Guide to Student Homes in Birmingham
Birmingham is a vibrant city with a diverse population, world-class universities, and a thriving creative and cultural scene. It might only be the second largest city in the UK, but it’s much more affordable than London, making it the perfect place to live and study.
Home to eight universities, including the University of Birmingham, Aston University, and Birmingham City University, Birmingham is a student city at heart, welcoming over 80,000 students from around the world. And, with 36% of its population under the age of 25, it’s also one of the youngest cities in Europe. It’s no wonder the nightlife is so electric!
Why Choose Birmingham to Study?
As well as the amazing academic opportunities, Birmingham is a great place for students to call home. The lively city centre has plenty of shops, restaurants, nightclubs and cool hangouts, while the suburbs are brimming with independent breweries and bars.
Plus, with reliable public transport, dedicated cycling paths, and walking routes, getting around the city couldn’t be easier.
Nightlife
Whether you’re looking for a wild night out or a chilled catch up with friends, Birmingham has something to offer everyone.
For students looking for pop tunes and drinks deals, Broad Street is considered the city’s nightlife hub. Here, you’ll find sports bars, karaoke bars, cheap pubs, and most importantly, Snobs – Birmingham’s most popular student nightclub.
Digbeth is great for electro and house nights and is home to some iconic warehouse clubs like Lab11, The Institute, and Spotlight.
For more relaxed vibes, head to the city’s Jewellery Quarter. The district has an eclectic mix of bars, complete with rooftop terraces and beer gardens, so you can soak up the Brummie rays while sipping on your favourite tipple.
Fancy yourself as a bit of a foodie? You’re in luck because Birmingham’s food scene is thriving. Whether it’s sizzling baltis, authentic Chinese food, well-known favourites or independent food traders, there’s something to tickle every taste bud in the city.
Academic Excellence
Birmingham is home to eight prestigious universities, so it’s easy to see why so many young people choose to study in the city.
In 2024, The University of Birmingham – a leading research institution in medicine and the sciences – was ranked 84th in the QS World University Rankings, maintaining its position in the top 100 universities globally and placing it 15th amongst UK universities.
Aston University – renowned for its business and management courses – was ranked 25th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide, 2024. And Aston University graduates are among the highest paid in the country five years after graduating.
Birmingham City University’s industry connections, career support and practice-based learning make it an ideal place to study. The university has the highest number of student and graduate business start-ups of any university in the West Midlands.
With each university offering such a diverse mix of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, you’re sure to find one to suit your needs and career aspirations.
Transport Links
As well as being super easy to get around, Birmingham has great transport links to the rest of the UK, thanks to its central location.
Fancy taking a break from your studies? The newly revamped Birmingham New Street, Grand Central, offers students quick and easy travel to London and the north – perfect for those impromptu day trips with your mates.
Just a 10-minute train journey from the city centre, Birmingham Airport is the UK’s best-connected airport. It serves more than 133 direct destinations globally with 30 airlines, making it ideal for students who need to travel home or want to explore Europe.
Student Homes in Birmingham: Things to Consider
Like with any new city, there are many things you’ll need to consider if you’re planning to move for university - including the student homes in Birmingham.
Location
The first thing to consider when moving to a new city is the location of your accommodation. Having a house or flat that’s safe, social and in an accessible area is key for all students to make the most out of their university experience.
When looking at student accommodation in Birmingham, take time to research how close it is to the university of your choice, and whether it has good transport links and shops nearby.
Cost
Certain areas of Birmingham are more expensive to live in than others, especially when looking at student accommodation in Birmingham city centre. So, you’ll need to consider your monthly budget, as well as factors like utilities – unless they’re included in your accommodation package, like with Yugo.
Cost of transport is also something to consider. You’ll probably want to choose accommodation that’s close to your university so that you’re not having to pay to travel there. At Yugo, all of our spaces have been built close to universities, giving you one less thing to worry about!
Amenities
Another thing you might want to think about is which amenities are important to you. If you’re into your health and fitness, then you might prefer to choose accommodation that’s near to a gym. If going out is more your thing, you’ll want to find somewhere that’s close to the main nightlife districts.
Have a think about what you love doing in your spare time and find somewhere that can cater to that.
The Best Student Homes in Birmingham
Whether you’re a sociable type looking for a shared apartment, or you want the privacy of a one-person studio flat, we offer a range of off-campus accommodation options in Birmingham.
All bills are included, and each room comes with free high-speed wifi. Plus, you’ll get 24-hour support and access to an on-site laundry room, so you won’t need to bother your mum or dad with your dirty washing!
Bentley House
Bentley House is ideally located for four of the city’s prestigious universities. Aston University is just over the road, and Birmingham City University and University College Birmingham are both a short stroll away. If you’re at University of Birmingham, there’s a reliable and regular bus service to help you get to lectures on time.
There’s plenty going on at Bentley House too. Sweat it out at the gym, chill it out in the TV room or get your feel-good fix at our regular wellbeing events. Plus, there’s a common room to socialise with friends and a study area for when you want to get your head down.
Globe Works
With over 500 students living there, the stylish Globe Works has a thriving sociable community. As well as regular social events, you can challenge your mates to a game of ping pong in the common room or head to the cinema room to catch your favourite movie.
There’s also a study room for somewhere quiet to revise, and an on-site gym if you need to blow off steam.
Globe Works is just a few minutes’ walk from both Aston University and Birmingham City University and has great links to the city’s buses, trains and trams.
Birmingham’s Student Homes and Beyond
With great nightlife, entertainment, food, drink, and of course world-class universities, Birmingham is an amazing place to live and study.
It’s a big city but it’s affordable, making it perfect for students. And it’s super easy to travel to and get around once you’re there.
Wherever you decide to study, finding the right accommodation is easy with Yugo. With student accommodation across the UK and beyond, all close to universities and amenities, there’s a Yugo property that’s waiting for you.