A fresher's guide to Birmingham

Popular Student Areas

Birmingham is home to lots of vibrant student areas, each with its own unique charm and lots of things to do:

• City Centre: Living in the heart of Birmingham means you'll have everything at your doorstep, from big chain restaurants, to the Bullring shopping Centre to buzzing nightlife. It's a convenient and exciting place to be.
• Gay Village: Known for its inclusive and lively atmosphere, the Gay Village offers a variety of bars, clubs, and events.
• Chinatown: This area is famous for its delicious Asian restaurants, bakeries, shops and cultural festivals, making it a great place to explore, grab a matcha or eat out with friends.
• Jewellery Quarter: Home to the School of Jewellery, this historic area is known for its many Jewellers but it's also a hive of independent pubs, restaurants and cafes.
• Brindley Place: A picturesque area by the canal, Brindley Place is a great place to go out for dinner or drinks and enjoy the waterfront views.
• Edgbaston: A stone's throw away from our City South Campus, Edgbaston is home to a beautiful reservoir and a number of pubs and cafes close to the city centre. 
• Digbeth: A creative hub with a strong industrial heritage, Digbeth is known for its street art, independent shops, and lively nightlife.

Top Places to Eat

Birmingham boasts a diverse food scene with options to suit every taste and budget, so along with familiar favourites like Wagamama, Rudy's Pizza and Dishoom, you can find:

• Original Patty Men: Known for their mouth-watering burgers, this place is a must-visit for burger lovers.
• Bonehead: an iconic fried-chicken restaurant known for it's 'killer' wings.
• Mellow's: Enjoy authentic Caribbean cooking at this award-winning restaurant.
• Indian Streatery: Known for its authentic Indian street food, Prince William and Kate Middleton visited this family-run restaurant during their trip to Birmingham.
• Damascena: With locations across Birmingham, Damascena is the best cafe for middle eastern food, drinks and relaxing atmosphere.
• BA-HA: A heaven for vegans, BA-HA offers innovative plant-based food in a cosy pub.
• Yakinori: An essential for students in Birmingham, yakinori serves affordable Japanese food from sushi to katsu curry.
• More top places to eat in Birmingham

Nightlife and Entertainment

Birmingham's nightlife is vibrant and varied, offering something for everyone:

• F1 Arcade: Experience the thrill of Formula 1 racing with state-of-the-art simulators and enjoy great food and drinks at this unique venue in Paradise Birmingham.
• Snobs Nightclub: A legendary club popular with students, known for its indie and alternative music nights.
• The Glee Club: For a night of comedy, head to The Glee Club, which features top comedians from around the UK.
• Toca Social: The world's first interactive football and dining experience, located in the Bullring. Perfect for a fun night out with friends.
• Rosie's: Birmingham's No.1 nightlife venue with five themed rooms, tailored to different music tastes. Popular for its student nights and events.
• XOYO: Known for its eclectic mix of live music and club nights, XOYO is a must-visit for music lovers.
• Lane 7: Enjoy boutique bowling, karaoke, retro arcade games and more at this fun venue in the Bullring.

Things to Do

When you're not studying, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained, many of which are free or offer student discounts:

• Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery: Explore a wide range of exhibits, from fine art to local history. Entry is free.
• Library of Birmingham: Visit this iconic library with its stunning architecture and free access to books, events, and the rooftop garden.
• Cannon Hill Park: Enjoy a day out in one of Birmingham's most beautiful parks, with free entry to its gardens, lakes, and the Midlands Arts Centre. 
• Sutton Park: A great place for hiking and enjoying nature, you might even spot a wild pony.
• Birmingham Canals: Walk around Birmingham's historic canals (we've got more miles of canal than Venice you know), just avoid the geese!
• Bullring and Grand Central: Find all your favourite shops, and do some browsing at the iconic Birmingham Selfridges. 
• Cadbury World: Enjoy a day out at this famous attraction for just £12 with a student discount.
• Best places to use a student discount in Birmingham: Discover more places where you can use your student discount in Birmingham.
• Join a society with the Students' Union: Get involved with various societies and make the most of your university experience.

Getting Around

Birmingham has excellent transport links, making it easy to get around the city and beyond:

• Public Transport: The city is well-served by buses, trams, and trains. The West Midlands Network website provides information on routes and timetables.
• Cycling: Birmingham is becoming more cycle-friendly, with dedicated bike lanes and cycle hire schemes like West Midlands Cycle Hire.
• Walking: Many student areas are within walking distance of the universities and city centre, making walking a convenient option.

We hope this guide helps you settle into Birmingham and make the most of your time here. Enjoy your studies and have fun exploring the city!