Students accommodation in Birmingham at a glance
Among its rich industrial history, there is lots of unique and exciting accommodation in Birmingham for students. Let’s start with The Heights, located right in the city centre. This modern and comfortable accommodation has large common spaces, break-out study areas, a garden for social events, and an on-site gym that offers free yoga classes. Located right in the centre of things, this student accommodation in Birmingham is always a stone’s throw from cafes, bars, and restaurants, and is within walking distance to Aston University, University College Birmingham, and Birmingham City University.
For those looking for private accommodation in Birmingham that are out of the hustle of the city, check out Edge Apartments. Only an 11-minute walk to the University of Birmingham, Edge not only offers student studio flats in Birmingham but also one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as an onsite gym, cinema room, and a busy social calendar. Additionally, each room comes with free wifi and free contents insurance, which makes budgeting a little easier. If you’re worried about cash, check out our guide on paying for student accommodation.
If student studio flats in Birmingham are what you’re after, have a look at iQ Penworks House. Offering modern student accommodation in the centre of Birmingham, you can opt for a shared kitchen and bathrooms, or keep it completely separate with your own fully-contained studio. This student accommodation in Birmingham is located within walking distance of Aston University, University College Birmingham, and Birmingham City University, but also only a short bus ride to the University of Birmingham.
Boasting gorgeous contemporary interiors, it’s no wonder ONYX is a must-see for students when it comes to private accommodation in Birmingham. Offering ensuite rooms in shared apartments and studios with your own private mini-kitchen, this accommodation offers so many social spaces including a multimedia lounge, cinema room, gym, private dining room, study rooms, sky lounge, and sky terrace – that means landscaped courtyards and amazing roof terraces on your doorstep. Plus, it’s only a short walk to Aston University, University College Birmingham, and Birmingham City University, and a bus ride to the University of Birmingham.
Birmingham at a glance
- Home to numerous higher education establishments such as Aston University, University College Birmingham, the University of Birmingham, and Birmingham City University, none of them more than a short bus ride away from cheap student accommodation in Birmingham.
- Not just created for the sets of Peaky Blinders, Birmingham has an intricate canal system that runs through the city and historically was an important transport route for coal, iron, and other heavy goods. Fun fact: with 35 mile of canals, Birmingham is said to have more canals than Venice.
- Perfect for students, Birmingham is officially the youngest city in Europe, as roughly 40% of their population is aged 25 and below, so there’s a great selection of private accommodation in Birmingham on offer to meet the demand. It also means that a lot of the clubs in Birmingham offer student deals and nights throughout the week!
- Head on over to Digbeth, voted by The Sunday Times as the coolest neighbourhood in the UK in 2018. Not far from the city centre, this once rundown area is now a buzzy bohemian precinct boasting amazing bars, restaurants, nightlife, and creative industry.
- Book lovers rejoice! Birmingham is home to the largest library in Europe with a world-class collection of rare books, archives, and photography, as well as one of the largest Shakespeare collections in the world.
- Birmingham is now known as the curry capital of the UK. People come from all over the UK to try out the amazing selection of curry houses Birmingham has to offer.
- Ranked one of the greenest cities in the UK, Birmingham has 571 parks with over 8,000 acres of green space for when you need a break from the books.
- Birmingham has an International airport with great flight options for multiple domestic and international destinations.
For more information, check out our student guide to living in Birmingham.
Student travel Birmingham
Birmingham is a big city, but that doesn’t mean it’s not easy to get around. There’s a multitude of options when it comes to buses, trams, trains, and coaches that help you get around the city as well as connecting you to other places around the UK. Grab a Swift Pay As You Go card to make paying for public transport easy.
By Bus
Buses are a great way to get from your student accommodation in Birmingham to where you need to be. They’re operated by Transport for West Midlands and have lots of easy and frequent bus routes.
