With more miles of canal than Venice and more trees than Paris, the UK’s cosmopolitan Second City can rival any European capital. Nestling in the big heart of England, Birmingham’s prime central location is what sets it apart. Less than two hours from London, and with an international airport on its doorstep, it is home to the largest financial services and creative sectors outside the capital and has fantastic connections to the rest of the country and beyond.
Approximately 42 per cent of the city’s population is ethnically diverse and more than 20 per cent is from overseas, making it one of the most vibrant and multicultural cities of the UK. This diversity has contributed to some of the city’s most defining aspects, including in its extensive offering of international cuisines.
We Are Birmingham
With more than 40 per cent of the population under the age of 25, Birmingham also holds the honour of having one of the highest graduate retention rates in Europe, and over the last ten years its population has increased by more than 300,000 people.
As well as the arrival of High Speed 2 (HS2), which will have a significant, positive impact on access between London and the Midlands, the city also recently hosted the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. As an official partner of the Games, the University of Birmingham was proud to be involved in a major sporting event that showcased the West Midlands to a global audience.