Student Accommodation

Birmingham

The Five Universities

Birmingham is one of the UK’s largest cities, with a big student population and five universities that cover a wide range of subjects and styles of study. From research-led degrees to hands-on vocational training, there’s a course and a campus to suit most interests.

University of Birmingham

Founded in 1900, the University of Birmingham is a Russell Group university and one of the original redbrick universities. It was England’s first civic university, welcoming students from all backgrounds on an equal basis, and that ethos continues today. Its Edgbaston campus is centred on the “Old Joe” clock tower, and Nobel Prize winners are among its alumni and staff.

Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University has two main campuses, one in the city centre and one in Edgbaston, along with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and other sites around the city. Its courses span arts, design and media, computing, engineering, law, business, nursing and life sciences. Many of its students come from Birmingham and the surrounding area.

Aston University

Aston University sits on a self-contained campus in the city centre. It has been known since it gained university status in 1966 for pioneering the integrated placement year, which lets students gain real work experience before they graduate. Many of its courses include a placement year, giving students a head start in building their careers.

Birmingham Newman University

Formerly known as Newman University, Birmingham Newman University is based in Bartley Green, around eight miles south-west of the city centre. Founded in 1968, it has a Catholic heritage and welcomes students from all backgrounds and beliefs. Its campus overlooks Bartley reservoir, and small class sizes help create a close-knit community.

University College Birmingham

University College Birmingham specialises in vocational and professional subjects, including hospitality and tourism, culinary arts, hairdressing and beauty, and business. Its city centre base on Summer Row includes a training restaurant, professional kitchens and treatment rooms, so students combine hands-on practice with classroom learning.

With five universities to choose from, Birmingham offers plenty of choice, and from your Prestige Student Living home you’ll find plenty to see and do alongside your studies.

Eating Out in Birmingham

Birmingham’s food scene reflects the many cultures that have shaped the city, which makes it a great place to live if you love your food. From curry houses to café hotspots for a quick coffee and a light lunch, there’s something to suit every taste and budget when you’re living in your Prestige Student Living home.

The Balti Triangle

Around two miles south of the city centre, the Balti Triangle is the area to head to for curry. It’s centred on Ladypool Road, Stoney Lane and Stratford Road in Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath, and it’s closely linked with the Birmingham Balti, a one-pot curry developed in the city in the 1970s. Many of the original balti houses have gone, but several traditional restaurants remain, so it’s still a good place to try a dish with local heritage.

The Chinese Quarter

Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter sits around Hurst Street and the Arcadian Centre. It’s home to long-established Cantonese restaurants known for their dim sum, alongside Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese kitchens. You’ll also find buffet restaurants where you can try a little of everything.

Food Market Scene

Street food has grown across the UK in recent years, and Birmingham is no exception. Digbeth Dining Club, founded in 2012, is an award-winning street food event held at Spotlight on Lower Trinity Street in Digbeth, typically from Thursday to Saturday evenings from 4pm. It also runs events across the wider Midlands, so it’s worth checking its website for the latest schedule.

Eating on Campus

If you’re studying at the University of Birmingham, you won’t need to go far for a bite between lectures. The Edgbaston campus has a wide range of cafés, restaurants, street food outlets and bars, including Joe’s Bar at the Guild of Students.

Casual Favourites

Damascena is a Syrian coffee house at 5 to 7 Temple Row West, serving Middle Eastern food including meze and flatbreads, Turkish coffee and a good range of vegetarian and vegan options. It also has branches in Moseley, Harborne and the Jewellery Quarter.

Purecraft Bar and Kitchen on Waterloo Street is run in partnership with Purity Brewing. It offers a wide range of beers alongside a menu that uses beer as an ingredient.

For Indian street food, Zindiya in Moseley serves small plates in a colourful setting, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Nights Out

Whatever you’re looking for in a night out, Birmingham has something to suit. You’ll find indie and rock nights, cheesy pop, dance music, and the lively bars and clubs of the Gay Village. Here are a few places to start.

Snobs (Broad Street)

Snobs is one of Birmingham’s best-known student clubs, open since 1972 and now based at 200 Broad Street. Its DJs play indie, alternative, retro and current tracks alongside R&B and hip hop across several floors. It’s home to Big Wednesday, billed as the city’s longest-running student night, with regular club nights on Fridays and Saturdays too. It’s known for affordable drinks.

Nightingale Club (Kent Street)

The Nightingale Club sits in the heart of Birmingham’s Gay Village and is the city’s oldest and largest LGBTQ+ venue, founded in 1969. It has multiple rooms playing different styles of music, regular themed nights, drag performances and drinks offers. It’s a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone.

Broad Street and the Golden Mile

Broad Street, known as the Golden Mile, is Birmingham’s main strip for party bars and clubs. Popworld, Reflex and Rosies are all here, each with its own style from pop and 80s nights to R&B rooms. Geisha, Mechu and Chameleon are a short walk away.

Live Music Venues

Birmingham has a long history of live music, from small grassroots venues in Digbeth to major arenas. The O2 Academy on Horsefair, Bristol Street, hosts touring acts across three rooms, with a main room of around 3,000. For the biggest names, Utilita Arena Birmingham on King Edwards Road holds up to around 15,800.

