Birmingham: front row access

• Watch domestic and international cricket at Edgbaston and benefit from great student deals through our exclusive partnership.
• Take part in iconic football matches at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park and Villa Park.
• World-class badminton is hosted on campus, including the 2026 All England Open Badminton Championships, for which the University was the first to become an official partner.
• Enjoy global athletics competitions across the city featuring world stars, including the European Athletics Championships Birmingham 2026.
• Watch sport on campus, whether it’s the NFL-style annual Xplosion event, or regular fixtures for our teams across multiple sports, including hockey, football, tennis and athletics.
• If spectating is not your thing, then take part in a local Parkrun, join a team as part of our casual campus leagues programme, or join a local club outside of your studies – whatever your sport, you’ll find others in Birmingham who enjoy it too.

• From reggae to jungle and from punk to disco, as a city where cultures collide, Birmingham has an eclectic music heritage, and you don’t have to fit neatly into one box to enjoy everything that the city has to offer. From Northern soul nights at The Night Owl, to indie nights at The Sunflower Lounge or the O2 Institute, all the way through to global superstars at Utilita Arena Birmingham or the NEC, Birmingham has you covered.
• If festivals are more your thing, then just a couple of miles from campus, nestled away in the suburb of Moseley, are the annual Mostly Jazz Festival and Moseley Folk and Arts Festival. There's also the Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival, which takes place at over 100 venues! 

• Birmingham Hippodrome is home to the UK’s largest single theatre auditorium and hosts major West End-level productions. Meanwhile, The Rep stages modern theatre interpretations and supports emerging artistic talent through their variety of programmes, many of which take place in venues across the city.
• Explore museums, galleries and exhibitions, from the historic Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to the contemporary works at the Ikon Gallery. You can also visit the Thinktank Science Museum or Sarehole Mill, which inspired J.R.R Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit!
• Just a mile from campus, the MAC in Cannon Hill Park hosts film screenings, comedy gigs, creative workshops and more. If a night of indie cinema is up your street, then the MAC is your place.
• Flatpack Festival takes place in unique venues across the city and transforms these spaces to showcase screenings, performances, walks and installations – perfect for inquisitive and creative minds.
• Colmore Food Festival, held in the central Victoria Square, showcases the best of food and drink from across the city and welcomes over 30,000 visitors each year – if you’re a foodie, then this one’s for you.
• Birmingham Comedy Festival hosts some of the biggest names in contemporary stand-up comedy, alongside new and emerging talent from across the city and beyond.
• Birmingham Film Festival is a celebration of international film across a wide range of genres and styles. Free to attend, the event, alongside 200 film screenings, also features workshops to learn essential film and media skills from industry professionals.
• Widely considered one of the finest concert halls in the world, Birmingham's Symphony Hall is home to over 300 events each year. From classical symphonies to stand-up comedy and live international orchestras to community gatherings - you'll be spoilt for choice.

Head to the Bullring for over 150 stores, or explore Digbeth’s creative quarter for vintage finds, handmade goods, and pop-up markets. Discover unique gifts in the world-famous Jewellery Quarter, or browse boutique shops in the elegant Great Western Arcade.

Whether you're after fashion, food, tech, or something totally unique and unexpected, Birmingham’s mix of big brands and small businesses means there’s always something new to explore and plenty of student discounts to enjoy.