Welcome to your new home

Getting to grips with university life and living away from home, likely for the first time, is exciting, but can also be a little daunting too. That’s why we have dedicated and caring staff on hand 24/7 to support you, as well as round the clock security so there’s always someone around to help.

Your first port of call during your time with us is your Customer Service Manager (CSM). Whether you want to talk about your accommodation, find out more about the local area, or get advice on student life, they’re on hand to help you settle into your new home and ensure you have the best student experience possible.

Meet Chloe - Selly Oak Village   Meet Adele - Pritchatts Park Village   Meet Vanessa - Vale Village

You can also talk to us online or by visiting the Student Living office on the Ground Floor of University Centre. We’re open Monday – Friday, from 9am (10am on Tuesdays) to 5pm.

Living in halls is your chance to meet new people and try new things – and our Hall Reps and Active Residences team are here to help you do just that.

The Hall Reps are here to help you live your best student life by organising exciting, free activities in your halls. We’re talking pizza parties, outdoor cinema events, games nights and more. Find out what your rep has planned via your hall’s Facebook group or the Guild of Students’ website:

• The Vale Village group
• Pritchatts Park Village group
• Selly Oak Village group

You can also enjoy free weekly fitness classes and sports in your halls thanks to Active Residences. A great way to give your wellbeing boost and get that serotonin flowing, there’s a session for everyone, from relaxing yoga and Pilates to rounders and HIIT. Check out our online timetable for more information and to book.

If you want convenient, delicious meals but don’t have time to shop and cook, why not upgrade to Student Living Plus? Our answer to catered accommodation, Student Living Plus allows you to spend less time budgeting and washing up, and more time enjoying uni life. 

Find out more

Our Student Mentors are here to offer you one-to-one support, student to student, whilst you live in accommodation. Whether you want a friendly chat or advice on studying, wellbeing, finances, or housing, your Student Mentors will support you every step of the way.

There are plenty of services available at the University that you can access too if you need to, from health and wellbeing to study support. No problem is too big, and no worry is too small; at Birmingham, we’re here to help you get the most out of your university experience.  

Meet your mentors

Everyone knows how important it is to keep your home safe. As part of a community of thousands of other students, you should take all the precautions you would in your own home (and more) to ensure everyone’s safety.

Our fire safety video covers everything you need to know to do just that. At just over three minutes long, it’s a quick watch that may help you save a life.

We would particularly like to highlight the following key messages:

• Never leave cooking unattended, and make sure to ventilate your kitchen well if there’s smoke – cooking is the most common cause of fires and fire alarm activations in accommodation
• Never cover smoke detectors – these ensure the alarm is raised quickly in the event of a fire. If any smoke detectors are found covered, you will be charged for the detector to be checked to ensure it’s still operational
• Never prop open fire doors – these are critical to slowing the spread of fire and are therefore important pieces of life-saving equipment. Propping open fire doors is a serious breach of contract
• Never charge electric scooter or bike batteries – these batteries have been linked to several serious fires in the UK. Charging them in your flat is a serious breach of contract 

Fire drills

Fire drills will take place throughout the semester to ensure buildings can be evacuated in the required time. If drills take too long to complete, repeat drills will occur. We’ll let you know in advance the approximate time these will take place. If at any time you hear a fire alarm sound for longer than ten seconds, please evacuate immediately.

To ensure that fire drills run as smoothly as possible, please leave your building as quickly as possible; do not stop to pick up belongings. Next, report to your nearest assembly point, which you’ll find on the fire action notices in your building; please familiarise yourself with these as soon as possible. Do not run.

If you have any questions about safety or security in your flat, please get in touch with your friendly accommodation team. Either talk to your village’s reception or Customer Service Manager – they’ll be more than happy to help.

In your first few weeks with us, we recommend:

• Finding your way around campus – can’t tell the North Gate from the West? Not sure where Aston Webb is or the Main Library? Never get lost on campus with our online map, complete with key landmarks, study spaces, and local travel links.
• Downloading the SafeZone App – a free mobile app designed to help you feel secure and at home at Birmingham. Use it to summon first aid, report a crime, or seek advice from our Community Safety and Security teams.
• Registering with a local GP – as you’ll be spending a lot of time in Brum, it’s a good idea to get yourself set up with a local GP. There are dozens close to campus and Selly Oak, including the University Medical Practice.

