How to Prepare for Life After University 💡
Student areas in Birmingham: a complete guide
Heading to Birmingham for university and wondering where to live? Or just want to know the best place for a big night out? From Digbeth to Selly Oak, the UK’s ‘Second City’ is home to a host of student-friendly areas that you’ll come to love during your time at university.
In this complete neighbourhood guide, we’ll run through the best Birmingham areas for all kinds of activities – whether that’s shopping, nightlife or eating out – so that you can experience the city just like a local.
TL;DR: Birmingham’s main student hubs are in the centre and south of the city – the city centre is buzzing with Broad Street, Aston and BCU all in the vicinity, Digbeth is an indie hotspot with great energy and nightlife, Selly Oak is a classic student neighbourhood full of UoB students, while leafy Edgbaston has a classy vibe appealing to postgrads.
City centre – A little bit of everything 🪄
Birmingham city centre has a near-endless supply of places to explore, but it’s compact enough to get around on foot (or hop on the tram if you fancy resting your legs). It centres around New Street and branches off into the iconic Bullring shopping centre, which has virtually every brand you could ask for. Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter is also nearby, featuring some of the city’s best restaurants and the lively Arcadian.
At the other end of the city centre, you’ll find the gorgeous canalside district of Brindleyplace, packed with restaurants and bars that are great for taking your parents when they come to visit or a boozy bottomless brunch. Broad Street – the beating heart of Birmingham’s nightlife – is right around the corner, with student events running throughout the week at clubs like Snobs, Rosies and Popworld.
In terms of accommodation, there are lots of purpose-built apartments dotted around the city centre (like our Yugo Crown Place and Yugo Bentley House residences!), where premium facilities like on-site gyms and study spaces come as standard. The location is super convenient, too, especially if you’re studying at Aston or BCU.
The city centre can be more expensive than Birmingham’s other student areas, but for the price you get up close to all the action and don't have to book train tickets or Ubers every time you make a trip into town. So if you want to be where everything's happening and convenience is king, this is your spot.
Post codes: B1, B2, B3, B4, B5
What it’s known for: Shopping, nightlife, restaurants, convenience, transport links
Closest universities: Aston University, Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham
Studying in the city centre and need looking for somewhere convenient to stay? Check out our dedicated range of BCU accommodation and apartments near Aston University!
Digbeth – Artsy, alternative vibes 🎨
If you’re into street art, second-hand shops and underground raves, you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time in Digbeth. Regularly dubbed Birmingham’s trendiest neighbourhood, this former industrial zone just east of the city centre is now the place to go for all things indie and alternative.
The Custard Factory sits in the heart of Digbeth and is home to cool cafes, shops and restaurants, as well as NQ64 arcade bar and the independent Mockingbird Cinema. Just a few steps away on Floodgate Street, you’ll find Red Brick Market – a true treasure trove with dozens of independent traders selling vintage clothing, handmade jewellery and other unique finds.
Digbeth is also notorious for its diverse and dynamic nightlife, popular among students who aren’t so keen on the more mainstream Broad Street club scene. You can head to Golf Fang for mini-golf with a twist, rave until the early hours at Lab11 or catch a gig from your favourite up-and-coming artist at O2 Institute.
It’s generally seen as a destination for students rather than a place to live, as the main university campuses are located elsewhere. Still, it’s only 10 minutes from the city centre and home to many of Birmingham’s best student attractions, so definitely worth a visit once you’ve settled in.
Post codes: B5, B9, B12
What it’s known for: Indie shops, activity bars, rave scene, street art
Closest universities: Aston University, Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham
Selly Oak – UoB heartland 🎓
Located next to the University of Birmingham campus, about three miles south of the city centre, Selly Oak fits the mould of a classic student neighbourhood. Expect rows of terraced houses, budget-friendly supermarkets and plenty of late-night food spots.
