Cost Of Living In Birmingham: A Comprehensive Guide

About Birmingham

Planning on going to Birmingham for further education? Aston University, University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham, and Newman University are just a few of the outstanding universities in Birmingham. But that's not the only factor in this city's enduring appeal to students. Birmingham, the second-largest city in the UK, is regarded as the East and West Midlands business, financial, social, and cultural hub. Even though you're now enthused about the idea of moving to Birmingham, we bet you still have some doubts regarding the city's student-friendly cost of living. Is Birmingham pricey for college students? So, let's go straight into the cost of living in Birmingham UK for international students.

Tuition in Birmingham

While considering your cost of living in Birmingham UK, let's see what will likely be your largest expense - your university tuition fees.

Tuition fees will vary depending on your college and the course you've applied for. But for you to get an average estimate of fees, we have compared the tuition of three top universities in Birmingham.

1. University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham is a world-class institution of higher learning and research that is based in the heart of Birmingham, United Kingdom (also known as BU Birmingham). The university provides students with a wide range of professional opportunities regardless of background. The University of Birmingham is one of the most internationally diverse institutions in the world, providing exceptional seats for undergraduate and graduate degrees to 35,760 students under the leadership of 5,495 accomplished staff members who hail from all over the world.

2. Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University, usually referred to as BCU, is a public university in Birmingham, England. It was founded in 1843 as the "Birmingham College of Art." One of the biggest campus-based universities in the UK is Birmingham City University. At Birmingham City University, more than 20,000 undergraduate and 6,000 graduate students from more than 100 nations travel to the UK to pursue their studies. The BCU offers numerous undergraduate, postgraduate, and research degrees in fields like engineering, business management, architecture, computer science, medical studies, and art and design. The tuition fees in Birmingham city centre vary according to your preferred course, so make sure you check the website again.

3. Aston University

Established in 1859, Aston University is a public research institution located in the heart of Birmingham, England. Aston University is a cultural melting pot with approximately 11,000 students from all over the world. The institution comprises five schools that offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees: Life and Health Science, Engineering and Applied Science, Languages and Social Science, Aston Business School, and Aston Medical School.

How can you save on tuition fees?

Tuition fees are pre-decided by the university, however, there are different scholarships you can apply for if you plan to study at one of these universities. Scholarships are a great way to reduce your total cost of living in Birmingham UK. Check with your university to see whether they provide students with any scholarship opportunities. There are also a few government-funded scholarships you can apply for. One of the most well-known UK scholarships is the Chevening Scholarship. 

Student Accommodation Costs 

The cost of living in Birmingham UK, is also affected by your rental. The average rent drops as you get farther from Birmingham's city centre. Be prepared to pay £450 - £500 a month for a one-bedroom apartment if you want to live close to the city centre near prominent restaurants, pubs, supermarkets, and universities. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment will be more, nevertheless if this is too much for you and you don't mind living outside of the city centre.

You can choose to live in either on-campus or off-campus accommodation. 

With various options available, you can also choose between private rentals such as studios, apartments and Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA). PBSAs are residential properties built specifically for students, are fully furnished and come with all bills included, which will help you manage your Birmingham living expenses. You can check out and compare various student accommodation options in Birmingham.

Below are some approximate values of the cost of living in Birmingham UK:

If you want to know more about what each of these room types includes, you can watch our FAQ video here!

How can you save on student accommodation costs?

Your ability to lower your Birmingham living expenses depends on whether you can live with friends or find a room for two people. The cost of lodging will likewise be less expensive the farther you are from the city centre. You can hunt for property in a neighbouring residential area and commute to your institution to lower your living expenses in Birmingham.

Travel Costs

When considering your living costs in Brum City, it is essential to factor in your travel costs. Birmingham has an extensive railway network that provides both local and regional services. Students frequently use the three main stations, Snow Hill (conveniently positioned for Aston University), Moor Street (for BCU), and Birmingham New Street. In Birmingham, buses are widely used because they connect all city areas. A monthly pass for public transportation will set you back about £55 each month.

1. Bus

The town has several different bus services that run through it, like Plusbus, Arrive, Merseytravel and Stagecoach. Busses usually run from around 5 am to 11 pm daily, but these timings may be affected by bank holidays and will be slightly different across services.

2. Train

Birmingham has a well-rounded and effective transportation system, which National Express West Midlands predominantly provides. Wherever you need to travel can be reached by public transit, and you may plan your route using the Citymapper or Birmingham Journey Planner apps. Return tickets are unavailable, single fares are roughly 2.30, and day tickets are roughly £4.50. A student transportation pass in Birmingham, however, costs around £165. In the long run, this is a great deal at just £1.28 a day. You can purchase a student travel card from NX Bus and save up on living costs.

How can you save on travel costs?

Set up a walking routine to get where you need to go to get fit and save money! You might also consider purchasing combination passes or special term passes if you plan to travel somewhat frequently to save up on the cost of living in Birmingham. University students can receive substantial travel discounts from several public transportation providers. If there are any discounts you may take advantage of to lower your cost of living in Birmingham UK, check with your university. Here is a student city guide about this beautiful place!

Food and Groceries

Whether you decide to cook at home or eat out will determine how much food costs in Birmingham and will eventually affect the cost of living in Birmingham. Naturally, cooking for yourself will be considerably more affordable for you. Here's a sample of what you can expect to pay for food in Birmingham.

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How can you save on your food expenses?

You should make as many meals at home as possible to lower your cost of living in Birmingham. You'll find that eating out will quickly drain your bank account. At first, it could be difficult to fit cooking into your daily schedule, but after some time, it'll be much simpler, and you might even enjoy it!

Utilities

When estimating the cost of living in Birmingham UK, you must account for the cost of basic utilities. Utilities are needed to keep your home running smoothly on a basic level. Depending on where you live and how much you use these commodities, the monthly cost of rent, hot water, electricity, heating, and cooling can range from £100 to 250. You'll pay, on average, £15 to £50 per month for wifi.

How can you save on utilities?

Since utilities are charged per household rather than per individual, sharing a flat with friends will enable you to save money on these expenses. To reduce your cost of living in Birmingham, you can also choose student accommodations with all utilities, including the rent. You can consider Apollo House, which includes many utilities at an affordable price.

Leisure Activities

Your leisure costs will substantially impact your cost of living in Birmingham while you're a student. Your budget for gym membership, shopping, outings, visiting museums, and sporting events will be included in this. Depending on your preferences, these prices may vary, but we suggest saving aside between £100-200 a month should be sufficient to cover them.

How can you cut down on these expenses?

If you feel like you need to lower your living costs in Birmingham, these should be the first expenses to be reduced since most of them are unnecessary. You can also make plans to replace some of these costs with less expensive options. For instance, you would wish to keep track of your spending habits, or you could keep a check on your daily subscriptions. The easiest and most convenient way to do that is to create a budget and ensure you stick to the drawn budget.

Living alone and having to manage all expenses is tasking, which is why we have tried to make life a little simple for you by breaking down the living costs in Birmingham. You can also go through the student life in Birmingham and know a little more about your life as a student! We hope you've found this helpful and can use this as a guide while mapping out your budget and keeping your cost of living in Birmingham UK in check at all times.