Welcome to our University of Birmingham Guide. Here, you can find out more about this leading UK University: the best courses, tips on nights out, official information, places to stay when visiting and more. Could this be the Uni for you?

Whether you are studying or considering furthering your education as an adult, you will most likely have a list of potential universities that you are considering for the future.

Our guide can help you decide if Birmingham is the city and campus for you and give you a break from poring over the Times Higher Education guide.

Take a look and see how Birmingham stacks up to other universities that you might be considering, even ones near the same general location.

To find out more about the University of Birmingham and the location surrounding it, read below.

Overview of the University of Birmingham

Home to over 26,000 students, the University of Birmingham is open to both domestic and international students.

Offering a wide range of courses as part of the prestigious Russell Group, the University of Birmingham prides itself on outstanding education and high-quality academic staff.

Located in the heart of Birmingham, the university is another of the UK’s major research universities.

Great student life and a diverse community is backed up by a wide range of course types, allowing both domestic and international students to develop their education effectively at a range of campus buildings and facilities.

History of Birmingham University

The University of Birmingham originally came from The Queen’s College and then Mason College.

Originally meant to be a medical school that followed Christian guidelines, it gradually morphed into the University of Birmingham we know today after receiving its own Royal Charter in 1900.

Ever since, the university has slowly expanded, offering more courses while also providing greater facilities and education options.

Now a founding member of the Russell Group, it acts as both an education campus and a major boon to the country’s research efforts.

What is the address of the University of Birmingham?

The address of the University of Birmingham is:

University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT

Map of the University of Birmingham

Below is a map of the University of Birmingham.

How to get to the University of Birmingham

By Train – New Street Station is located very close to the campus, with the aptly-named University Station being even closer to the main campus itself.

By Bus – Buses X61 and 63 runs to the Birmingham city centre, as well as near the Edgbaston campus. These allow easy movement throughout the city.

By Taxi – New Street Station has taxi ranks that allow easy trips through Birmingham city.

On Foot – On foot (or bike) travel is easy, with cycle and pedestrian paths being easily found all throughout the city that lead to the main campus. Cyclists can also use the 40-space compound at the Munrow Sports Centre to park their bikes.

By Car – It is easy to reach the university from the M6, M42, M40, or take the A38 from the southwest. The campus has its own parking facilities as needed.

By Air – You can easily reach the campus from Heathrow Airport or Gatwick Airport using a range of travel methods.

Hotels near The University of Birmingham

If you are visiting the University of Birmingham for a one-off open day, or want to visit a family member or friend who is already in education, then staying on campus is not an option.

However, like most good universities, the campus is situated in a location close to many hotels and temporary private accommodation options.
Booking.com

What are the top courses at the University of Birmingham?

The University of Birmingham offers a range of undergraduate courses and various other study types, fully available to both domestic students and international students doing a year abroad.

Birmingham prides itself on excellence in several subjects and course types, including:

  • Computer Science.
  • Economics.
  • Psychology.
  • Law.
  • Medicine.
  • Business.
  • Arts.
  • Mathematics.
  • Theology.

Where is the Birmingham Students Union?

The University of Birmingham Guild of Students is located at the Edgbaston campus, on Edgbaston Park Road.

As the largest student union in the UK, it can offer a range of facilities and student services while representing students at both a national and local level.

It also has a bar, social space, and an events night for themed events to keep the union funded.

Both local and international students can receive support with matters such as degree struggles, financial issues, accommodation problems, issues with immigration and various other problems that could impact their learning

What are the best Birmingham student nights?

The most notable part of the nightlife for Birmingham learners is the nightlife.

While this tends to get more expensive on weekends, there are also plenty of things to enjoy in the area, whether you prefer loud clubs or quiet pubs.

Aside from the events at the student’s union, a number of high-energy clubs and bars exist, such as:

  • PRYZM
  • Popworld
  • Big Wednesdays
  • Missing
  • Tunnel Club
  • Snobs
  • Suki10c

What are the best student pubs in Birmingham?

The various pubs, bars and clubs in Birmingham can be a hotspot for student activity.

If you are tired of the university’s learning-focused atmosphere and want to support your studies with some downtime, then pubs can be a calmer place to turn. Notable local pubs include:

  • Bristol Pear
  • Sacks of Potatoes
  • Tap & Spile
  • The Gosta Green
  • Walkabout Birmingham

Where are the best places to eat for students in Birmingham?

While the city of Birmingham is home to many major restaurants and dining experiences, students have a student budget to consider.

If student satisfaction is required on a tight budget, then there are some affordable places to eat that are relatively close to the university campus – and your new accommodation.

  • @Pizza
  • Digbeth Dining Club
  • Grand Central Kitchen
  • The Meat Shack
  • Kimchi Korean Restaurant
  • Ba-Ha
  • Wok Chi Oriental Kitchen
  • Hens & Chickens

What are the Halls of Residence for the University of Birmingham?

