University of Birmingham

[QueenOfHertz]

Hi

Does anyone have DCs here, or about to start? I don’t know much about the university or the area other than an old boyfriend of mine went there in the 90s to study medicine and he has stayed in the area as a GP so he must have liked it!

DD is currently looking at her uni long list for Open Days and Birmingham is now on her radar. What is the accommodation like, would you recommend any particular halls of residence, what is Selly Oak like? How easy is it to get 2nd and 3rd year accommodation? Is it a nice mix of campus university with easy access to city life? How easy is it to get from the train station to the university?

Lots of questions!

TIA.

From a previous open day I know that the station is right next to the campus (station is called University, it's one stop from Birmingham New Street).

I don't know about accommodation yet but hope to find out when we revisit in November.

The campus is lovely, DD really liked it.

Aha! 11 November! Thanks for the info about the station. Might see you there!

DS is going into his second year and very happy and settled. Plentiful accommodation , both in first year and beyond. Second and third years virtually all live right next to the uni.

The uni has its own train station and Selly Oak train station is also on the same line. Tbh, the station is not close to The Vale really where first year accommodation is mainly found but it's an easy enough walk.

Which campus accommodation is best depends entirely on your DD's needs, desires and budget - there is a range form shared bathroom to wet rooms to en suites. Each hall has sports teams and there is lots going on all the time.

DD1 went to Birmingham and loved it. DD2 due to start there next week. Good mix of campus and city living. DD1 lived in private rental house share in years 2 and 3. A fair bit available. Transport easy. There's the University station and also station at Selly Oak. Lots of buses too.

Thank you for your replies and the comments about accommodation is reassuring. I have heard some grim stories about the competition to get decent 2nd year housing in other parts of the U.K.

Birmingham is a beautiful, green campus about 2 miles outside of the City Centre.
It has it's own train station (on campus) on the Cross City Line which is 2 stops from New Street.
There are also buses into the City Centre every few minutes along the A38. Plus of course lots of competing taxi companies and Ubers. Although plenty of socialising for students happens in Selly Oak. There are also University organised transport at night.

One of the clubbing areas of Birmingham is Broad Street, which goes from Five Ways into the City Centre, and is fairly close to the student accom at The Vale (which a lot of new students rent).

Selly Oak is the are where the vast majority of 2nd and 3rd years live and there is plenty of housing there. Selly Oak touches the edge of the campus along the SW side.
Sports facilities are great (used for the Commonwealth games hockey and badminton, and as training camps for the Jamaican Team for the Olympic games).
The Campus has a huge teaching hospital on site (incl A&E which is always useful) , and medical school next door.

I understand something like 25% of graduates stay on in the City, which perhaps tells it's own story.
Of course, being in the centre of the Country, B'ham is pretty easy to get to from most parts of the Country, via road, train or coach or Megabus. City Centre has a clean air zone, but you don't need to drive through the City Centre to get to the University if that affects your car.

My DD is in her 2nd year and absolutely loving it. Accommodation seems to be much more reasonable and plentiful than many other parts of the country. Getting around both within the city itself and to other parts of the country is really easy and the campus is lovely.

Most first year accommodation is on the Vale which is a lovely leafy area, close to the uni.