International Student Accommodation in Birmingham: Your Complete 2026 Guide

Birmingham is the UK’s second city and its biggest centre of higher education outside London. Ranked 59th globally in the QS Best Student Cities 2026, this vibrant Midlands metropolis offers world-class universities, good value for money, and a thriving international community in the heart of England.

The city is home to five universities, with the three largest being the University of Birmingham, Aston University, and Birmingham City University. Together they welcome over 80,000 students each year, with around 40% coming from outside the UK. International students arrive from more than 150 countries, making Birmingham one of the most diverse student cities in Britain.

Student accommodation in Birmingham is significantly more affordable than in London and most southern cities. Weekly rents typically range from £80 to £200, depending on location and room type. With living costs around 38% lower than in the capital, Birmingham offers excellent value without sacrificing big city opportunities.

What makes Birmingham special is its combination of a Russell Group research university, strong graduate employment prospects (the University of Birmingham is ranked number one in the UK for attracting top graduate employers), a strategic central location with fast connections to every major UK city, and the youngest population of any major European city.

The Best Neighbourhoods for International Students

Birmingham has distinct student areas suited to different universities. Here are five neighbourhoods popular with international students.

Selly Oak

Selly Oak is Birmingham’s most famous student area, home to around 70% of University of Birmingham students. Located just a 10-minute walk from the Edgbaston campus, the area has a strong community feel with student pubs, cafes, and takeaways lining the Bristol Road.

The neighbourhood offers affordable shared housing alongside purpose built student accommodation. Local amenities include Selly Oak Shopping Park with Sainsbury’s, TK Maxx, and other retailers. Average weekly rent ranges from £80 to £130, making it one of the most affordable student areas in any major UK city.

Edgbaston

Edgbaston sits between Selly Oak and the city centre, offering a more upscale residential feel while remaining close to the University of Birmingham campus. The area features attractive Victorian architecture, tree-lined streets, and proximity to Edgbaston Reservoir and Cannon Hill Park.

Students appreciate the quieter atmosphere and slightly more spacious accommodation. Edgbaston is popular with postgraduate students who prefer a calmer environment. Rent typically ranges from £100 to £150 per week.

City Centre

Birmingham’s city centre is ideal for students at Aston University, Birmingham City University, and University College Birmingham. Living centrally puts you within walking distance of multiple campuses, the Bullring shopping centre, and the city’s nightlife on Broad Street.

Modern purpose built student accommodation dominates the city centre market, offering contemporary facilities and an urban lifestyle. The trade off is higher rent, typically £140 to £200 per week for PBSA, though shared housing in nearby areas can be more affordable.

Digbeth

Digbeth has been dubbed “Birmingham’s Shoreditch” and is the city’s main creative quarter. Located just east of the city centre, the area is home to the Custard Factory creative hub, independent galleries, street food markets, and some of Birmingham’s best nightlife venues.

The neighbourhood is experiencing rapid regeneration with new student accommodation developments. It appeals to creative students and those who want an edgier urban experience. Rent typically ranges from £130 to £180 per week.

Jewellery Quarter

The Jewellery Quarter is a historic neighbourhood with an “urban village” atmosphere, featuring independent cafes, bars, and restaurants alongside the workshops that still produce 40% of UK jewellery. The area is convenient for Birmingham City University and University College Birmingham students.

St Paul’s Square offers Georgian architecture and a more refined character than other student areas. The neighbourhood combines heritage charm with modern city living. Rent typically ranges from £140 to £200 per week.

Getting to Birmingham as an International Student

Birmingham’s central location makes it one of the best-connected cities in the UK.

Nearest Airports

Birmingham International Airport is the city’s gateway, located just 10 miles east of the city centre. It serves destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and connects to major hubs worldwide. Many international students also fly into London Heathrow (110 miles) or Manchester Airport (85 miles) and travel onward by train or coach.

From Birmingham Airport

A free monorail (Air-Rail Link) connects the airport terminal to Birmingham International railway station in 2 minutes. From there, direct trains reach Birmingham New Street station in 10 to 15 minutes, costing around £3 to £5. The entire journey from plane to city centre takes under 25 minutes. Taxis cost approximately £25.

From London Airports

The University of Birmingham offers free National Express coach vouchers for new international students arriving at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, or Luton airports during welcome periods. Journey time is 3 to 5 hours depending on the airport. Without a voucher, coach tickets cost £20 to £40.

Alternatively, take the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express to London Paddington, then the Underground to London Euston, and a direct train to Birmingham New Street (1 hour 20 minutes, from £17 advance).