There are multiple halls of residence for the University of Birmingham, meaning that students have some choice over where they spend their downtime.

Many of these are in excellent places, allowing students to explore Birmingham without feeling like they are too far away to study correctly.

Some are located in parts of the campus that are only a few minutes from the city centre, while others are much closer to core transport links.

Regardless of location, all of them are open to any local and international students interested in staying there.

Top Birmingham Discounts for Students

Students at the university can get access to some world-class discounts, from sports facilities to food supplies – or just places to relax and enjoy their downtime. These include:

  • AMC Theatres
  • Madewell
  • Birmingham Zoo
  • SanPieggo’s Pizza
  • Chick-fil-A
  • Ignite Cycle
  • Apple Store Birmingham
  • Glee Club
  • Wok & Go
  • Twist Cafe
  • Pizza Express

For some big retailers and brands we suggest the student discounts below:

What famous people went to the University of Birmingham?

The University of Birmingham is famous for many notable alumni, including (but definitely not limited to):

  • Chris Tarrant OBE, former presenter of Who Want to be a Millionaire.
  • Rt. Ann Widdecombe, former Shadow Home Secretary.
  • Isaac Hempstead Wright, actor.
  • Hannah England, British athlete and silver medallist.
  • Ellie Cristell, TV presenter.
  • Sandie Okoro, lawyer and senior VP of the World Bank Group.
  • Jess Phillips, MP.
  • Tim Curry, Actor.

Popular Questions about the University of Birmingham

Is the University of Birmingham hard to get into?

The University of Birmingham has an acceptance rate of around 13.5%, making it more difficult than many universities.

Out of every 100 students that apply, only about 13 actually get accepted and start their student life at the uni.

Is the University of Birmingham a good university?

The university is ranked highly in QS World University Rankings, as well as several other ranking systems.

Individual campuses such as the Edgbaston Campus and Selly Oak Campus are also highly-regarded, as is the city itself (which students are fully able to explore).

As a place for innovation and learning, this university achieves high rankings consistently and has developed a lot of new facilities and events over the years to keep students invested.

Is the University of Birmingham a Russell Group university?

The university is indeed a Russell Group university and was a founding member of the group.

This makes it a world-class teaching institution; the Russell Group is highly prestigious, and any colleges included in the group are known for their teaching, research, international support and excellent graduates.

What is Birmingham Uni famous for?

The university is known for its research and teaching quality all across the world and is included in an international network of research universities that is spread throughout the entire world.

This commitment to research has allowed the university to push innovation and better teaching while also improving general life for students at both a national and international level.

Can international students go to the university?

International studies are a major part of how the university operates.

Multiple services and systems are available to help international learners tackle their international learning properly all throughout the world.

The university has developed world-class facilities, often receiving students from Europe and the rest of the world.

Being relatively close to London has also put it in a prime location for new arrivals to England from Europe (or anywhere else in the world) to head straight there from London with minimal issues.

QS World University Rankings have the university ranking high compared to many other universities across the world.

These high QS World University Rankings alone make it a tempting place for international learners to turn.

Is the university still improving from originally being a medical school?

The university continues to gain brand-new facilities.

Old features like the Barber Institute of Fine Arts exist alongside modern fitness services and school life social spaces, as well as many events within the union.

How does the university rank compared to other British Research Universities?

The university ranks 91st in the QS World University Rankings in 2023.

QS World University Rankings are a major source of university rankings overall, so this QS World University Rankings rating data is important.

Even beyond the QS World University Rankings, it was ranked 27th in the Guardian University Guide.

It is also the 13th in the UK for grade point average rankings, 108 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and various other past rankings milestones.

Using the QS World University Rankings as a starting point, we can see that the QS World University Rankings as a whole list it is one of the best universities in the West Midlands, if not the entire UK.

While the QS World University Rankings cover the whole world and not just the UK, we can still use the QS World University Rankings to see how well the university stacks up against its peers.

Summary of the University of Birmingham

No matter what courses you are interested in taking, this is an excellent university to consider while you explore your other options.

Situated in a great location in the UK that is not too far from London (and the sites of many major UK events), it offers a range of degrees in everything from theology to computer science.

While the university itself is mostly focused on science and data-driven research, you do not need an interest in science to study there.

This UK university can also account for theology, arts, law, and countless other subjects. If location is a concern, remember that the university is in a prime location for travel.

Whether you are a local learner moving down from the north or an international learner who is flying to London and taking a short trip to the university itself, this can be a prime location to push your learning further.

Great degrees, an excellent location, ideal accommodation and easy access to the wider UK make it a great hub for enjoying your university life and everything it has to offer.

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