Bristol Road is the main high street that runs through the area and has pretty much everything you need. There’s a Sainsbury’s Local, a Tesco Express and an Aldi for big food shops. You’ve also got three lively student pubs in The Goose, The Soak and The Bristol Pear, as well as Circo for big nights out on Mondays and Fridays.
It definitely has more of a local neighbourhood feel, though it can get loud during term time as the area is made up almost entirely of students. Buses run regularly into the city centre and trains from Selly Oak to New Street only take around 10 minutes, so it’s easy to get to town if you need a change of scenery.
Housing largely consists of flatshares from private landlords as well as several halls of residence managed by UoB, though there are a few purpose-built apartment buildings for students seeking extra privacy and upscale furnishings.
Post codes: B29
What it’s known for: Traditional student experience, shared housing, student pubs, budget shops, takeaways
Closest universities: University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University (City South Campus), Birmingham Newman University
Edgbaston – Tranquil and classy 🍃
Leafy green Edgbaston is widely recognised as one of Birmingham’s nicest areas, offering students a more relaxed and sophisticated vibe. Nestled between Selly Oak and the city centre, it serves as a solid middle ground for all of Birmingham’s universities, but is especially well placed for reaching UoB and BCU’s City South Campus.
There are plenty of wholesome things to do nearby, whether that's a stroll through Birmingham Botanical Gardens or an afternoon exploring the chic boutiques of Edgbaston Village. And when the sun’s out, there are few better places to be in Birmingham than Cannon Hill Park, where students and locals descend in droves.
You’ve also got access to some of Birmingham's best pubs and restaurants on Highfield Road, nearby areas like Moseley and Harborne that make for great weekend visits and a Lidl opposite Edgbaston Stadium for budget-friendly food shops.
There’s a good mix of university halls, traditional student housing and luxury accommodation (like our Haüs residence!) in the area. It’s generally one of the more expensive places to rent in Birmingham, but it does come with a lot of benefits and is definitely less of a student bubble than Selly Oak.
Post codes: B15, B16
What it’s known for: Green spaces, indie boutiques, pubs and restaurants, upmarket atmosphere
Closest universities: Birmingham City University (City South Campus), University of Birmingham
Other parts of Birmingham every student should explore 🔍
Most students find themselves living in the city centre or suburbs like Selly Oak and Edgbaston, but there’s so much more to explore in Birmingham! Here are some other student-friendly hotspots that deserve an honourable mention:
Harborne has a charming village vibe despite being just a few miles from the city centre. Lined up along the high street, you’ll find charity shops, independent restaurants and plenty of cosy cafes that are great for studying. It’s also really close to Selly Oak and Edgbaston so easy to get to for many students.
The Jewellery Quarter is a trendy, inner-city area just a short walk from New Street. There are loads of young professionals living here, so you can expect plenty of pubs, coffee shops, restaurants and bars. It’s also home to some of BCU and UCB’s facilities, so you’ll see many students around too.
Moseley is an artsy, bohemian suburb with a strong community feel. It’s got great pubs, lots of cafes, several independent shops and even a few live music venues. While it’s a little bit further out the way, bus connections from Edgbaston, Selly Oak and the city centre still make it easy to get it.
King's Heath, just a short drive south of Moseley, is another hip and trendy area with a vibrant high street. Hare & Hounds is one of the city's most beloved live music venues and well attended by students. It’s also home to some excellent international restaurants and brunch spots.
Stirchley is a colourful suburb with arguably the best food and drink scene in Birmingham. It’s infamous for its craft breweries and taprooms which form their own ‘beer mile’ and has some of the city’s leading independent eateries. It’s also just one train stop away from Selly Oak, so super easy for students to visit.
Birmingham: a city with many faces ✨
Birmingham is so diverse but still manageable enough for you to feel like you really know the city by the time you finish your degree. Buzzing student hubs, vibrant creative quarters, relaxed suburbs – there’s always a place to match your energy.
Moving to the city for university and looking for somewhere to stay? Yugo offer a range of student accommodation in Birmingham, with luxury residences across Edgbaston and the city centre – take a look inside below!
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