Living in Birmingham
Make Birmingham yours
Your city
The UK’s second city, Birmingham is a vibrant and inspiring place to live, with a rich culture and diverse community.
Come visit for yourself
Birmingham is the top regional city for quality of life in the UK and almost 40 per cent of its population is under 25, making it one of the youngest major cities in Europe.
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city and almost half decide to stay in the region after they graduate.
Birmingham's waterways make the ideal escape to unwind in the middle of the busy city. There are plenty of green spaces, vibrant waterfront bars and restaurants, and historic architecture to explore.
The Library of Birmingham provides a showcase for Birmingham's internationally important collections of archives, photography and rare books.
Cannon Hill Park is only a couple of miles from campus and includes 80 acres of formal parks and 120 acres of conservation and woodland. It’s a brilliant place to enjoy a walk, run or cycle, or just to sit and relax in the Midlands Art Centre.
Our ever-changing city offers everything you need from independent shops to famous brands in the city centre. You’ll be spoilt for choice. As well as major shopping centres like the Bullring, Selfridges, Mailbox and Grand Central, you can find vintage clothing stores and artisan workshops in the world-famous Jewellery Quarter.
Explore your accommodation options
We have almost 7,000 rooms available so you'll have no trouble finding your home from home
Birmingham is such a great place to live, spend a day getting to know it and you'll fall in love
Music and nightlife
When the sun goes down, Birmingham doesn’t sleep. Sing along with world-famous performers at the 02 Academy or stumble across your favourite indie band at the Sunflower Lounge. From classical performances at the Symphony Hall to Northern soul at the Night Owl, you'll find something to suit you.
History and culture
Birmingham is home to a vibrant cultural scene. As well as world-leading museums and art galleries, there are urban festivals such as Birmingham Pride and the Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival. You can also explore the industrial district of Digbeth, where the city’s history is brought to life.
Once famous for being the ‘city of a thousand trades’ Birmingham was a world-leading powerhouse for jewellery, toys and buckles, and the legacy of these trades carries on today – 40% of all of the UK’s handmade jewellery is still produced in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. Since the industrial revolution, Birmingham has undergone a major transformation, with former industrial properties converted into some of Birmingham’s most exciting arts and nightlife spaces.
Birmingham is home to the UK’s most popular single auditorium theatre, the Birmingham Hippodrome, which is also home to the renowned Birmingham Royal Ballet. Art lovers can explore the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery which boasts over 40 galleries or the internationally acclaimed contemporary art venue, the Ikon. The city’s independent theatres, street art, music festivals, and creative spaces reflect Birmingham’s everexpanding and dynamic character.
Food and drink
From Digbeth Dining Club to the Balti Triangle, there’s an abundance of award-winning and affordable eateries across the city. With multicultural and innovative restaurants springing up throughout Birmingham, discover your new favourite dishes and places to eat. Immerse yourself in Birmingham’s community with festivals and food events to feel right at home in our city.
Shopping
Our lively city hosts a wide variety of shops from independent owners to famous brands. Visit the Bullring for over 150 high street stores or head over to Digbeth, the hub for creative and alternative shops. Explore the world-famous Jewellery Quarter for unique gifts and bespoke jewellery.
Out and about
At the centre of the UK, Birmingham benefits from being a major cosmopolitan city with the beautiful countryside just a stone’s throw away. Most people travelling to the city land at Birmingham New Street train station. From New Street, you can reach all corners of the UK easily, including London in 90 minutes, and Stratford-Upon-Avon in under an hour - and most importantly, you can get to the University itself (which has its own train station helpfully called ‘University’) in just 7 minutes.
With more parks than Paris and more miles of canal than Venice, there are lots of cycling and walking routes throughout the city, including a cycle route from the city centre straight through to the University. Home to a major international airport and surrounded by the UK’s network of motorways, no weekend trip is far away from Birmingham.
Beyond the Bullring
Moseley is just 2 miles from campus and is full of independent cafes, bars and restaurants. Moseley’s independent scene is popular with creatives and students alike, and with monthly farmer’s and arts markets it’s easy to see why.
Selly Oak is the student village where most of our second and third year students choose to live when they move out of Halls after first year. It's an inclusive student community for all with plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants to choose from, as well as hairdressers, chemists and stationery stores, so you don’t have to venture too far for any of your needs.
As one of the city’s most up-and-coming areas, it combines beautiful street art with independent shops. Searching for live music venues? Swing by The Mill and Mama Roux’s for a mix of music genres.
A popular spot for students due to its proximity to campus, making it the perfect place to take a break from the buzz of student life. With regular farmers markets and a vibrant high street full of cafés and charity shops, Harborne strikes the perfect balance between a lively town and a quaint village.
A national treasure and famous for its bespoke jewellerymaking legacy which dates back over 200 years. Home to independent boutiques, galleries and studios, immerse yourself in its close-knit community just a short distance from the city centre.
Keep exploring
Visit Birmingham for yourself by booking on to one of our regular open days or find out why our students fall in love with the city by reading one of our student written blogs.
What Makes Me Feel Safe in Birmingham
Student content creator Aiyesha Swarnn shares some reflections on what makes her feel safe and secure in Birmingham.
My Favourite Things about the City
Postgraduate student Danny talks through his favourite things about Birmingham including food, sports, music and nightlife, green spaces and even the Birmingham Christmas Market.
Feeling at Home in Birmingham
PhD student Georgie Rowe had just left their rural Norfolk home when they started University in Birmingham. Adjusting to a big city and new faces felt overwhelming—could it ever feel like home?
Get to know Birmingham
Here are some other websites you can use to explore what else Birmingham has to offer: