Birmingham

Birmingham Universities

Birmingham is one of the biggest cities in the UK, and with such a large student population there is no wonder that it is served by some of the finest higher education institutions outside of London. What this means is that there are universities and courses for every desire and need, and helps to turn the city into one big student community, with plenty of student-friendly culture throughout the city.

1. University of Birmingham – A Russel Group university that has a student population of over 20,000 students. It is a massive institution, recognisable as one of the UKs ‘red brick’ universities. It was the first civic university to welcome students from all backgrounds, and this ethos has survived to this day, with a high level of research, and Nobel Prize winners on staff.
2. Birmingham City University – Spread throughout three campuses in the city, BCU is the second biggest university in Birmingham. It is a very popular choice with students who have grown up in the city, and is the perfect university to attend for those looking to broaden their personal horizons with educational opportunities and an excellent network of work placements within the city itself.
3. Aston University – This centrally located university is focused on work placements and helping student work towards being ready for a career post-graduation. 70% of all students spend at least a year on a work placement as part of their course (in fact, it was one of the first universities in the country to offer placement years back in the 1950s). The quality of teaching is also ranked high on a national level, ranking in second place as recently as 2017.
4. Newman University – Located in the suburb of Bartley Green, this relatively new university has an ethos of inclusivity. Students here are provided with a strong level of support and challenged to maximise their potential, within a university that has a genuine sense of community and hope for all.
5. University College Birmingham – Specialising in vocational subjects, University College is home to courses such as business enterprise, tourism, hairdressing and beauty, and hospitality, to name just a few. There is the perfect combination of hands-on vocational training and in-class theory and coursework at University College Birmingham.

With such fantastic higher education available in Birmingham it is no wonder that it has become one of the most popular student cities in the UK. You’ll find plenty to see and do when living in your luxury Birmingham student accommodation, and receive a great education at the same time.

Eating Out in Birmingham

With such a rich history of culture from all parts of the world, Birmingham is a fantastic place to live if you love your food. From some of the finest curry houses in the land, to daily café hotspots to pick up a quick coffee and a light bite to eat at lunch, and everything else in between, you’ll find your perfect meal whatever your tastebuds when living in our luxury student accommodation in Birmingham.

1. The Balti Triangle – Just to the south of the city centre this is the area you HAVE to go to if you are a fan of curry. Birmingham is known as the original home of the Balti, and you’ll discover some of the oldest, and finest, examples of curry houses anywhere in the country. It’s a brilliant way to sample as many different curry houses as you want during your time living as a student in the city.
2. The Chinese Quarter – There is also some of the best examples of Chinese restaurants you’ll find anywhere in the UK, right here in the Chinese Quarter. For students on a budget there is nothing better than finding a genuinely authentic, and quality, Chinese buffet restaurant, and there are plenty of welcoming examples of that here.
3. Food Market Scene – Around the country the street food market scene has exploded in recent years, and Birmingham is no different. There are some truly fine street food markets that are open on a regular basis, with regular rotating restaurants and eateries to suit all tastes. Digbeth Dining Club is a shining example, winning a national Street Food Award in its time, and plates charged at about £6. Taste & Liquor is another street food market paradise, open every Friday and the last Saturday of the month (it has some great drinks offers), whilst Hawkers Yard is all about Asian-inspired street food.
4. Eating on Campus – For many students you’ll spend so much time on campus that you’ll be reliant on either what you take with you for lunch or what you can find close by when you’ve got an hour between lectures, or a quick break. Luckily, the University of Birmingham has over 30 cafés, bars, restaurants, a food court, and plenty of fast sandwich and takeaway spots on campus. You’ll never have to worry about going hungry during the day!
5. Student Friendly Prices – For proper budget eating without breaking the bank there are a couple of standout restaurants in Birmingham, including the Syrian Coffee House chain Damascena, where you can get big Meze platters for about £7, and smaller plates for a really cheap price. Min Min Noodle Bar is another great place to get stuffed Vietnamese rolls, and massive bowls of noodles to warm the soul. Zindiya is a great place to sample Indian street food in a fancy-looking setting but without the fancy costs, whilst Purecraft Bar & Kitchen is a great place to sample over 100 beers whilst munching on a wide and varied menu that uses the ales and lagers as ingredients.

