As one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in the United Kingdom, Birmingham is home to people from all walks of life. With a population of 1 million and counting, thousands of students from all four corners of the globe descend on Birmingham for their place of study. And it’s easy to see why students choose to study in Birmingham, as this major city is considered to be the social, cultural, financial, and commercial centre of both the East and West Midlands. The city is a major international commercial centre, ranked as a beta − world city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network, the joint highest ranking with Edinburgh and Manchester of all British cities outside of London. More to the point, this metropolitan hub is entrenched in major cultural institutions such as the Library of Birmingham, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts and the Birmingham Royal Ballet. It’s clear to see that the city has vibrant and influential grassroots in art, music, literary and culinary scenes, making it a fantastic choice for students who choose to study in Birmingham.
With so many fun things to see and do in the city, here are 5 reasons why you should study in Birmingham…
Top Universities For Students Who Study In Birmingham
As a student, finding a place of study that matches your needs can be difficult. With so many universities scattered across the country, deciding on just one is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. If Birmingham is on the cards, there are several highly ranked universities such as Aston University that can provide you with an excellent level of education. Ranked as number one in the country for value added (Aston University, Guardian University Guide, 2020), top 10 in the UK for Continuation, which measures how well Aston supports students, including those who may be struggling (Guardian University Guide, 2020) and rated as ‘GOLD’ using the Teaching Excellence Framework (2017), it’s no wonder Aston is a prime destination for both international and national students alike who choose to study in Birmingham.
You can also look online to see how it compares to other universities in the city and beyond. It’s clear to see that Birmingham is a prime destination for education with six incredible universities such as the aforementioned Aston University, Birmingham City University and Birmingham University , making it the largest centre of higher education in the UK outside of London.
Beautiful Green Spaces To Relax In
While it’s easy to associate Birmingham with the ‘industrialized vision’ of an urban city landscape, there’s more to Birmingham than meets the eye.Although Birmingham is the second biggest city after London, there are tons of green spaces that you can visit to relax and unwind to take your mind off your studies. With close to 600 parks and green areas dotted across the city, (more than any other city in Europe I might add!) you will be amazed at how many outdoor spaces there are in Birmingham. Whether it’s a trip to Winterbourne Gardens, Botanical Gardens, or Sutton Park Nature Reserve, you are bound to find a spot where you can get away from the pressures of your workload. In particular Sutton Park is a glorious 2,400 acre National Nature Reserve located 6 miles north of the city centre. It’s one of the largest urban parks in Europe and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.The park has open heathland, woodlands, seven lakes, wetlands, and marshes – each with its own rich variety of plants and wildlife, some rarely seen in the region. Cattle and wild ponies graze on the land.
It just goes to show that Birmingham is more than just a city to study in, but it’s also a city blessed with beautiful green spaces where you can meditate, walk in, marvel at nature and have a breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of the thriving city. As someone who hails from the countryside, and is now living in the big city (London), there is nothing more calming, more tranquil and more reassuring than unpolluted walks, where the trees rustle in the breeze, friendly ducks come to say hello and the world around you pauses in time, as you take stock of the moment and remember to live life in the present. It makes sense that so many students choose to study in Birmingham when they have so many glorious green spaces on their doorstep.
Tasty Food To Munch On
If you’re new to city life, prepare to feast on a range of cuisines from all around the world. Birmingham has an array of fantastic restaurants, bars, and cafés that serve up some of the tastiest dishes from each corner of the globe and even has great options for vegans and vegetarians like me. I also know how money can be tight throughout student life, so you will be happy to know that there are tons of affordable student-friendly eateries across the city such as the Birmingham Stable, which has delights such as ‘The Blazing Jack’ with rapscallion BBQ jackfruit with roasted peppers, caramelised onion and vegan mozzarella, finished with jalapeños and butterbean aioli. Another fantastic vegetarian friendly cheap eat is Indico Mailbox which serves up authentic Punjabi cuisine ( a la street food style) such as DAAL MAKHANI for £8.95, with black lentils and red kidney beans prepared in Indico’s special spices, and gently cooked in a delicious, creamy sauce. Or if you are looking for a pub lounge meal where you can socialize with friends, have a fun date night or let loose, then why not pop down to the vegetarian friendly ‘The Distillery’ and dine on sweet potato and lentil wellington washed down with a pint of your favourite?
