Accommodation for international students

We guarantee all new international students a home with us, so you can come to the UK knowing a supportive student home is waiting for you.

There’s plenty of other student accommodation available across the city, so you can relax knowing you’ll find somewhere great to live, whether it’s in University-owned accommodation, student homes run by trusted partners or privately-rented.

Two students walking outside their accommodation
Why live in University-owned accommodation?

The UK’s second city, Birmingham is the youngest major city in Europe. Home to people from 187 nationalities, it’s also one of the most diverse places to live in the UK. And our accommodation is no exception.

Here you’ll meet likeminded students from across the globe – 150 countries to be exact – and enjoy being a part of the University’s 10,000-strong international student community.  

Wherever you’re from, the Student Living team is here to help you feel at home.

More than a room

As a resident in our accommodation, your experience extends far beyond your room. You’ll also benefit from free social events, sports activities, and wellbeing support to help you navigate university life.

Find out more

What our students say

“I absolutely love the accommodation, the number of events it offers, and the student experience.”

“It’s the perfect place to start your university life… Best experience ever!”

“My accommodation is really nice and feels homely. There are shops nearby and campus is not far away.”

“It is convenient, I have been able to make some good friends, and it is very safe.”

“The people here have been exceptionally friendly, offering support in every conceivable way.”

How to apply for Student Living

Applications open on 1 December 2023 for new students, and you can apply for accommodation as soon as you have your offer letter. We encourage you to do this even if we’re your insurance choice.

To get started, you’ll need to launch our Accommodation Portal and create an account. You’ll be able to apply as soon as your account has been set up. This can take up to 48 hours, so please don’t worry if you don’t have access right away. If you’re unable to login after this time, please get in touch. 

Guarantee your accommodation

You’re guaranteed a room with us so long as you apply for accommodation by 31 July 2024. Find out what else you need to do to be eligible by visiting our Guarantee Schemes page.

If you miss the deadline, don’t worry. You can still apply for accommodation; however, students in the Guarantee Scheme will have the first pick of our rooms. We will let you know if we have rooms left for you to book towards the end of August. If we don’t, we’ll provide the support you need to find a home elsewhere in Birmingham. 

Next Steps

Book your room

Undergraduate: If you applied for accommodation by the deadline and your place at University of Birmingham has been confirmed, we’ll invite you to book your room via email within five days of the UK’s A-level Results Day (15 August 2024). This email will contain everything you need to know to get started, including your allotted booking timeslot.

Postgraduate: You can book your room from around March 2024.

For more information about the booking process, please visit our ‘How to book your room’ page.

Secure your room

Once you’ve found the room you want, you’ll need to pay a £550 Advance Payment to secure it. Alternatively, you can pay for your accommodation fees in full.

Please note that the Advance Payment is an initial instalment towards your accommodation fees, not a deposit. This means that it won’t be refunded to you at the end of your contract.

If you’ve chosen a room with one of our partners, you will be required to pay an Advance Payment or a deposit to secure your room. They’ll be in touch with your directly once you’ve completed your booking through the Accommodation Portal. 

Two students walking outside

Living off-campus

It’s a myth that you have to live in university accommodation if you’re a student. While we think it’s the best place for you for all the reasons outlined above, there are plenty of other places you can call home.

There is a fantastic range of student housing available across Birmingham. You can choose from all sorts of locations, room types, and prices, making it easy to find the right place for you.

We work with trusted accommodation partners who provide a fantastic selection of city-centre locations, as well as local landlords and lettings agents to ensure you can rent privately with confidence. Check out our official off-campus property search engine, UoB Property Search, to find the right home for you.

Explore our partner accommodation

Contact us

Wherever you choose to live, we are here to support you. We can help you book airport transfers and source essentials, such as a UK SIM card and bedding. We can also provide information about what local shops and services there are to help get your life in Birmingham off to a great start. 

Get in touch