropriate authorised absence. You are only eligible to apply to this role if you are a current University of Birmingham student. If you are not a University of Birmingham student your application will not be considered.
If you haven’t heard back within six weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Student Casual – Welcome Assistant (Experience) – Student Services – Grade 2 – 906024 in Birmingham employer: The University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With flexible working hours, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to quality service, staff are empowered to thrive in a supportive environment while contributing to the university's mission of excellence.
Contact Details:
The University of Birmingham Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Student Casual – Welcome Assistant (Experience) – Student Services – Grade 2 – 906024 in Birmingham
✨Connect with the Community
Get involved in customer support communities online! Platforms like Reddit and specific Facebook groups can be goldmines for sharing opportunities and tips. You can find out about part-time roles that might not even be advertised yet — it's all about who you know!
✨Attend Local Job Fairs
Job fairs are perfect for snagging part-time gigs! Keep an eye out for local hiring events and career expos in your area. It’s a brilliant chance to meet representatives from companies like The University of Birmingham and show off your personality in person.
✨Boost Your Visibility
Showcase your skills in online customer support forums or by offering help on platforms like Zendesk Community. A strong online presence can catch the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers looking for genuinely passionate candidates.
✨Apply Directly Through Us!
Don’t forget, applying through our website is one of the best ways to catch our attention. Tailor your application for the part-time customer support role at The University of Birmingham and let us see your personality shine through!
We think you need these skills to ace Student Casual – Welcome Assistant (Experience) – Student Services – Grade 2 – 906024 in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, communication is key! Make sure your CV and cover letter highlight your ability to clearly convey information and resolve issues. Use examples that illustrate how you've helped customers or colleagues in the past.
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities:Employers want to see how you tackle challenges. Include specific instances where you resolved a tough issue for a customer or improved a process. Real life scenarios are a great way to showcase your critical thinking and adaptability.
Tailor Your Application to Part-Time Work:Since this is a part-time role, be upfront about your availability in your cover letter. Highlight how you can balance work with your other commitments. It shows you're organised and committed to making the role work for both you and The University of Birmingham.
Get Familiar with Our Brand:Before applying, take some time to learn about The University of Birmingham and our approach to customer support. Mention in your cover letter why you're excited about supporting our customers specifically. It’ll show your enthusiasm and that you've done your homework!
How to prepare for a job interview at The University of Birmingham
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
In customer support, being able to communicate clearly and effectively is key. During the interview, make sure to demonstrate your listening skills and your ability to explain solutions simply. Use examples from past experiences where you resolved customer issues successfully.
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like ticketing systems (think Zendesk or Freshdesk) and chat software. If you’ve used any of these in previous roles or during your studies, be ready to chat about your experiences. Showing you can hit the ground running with these tools will impress The University of Birmingham.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
Since this is a part-time role, emphasise your ability to adapt to different shifts and your willingness to handle varying customer volumes. Share any experiences where you thrived in a fast-paced environment or juggled multiple tasks, which can highlight your time management skills.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Interviewers often love scenario-based questions in customer support roles. Be ready to tackle common customer situations, like how you'd handle an unhappy customer. Practising responses to these scenarios will showcase your problem-solving ability and customer service mindset, which The University of Birmingham will surely appreciate.