By Train
Depending on which university you’re going to, the train could be the best option for you. For University of Birmingham students, you have a train station on campus (the only campus station in the UK), but for other higher educational establishments, you’re never more than a few train stops and a short walk from your student halls in Birmingham to campus. Birmingham also has major train stations, like Birmingham New Street, that connect you to other parts of the UK, like Coventry, London, Leeds and Liverpool.
By Tram
The tram or ‘Midland Metro’ is a great way to connect you to Solihull, Worcester, or Wolverhampton. It offers great Park and Ride options for anyone living slightly out of the city with their car.
Featured Neighbourhoods around Birmingham
Edgbaston and Selly Oak
Due to their proximity to the University of Birmingham, Edgbaston and Selly Oak are popular areas for student halls in Birmingham. They have a great selection of bars and restaurants, with Pizza Land in Selly Oak making our Drunk Food Index 2018. Not just good for food and drink, Edgbaston has the Edgbaston Cricket Ground, also known as the County Ground or Edgbaston Stadium, where you can catch a great game of cricket in between study sessions.
Harborne
Harbourne is another great option for students looking for private accommodation in Birmingham that isn’t bang in the city centre. Around 20 minutes from the city, Harborne offers a relaxed student lifestyle while still having loads for you to do on your doorstep. Check out the Harborne Farmers Market every second Saturday, or grab a bite to eat at one of Harborne’s many cafes and restaurants, we recommend The Rustic Table or The Plough.
City Centre
If being in the centre of everything is for you, there are lots of great student accommodation in Birmingham city centre. There are countless bars, restaurants, and music venues on your doorstep, but also a great selection of cultural experiences too. Check out an exhibition at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, a concert at the Symphony Hall, or try something different with one of Birmingham’s many Ghost Tours. If shopping is more your thing, Birmingham has you covered with the Bullring, an iconic shopping centre right in the centre of the city. Or why not head to Villa Park to check out a football game at the famous stadium.
Student accommodation in Birmingham FAQs
Is Birmingham cheap for students?
Birmingham is an affordable city for students, with student halls in Birmingham costing between £75 to £195 per week, depending on location, decreasing as you move out of the city centre. Check out our guide to student accommodation for more information. Additional living costs include food, drink, travel and entertainment, so a monthly budget of around £1,500 before tuition is suggested.
Is Birmingham a student city?
Birmingham is one of the best cities in the UK for students with its large population of under 25s and is home to eight different universities. This means great private accommodation in Birmingham options for students and amazing culture and nightlife.
Where do Birmingham University students live?
Selly Oak is considered the ‘student hub’ due to its proximity to the University of Birmingham campus. It’s a little out of the city, but its culture and community are still buzzing. The city centre, Harborne and Edgbaston are also popular with students.
When should I book my accommodation for the September intake of University of Birmingham?
If you’re going into your first year, or if you’re applying as an international student, you’ll want to start looking for student halls in Birmingham early – we recommend looking in January. Most universities guarantee places to first year students but they usually go on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you want to get your first choice of Birmingham student accommodation, you’ll need to make your choice and get your application in fast!
Can I view Birmingham student accommodation before booking?
Student accommodations in Birmingham will offer different options when it comes to viewing. When browsing with Mystudenthalls.com, keep a look out for the eye icon – this means that you can view the accommodation remotely, over Skype or another similar problem.
Another option is to go to an open day at your university, where they will likely take you around some of the available accommodation, or simply contact the accommodation directly and ask the question.
Is it easy to rent student accommodation in Birmingham?
Yes! With Mystudenthalls.com, you can shortlist as many properties as you would like while you browse and then easily contact all of them at once. You can send a personal message, which means you can ask any questions you have, and you don’t have to go through one by one.
How long will my tenancy agreement last?
Your tenancy agreement will typically run between 42 and 51 weeks to ensure that you have access to your student accommodation in Birmingham throughout the academic year. However, if you would prefer a shorter or longer tenancy agreement, some accommodations will accommodate that, and it is just a matter of asking them.