Whether you have a leaky tap or a faulty lightbulb, we’re here to help. Simply report any maintenance requests to us via the Accommodation Portal. No problem is too big or small.

Report an issue

Campus is home to over 20 restaurants and café, all brought to you by the University’s Food Fellows team. From spicy burritos and salad bowls to takeaway sandwiches and sweet treats, there’s something to suit every taste and budget. 

Explore campus and drink

If you’re a foodie, we know how important it is to have as big a food budget as possible. Earn while you learn and keep your student bank account topped up with a flexible on-campus job through Worklink, the University’s casual work agency.

Living in accommodation means you’re at the heart of campus life at Birmingham. And our campus is brimming with some of the most exciting places to visit and things to do in Brum. We’ve rounded up some of our favourites, which are an easy walk from your halls.

Discover a green oasis at Winterbourne

Winterbourne House and Garden boasts acres of botanic garden and over 100 years of history just waiting to be explored. A TripAdvisor Top 10 attraction, it’s the perfect place for nature lovers and Arts and Crafts enthusiasts alike. Free entry with a valid student ID card.

Explore Winterbourne

Sweat it out at Sport & Fitness

Whether you’re a sports devotee or enjoy going to the odd fitness class now and again, campus’ Sport & Fitness centre has everything you need to get active, all under one roof. We’re talking Birmingham’s only 50m swimming pool, 100 cardio stations, and more!

Browse memberships

Get your culture fix at the Barber

One of the finest small picture galleries in the world, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts features an outstanding collection of Western art. Here you can discover masterpieces by Van Gogh, Rossetti, Botticelli, Turner, Gainsborough and many more. Free entry for all.

Plan your visit

Step back in time at the Lapworth

Home to one of the UK’s finest fossil, mineral, and rock collections, the Lapworth Museum of Geology is a treasure trove of natural wonders. Here you can immerse yourself in over 3.5 million years of history and come face-to-face with a life-sized allosaurs – all for free!

Discover the Lapworth

Find your people

There are over 250 student societies and clubs you can join on campus. From crafts to cocktails, Harry Potter to Shakespeare, there’s a group for pretty much anything you can think of.

Join a society

Student life at Birmingham is so much more than what’s on campus. Here, you have the UK’s second city on your doorstep, in all its vibrant, diverse, and dazzling glory. So, go out and explore it! 

Living in Birmingham

Food and drink

The birthplace of the balti, Birmingham’s a food lover’s paradise. Here you’ll discover independent cafés, extraordinary street food and hundreds of cuisines. Not sure what to tuck into first? Check out some of our student’s favourites, courtesy of Redbrick, the University’s student newspaper.

Freshers Foodie Guide to Brum

Things to see and do

Did you know Birmingham has more canals than Venice? And more parks than Paris? It’s also home to some of the best attractions the UK has to offer.

If you’re a chocolate lover, visiting Cadbury World should be at the top of your list. Taking a photo with the Bullring’s bronze bull after visiting all the shops is also a must; it’s a Brummie rite of passage. Looking for art and culture? You can’t beat the Midlands Arts Centre and the Ikon Gallery. Make sure you pay a visit to The Electric, the UK’s oldest working cinema too.

Browse Brum's top attractions

Nightlife

Forget New York, Brum is the city that never sleeps. From live music and drag shows to bars and nightclubs, there’s something for every night owl to enjoy. These are some of our favourite haunts:

• Harborne – the place to be if you want cosy bars and cocktails with you friends
• Selly Oak – boasts a great collection of student pubs and DJ bars
• Digbeth – buzzing with quirky late-night bars offering arcade games, mini golf, and more  
• Broad Street – Birmingham’s main party street aka the ultimate clubbing destination 
• Brindley Place – canal-side bars and restaurants a stone’s throw from Broad Street
• Paradise – home to the famous Albert’s Schloss, ‘nough said
• Southside – here you’ll find the iconic Snobs and The Nightingale – Brum’s legendary gay nightclub – as well as comedy clubs, live music venues, and Birmingham Hippodrome.

Getting to the city

The city centre (Birmingham New Street) is only a seven-minute train ride away from University Station or a 15-minute ride from Selly Oak Station. No matter where you live, you can make the most of being connected to the city’s best transport links. 

Getting out and about