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Life in Birmingham

Birmingham is a vibrant, multicultural city and the second biggest after London. You will never be short of places to see, experience, and explore. Here are our top five things to do in your first few months!

1. Go shopping

Birmingham is renowned for its shopping scene. Check out the iconic Bulling shopping centre and the biggest Primark in the world – perfect for shoppers on a budget!

2. Try different cuisines

In Birmingham, you will find restaurants specialising in cuisines from every corner of the globe. In the south-east of the city is the Balti Triangle – an area of restaurants serving the authentic ‘balti’ dish invented by a Pakistani restauranteur from Birmingham – and a lively Chinatown is in the city centre.

3. See some sea life

Birmingham may not be a coastal city, but you’ll find sea otters, turtles, jellyfish, clownfish, penguins and more at the National Sea Life Centre. Walk through the UK’s only 360-degree tunnel and feel like you’re under the sea!

4. Soak up the culture

Walk up the ever-bustling New Street to the classic architecture of Victoria Square and visit Birmingham’s Museum & Art Gallery – home to the world’s largest collection of pre-Raphaelite artwork.

5. Take a breather

Living in a lively city can sometimes be tiring, so it’s great that Birmingham has so many parks – full of quiet, green spaces for relaxing. A popular choice is Cannon Hill Park – 250 acres where you can walk, fish, play tennis, or have a picnic.

Tips on life in Birmingham

The above activities are our favourites, but it’s worth asking our students for theirs. Start chatting with our Student Ambassadors today and get their tips on what to do in Birmingham.

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