University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is located in the heart of England and grew out of the radical vision of our first Chancellor, Joseph Chamberlain. Founded in 1900, Birmingham represented a new model for higher education. This was the UK’s first civic University, where students from all religions and backgrounds were accepted on an equal basis. Birmingham has been challenging and developing great minds ever since.
Characterised by a tradition of innovation, research at the University has broken new ground, pushed forward the boundaries of knowledge and made an impact on people’s lives. We continue this tradition today as a World Top 100 University, and have ambitions for a future that will embed recognition of the Birmingham name on the international stage.
Getting here
Getting here is easy by road, rail or air. Birmingham is the heart of the West Midlands, the UK’s second-largest city, and it has the travel connections to match. The University of Birmingham campus is located in leafy Edgbaston, just two miles south-east of the vibrant city centre.
Rail:
Birmingham New Street links directly with University via a high-frequency service that takes only six minutes. This train usually leaves Birmingham New Street from Platform 12, with a final destination of Bromsgrove or Redditch. The centre of the main campus is a five-minute walk from University station.
Timetables and service updates are available from the National Rail website.
Car:
- Approaching from the north west or south east along the M6
Leave at Junction 6, signposted Birmingham Central, to join the A38(M). At the end of the motorway, keep to the right, go over a flyover, then through some underpasses to join the A38 Bristol Road. The University is on your right.
- Approaching from the M42 north
Leave at Junction 8 to join the M6 northbound and follow the instructions above.
- Approaching from the south west
Leave the M5 at Junction 4, signposted Birmingham SW, to join the A38. The University is approximately eight miles from the motorway.
- Approaching from the M40
You’ll find it easiest to turn south on the M42 and leave at Junction 1, heading north on the A38 Bristol Road. The University is approximately eight miles from the motorway.
Air:
Birmingham International Airport has its own convenient train station, Birmingham International, which operates a high-frequency service into Birmingham New Street in under 15 minutes. Change here, and follow the directions above to University station.
Bus:
Frequent bus services run from the city centre. Numbers X61, 63, X64 and 886 travel to the University’s Edgbaston campus, with the most convenient campus stops located on the X64 route. Number 98 serves the Medical School and Queen Elizabeth Hospital. You can catch most of these buses directly outside Birmingham New Street station, on Smallbrook Queensway.
Maps can be found throughout the city centre indicating bus stop locations, and bus stops will display route information and times. Pay for your ticket on the bus with cash, or using a contactless card. The journey takes around 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Online bus timetables are available on the National Express West Midlands website.
Taxi:
There are taxi ranks at New Street Station and throughout the city centre. The journey to the University takes around 10 minutes, depending on traffic. If you hail a cab, you’ll need to pay the driver in cash.