Thanks for visiting TopUniversities.com today! So that we can show you the most relevant information, please select the option that most closely relates to you.
Thanks for sending your response.
Your input will help us improve your experience.
Thanks for sending your response.
Your input will help us improve your experience.You can close this popup to continue using the website or choose an option below to register in or login.
Birmingham climbs up the QS Best Student Cities ranking this year, moving up one place to rank 48th.
Birmingham is the UK’s second-largest city, located in the heart of the country. It’s also the UK’s largest centre of higher education outside London, home to three universities, two of which rank among the top 500 in the QS World University Rankings®.
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.
Why study in Birmingham?
Excellent education institutions
Birmingham is home to three globally renowned universities: the University of Birmingham, Aston University and Birmingham City University.
Low cost of living
Despite having high international tuition fees, Birmingham on of the more affordable English universities; with monthly costs of around £640, compared to £850 in London.
Cultural hotspot
With art galleries, museums, nightclubs, bars, restaurants and theatres; there's plenty of culture to soak up and enjoy in Birmingham.
Cost of studying in Birmingham
Birmingham ranks joint 95th in the world for affordability this year. This low score is due to its high tuition fees and relatively expensive cost of living (although this is lower than other UK cities). On average, tuition fees for universities in Birmingham will set international students back around US$22,700.
According to Numbeo, a single person living in Birmingham will need around £640 for monthly costs, plus an additional £757 for a one bedroom apartment in the city centre.
Life and culture in Birmingham
Birmingham’s ongoing ‘Big City Plan’ has seen the development of a new state-of-the-art £189 million library, revitalised public transport, beautifully restored Victorian buildings and more.
Away from these developments, the city also boasts internationally renowned arts institutions such as the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, the Library of Birmingham and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts.
Also well worth visiting is the up-and-coming Jewellery Quarter, one of the oldest areas of the city, which has been described by English Heritage as ‘a national treasure’ and produces 40 percent of the jewellery made in the UK.
Another area popular with students is Digbeth. Widely considered ‘Birmingham’s Shoreditch’, it’s fast becoming known as one of the city’s main creative centres and is home to the Custard Factory, an excellent independent shopping spot.
As you’d expect from a city of Birmingham’s size, there is plenty of culture and nightlife to be enjoyed, and its status as one of the UK’s most multicultural cities adds to its diversity and the range of experiences on offer. Birmingham also has the youngest population of any major city in Europe (nearly 40 percent of the population are under 25), which adds to its energy.
Nicknamed the ‘City of a Thousand Trades’ for its proud and varied industrial heritage (and colloquially known as ‘Brum’), Birmingham has become a thriving commercial and financial centre. It earns an impressive score of 88th in the employer activity indicator this year.
As Head of Content, Craig is responsible for all articles and guides published across TopUniversities and TopMBA. He has nearly 10 years of experience writing for a student audience and extensive knowledge of universities and study programs around the world.
Views
Study in Birmingham
Craig OCallaghan
Updated Aug 09, 2024Save
Share
Share via
Share this Page12
Table of contents
Table of contents
QS Best Student Cities ranking: 48th
Birmingham climbs up the QS Best Student Cities ranking this year, moving up one place to rank 48th.
Birmingham is the UK’s second-largest city, located in the heart of the country. It’s also the UK’s largest centre of higher education outside London, home to three universities, two of which rank among the top 500 in the QS World University Rankings®.
Best universities in Birmingham
More about Birmingham
Number of universities ranked by QS
3
Highest-ranked institution
University of Birmingham (=80th)
Population
2,685,000
Average international fees (at ranked unis)
US$27,100
Desirability rank
71st
Employer Activity rank
88th
Affordability rank
=95th
Student View rank
23rd
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.
Why study in Birmingham?
Excellent education institutions
Birmingham is home to three globally renowned universities: the University of Birmingham, Aston University and Birmingham City University.
Low cost of living
Despite having high international tuition fees, Birmingham on of the more affordable English universities; with monthly costs of around £640, compared to £850 in London.
Cultural hotspot
With art galleries, museums, nightclubs, bars, restaurants and theatres; there's plenty of culture to soak up and enjoy in Birmingham.
Cost of studying in Birmingham
Birmingham ranks joint 95th in the world for affordability this year. This low score is due to its high tuition fees and relatively expensive cost of living (although this is lower than other UK cities). On average, tuition fees for universities in Birmingham will set international students back around US$22,700.
According to Numbeo, a single person living in Birmingham will need around £640 for monthly costs, plus an additional £757 for a one bedroom apartment in the city centre.
Life and culture in Birmingham
Birmingham’s ongoing ‘Big City Plan’ has seen the development of a new state-of-the-art £189 million library, revitalised public transport, beautifully restored Victorian buildings and more.
Away from these developments, the city also boasts internationally renowned arts institutions such as the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, the Library of Birmingham and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts.
Also well worth visiting is the up-and-coming Jewellery Quarter, one of the oldest areas of the city, which has been described by English Heritage as ‘a national treasure’ and produces 40 percent of the jewellery made in the UK.
Another area popular with students is Digbeth. Widely considered ‘Birmingham’s Shoreditch’, it’s fast becoming known as one of the city’s main creative centres and is home to the Custard Factory, an excellent independent shopping spot.
As you’d expect from a city of Birmingham’s size, there is plenty of culture and nightlife to be enjoyed, and its status as one of the UK’s most multicultural cities adds to its diversity and the range of experiences on offer. Birmingham also has the youngest population of any major city in Europe (nearly 40 percent of the population are under 25), which adds to its energy.
Testimonials
Careers in Birmingham
Nicknamed the ‘City of a Thousand Trades’ for its proud and varied industrial heritage (and colloquially known as ‘Brum’), Birmingham has become a thriving commercial and financial centre. It earns an impressive score of 88th in the employer activity indicator this year.
+ 40 others
saved this article
+ 41 others saved this article
As Head of Content, Craig is responsible for all articles and guides published across TopUniversities and TopMBA. He has nearly 10 years of experience writing for a student audience and extensive knowledge of universities and study programs around the world.
Recommended articles Last year
Meet the researcher bringing sustainable solutions to sub-Saharan farmers
Why you should study a master’s in innovation policy
6 reasons to study a master’s degree in Egypt