Birmingham is also known as the ‘City of a Thousand Trades’ and ‘Second City’ of England. The vibes of this city are very different from other major cities in England. From international students to migrants and entrepreneurs, this city has something for everyone. This is the birthplace of numerous multinational brands like Cadbury Chocolate, Birds Custard, and Bournville.

Coming to the demographics of the universities in Birmingham, none of the local or international students will be disappointed. Birmingham is home to many world-class universities, making it an incredible study destination for international students. So let’s find out which are the best universities in Birmingham UK, international students should look for.

Why Study In Birmingham?

Birmingham has become one of the popular study abroad destinations because of its vast student population, exceptional infrastructure, top-rated universities in Birmingham, and affordability.

• One of the best-connected cities in the UK: Birmingham is situated in the heart of England, which is nearly 2 hours away from London. Travelling to mainland Europe is easier due to the presence of Birmingham international airport. With over 8,000 acres of open space, this city has become one of the UK’s greenest cities.
• Affordable than other UK cities: If you compare Birmingham with the nearby city London, this city is way cheaper. If you just compare the rent expenses, it is relatively cheaper than London. And the rent is the major expense for any international student. The universities in Birmingham UK also provide affordable and safe on-campus student accommodation.
• Innumerable job opportunities: Birmingham is the youngest city in Europe; 40% population is under 25. It is one of England’s major industrial and commercial cities. Multinational brands like Asda, Royal Bank of Scotland, Mondelez (Cadbury), Rolls Royce, and Jaguar are headquartered in Birmingham.

Suggested: What are the top Job Opportunities after Studying in UK for international students?

After having discussed the reasons to study in Birmingham, let us now understand the classification of the list of universities in Birmingham-

What are the Different Types Of Universities In Birmingham?

The education system of the UK is very different from other continents. Honestly speaking, the UK is the home of many ancient, modern, most popular, and top-ranking universities worldwide. As a result, universities near Birmingham grab the attention of international students. Let’s discuss 5  different types of universities in Birmingham.

1. Ancient Universities

There are many ancient universities in the UK cities whose establishment was done somewhere between 1096 to 1600. Many areas like lecture rooms, conference halls, etc are hundreds of years old in these universities. The University of Birmingham, formerly known as Birmingham University, is considered one of the prestigious ancient colleges in Birmingham.

2. Red Brick Universities

Back in the 19^th century, the demand for education in specific sectors like healthcare, technology, engineering, and design was increasing, the red brick universities were established. The key feature of red brick universities is they are located at the centre point of the city. The University of Birmingham is the most popular red brick university in Birmingham.

3. Plate Glass Universities

After the Robbins report on higher education, the Plate Glass Universities were established to increase the number of universities in the UK. Plate Glass Universities basically improved the British education system. These universities near Birmingham are established in the greenfield sites and are known for their architectural style. The University of Birmingham is considered a plate glass university because it went through a major expansion in the 1960s.

4. New UK Universities

New UK Universities were established in 1980 and the 1990s when the British education system underwent a significant transformation. New UK Universities have recently received their university title. The key features of New UK universities are modern amenities and modish architecture. In the Birmingham universities list, University College Birmingham is the only New UK university.

5. Russel Group Universities

Russel Group Universities is a group of renowned universities comprising the top British research universities. All the Russel Group Universities get funding from the British Government. All the universities of Russel Group are considered the best universities in the UK. This group comprises ancient universities, new UK universities, and red brick universities. Among all the Birmingham colleges and universities, the University of Birmingham is only Birmingham’s member of the Russel Group.

Let us take a look at the best universities in Birmingham for international students -

5 Top Universities in Birmingham, UK

Birmingham is home to some of the prestigious universities in UK. Mentioned below are some of the best universities in Birmingham for international students:

1. University of Birmingham
2. Aston University
3. Birmingham City University
4. University College Birmingham (UCB)
5. Newman University

Let us now take a look at each of these universities one by one:

1. University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham is a member of the Russel Group and is an outstanding research university. Home to over 26,000 students, the university offers diverse courses to its international students. As per the QS World University Rankings 2022, the University of Birmingham has gained the 90^th position. To aid international students, the university offers over 200+ scholarships to study in UK.

2. Aston University

Aston University is a public university located in the heart of Birmingham. This is the UK’s first advanced technology college which received the royal charter in April 1966. As per the QS World University Rankings, Aston University has gained the 485^th position. This is one of the top universities in Birmingham, having modern amenities and facilities.

3. Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University is one of the top universities in Birmingham. This university was established in 1843 as Birmingham College of Art, later dedicated to polytechnic in the 1970s. This university received its prestigious status in 1992. Undoubtedly, this university’s student database is full of international students. To aid abroad students, this university also provides various scholarships.

4. University College Birmingham (UCB)

In the 19^th century, this university was part of Birmingham’s Municipal Technical School but later became an independent college in 1957. The official opening of University College Birmingham was in 1968. The nickname of UCB is the ‘College of Cakes’ or ‘cakes and pies.’’ As per the QS World University Rankings 2022, UCB has secured the 87^th position. This is one of the best colleges in Birmingham for candidates interested in the creative fields.

5. Newman University

Newman University is one of the most popular public universities in Birmingham, formerly known as Newman College of Higher Education. Newman University provides a wide range of courses in different areas like liberal arts, sports science, etc. As per the Regional Universities Midwest rankings, this university has gained the 112^th position for student satisfaction. The university is located at a peaceful location, a few miles away from Birmingham City Centre.

Life in Birmingham as an International Student

As an international student, Birmingham is the best study destination in the UK if you’re looking for quality education without getting your pockets burned. As you already know, rent is a major expense for international students and is cheaper in Birmingham than in neighbouring UK cities. The average rent of private furnished apartments for international students in Birmingham is around £800 monthly. Nevertheless, the on-campus accommodation is cheaper and secured, costing approximately £600 monthly.

Above all, Birmingham is also one of the safest cities in the UK for international students. Here, students can enjoy their life and build their dream careers simultaneously.

Furthermore, student life in Birmingham is considered one of the best in the UK because of numerous factors like safety, affordability, financial aids, accessibility, etc. There are multiple transportation modes available for international students. One can travel safely anywhere in Birmingham via underground trains and public buses.

Birmingham is one of the best cities in UK for students. If you’re planning to continue your studies in Birmingham, please start planning beforehand to save your precious time and money and stay away from hassles.