Fun, free student sport
Available for all students in halls
Active Residences is a sport and exercise programme designed specifically and exclusively for University of Birmingham students living in University and nominated partner-owned accommodation.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve never played sport or exercised before; there’s something for everyone and it’s right on your doorstep.
So, join us and get active to help improve your wellbeing, mental and physical health, and feel a sense of belonging in our student community.
Is Active Residences for me?
If you are a University of Birmingham student living in University or nominated partner-owned accommodation, you are eligible!
The programme is designed for everyone and all abilities – in fact, beginners are welcome and encouraged! No experience is needed; a friendly instructor or student activator will show you the basics and then you’ll get chance to try out your new skills. It also gives you the opportunity to get active, meet new people and have fun!
This week's Active Residences timetable
5.00pm – 6.00pm | Just Play Football | Water Synthetic Pitch | (Starting 26/01/26)
8.00pm – 9.00pm | Just Play Table Tennis | Shackleton | (Starting 19/01/26)
6.00pm – 6.40pm | Tuesday Dance Fitness | Hampton Room, Chamberlain Tower, The Vale
9.00pm – 10.00pm | Just Play Badminton | Munrow Arena 1, Sport and Fitness
6.00pm – 7.00pm | Intro To Tennis | Outdoor Tennis Courts, Bournbrook Pitches
6.30pm – 7.30pm | Just Play Basketball | Slater Hall, Sport & Fitness
4.00pm – 5.00pm | Wheelchair Basketball | Munrow Arena, Sport and Fitness
5.00pm-6.00pm | Just Play Netball (in partnership with Netball England) | Munrow Arena 1, Sport & Fitness |(Starting 22/01/26)
6.00pm-6.40pm | Yoga | Hampton Room, Chamberlain Tower
6.50pm-7.20pm | Pilates | Hampton Room, Chamberlain Tower
7.00pm-8.20pm | Just Play Badminton | Munrow Arena 3, Sport and Fitness
2.00pm – 2.40pm | Pilates | Hexagon Room
5:15pm – 6.15pm | Intro to Climbing | Sport & Fitness Climbing Wall
12.00pm – 1.00pm | Just Run | Athletics Track – Saturdays in February (7th, 14th, 21st, 28th).
4.00pm – 5.00pm | Just Play Badminton | Sport & Fitness
How do I book on?
All activities are free, but you must secure your spot in advance for all Active Residences activities.
UoB students automatically have a Sport & Fitness account. For first-time login, request your PIN on this page via ‘Forgotten Your PIN?’
If you have a PIN, you’re set!
- Book at https://uobsport.gs-signature.cloud/Connect/
- Login, click ‘Make a Booking,’ then ‘Active Residences.’
- Pick an activity, hit ‘Book’ – let the fun begin!
What should I bring?
All specific equipment is provided for the activities.
- Wear sports clothes and trainers that you are comfortable to work out in. If the session is outdoors, warm/waterproof clothing is recommended.
- Reusable bottle of water.
- Your student card.
Bookable on the app!
The Sport & Fitness app is an easy way to book your Active Residences sessions, plus you can keep up-to-date with the latest Sport & Fitness information.
Download from Google Play or Apple Store today.
Where do activities take place?
There are various accommodation sites, across campus and in Sport & Fitness where the activities take place. Please pay close attention to the location details for each activity.
If you’re unsure on the location, take a look at our campus map!
Fitness Classes
A range of fitness classes led by expert friendly instructors who will guide you and encourage you through the 30 – 40 minute classes.
De-stress with slow movements & relaxing breathing exercises to improve strength, flexibility & balance.
Low-intensity class to strengthen & tone muscles using slow, controlled movements and breath. Great for beginners and those recovering from injuries.
Cardio dance class to improve fitness and muscle tone whilst dancing to Latin American and international music. Great for anyone who wants to learn some new moves, get their heart rate up and have fun.
Guided meditation delivered by Peter in the Hexagon Room at Pritchatts. A calm, restorative session focused on breathing, grounding and mindfulness to help reduce stress and improve wellbeing.
Want more classes that suit your timetable? All these classes and many more are available at Sport & Fitness via Pay & Go, all year round!
Intro to... Sessions
Structured coached sports sessions run by a mix of activators, UoB Sport & Fitness Clubs and instructors, with engaging games and activities to teach new skills.
