Birmingham has been transformed into a city for young professionals and is one Europe’s most exciting destinations. It is more than somewhere to study; it is somewhere to build an exciting future.
The city offers culture and diversity and around 40% of our graduates choose to make Birmingham their home.
Gastro-capital of the country
Recently declared Britain's foodiest town, by BBC food magazine ‘Olive’, Birmingham boasts Michelin star restaurants Purnell's, Simpson's and Turner's.
Our food festivals offer Michelin starred food at student prices and all tastes are catered for. Birmingham's Chinese district sits alongside traditional pub grub, meaning you really are spoilt for choice.
Izzy, 2nd Year Student "Did you know that Birmingham was named food capital of the UK last year? Our University is right at the heart of this."
The city caters for all budgets and is home to the famous Balti Triangle. As the second largest city, it is no surprise that Birmingham is a melting pot of cultures and has a flourishing ethnic restaurant scene.
Fresh, locally sourced produce is available on your doorstep. Every month the campus is host to our very own farmers market. But for those who are looking for a ‘foodie’ day out, head down to Moseley’s award winning food markets, where you can sample homemade Caribbean rum cake or tipple on a variety of fruit wines and ciders.
Arts in the city
The city of Birmingham boasts an eclectic arts scene and this plays a central role to the life of the campus with an art gallery, museums and live performances open to the public. Alongside the opportunities on our campus, students lead a vibrant cultural scene including concerts, student theatre, dance, volunteering and exhibitions and, in the city, there are events such as Birmingham Book Festival and Artsfest to get involved with the independent arts scene. From contemporary art at the IKON, to classical music at the Symphony Hall; Birmingham offers a wealth of cultural highlights for everyone. Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Birmingham Hippodrome and The Alexandra Theatre all host large-scale productions whilst The Birmingham Royal Ballet is one of the UK's three major ballet companies (and the only one based outside London).
Nightlife
Birmingham has a bustling nightlife, whatever your taste; the city really does have something for everyone. Broad Street is probably Birmingham’s most well known party areas where the half a mile road houses a stretch of bars, restaurants and nightclubs- including Bar Risa and Gatecrasher.
The Arcadian, which is set in the city’s China Town region, is a little more relaxed but just as lively. The bars play a variety of music, from funk and house to cheesy pop.
A stone’s throw away from The Arcadian is Hurst Street, which leads onto the thriving gay village where bars and nightclubs are plentiful. The gay village is renowned for its vibrant and friendly atmosphere and is the heart of the city’s gay pride celebrations which take place annually.
Digbeth is where you will find the city’s alternative night spots. The area is known for bars and nightclubs with a rugged, warehouse feel. Partying tends to go on until the early hours of the morning with cutting edge DJs at the decks.
Shopping
Birmingham has every shop you would ever need, from famous brands to independent clothes, music and gift shops across the city.
Joshua, 2nd Year Student "The Bullring is one of the most iconic places in the city centre, Birmingham loves to shop...from designer boutiques to music and film stores..."
The Bull Ring is the iconic image of shopping in Birmingham with Selfridges’ famous frontage; but there is so much more to find.
Birmingham offers smaller shopping complexes, The Mailbox, The Pallasades and The Pavilions but for a truly unique experience visit the 850 year-old Bullring markets.
For those that like to discover hidden gems, grab a bargain in Digbeth where you can explore a whole host of vintage and second-hand shops.
For bespoke handcrafted jewellery visit The Jewellery Quarter. The area boasts more than 400 shops and produces around 40% of the UK's jewellery.
Live music
Away from your studies, the city provides the perfect backdrop to relax. Alongside restaurants and bars, Birmingham is a hive of live entertainment. There are several music venues across the city; O2 Academy, HMV institute and National Indoor Arena (N.I.A) are just some of the places where you can enjoy mainstream concerts.
Hannah, History Student "There are loads of great places in Birmingham to see amazing live music...an amazing selection of mainstream music to obscure bands."
Smaller independent venues such as The Flapper and Firkin host emerging new talent. Muse and The Editors are just some the acts that have played at The Flapper, whilst on their way up.
Birmingham boasts one of Europe’s finest concert halls, Birmingham Symphony Halls home to the City of Birmingham’ Symphony Orchestra.
Sport
Birmingham and the region are home to two Premiership (Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion) and one Championship (Birmingham City) football clubs.
Watch a game of cricket at the world-class Edgbaston Cricket Ground, and The Warwickshire County cricket ground, a regular venue for international matches.
Charlie, Women's 2nd Team Basketball Captain "The Jamaican team held their pre-olympics training here on campus. So if you want to run on the same track as Usain Bolt, this is the place for you."
The National Indoor Arena holds international events such as the Davis Cup and the World Athletics Championships, while the famous Belfry golf course is a short drive away, four time hosts to The Ryder Cup.
Recently the University played host to the Olympic Jamaican track and field team when they used the University’s Edgbaston campus as their pre-Olympic training ground. The team which included Usian Bolt achieved incredible success at the games.