Birmingham University - Student Life

Housing: Catered and self-catering accommodation on campus; guaranteed place for all first years, if Birmingham their first choice. Supply exceeds demand in rented accommodation; Uni housing services and ARC (in Bugs) will help finding good deals and reputable landlords.

Eats: Bristol Road dotted with the curry houses that make Birmingham so popular! 2 catering outlets in Guild, including Cafe Connections (continental chic), Food Court (Chicken Joe's).

Drink: Guild bars have best deals; 4 pubs in Bristol Road, close to campus.

Nightlife: All sorts at Bugs including Wednesday's Midweek Madness, Friday night Republic, Saturday's Fab'n'Fresh. City centre clubs offer range of midweek student nights with cheap drinks promos but long queues!

Locals: Need to be treated with respect but no real 'town v gown' problems.

Sports: University routinely in top three in BUSA. Excellent facilities, including swimming pool. Birmingham has 2 football teams, Birmingham City and Aston Villa; county cricket ground within walking distance, NIA and Alexandra Stadium for basketball and athletics.

Travel: Easy access via international airport 10 miles from city centre; New Street Station; Guild's box office offers National Express service. Railway station on campus and plenty of cycle paths around city.

Annual living costs: The minimum amount students say you need to live on each year (covering all living expenses but excluding tuition fees) is £5400.

Financial help: The Guild and university provide some; well publicised. Advice at the ARC.

Jobs: 500+ jobs in Guild, from bar work to marketing; Guild's Job Zone offers part-time and vacation work all over the city and beyond.

Best features: Location and reputation.

And worst: Bureaucracy.

More info: Contact the Bugs President (ext 2335).

Past students: Desmond Morris (writer and broadcaster); Phillipa Forrester and Chris Tarrant (broadcasters); Alex Jarratt (Jarratt Report); Sir Austin Pierce (British Aerospace); Sir Peter Walters (BP); Victoria Wood (comedienne/writer); Ben Shephard (TV presenter).