Still looking for more places to eat? Read our article; Where to eat in Birmingham: 10 Great Places

Birmingham Nightlife

It doesn’t matter what you are looking for in a night out, Birmingham has something for you to enjoy. From your luxury student accommodation in Birmingham you can easily find your way to any type of night out you are looking for, from indie and rock nights, to cheesy pop, dance music, or a trip to the Gay Village. We’ve chosen a few different nights out that might be of interest to you.

1. Snobs (Smallbrook, Queensway) – Snobs is one of the busiest and most popular clubs for students in Birmingham. For those who love indie anthems and alternative classics, it is the place to be, with specific club nights on every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Big Wednesday is the longest running student night in the city, and you can dance away to indie tunes, as well as some dubstep and hip-hop, whilst drinking cheap drinks and just £4 for entry.
2. Nightingales (Kent St) – An iconic club in the heart of Birmingham gay village, Nightingales is a huge LGBT-friendly venue (holding around 2000 people at capacity), and every Thursday night you’ll find plenty of fantastic student offers.
3. Sugarsuite (Broad St) – The number one urban club in Birmingham, Sugarsuite is located on the ‘Golden Mile’. It is a very popular club all week, but especially on a Friday when it is known for playing Hip-Hop bangers and RnB classics. For a more laidback affair, sister venue Velvet Music Rooms is a busy DJ bar downstairs from Sugarsuite.
4. PRZYM (Broad St) – The biggest club un Birmingham, and one of the best dance music clubs in the whole of the UK, PRYZM is home to a party atmosphere like no other, bringing that special Ibiza vibe to town every single week! Over the 4 massive rooms you’ll find different DJs and different themes, playing trance, Hip-Hop, RnB, and classic tunes.
5. Live Music Venues – Birmingham has a history of great live music venues and if you are into catching the biggest names in pop and rock, or you are more attuned to what’s going on in the underground, there are plenty of gig venues to keep you occupied. From The Mill, right up to the O2 Academy, the Arena, and Digbeth Arena (for open air events and mini festivals) there is something for everyone.

Take your pick from above and we’re sure you’ll find something you like for a great student night out in the city. Our luxury Birmingham student accommodation is in the perfect location to help you get home safely and quickly after a night out in town.

Sport in Birmingham

For a city as big as Birmingham it is no surprise that it is sports mad. Whether you are looking to leave your comfortable and luxury student accommodation in Birmingham to go watch some top level football, go for a jog or a hike, or join a University sports team, there is plenty to keep you active during your time living in the city as a student. Here, we break down some of the best Birmingham sporting options for you.

1. Football in the Midlands – Birmingham is definitely a football city, and when you count the easily reached surrounding areas in the Midlands there are quite a few genuinely massive football clubs that you can travel to easily from your luxury student accommodation in Birmingham. Former European Champions Aston Villa play at Villa Park, whilst Birmingham City play Championship games at St Andrews. A little further afield you can watch Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League and Europa League, and West Bromwich Albion attempt a return to the top flight.
2. Cricket at Edgbaston – Warwickshire County Cricket Club is one of 18 first-class county cricket clubs in England and Wales, and plays its home games at the fantastic Edgbaston. It is also the home of England test matches, including one of the latest Ashes test series against Australia, and is regularly home to T20 matches and One-Day internationals too.
3. Other Big Sporting Events – It isn’t just the big sports that you can find to watch when living in Birmingham. There is also an extensive range of top-level sporting events due to take place in 2020 in the city, including the All England Open Badminton Championships, a prestigious IAAF fixture, and the British Basketball Cup Final. Alongside that there is the regular Great Birmingham Run, taking in local and national competitors.
4. University Sport – For some students living in our luxury student accommodation in Birmingham however, there is more to life than just watching. Sport plays a massive part in many universities, and if you want to find a team sport to play to a competitive level you can do, competing against other universities in the BUCS league, or you can take up a new sport to be challenged, to stay fit, or just to have fun and make new friends. There is no limit to your potential.
5. The Great Outdoors – For such a big city you’ll be surprised to hear that there is also plenty of outdoor activities to keep you entertained when living as a student in Birmingham. There is loads to see and do to keep you active, including mountain biking trails in Cannock Chase and Sandwell Valley, Sutton Park, Woodgate Valley, and Clent Hills for walking and hiking routes, Edgbaston Watersports for some fun on the water, and plenty of other choices depending on what you like to do for sporting fun.

