- Percentage of First Year Students in Halls:
- 100%
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- Accommodation Details:
- Birmingham has plenty of accommodation and guarantees all first years a place in Halls. On the whole, the accommodation is of a decent standard, though there are differences in facilities based on how old the halls are. Some of the newer halls, like Hunter Court and Queens Hospital Close (QHC) are en-suite, while many of the older halls have single rooms with shared showers, bathrooms and loos.
The Halls of Residence are based on three main sites. The largest of these is The Vale which has four halls and two apartment complexes although all the facilities are in Shackleton Hall. The Vale is a very comfortable area to live, with lots greenery situated around a lake, a 24hr reception, cash machine and only 15 minutes from campus. Most students consider Chamberlain Hall the best at the Vale, but prospective students should consult the SU website for more comprehensive information.
Students also live at the Manor House, the Cadbury family's (as in chocolate!) former home. A little further from campus (about 40 minutes) this area also surrounds a lake (do you see a pattern emerging?) and there are regular buses to campus. Finally there is QHC and Beeches in Five Ways about 30 minutes from campus, but nearer the town centre. Generally, the halls have washing facilties, bars, shops and cooking facilites. Some of the halls are catered, though the food quality is questionable.
The food facilities at The Vale are as follows:
Fusion - Breakfast 07.00-11.30, Lunch 12.00-14.00, Dinner 16.00-22.00
Five choices of meal for dinner and there is also a Salad Bar. Sky TV in the eating area.
Rios - Coffee Bar Open 10.00-20.00. Sandwiches, panninis, coffee, cakes, cookies, salads. Very comfortable sofas with a balcony overlooking the lake, which is open in summer, also does take away service. Pool Table and Bar Downstairs along with more great sofas. On Friday night it becomes a club.
Bar 1 - The place to be for all 1st years on Friday night. Open till 02.00 Friday and Saturday. With a big screen TV it shows the majority of sports events throughout the year. Very good atmosphere for big events.
If you are in catered accommodation (Chamberlain, Mason, Shackleton), you have £6 a day on your student ID card to spend in either Fusion or Rios. (Breakfast and lunch usually cost £2 each and dinner £4) It’s a flexible system and works well. It is called the Meal Plan. You can also have it if you are in non-catered accommodation on The Vale. One quick note, the uni has applied for permission to demolish Mason Hall and replace it with an all en-suite block.
Around 75% of students move out of halls in the second year. Most of the external housing is south of campus at Selly Oak or Bournebrook. Houses tend to vary in quality, but the University accommodation office tries to maintain a decent standard and is a great help.
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- Accommodation Prices:
- University Owned
Most Expensive - Shackleton £110 per week (includes meal plan)
Cheapest - Maple Bank £60 per week
Private
Average rent: £32 - £55 per week.
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- Local Area:
- Birmingham is a difficult city to get your head round. Walking through town you come across some of the world's most stupendously ugly buildings and, equally, some truly fine Victorian redbrick architecture. Famous for its number and quality of curry houses, the city has taken a consistent slagging over the years but massive funding into the arts and a huge ongoing redevelopment programme are helping. Thankfully, the redevelopment is now paying off and some of the concrete monstrosities have been replaced by new, modern structures. Shopping wise there's the Bullring which is superb.
The University campus is based 3.5 miles from the city centre, in Edgbaston. Please note: while measuring this, I got lost...so it could be less!! The campus is vast, so vast in fact that it has its own ring road. It is fairly typical of the city with buildings from the 'I want it grey and fucking ugly' school of architecture but with numerous trees, lots of grass and stylish red brick buildings. Its centre is the Chamberlain clock tower, nicknamed Old Joe, which honours Joseph Chamberlain.
If you like sports, especially football, then Birmingham is the place to be. Not only does the city boast some of the country's largest clubs, but the Student Guild is football crazy. Shops, cinemas, theatres and music venues abound in the city, and as for pubs...well, you won't get to all of them. Many have tried.
The Vale is within walking distance of Broad Street, which is the destination of most 1st years on nights out. All in all, the city has a great nightlife for all tastes but the following was provided by a Birmingham student so take your pick.
Monday - Risa with a 2400 capacity, sells out most weeks. Very good club and cheap drinks.
Tuesday - Forbidden Fruit, three clubs that join together for this night and is based in China Town.
Wednesday - either Bobbys at Gas Street Basin or The Works. A huge night club with a 2500 capacity.
Thursday - Fortnightly event is Vodbull. One of the top nights and the event changes between different clubs. The first and last of the term are usually at The Works, as it’s the biggest on Broad Street.
Friday - Bar 1 and Rios
Saturday - Fab n Fresh at The Vale at The Guild
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