Top Reasons to Attend University in Birmingham

• Summary
• Map

• Aston University
• University of Birmingham
• Birmingham City University
• Newman University College
• University College Birmingham

Massive investment and bold cultural initiatives have transformed the cityscape and underpinned Birmingham's transformation as a major European city. The brutalism of 1960s town planning is giving way to new skyscraper hotels, pedestrianised squares and rejuvenated historic areas, including more canals than Venice. Among the most recent developments are the Water's Edge at Brindley Place, the Mailbox and Millennium Point. The Bullring complex is home to five retail markets and the stunning shopping centre (opened in 2003) complete with iconic Selfridges building. Birmingham aims to continue its reputation as a vibrant, dynamic modern city.

A student Lonely Planet Guide to Birmingham is avaiable from all five HEIs in the city at open days, etc, as well as by contacting j.r.seymour@aston.ac.uk.

GETTING AROUND

Birmingham is at the centre of the UK motorway system, and is connected to 500 destinations via the national coach network. Rail links are excellent and a journey to London takes 1 hour 30 minutes. Birmingham International Airport, 8 miles from the city centre, is a major hub with destinations throughout the UK, Europe, North America and Asia. Buses, trains and trams provide a comprehensive network of local transport.

ATTRACTIONS FOR STUDENTS

Sport

The National Indoor Arena hosts many national sporting events. There are three Premier League football teams (Aston Vila, Birmingham City and West Brom) and Test and County cricket is played at Edgbaston. Activities like ten-pin bowling, golf, go-carting, ice-skating, squash, tennis and swimming are all on offer at various locations around the city, including high quality sports facilities at the three universities themselves.

Culture and nightlife

Birmingham has one of the liveliest club scenes in the country as well as bars, music venues and restaurants, including over 50 different restaurants within the famous 'Balti Triangle'. Birmingham Royal Ballet is based at the Hippodrome, whilst Symphony Hall is the home of the world class City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. There are numerous theatres and galleries including Star City, a massive leisure complex housing a 30-screen cinema. The Waterhall Gallery of Modern Art is Birmingham's newest venue for contemporary art, with the stylish Ikon Gallery displaying the best of international and British art. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is famous for its collection of Pre-Raphaelite works. The National Exhibition Centre, Town Hall and National Indoor Arena stage major exhibitions, events and pop concerts.

Popular with students, the Birmingham O2 Academy is a lively concert venue in the city centre (15 minutes walk from Aston University and a short bus or train ride from the other instututions) that recently played host to (now famous) up and coming bands such as Kings of Leon, Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand just before they hit the big time. The Digbeth area (5 mins walk from the city centre) also has a strong live music, clubbing and alternative cafe scene.

Shopping

Usual high street stores and many designer shops can been found in the city centre. The Bullring Centre is the UKs largest city centre shopping mall – with over 500 shops and outlets, five-minutes walk from the three train stations. Students may prefer browsing in the Victorian arcades and the massive and eclectic markets. More exclusive boutique shopping is found at the Mailbox with Harvey Nicholls and many designer labels. There are more than 500 jewellery businesses in the Jewellery Quarter – the UK's largest and oldest.

Birmingham rooms to rent >

Proximity to the city centre

• Aston University, green self-contained campus is a five-minute walk from the city centre shopping and entertainment areas.
• Birmingham University, campus 3 miles south west of the city centre at Edgbaston.
• Birmingham City University, nine sites; the main site is at Perry Barr, 3 miles north of the city centre.
• University College Birmingham, two buildings in the city centre.
• Newman University College, 7 miles (20 minutes by car) from the city centre.

Find out how safe this city is with our crime figures

Cost of Living – Facts for Students

• Students spend the least on alcohol out of all the universities in England (£19.68).
• They spend the most on utility bills in the UK at £37.57, (average is £21.11 so is £16.46 more).
• They spend the least on transport costs for longer trips: £12.95, (average £20.38).
• Spend the most on eating out:  £19.47.
• Spend the most on taxis:  £18.00 (the average is £11.01).
• 37% of students do not pay rent or did not state amount paid. The rest fell in line with the average spent.
• Birmingham students spend the most hours per week on their hobbies at 14.56 hrs/wk.
• The students receive the least help financially from their parents but the most from grants and hardship loans.
• 12% of students plan to set up their own business, the highest amount out of all the universities and 7% above the average.

_{Facts are sourced from NatWest/RBS Student Living Index 2009, for more useful financial information from NatWest click here >}