If you are feeling really boujee, Birmingham is the only city outside London to have five Michelin starred restaurants: Simpson’s in Edgbaston, Carters of Moseley and Purnell’s Opheem and Adam’s in the city centre. For vegans and vegetarians, fine dining in Birmingham wouldn’t be complete without a visit to The Wilderness who with advance notice can make their dishes vegan or vegetarian. It’s a visual feast for the senses with outstanding presentation that leaves you begging for more. One things for certain, it’s easy to see why students choose to study in Birmingham when the food is this good!
A Fantastic Location For Students To Study In Birmingham
What makes Birmingham stand out from other cities is its location. Situated in the middle of the United Kingdom, the city provides great connections, meaning you can get to and from Birmingham no matter where you are in the country. There are lots of other fantastic cities that you may want to check out too, such as Liverpool, London, and Manchester that are easy to get to from Birmingham. If you would prefer to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, there is tons of gorgeous countryside to explore, such as Cannock Chase and the Peak District. For those coming from overseas, Birmingham Airport is located only 10km from the city centre too. With great transport links, there is never a dull moment when you choose to study in Birmingham, with quirky outings such as a Peaky Blinders Tour, a ride on a water bus and even a real life ‘rage room’ where you can let out all your worries, stresses and frustrations in a designated room that is guaranteed to leave you feeling ‘much better’!
For those who love a good bar, Birmingham is host to some classics such as Sky By The Water, a luxurious rooftop bar that gives visitors a taste of the high life, The Button Factory, an affordable sun trap that does everything from brunches to tasty ol’ cocktails and The Church Inn, a charming Victorian boozer with a secret sun terrace. If you are a student looking to study in Birmingham for its quirky culture as opposed to its nightlife, then you can try out TeamSport Go Karting Birmingham and whiz around like a bona fide F1 Professional, go to The Electric Cinema an indie movie haven framed by delicious alcoholic drinks and let your hair down at Tilt, a cafe bar that is home to retro pinball machines that’ll make you go wild.
A Thriving Music Scene To Rock Out To
Whether you’re a fan of homegrown talent, or you want to see a spectacle, Birmingham is known for its thriving music scene. During the 1960s, Birmingham was the home of a music scene comparable to that of Liverpool. It was “a seething cauldron of musical activity”, and the international success of groups such as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and half of Led Zeppelin having come from Birmingham, really shaped how music would change lives forever. Since the 1960’s the music scene in Birmingham has gone from strength to strength, with the rise of reggae and ska in the 70’s, where bands such as The Beat and Musical Youth expounded racial unity with politically leftist lyrics mirroring social currents in Birmingham, being a particularly prevalent musical movement. Today Birmingham is known for having a multitude of music acts from all different walks of life and there are numerous bars and clubs across the city that cover every genre of music you can think of. If you are a fan of rock, jazz and blues then head on down to The Jam House in the Jewellery Quarter, if you like live music with a twist check out The Jekyll and Hyde, an award winning bar with a full calendar of events including retro quiz nights, film clubs, live music and a secret gin parlour and if carnival inspired entertainment is more your thing then Revolucion De Cuba will tickle your fancy.
If you are a fan of concerts,be sure to pay a visit to Arena Birmingham and the Resorts World Arena as many of the biggest artists from across the world head to Birmingham for shows. With over 80,000 students to mingle with, it’s safe to say that Birmingham is one of the biggest student cities in the country. Known for its vibrant culture scene, and great infrastructure and location, it’s easy to see why so many people choose to study in Birmingham.
Have You Ever Been To Birmingham?
*Disclaimer
Please note this is a collaborative post. All thought are not affected by monetary compensation.
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