Shopping in Birmingham

A big, multi-cultural city with a thriving heartbeat, Birmingham is the perfect place to go shopping in. Whether you are looking to splurge the cash as a treat to you or a loved one, want to find the independent stores to buy something a little quirky, or you just want to know where the big high street brand names are, you’ll find everything you want and need within close distance of your luxury Birmingham student apartment.

1. The Bull Ring – The Bull Ring is what most people think of when they think about shopping in Birmingham. It is an iconic part of the city, and very easy to find. There are over 160 shops in total within this massive shopping centre, including a flagship Selfridges. It is definitely the place to go if you want to get lost in shopping for a few hours.
2. Jewellery Quarter – There aren’t many other places like the Jewellery Quarter in the UK. It is home to plenty of fantastic jewellery stores, as well as brilliant bars and restaurants and independents (over 100 in total). If you are looking for the perfect gift the Jewellery Quarter is thought to be home to over 40% of the jewellery made in the UK. Even just to walk around it is a glorious treat for the eyes, home to over 200 listed buildings.
3. Grand Central and LinkStreet – Alongside the Bull Ring, Grand Central and LinkStreet are the other main shopping areas in the city centre. Between the three you’ll find over 200 stores, making it one of the best shopping destinations in the country. There is a huge John Lewis store, Hobbs, Cath Kidston, and many more big brand name stores to explore.
4. Interesting Arcades – As you’d expect for a city as quirky and multi-cultural as Birmingham there are also many interesting shopping arcades to get lost in, away from the hustle and bustle of the main shopping streets. Burlington Arcade, Piccadilly Arcade, and the Great Western Arcade are all great places to visit for interesting shops, whilst the Custard Factory is a creative and innovative spot in the digital district that is home to many quirky and adventurous pop-ups.
5. Great Independents – There are also some weird and wonderful independent retailers throughout the city. Whatever you are looking for you’ll find it in Birmingham. Hard to Find Whisky does exactly what it says it will, as one of the largest specialists in whisky in the country, whilst Nostalgia Comics is a great place for those diehard nerds and geeks. Vincent Van Doodle sells pop-culture prints and gifts at a decent price, whilst Jam Jar Lights is the place for quirky lamps and one-of-a-kind lighting options.

Birmingham Events

It is so hard to pin down just a short few examples of a good day/night out in Birmingham, or to narrow down one event that you should definitely go to. We’ve tried our best to offer a broad spectrum, but what we would say about Birmingham is that it is such a fantastic city that you’ll almost always find something to do, any day of the week, and whatever your interests are.

1. Star City – If you are after a day of fun with your friends you can find Star City, just 10-minutes outside of the city centre. It is a fantastic place to go to watch a film (it has the largest cinema in the UK with 30 screens), or if you want to test your competitive streak with some bowling (in the huge 22-lane bowling alley). You can then finish off the day with some food and drink at one of the many bars and restaurants on-site.
2. Art in Birmingham – There is a wealth of art and culture in Birmingham and a great place to start is the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. While away a good few hours viewing some of the amazing exhibits here, starting in the wondrous domed Round Room. Located in an exquisite Art Deco Grade II listed building, Barber Institute of Fine Arts is another example of some of the finest artists, whilst IKON Gallery is an internationally renowned gallery for contemporary art.
3. Cadbury World – We all love chocolate, don’t we? And Cadbury is a British institution like few others. Well, head down to Bournville where you can take a tour of the original Cadbury Factory and learn more about the techniques used to make chocolate throughout history, as well as sample some different Cadbury products. A chocolate lovers dream.
4. National Sea Life Centre – Even though Birmingham is pretty landlocked it is still home to the National Sea Life Centre. A million-litre underwater tank is home to over a thousand creatures, including seahorses, penguins, and giant turtles.
5. Seasonal Festivals – Like any major city you can expect to find a number of exciting festivals throughout the year when living in our luxury Birmingham student accommodation. The Christmas markets are a beautiful time of year, whilst the Magical Lantern Festival in the Botanical Gardens each November is wondrous. Other annual festivals include the Birmingham Comedy festival and the Birmingham International Dance Festival.