From Other UK Cities

Birmingham New Street is one of the busiest railway stations in Britain, with direct services to virtually every major UK city. London is 1 hour 20 minutes away. Manchester takes 1 hour 30 minutes. Bristol is 1 hour 30 minutes. Leeds is 2 hours. Edinburgh takes around 4 hours 30 minutes.

Getting Around Birmingham

Birmingham has an extensive public transport network. Buses operated by National Express West Midlands cover the entire city, with single fares around £2 and daily caps at £5. The West Midlands Metro tram connects the city centre, Jewellery Quarter, and currently extends to Wolverhampton, with single fares around £3.

Students can apply for a Swift card, the region’s smart travel card, which offers up to 28% discount on travel. A monthly bus pass costs around £50 to £60. The city centre is compact and walkable, and many students in Selly Oak and Edgbaston cycle to campus.

Universities in Birmingham

Birmingham has a strong higher education sector with institutions to suit different academic interests and career goals.

University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham is a Russell Group research university ranked 76th globally (QS 2026) and 16th in the UK (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026). Founded in 1900 as England’s first civic university, it has produced 10 Nobel Prize winners and is ranked number one in the UK for attracting top graduate employers.

The university has over 38,000 students from more than 150 countries, with around 10,000 international students making it one of the largest international communities in the UK. The stunning 250 acre Edgbaston campus features red brick buildings, a distinctive clock tower, and modern facilities including Europe’s largest medical school.

Most University of Birmingham students live in Selly Oak (halls and private housing), Edgbaston (quieter residential area), or Harborne (village atmosphere). The Vale student village on campus offers first year accommodation.

Aston University

Aston University is located in the city centre, ranked 21st in the Guardian University Guide 2025 and known for exceptional graduate employment outcomes. Graduates of Aston are among the highest paid in the UK, earning on average £37,600 five years after graduating.

The university has around 15,000 students from over 120 countries. Aston Business School holds triple accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS), a distinction held by fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide. The compact city centre campus is a 5 minute walk from Birmingham New Street station.

Aston students typically live in city centre accommodation, the Aston Triangle area immediately surrounding campus, or commute from nearby areas. The university offers modern on campus halls.

Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University (BCU) is one of the UK’s largest modern universities with over 31,000 students from more than 120 countries. The university is known for creative arts, media, and practical career focused courses, with 97% of graduates in employment or further study within 15 months.

BCU has multiple campuses across the city centre, including the City Centre Campus near Millennium Point and the City South Campus in Edgbaston. Facilities include professional standard TV studios, recording studios, and industry standard creative workshops.

Students at BCU typically live in the city centre (walking distance to main campus), Digbeth (creative quarter), or the Jewellery Quarter. The university guarantees accommodation for first year students who apply by the deadline.

Other Birmingham Universities

University College Birmingham (UCB) specialises in hospitality, culinary arts, and sport, with around 10,000 students and professional training kitchens and treatment facilities. Campuses are located in the city centre and Jewellery Quarter.

Newman University is a smaller institution (around 2,700 students) in Bartley Green, known for teacher training and education courses with a supportive campus community.

Cost of Living in Birmingham for International Students

Birmingham is one of the more affordable major cities in England, with living costs around 38% lower than London.

Accommodation (weekly)

Shared house in Selly Oak: £80 to £130

En-suite PBSA: £140 to £180

Studio apartment: £180 to £220

Food and Groceries

Budget around £30 to £50 per week for groceries. Aldi, Lidl, and Asda offer the best value. Birmingham has excellent international food options, with Balti Triangle restaurants, Chinatown, and diverse cuisines reflecting the city’s multicultural population.

Transport

Birmingham is compact and many students walk or cycle. A monthly bus pass costs around £50 to £60 with a Swift card. A 16 to 25 Railcard (£30 per year) saves a third on national rail fares for exploring the UK.

Other costs

Gym memberships run around £20 to £30 per month, though university gyms are often cheaper or included in accommodation. Cinema tickets cost around £9, and a pint of beer averages £5.

Realistic monthly budget

Most international students in Birmingham spend between £950 and £1,200 per month in total. For visa purposes, you need to show £1,171 per month (outside London rate) in savings.

Birmingham saving tips

Download UNiDAYS and TOTUM for student discounts. Take advantage of student nights at city centre bars and clubs. Cook at home and shop at budget supermarkets. Explore free attractions including Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, the Library of Birmingham, and the city’s many parks.

