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Moving to Birmingham for further studies? Great! Birmingham is home to 5 amazing universities – Aston University, University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham and Newman University. But that’s not all that makes this city so popular among students. Being the second-largest city in the UK, the city is considered to be the cultural, financial, social and commercial centre of both the East and West Midlands. We bet you’re now excited about the prospects of living in Birmingham. But what is the cost of living in Birmingham for students?
There are several factors that impact the overall living expenditures in Birmingham and these by and large depend on your spending patterns as well as your budget. On average, it is advisable to have a monthly budget of around £1,341 to £1,389 (without tuition) to live comfortably in Birmingham. Read on to get an elaborate detail on the different expenses that students come across and what factors impact their overall living costs.
Cost Of Living In Birmingham For Students
Birmingham has shrugged off its image of being a lowly industrial city to become one of the UK’s leading centres of trade, commerce and business. Birmingham welcomes business from both the UK and internationally. Thanks to this, there’s been a rich infusion of cultures and traditions because people from all over the world, coming here in search of opportunities.
Are you wondering what the living expenses in Birmingham for international students are? Is Birmingham expensive for students? Well, the cost of living in Birmingham differs by the area you choose to live in apart from several other factors. For instance, areas like Solihull and Sutton Coldfield tend to be the most expensive, whereas Edgbaston and Mosely are reasonably priced. In fact, in 2015, Mosely was voted the best place to live in the UK for city living. Here’s a quick monthly breakdown of the cost of living when moving to Birmingham –
| Item | Cost (Per Month) |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | £476 |
| On-Campus Accommodation | £428 |
| Transportation | £55 |
| Food | £660 |
| Utility | £84 |
| Entertainment | £23 |
| Groceries | £84 |
| Clothes | £62 |
| Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation (Per Month) | £1,389 |
| Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation (Per Month) | £1,341 |
What Is The Average Rent In Birmingham?
The cost of living in Birmingham, UK also depends on your rent. The average rent in Birmingham decreases as you move further away from the city centre. If you want to reside close to the city centre, i.e. near popular restaurants, pubs, supermarkets and universities, prepare to shell out £476 per month on a 1 bedroom flat (apartment). However, if this is too much for you and you don’t mind staying a wee bit away from the city centre, then expect your average rent to be higher per month on a 1 bedroom flat (apartment).
You need to make a detailed analysis of where you want to live. Living in the city centre means paying high rent, but you can save on travelling as everything you need is nearby. Staying outside the city centre means you can enjoy (relatively) lower rent rates, but you might have to splurge on travelling.
Where Can I Find The Best Student Housing In Birmingham?
Premium Housing Option
- iQ Studios 51
Where? – 30 Bagot Street Birmingham B4 7AG United Kingdom.
At iQ Studios 51, students get an opportunity to select from 8 different types of luxurious studio rooms. They also have an opportunity to book a Two Bed Apartment that can be shared with a friend. Besides your basic amenities like a WiFi connection, bed and a wardrobe, this premium student accommodation in Birmingham also offers a common room, a games room, a communal study area, a spacious outdoor courtyard, a laundry room, on-site maintenance, and a games console room and bike storage. If you truly want to live a hassle-free and luxurious life in Birmingham, then iQ Studios 51 should feature at the top of your list.
Mid-Range Housing Option
- iQ Penworks House
Where? – 5 Moland Street Birmingham B4 7AS United Kingdom
iQ Penworks House is a popular student Birmingham accommodation because of its proximity to universities like Birmingham City University, Aston University Birmingham and University College Birmingham. While studio rooms are all the rage, iQ Penworks House works hard to ensure en-suite rooms are still in vogue. In fact, they have 7 beautifully done-up en-suite rooms that have all the latest amenities. These kinds of rooms are perfect for students who don’t want to spend a lot on rent and don’t mind sharing the kitchen and living space with other students.
