16 reasons to study in Birmingham

Birmingham is a great place to go to university. It has a vibrant city centre with plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops to explore. It’s also home to five unis – the University of Birmingham, Aston University, Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham and Birmingham Newman University – all offering an outstanding education for their students. What's more, the cost of living in Birmingham is surprisingly low compared to other cities like London. If that wasn’t enough to convince you already, we’ve got 16 reasons why studying in Birmingham is a great choice. 

1. Great transport links 

Thanks to its excellent motorway network and frequent train service, travelling around the city or further afield is easy. There are several rail stations in Birmingham, and you’ll be able to get direct trains to London, Manchester, Edinburgh and way more. 

2. Rich culture  

Birmingham has plenty of cultural attractions including galleries, museums and theatres for you to explore. Some of the most famous are Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, the Ikon Gallery and the Birmingham Hippodrome. 

3. Diverse music scene 

From underground venues to arenas, there's always something on in Birmingham and you’ll find a huge range of different genres of music on offer from big name artists as well as up-and-coming acts. 

4. Fantastic shopping  

Birmingham is well known for its shopping opportunities thanks to the Bullring Shopping Centre in the centre of the city. In here you’ll find loads of high street and chain stores to suit all your student needs, while you’ll find lots of independent and boutique shops on some of the other shopping streets around the city. 

5. Abundant student discounts 

With lots of shopping opportunities come lots of student discounts, of course. Most of the high street chains offer some kind of discount or benefit to students, and you’ll also find offers in some of the independent stores as well. 

6. World-class universities  

The University of Birmingham is ranked 12th in the UK, while Birmingham Newman University is ranked 7th for student satisfaction according to Complete University Guide’s 2027 league tables. In the same league tables, Birmingham City University ranks in the top 10 in the UK for land & property management courses and information technology & systems. 

7. Affordable living costs 

Compared to other major UK cities such as London, accommodation and general living expenses are surprisingly low in Birmingham. There are lots of different accommodation types on offer as well to suit different budgets, so there’s something for everyone in the city. 

8. Green spaces 

Even though Birmingham is a big city, there are still plenty of parks where you can escape from the hustle and bustle for some well-earned down time. After a long week of studying and going to classes, what could be better than a picnic in the park with your mates to unwind. 

9. Vibrant nightlife 

From classic pubs and bars to nightclubs and trendy bars, you won’t be short of places to go out with your friends. In fact, people from cities across the Midlands travel to Birmingham for nights out, which gives an idea of how legendary the sesh is here. 

10. Variety of restaurants 

Whether it’s traditional British fare or different cuisines from around the world, there are lots of different places to eat throughout the city offering a huge variety of food to suit anyone’s taste. 

11. Innovative businesses  

As one of Europe's leading tech hubs, companies such as Deliveroo and Amazon have headquarters here, meaning there are lots of opportunities for work experience, internships and graduate roles in and around the city. 

12. Large student population 

With tens of thousands of students currently enrolled in higher education institutions across the city, there's a huge community of people just like yourself looking to meet new people during their studies, and loads of events tailored to students throughout the year. 

13. Cultural festivals 

The city is known for its diversity, so it’s no surprise that lots of different festivals are celebrated in the city. Throughout the year there are events ranging from classical music concerts through to holidays such as Diwali so there are loads of opportunities to get involved in the city’s culture and learn about how people from different backgrounds celebrate special occasions. 

14. Sports teams 

Aston Villa is one of the most famous teams in Birmingham, but you’ll also find a successful speedway team, a cricket team, a rugby union team and plenty more on offer throughout the city. 

15. More canals than Venice 

This fact is somewhat up for debate, but the fact remains that Birmingham has a lot of canals. Walking along some of the canals is a great way to unwind on your off days, and with over 100 miles of canals making up the entire Birmingham Canal Navigations network, there’s plenty of walking to be done. 

16. Cadbury’s World 

If you like chocolate – and let’s face it, who doesn’t – then Cadbury’s World is the place to visit. Just outside the city centre you’ll find the original Bourneville village, where the Cadbury’s workers used to live, and the original factory. As well as still being an operational factory, it’s also now a tourist attraction and yes, you’ll have lots of chance to eat chocolate on a day out here. 

More about Birmingham

The unis in Birmingham are some of the best in the country, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Between the four unis on offer, there’s over 500 undergraduate courses available, so no matter what subject area you’re interested in, you’ll be able to find a course related to it in Birmingham. 

As well as the academic opportunities, living in Birmingham as a student is an amazing experience. Not only is it a vibrant city with plenty to see and do, it also has some of the most competitively priced student accommodation in the UK. With great transport links by train and bus you can get around quickly and conveniently. The city itself also offers some fantastic nightlife, which is great for socialising and meeting new people. Whether you are looking for culture, entertainment or just somewhere to relax, Birmingham is a great city to live and study. 

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• Find courses in Birmingham now

• Guide to studying in Birmingham