Visa Services and Support in Birmingham

UKVCAS Service Points

Birmingham has UKVCAS centres for biometric appointments, located in the city centre. Book through the TLScontact website after submitting your online visa application.

eVisas and BRP Collection

From 2025, UK visas are digital eVisas. Your university’s international student team can assist with any immigration queries and can receive documents on your behalf.

University Immigration Support

All Birmingham universities have dedicated international student support teams offering free visa advice. The University of Birmingham’s International Student Advisory Service is particularly comprehensive.

International Student Community in Birmingham

Birmingham has one of the most diverse student populations in the UK.

Nationality-Based Societies

All universities run extensive networks of cultural societies. The University of Birmingham Guild of Students hosts over 300 societies.

Global Food and Shopping

Birmingham’s diversity is reflected in its food scene. The Balti Triangle in Sparkbrook offers the curry houses where the Balti dish was invented. Chinatown has authentic East Asian restaurants and groceries. The city centre has international supermarkets and food halls to suit every cuisine.

Where to Socialise

Popular areas include Broad Street for mainstream nightlife, Digbeth for alternative clubs and live music, and the Jewellery Quarter for craft bars and pubs. Birmingham has a legendary music heritage as the birthplace of heavy metal (Black Sabbath, most notably, come from the city) and continues to host major concerts at venues like the NEC and Utilita Arena. The city is also home to two football clubs, Aston Villa and Birmingham City.

Banking, Healthcare, and Essential Services

Banking

Major banks have branches throughout the city centre. To open an account, you need your passport, visa or eVisa, proof of address, and university enrolment letter. Digital banks like Monzo, Starling, and Revolut offer quick setup without branch visits.

NHS Registration

Register with a local GP during your first week. For non-emergencies, call NHS 111 or use the NHS App. In emergencies, call 999 or visit the Queen Elizabeth Hospital or City Hospital A&E.

Police Registration

No longer required. This requirement was removed for international students.

What Makes Birmingham Special for International Students

Weekend Adventures

Birmingham’s central location makes it the perfect base for exploring Britain. Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare’s birthplace) is 25 minutes by train. The Peak District is 1 hour away. London is 1 hour and 20 minutes. Oxford and Cambridge are around 90 minutes. The North Wales coast and Snowdonia are under 2 hours.

Local Attractions

Birmingham has more canals than Venice, perfect for waterside walks and boat trips. The Library of Birmingham is an architectural landmark with panoramic rooftop views. Cadbury World offers chocolate factory tours. The Bullring and Grand Central provide world class shopping. In summer, Cannon Hill Park and the Botanical Gardens are popular student hangouts.

The city’s industrial heritage is visible throughout, from the Jewellery Quarter museums to the Back to Backs historic houses. For Peaky Blinders fans, walking tours explore the real locations that inspired the show.

Career Opportunities

Birmingham has the largest regional economy in the UK and is home to major employers including HSBC (UK headquarters), Jaguar Land Rover, PwC, Deloitte, and the BBC. The tech sector is booming in an area known as “Silicon Canal.” International students can work 20 hours weekly during term time.

The University of Birmingham is ranked number one in the UK for graduate employer targeting, and all universities run careers services, placement programmes, and industry connections.

Alumni Networks

The University of Birmingham counts 10 Nobel Prize winners among its staff and alumni. Notable graduates include Neville Chamberlain (former Prime Minister), David Lodge (novelist), and numerous business leaders, politicians, and scientists.

Birmingham FAQs

What is the Brummie accent and will I understand it?

Brummie is the distinctive Birmingham accent, which can take some getting used to. Locals speak warmly and directly, and international students generally adapt within a few weeks. Birmingham people are known for being friendly and welcoming, so do not be afraid to ask someone to repeat themselves.

Is Birmingham safe for international students?

Birmingham is generally safe, with student areas like Selly Oak and Edgbaston having low crime rates. University security services operate around campus, and the large student population means streets are busy. As with any major city, take sensible precautions at night.

Is Birmingham a good base for exploring the UK?

Absolutely. Birmingham’s central location and excellent rail connections make it arguably the best base for UK exploration. You can reach London, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, and Liverpool in under 2 hours. The Peak District, Cotswolds, and Wales are all within easy reach for day trips.

Ready to Book Student Accommodation in Birmingham?

Now that you have seen all that Birmingham has to offer international students, it is time to explore our range of Birmingham student accommodation options.

If you have more questions relating to more general international student topics, check out our Ultimate Guide to International Student Accommodation in the UK.