Stay Fit and Healthy

Birmingham is a sports-loving city, and there’s plenty to keep you active whilst you’re living here as a student. Whether you want to watch top-level football, go for a jog or a hike, or join a university sports team, you’ll find something to suit you in and around the city.

Football in the Midlands

Birmingham is a football city, and several major clubs are within easy reach across the Midlands. Aston Villa, former European Cup winners, play at Villa Park, and their city rivals Birmingham City play at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park. West Bromwich Albion play at The Hawthorns and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, both a short journey from the city centre.

Cricket at Edgbaston

Warwickshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first-class county clubs in England and Wales and plays its home games at Edgbaston. The ground is also a regular venue for England international matches, including Ashes Tests, as well as T20 and One-Day internationals.

Other Big Sporting Events

There’s a wide range of top-level sport throughout the year. The All England Open Badminton Championships are held at Utilita Arena Birmingham, and the Great Birmingham Run brings a 10K and half marathon to the city streets each spring.

University Sport

For many students, there’s more to life than watching. Sport plays a big part in university life, and you can compete against other universities in the BUCS leagues or try something new to stay fit, challenge yourself and make friends.

The Great Outdoors

For such a big city, Birmingham has plenty of green space nearby. Sutton Park is one of Europe’s largest urban parks and has plenty of walking trails. Edgbaston Reservoir has a path around the water that’s ideal for a jog, along with sailing, rowing and canoe clubs. Cannock Chase is a popular spot for off-road cycling, and the Clent Hills offer walking and hiking routes. Sandwell Valley and Woodgate Valley country parks are also good for a walk.

Where to Shop

Birmingham is a big, multicultural city with plenty to offer shoppers. Whether you want to treat yourself or a loved one, find independent shops with something a little quirky, or head straight for the high street names, you’ll find it all when you’re living in your Prestige Student Living home.

Bullring and Grand Central

Bullring and Grand Central together form the UK’s largest city centre shopping complex, with more than 200 shops and the landmark Selfridges building at its heart. Bullring is what most people think of when they picture shopping in Birmingham, with high street favourites such as Zara and Sephora alongside the department store. Grand Central sits directly above New Street Station and adds a further 60 or so shops, and the two are linked by a covered walkway.

Jewellery Quarter

The Jewellery Quarter is one of the few places in the UK like it. An estimated 40% of British jewellery is made here, and there are more than 100 independent specialist retailers and craftspeople, many with their own workshops. It’s a good place to look for a gift, and it also has a growing choice of bars, cafés and restaurants. The area is a conservation area with more than 200 listed buildings, so it’s a pleasure to explore on foot.

Interesting Arcades

Away from the main shopping streets, Birmingham has several Victorian and Edwardian arcades full of independent shops. Burlington Arcade and Piccadilly Arcade both sit off New Street, and the Great Western Arcade runs from Colmore Row to Temple Row. The Custard Factory in Digbeth is a creative quarter that’s home to studios, independent businesses and pop-ups.

Great Independents

You’ll also find some distinctive independent shops across the city. Hard to Find Whisky, in the Jewellery Quarter, is one of the UK’s largest whisky specialists. Worlds Apart on Smallbrook Queensway, formerly Nostalgia & Comics, traces its heritage back to one of Britain’s earliest comic shops. Vincent Van Doodle sells pop-culture prints and gifts, and Jam Jar Lights makes handmade, customisable lamps from Kilner jars.

Go Explore!

It’s hard to narrow Birmingham down to a few days or nights out, but here’s a broad mix to start with. Whatever your interests, you’ll almost always find something to do in the city, any day of the week.

Star City

For a day out with friends, Star City is a short journey from the city centre, close to Aston station. Its large Vue cinema is the centrepiece, and there’s a Tenpin bowling alley on site if you fancy a competitive game. You can round off the day with food and drinks at one of the many restaurants.

Art in Birmingham

There’s plenty of art and culture in Birmingham, and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is a great place to start. It’s free to enter, and the Round Room is a highlight. The Barber Institute of Fine Arts is a Grade I listed Art Deco building on the University of Birmingham’s Edgbaston campus, with a collection that includes works by Botticelli, Rubens and Monet. Ikon Gallery, near the city centre, is a leading venue for contemporary art.

Cadbury World

Cadbury is a British institution, and Cadbury World in Bournville tells its story. Set on the site of the original Cadbury factory, it’s a self-guided attraction rather than a factory tour. You can learn about the history and making of chocolate, watch demonstrations and sample some treats.

National Sea Life Centre

Birmingham may be landlocked, but it’s home to the National SEA LIFE Centre. Its million-litre ocean tank is home to creatures including gentoo penguins, sea otters and a giant green sea turtle.

Seasonal Festivals

Like any major city, Birmingham has festivals throughout the year. The Frankfurt Christmas Market fills the city centre each winter and is billed as the largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany and Austria. In summer, Birmingham Botanical Gardens hosts outdoor cinema screenings in partnership with Mockingbird Cinema and Flatpack. Other festivals include the Birmingham Comedy Festival and the Birmingham International Dance Festival.