Rounders is relaxed and fun bat-and-ball game played between two teams. Don’t worry if you haven’t played before or haven’t in a while, Activators will teach you the rules and skills and then end with a non-competitive friendly game of Rounders!
Learn the basic of tennis by playing a range of social games with your group.
Relaxed social climbing wall sessions supervised by a qualified instructor. Learn the basics of climbing or simply enjoy climbing socially — the session can be tailored to what you want.
Suitable for wheelchair users and non‑users. Learn the basics through fun drills and friendly games. No experience required and all equipment is provided.
A beginner‑friendly taster session to help students build water confidence and learn basic swimming skills in a supported environment.
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Looking to get involved with sports at University? Here you have 56 sports to choose from! There’s a sport for everyone at all ability and fitness levels. Join the Pride.
Just Play
These sessions are facilitated by friendly activators who will make sure you are safe and assist where needed.
A safe space for you to run jog, skip or walk on the floodlight athletics track during the winter months. All abilities welcome!
Non – competitive badminton for all abilities for those who want to meet new people, try a new hobby, or just play badminton!
A relaxed, turn‑up‑and‑play football session open to all abilities. Ideal for a friendly kickabout, meeting new people and staying active without needing to commit to a team.
Casual, accessible netball suitable for all levels. A sociable way to enjoy the game, keep active and build confidence without competitive pressure.
Social basketball focused on friendly games rather than competition. Suitable for beginners and regular players wanting enjoyable, low‑pressure court time.
Friendly table tennis games for all abilities. Turn up, grab a bat and enjoy quick, social matches with other students.
Want to try more social sports? Check out our brilliant range of available social sports via Pay and Go, all year round!
More ways to get involved in Sport & Fitness...
Active Residences FAQs
Active Residences is a free programme of sport and exercise activities, available exclusively to students living in University or partner-owned halls. So, if you want to get active, socialise and try something new, then active residences is for you!
Active Residences is exclusively for students living in University or nominated partner-owned halls. A nominated hall is a building where the University has secured exclusive spaces for UoB students. Students will have selected to live here via Student Living and not with the partner provider directly.
University of Birmingham owned halls:
- Aitken
- Ashcroft
- Bournbrook
- Chamberlain
- Elgar Court
- Jarratt Hall
- Maple Bank
- Mason
- Oakley Court
- Pritchatts House
- Pritchatts Road
- Shackleton
- Tennis Court
- The Spinney
Partner accommodations with University-nominated bedspaces:
- Battery Park
- Oakbrook Park
- Calthorpe Court
- Belgrave View
- Broderick House
- The Metalworks
- Queens Hospital Close
Not sure if you’re in a nominated partner hall bedspace? Contact Student Living who can confirm this for you.
Scroll up! Have a look at the live weekly timetable and booking information all on the Active Residences page.
No – Active Residences is completely free for students living in halls, all you need to do is book on!
- Aitken
- Ashcroft
- Battery Park
- Bournbrook
- Chamberlain
- Elgar Court
- Jarratt Hall
- Maple Bank
- Mason
- Oak Brook Park
- Oakley Court
- Pritchatts House
- Pritchatts Road
- Shackleton
- Tennis Court
- The Metalworks
- The Spinney
Active Residences’ activities are for everyone, all activities are specifically designed to be welcoming and inclusive and are especially for beginners! You don’t need any previous experience of sport and our student activators and instructors are on hand to help you should you need it.
Yes! The programme is completely free, all we ask is that you book on so that we can manage numbers, it’s really popular so make sure to book on each week!
The activities are free but you must book. Due to high demand, we will not allow you entry if you do not book.
As a University of Birmingham student, you automatically have a Sport & Fitness account, all you need to do it set a pin!
- Click book now on the Active Residences page
- Click forgotten your pin
- Use your University email address and set a pin
- Login and click make a booking
- Click Active Residences
- Look at the active residences timetable and book onto your activity
- Show your booking confirmation to your activity leader when you arrive.
- A reusable water bottle, active wear clothing and trainers/what you feel comfortable in. If the session is outdoors, warm/waterproof clothing is recommended.
That’s it! Everything else here is supplied for you.
Active residences is only for students who live in University and partner owned accommodation. However, there are SO many ways to get active at University! Why not join a sports club, join the gym, try out social sport or campus league and much more, explore our website, there’s something for everyone!
Take a look at the video links here:
Directions from the Vale to Campus
