Our Birmingham campus is set in the heart of the UK’s second largest city. Birmingham boasts one of the largest concentrations of leading law firms and businesses outside of London, making it a great place to study. Birmingham has a lot on offer as a city, and plenty on off to help fill your free time between lectures and revision schedules. Being a hotbed of culture and diversity, there are numerous reasons to study in Birmingham. Check out some of them below.
By Content Team. Published 28 June 2019. Last updated 22 July 2024.
Shop ‘til you drop
Birmingham is a shopping lover's dream. Bullring, Grand Central and LinkStreet have now combined to become THE go-to shopping area. You’ll be spoilt for choice with over 200 shops, including John Lewis and Selfridges. Don’t forget to check out the Bullring Indoor Market for an excellent selection of fresh fish, meat and poultry, exotic fruit and vegetables, and so much more.
If you have a soft spot for jewellery then head to Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter where you’ll find over 100 independent specialist retailers and craftspeople. This historic area is also home to 200 listed buildings and the Quarter’s iconic Chamberlain clock.
If you’re looking for something more unusual then head to Great Western Arcade, Piccadilly Arcade, or Burlington Arcade to peruse what Birmingham’s independent shopping scene has to offer.
Live music
There are plenty of live music venues around Birmingham to keep any taste entertained. For the biggest names in the entertainment industry head to Utilita Arena Birmingham where you can join up to 15,800 people at one concert.
For more intimate venues, check out The Glee Club, Symphony Hall, O2 Academy, The Night Owl, The Jam House, The Sunflower Lounge, The Flapper, Tower of Song, The Asylum, and many more.
Opera fans will also be spoilt for choice with the Birmingham Opera Company. The award-winning company has performed in warehouses, shopping centres, train stations and even in a burned out ice rink.
Nightlife and entertainment
Birmingham has a fantastic nightlife, and with more bars, restaurants, and nightclubs than you can imagine you’ll find somewhere to suit whatever vibe your night demands.
Selly Oak is student central and Broad Street is always an easy shout for any night out. If you venture to the canals we mentioned earlier be sure to check out Brindley Place and, If you’re looking for a little bit of luxury, visit Mailbox. There’s also a thriving LGBTQ+ scene at Hurst Street, and Digbeth and Moseley offer are great for those into alternative subcultures.
The city is also teeming with opportunities to see live music, comedy, and theatre, from world-renowned artists to local talent, so make sure to explore the local listings and catch a show or two.
Birmingham canals
There are hundreds of miles of canals in and around Birmingham, with bars and eateries, shops, walking trails, and activities along various stretches of the waterways. You could park yourself by the water and plan your next presentation with some pub grub, take a boat trip along the canal, or even hire a boat and explore for yourself. You can find information about the best spots along the canal on the Canal and River Trust website.
Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens offer a glorious escape from the city with Victorian glasshouses, alpine gardens, and a Japanese garden. You can explore the collection of over 7000 plants or simply find a quiet spot and read for an afternoon. There’s also a tearoom, a bandstand and the gardens often host live events such as theatre shows and music.
Museums and galleries
The city of Birmingham is home to many museums and galleries. One of the first you’ll need to check out is Thinktank, the city’s science museum and, if contemporary art is more your bag, you can explore the Eastside Projects and Ikon Gallery.
Cadbury World
We’re not sure we need to explain this choice but if you need more convincing than the name alone, how about chocolate-themed afternoon tea, a 4D chocolate adventure, chocolate making, and the largest Cadbury’s shop in the world? They also offer deals for students, so make sure you check their website for the latest discount codes and student ticket offers.
The Custard Factory
The Custard Factory is a creative workspace located on the same site that the historic Bird’s Custard Factory used to be. The 15 acres of Victorian factory buildings have been redeveloped into creative & digital businesses, music studios, independent shops, cafes, and bars.
The Custard Factory is at the heart of alternative Birmingham, so if you’re looking for something a little different this is the place for you.
Discover more about our Birmingham campus now.
