Deciding where to live while you study is an important consideration. Birmingham is a big city with lots of accommodation options, but there are some key factors to bear in mind.
You must live within a 35-mile radius of Birmingham City University (BCU) City Centre Campus. This is to ensure a reasonable commute time and cost. Be sure to research the public transport links between the campus and your chosen accommodation, as you will be travelling to campus potentially every day to attend classes.
We strongly recommend that you book your accommodation in Birmingham before you enter the UK. This ensures you have a place to stay immediately and are ready to start your studies on time when you arrive in Birmingham. It will be very difficult for you to find a place to stay after you arrive in the UK and your classes have already started.
Take a look at the comparison below before deciding if student halls or private accommodation is right for you.
| Considerations | Halls of Residence | Private Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities and bills (gas, water, electricity, internet) | Usually included in rental price | Usually need to organise own payments |
| Security | 24/7 security reception in building | No private security |
| Contract length | 39-51 weeks | 51-52 weeks |
| Average price per week | £140-155 for a room in a shared flat | £100-130 (without bills) for a room in a shared house |
| Shared facilities | Kitchen and living area | Bathroom, kitchen and living area |
| Distance to campus | Walking distance | A commute via public transport |
| Maintenance and repairs | Managed by on-site accommodation team | Managed by landlord |
| Average deposit amount | £250 | £400 |
You can visit this website to order bedding/kitchen equipment and have it delivered to your accommodation before you arrive. Use the promotional code ‘BCITY10’ and receive a discount of 10 per cent.
If your question has not been answered, please call our Student Services team on +44 (0) 121 331 7377 or email accommodation@bcuic.bcu.ac.uk
