It’s the second biggest city in the UK, boasts five universities, and is home to over 100,000 students.
So, you can bet your bottom dollar that Birmingham has plenty of options for students living out.
The real question is: how do you choose?
First thing’s first, decide on your priorities. Do you want to be close to the city’s beating heart? A stroll from university? Somewhere a little quieter?
We’ve put together a helpful guide to make sure you find the best place to live in Birmingham as a student, no matter what you’re looking for.
Selly Oak
If you want the typical student experience, Selly Oak is the neighbourhood for you.
The area is jam-packed with student house shares, marching across rows of red-brick Victorian terraces. It’s the most popular spot for students to live, thanks to being walking distance to the University of Birmingham, with train links to the city centre to boot.
Because of its reputation as a student hub, the neighbourhood has gone all out providing everything the ‘typical’ student might want. We’re talking late-night fast-food joints, budget-friendly supermarkets, and pubs and clubs galore (Circo remains a particular favourite).
Rest assured, the nightlife here is geared towards Birmingham University students, with plenty of uni clubs choosing Selly Oak to host their socials.
But… not everyone’s looking for that ‘typical’ experience.
If late-night revellers and large house shares aren’t your thing, you might prefer a neighbourhood that’s a little quieter, calmer, and more comfortable than Selly Oak.
Average commuting times from Selly Oak
University of Birmingham: 20-minute walk
Birmingham city centre: 10-minute train
Edgbaston
For an all-together more wholesome feel, Edgbaston is another popular choice for students living out.
It’s leafier and quieter than Selly Oak, but still has a sociable feel, with no shortage of pubs, restaurants, and indie bars nearby. There’s even a regular artisan market that pops up around Greenfield Crescent.
If you’re craving green space, one of the best things about Edgbaston is Cannon Hill Park, where students and locals alike flock on sunny days. Or bring your uni mates and grab tickets to a cricket game at the famous Edgbaston Cricket Ground.
Just be aware, its more residential feel could become stifling for anyone itching to be in the thick of things: while Edgbaston is physically closer to the city centre than Selly Oak, without the train connection it feels further.
If you’re keen on Edgbaston, take a look at Vita Student Pebble Mill. Located close to the Uni of Birmingham, it promises all the benefits of Edgbaston, with the added buzz of Vita Student’s exciting weekly events and student community.
Average commuting times from Edgbaston
University of Birmingham: 25-minute walk
Birmingham city centre: 30-minute bus
Digbeth
Super cool Digbeth puts you next door to the vibrant atmosphere of Birmingham’s city centre.
It’s arty. It’s independent. It’s a little bit rugged, but that’s part of the appeal for many.
Here, you’ll find converted warehouses and Victorian mills transformed into cinemas and cute cafés, for those days when studying with a matcha latte to hand is entirely necessary.
This is the place for anyone who prefers the alternative scene. Digbeth is famed for its diverse nightlife, ideal for students who want to step away from the more mainstream clubs and bars.
Ultimately, you’ll either love living in Digbeth or you really won’t. While its exciting atmosphere and proximity to the city centre are huge wins, Digbeth’s post-industrial character will put others off.
Average commuting times from Digbeth
University of Birmingham: 30 minutes’ walk and train
Birmingham city centre: 10-minute walk
King’s Heath
A little way out of the city centre is Kings Heath, and it’s definitely worth looking into if you’re after more of a community feel.
Centred around a main high street that runs all the way into town, you’ll find trendy cafés and bars dotted on either side, plus farmers’ markets, independent shops, and a creative spirit that manifests into a thriving events scene.
Locals – and even not-so-locals – rave about Hare and Hounds at Kings Heath, a much-loved pub famous for its dynamic live music programme. Everyone from UB40 to Ed Sheeran has graced the stage here in their time, so this is the spot to see the next big thing before they make it.
There are heaps of options for student housing here, just be prepared for more of a trek to uni and the city centre, as King’s Heath doesn’t have a train station.
Average commuting times from King’s Heath
University of Birmingham: 25-minute bus
Birmingham city centre: 30-minute bus
City centre
The reason so many students head to Birmingham is because it’s got an unbeatable energy. As a student here, you’re in the right place at the right time.
So, to really make the most of that tantalising spirit, you have to be where the action is.
And living in the city centre means the very best of Birmingham is just a stone’s throw away. Try out a new study café every day and decide on your favourite. Watch the sunset from the twinkling canal banks of Gas Street Basin. Gaze at wonders in Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on your afternoon off.
With easy links to the city’s universities, it also saves you time on commuting to lectures. Plus, thanks to having New Street station a short stroll away, the rest of the UK is yours to easily explore by train.
To get more from your student experience in Birmingham, Vita Student Gough Street places you in the heart of the city – without any compromises.
A 24/7, state-of-the-art gym? Career resources and events? A spacious studio just for you? It’s all yours at Gough Street, with everything Birmingham has to offer on your doorstep.
Average commuting times from the city centre:
University of Birmingham: 15-minute bus
Birmingham city centre: You’re already there!