Value For Money Housing Option
- iQ Broderick
Where? – Broderick House 140 Bath Row Birmingham B15 1NQ United Kingdom
Struggling to cope with the high cost of living in Birmingham for international students? Fear not, iQ Broderick is at your rescue. This student accommodation in Birmingham offers the best bang for your buck, thanks to their (more than) affordable rent rates. You can book an en-suite room for only £128/week. This price tag doesn’t only give you a cosy en-suite room but also access to many useful amenities such as contents insurance, a theatre, 24/7 dedicated support, a games room, social events, bike storage, a communal area, a study area and much more.
What Is The Cost Of Tuition In Birmingham?
After Birmingham’s cost of living comes the cost of tuition. The top universities in Birmingham charge around the same tuition. To give you a rough idea of the tuition fees in Birmingham, we’re taking the University of Birmingham as a reference point.
Home Students:
- Full-time yearly tuition fees for the 2020/21 academic year – £9,250
- Part-time yearly tuition fees for the 2020/21 academic year – £6,935
International Students:
- Full-time yearly tuition fees for the 2020/21 academic year (Undergraduate) – £18,120 to £18,780
- Full-time yearly tuition fees for the 2020/21 academic year (Postgraduate) – £18,450 to £20,070
(Disclaimer – The cost of your tuition fee depends on the programme you choose to study and the level at which you study)
What Is The Cost Of Transportation In Birmingham?
Next in Birmingham’s cost of living for students is the cost of transportation. Birmingham has a well-connected railway network for both local and regional services. The 3 major stations – Snow Hill (ideally located for Aston Uni), Moor Street (for BCU), and Birmingham New Street station are frequented by many students. Buses are also popular in Birmingham as it has connectivity across all parts of the city. A monthly public transport pass will cost you around £55 every month.
What Is The Cost Of Food And Other Necessities In Birmingham?
The cost of living in Birmingham in terms of food will depend on whether you cook at home or choose to eat out. It goes without saying that cooking your own will work out much cheaper for you. Here’s a small glimpse of what you will be spending on food in Birmingham.
- Takeout Coffee: £1.70 – £3.00
- Bottle of Coke: £0.70 – £1.50
- 1L of milk: £0.50 – £1.00
- A loaf of Bread: £0.62 – £1.20
- 12 Eggs: £1.25 – £2.35
- 1kg Chicken £4.00 – £5.90
- 1kg Beef: £5.00 – £10.00
- 1kg Apples: £1.00 – £3.00
- 1kg White Rice: £0.60 – £2.00
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: £2.80 – £3.85
Besides food, you will also have to spend on clothing, doctor’s visits, toiletries, gym membership, etc. Be prepared to spend close to £84+ per month on all these other necessities.
What Is The Cost Of Entertainment And Recreation In Birmingham?
Birmingham is famous for its active social life. The city centre, in particular, houses many renowned pubs, bars, clubs and nightclubs. Here is a list of basic prices for entertainment and recreation in Birmingham.
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: £2.80 – £3.85
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: £2.00 – £4.00
- Basic dinner out for two in a pub: £37.00
- 2 tickets to the movies: £21.00
- Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert: £56.00
- Cappuccino in ex-pat area of the city: £4.00
- 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans): £0.12
To maintain a healthy social life, make sure you earmark £23+ every month.
FAQs
1. Is Birmingham cheap for students?
Living in Birmingham as a student is regarded as less expensive than living in London, making it more reasonable for students on a budget. According to Numbeo, Birmingham has a Cost of Living Index score of 68, whereas London has a score of 84.
2. How much does it cost to live as a student in Birmingham?
You will need to financially sustain yourself while studying in addition to paying your tuition expenses. According to the UKVI, the cost of living in Birmingham would be around £9,135 per year. Birmingham is the UK’s second-largest city, however, transportation and accommodation are approximately 40% less expensive than in London!
3. Is Birmingham University Expensive?
The amount of your tuition fee is determined by the programme you choose to study and the level at which you study. Tuition costs at Birmingham University for overseas students might range from £19,980 to £44,100 per year.
4. How much does it cost to rent a house in Birmingham?
The rent for student housing in Birmingham is heavily influenced by the room type, location, and a variety of other factors. Students may pay a weekly rent amount ranging from GBP 104 to GBP 309.
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