A Guide To Living in Birmingham as a Student
Birmingham is UK’s second largest city and homes one of the youngest populations in all of Europe. The city has some of the world’s top-ranking universities like University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University and Aston University. Thousands of students flock to Birmingham every year to study at one of these universities and thus, the city is full of students from diverse cultures. And this makes the city all the more fun to live in!
If you’re one of these students and are moving to Birmingham for a course, you must be having tons of questions about how the city is for students to live in, how to find the right accommodation and where to live in this massive city. To help you answer these questions, we’re here with a guide to living in Birmingham as a student:
What is Student Life in Birmingham Like?
Birmingham has everything a student needs- great nightlife, amazing accommodation, massive markets and budget-friendly restaurants serving the most delicious cuisines from around the world. Did you know that city birthed some of the most popular heavy metal bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest? The city has a very diverse culture and places for you to explore and with a crowd that absolutely LOVES to party, we’re sure you’ll never get bored here. Here’s everything you need to know before moving to Brum:
- Cost of Living: According to Numbeo, the monthly spend for a person on average in Birmingham without rent is £639. A meal in an inexpensive restaurant in this city will cost you about £10. A 1 bedroom apartment in the city centre will cost you about £195 pw.
- Transport: Birmingham has a wide network of public transport options like buses and trains to take you around easily. You can also use the West Midland Metro or Tram to get around the city. Tickets can range from £2 – £5. If you plan on travelling on public transport every day, you can get a Swift pay-as-you-go card made will allow you to make quick payments on board and save money too. Another great way to get around the city is on a cycle. Birmingham has a massive network of canals and there’s no place better to bike around than on its banks!
- Healthcare: Being a part of the UK, Birmingham has various NHS clinics. The National Health Service provides free-of-cost checkups to students and great healthcare facilities. You can get an NHS card made at a local clinic and consult a physician there at no cost.
Finding the Right Student Accommodation in Birmingham
You will find tons of great accommodations in Birmingham at websites like Spareroom and Rightmove. Although if you’re specifically looking for student accommodations in Birmingham that have fully-furnished rooms and all the amenities you’ll need, you can check out Unilodgers. Unilodgers is the world’s largest student housing provider that lets you find, compare and book student homes. Whatever you need- be it short stays, a private flat or a student flat under a budget, Unilodgers can help you find it all.
- Budget-friendly: You will easily be able to find some fantastic student accommodations in Birmingham under 200 pw that are fully furnished and have top-notch amenities for you to feel right at home.
- Private Apartments: If you’re someone who likes to have their own bedroom, dining area, study space and washroom, you’d want to go for a 1 bed flat in Birmingham or even a student studio. These apartments are fully furnished and are tastefully designed for you to feel comfortable.
- Short Stays: If you’re moving to Birmingham for a couple of months and are looking for student rooms for short stays, you’re in luck. You can find some great student accommodations that allow short stays for students in this city.
- Accommodation for Senior Year Students: Are you wondering where your fellow second and third-year students live in Birmingham? Well, they’re all living in the same places as the freshers. There are no special accommodations for senior year students in Birmingham and the process of booking the accommodation is also the same as in freshmen year.
Popular Neighborhoods of Birmingham for Students
Birmingham has lots of safe and happening neighbourhoods that are popular among students. All these areas are hubs of great pubs, raging nightlife and some of Birmingham’s finest restaurants. Here are a few of those areas:
- City Centre: The city centre of Central Birmingham has the best markets, shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs in the city. You will find everything within a walking distance here- be it the city’s top tourist attractions, or essential places like grocery shops and pharmacies. You will also be able to find some of the city’s best student accommodations that will also meet your budget. Some of the most affordable student apartments in Birmingham city centre are The Old Fire Station, The Heights and Canalside.
- University of Birmingham: The University of Birmingham campus is obviously a great place to live because it gives you easy access to all the amenities provided by the university. You can walk to your library anytime you want and hang out at the campus cafes with your friends at any time of the day. Staying on campus also feels much safer. Some of the best on-campus accommodations at University of Birmingham are Oak Brook Park and Battery Park.
- Selly Oak: Selly Oak is the most popular neighbourhood in Birmingham for students. This area is not only just a few minutes’ walk away from major universities but is also one of the most popular party hubs in Brum. Some of the most popular student accommodations in this area include iQ Broderick House, Staniforth House and Altura.
Looking for Last-Minute Student Accommodation in Birmingham?
If you’re unable to find student accommodation in Birmingham and are looking for last-minute room bookings, don’t worry. We’ve got your back. With Unilodgers, you can seamlessly find, compare and book last-minute student accommodation in Birmingham.
All set to begin a new life in Birmingham? We’re all for it! All you need to do is pack your bags, book a room and just take a leap.
