Millie's experience living in Mason

Hi, I'm Millie

I chose Mason for a few important reasons: I wanted an en-suite, the location was great, and it was a really social accommodation. Living on The Vale was amazing - it was about a 10-15 minute walk to campus, and there were so many other accommodations nearby, making it easy to meet new people. It’s also a beautiful place to live, especially in summer, when everyone sits by the lake to play football or BBQ. Having such a nice outdoor space at uni definitely made it feel like a little retreat!

Accommodation

When you first move into uni accommodation, it can feel a little bare, but after decorating with my things from home, it felt much more comfortable. The room itself had an en-suite, a huge desk space, and a double bed. I definitely overpacked, but there was plenty of storage with a big wardrobe, drawers, and space under the bed for boxes.

The kitchens were huge, which was perfect since flats usually have 5-7 people. I also booked a flat with student living plus, a meal-plan scheme that gave you £60 per week to spend on campus. There’s a buffet café on The Vale, which was a great way to bond with flatmates over dinner. Midway through the year, the allowance could also be spent at Costcutter, a mini supermarket in Shackleton, just a 5-minute walk from Mason—super convenient for food shopping! Shackleton also has a café, perfect for family visits or weekend treats.

Things to do

As a keen runner, I loved that the canal was nearby, offering beautiful routes for runs. Surrounding The Vale, Harborne and Edgbaston are lovely areas to explore, with great shops and restaurants. The two bus stops on The Vale made it easy to get to Birmingham city centre in 10 minutes for shopping or catching a train.

One of the best things about The Vale is the 24/7 support. The student hub reception is always open, so if you lose your key, you don’t have to wake up your flatmates! There’s also 24/7 security, which made me feel extra safe.

Social life

One of the most appealing things about Mason is the social life. The flat layouts make it super easy to mix with people in your block. Some of my closest friends now are those I lived with or near in first year. Adjusting to sharing a kitchen was new, but after a week or so, it became fun - we’d cook together and celebrate birthdays.

Living on The Vale also meant it was easy to meet up with friends from outside my flat. For example, my netball teammates lived in other accommodations on The Vale, and we’d often walk to and from training together. As the weather warmed up, The Vale was so busy with people socialising by the lake, which are some of my favourite memories from first year.

Choosing Mason was one of the best decisions I made. The combination of comfort, location, and social opportunities made my first year unforgettable. If you’re deciding where to live, I’d absolutely recommend Mason!