Birmingham has three large universities, the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University (BCU) and Aston University, plus smaller institutions such as University College Birmingham. Most students choose between university-managed halls, private or partner buildings, and shared houses once they are past first year.
Short answer: on the universities’ own 2026/27 price pages, weekly rents run from £107 for a University of Birmingham room with a shared bathroom to £321 for a studio apartment. BCU’s listed halls cost £120 to £210 a week, and Aston’s start at £170 for undergraduates. Most of these prices include bills, but check each contract. We checked every figure below against the provider’s own page on 16 October 2026, and we only list buildings we could verify.
Birmingham Student Accommodation at a Glance
| Where you study | Accommodation route | 2026/27 weekly price (published) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Birmingham | University villages and partner buildings | £107 to £321 (undergraduate) | University of Birmingham fees |
| Birmingham City University | Nine university and partner halls | £120 to £210 | BCU halls |
| Aston University | On-campus rooms run with Unite Students | From £170 (undergraduate), from £145 (postgraduate) | Aston accommodation |
| Any university | Private buildings such as iQ | Prices vary by room and year; see the provider | iQ Birmingham |
University of Birmingham Halls
The University of Birmingham groups its halls into villages: The Vale, Pritchatts Park and Selly Oak, along with partner buildings. Its 2026/27 fees page says high-speed Wi-Fi, contents insurance and utility bills are included, and that contracts run for 42, 50 or 51 weeks. Prices shown there are indicative, and some halls cost more with a food wallet.
| Residence (village) | Room type | Per week, 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|
| Maple Bank (The Vale) | Shared bathroom | £107 |
| Ashcroft (Pritchatts Park) | Shared bathroom | £147 |
| Tennis Court (The Vale) | Shared bathroom | £149 (£137 in Centre Court) |
| Jarratt Hall (Selly Oak) | En-suite | £189 standard, £196 large |
| Elgar Court (The Vale) | En-suite | £200 |
| Chamberlain (The Vale) | En-suite | £223 |
| Shackleton (The Vale) | Studio apartment | £321 |
The university also lists partner buildings: Battery Park (£230 to £233), Oak Brook Park (£215 to £219) and The Metalworks (£214 to £225), all en-suite. Postgraduates have their own list, including The Spinney (£167, shared bathroom) and Bournbrook (£222, en-suite). See the full table on the University of Birmingham accommodation fees page.
Birmingham City University Halls
BCU lists nine halls for 2026/27, all with bills included. The “closest to” column is BCU’s own label, not a walking time.
| Hall | Per week | Flat and bathroom | Contract | BCU says it is closest to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamstead Campus | £120 to £179 | 2 or 5 bedrooms (shared), or studio | 44, 45 or 51 weeks | Alexander Stadium |
| Beech Gardens | £155 to £157 | 5 bedrooms, shared | 43 or 51 weeks | City South Campus |
| Queen’s Hospital Close | £157 | 6 bedrooms, en-suite | 43 weeks | City South Campus |
| The Heights | £160 to £170 | 4 to 6 bedrooms, en-suite | 17 to 51 weeks | City Centre Campus |
| University Locks | £171.31 to £176.48 | 2 or 5 to 8 bedrooms, shared or en-suite | 19 to 51 weeks | City Centre Campus |
| Lakeside | £173.61 | 7 to 10 bedrooms, en-suite | 44 weeks | City Centre Campus |
| Bentley House | £174 to £188 | 4 to 5 bedrooms, en-suite | 43 weeks | City Centre Campus |
| The Old Fire Station | £178 to £210 | 6 bedrooms or studio, en-suite | 51 weeks | City Centre Campus |
| Staniforth House | £179.77 | 8 to 10 bedrooms, en-suite | 44 weeks | City Centre Campus |
The Heights
Managed by Canvas at 30 Staniforth Street, B4 7DR. BCU gives 0.6 miles to the City Centre Campus and 2.3 miles to City South Campus, and describes it as a 10-minute walk from the city centre. Residents get an en-suite bedroom in a 4 to 6 bedroom flat, a free gym, 24-hour CCTV and laundry. BCU also notes façade works on some blocks from July 2026 to September 2027, so ask the provider how that affects your room.
The Old Fire Station
Also managed by Canvas, on Aston Street, B4 7DA. It is a Grade II listed building, 0.5 miles from BCU’s City Centre Campus by BCU’s measure. The choice is a studio or an en-suite room in a 6-bedroom flat, with a free gym, laundry and 24-hour on-site staff. The 2026/27 contract is 51 weeks, starting 12 September 2026.
Aston University Accommodation
Aston says all its accommodation is on campus and run with Unite Students. En-suite rooms in 5 or 7 person flats start from £170 a week for undergraduates and £145 for postgraduates (44 or 51 week contracts). Five-bedroom flats have larger rooms and ¾ beds, while seven-bedroom flats have smaller rooms and single beds. Aston’s page promises free Wi-Fi in all rooms but does not say whether other bills are included, so confirm this before you pay a deposit.
Lakeside, on Coleshill Street (B4 7UP), is run by Unite Students from £174 a week for 2026/27 with all bills included, and is described by Unite as within Aston’s student village. BCU lists the same name as closest to its City Centre Campus, so it suits students at either university.
Private Student Buildings: iQ Broderick House and Penworks House
Two verified examples from iQ. Broderick House (140 Bath Row, B15 1NQ) offers studios and en-suites, with dual occupancy, a games room, a cinema room and study spaces. iQ gives 16 minutes’ walk to BCU, 13 minutes by bus to the University of Birmingham and 17 minutes by bus to Aston. Penworks House (5 Moland Street, B4 7AS) has self-contained studios and private en-suites, and is 2 minutes’ walk from Aston. iQ lists bills, superfast Wi-Fi and 24/7 security as included. Prices were not visible on the pages we checked, so use the iQ Birmingham page for current rates.
Top Areas for Student Accommodation in Birmingham
- Selly Oak: the traditional student area near the University of Birmingham, with shared houses and flats, shops and good transport links.
- Edgbaston: a quieter, greener area close to the University of Birmingham, with parks and residential streets.
- City centre and Digbeth edge: mostly purpose-built buildings, handy for BCU’s City Centre Campus and Aston, with shops, food and nightlife on your doorstep.
- Harborne: a lively neighbourhood with cafés and bars, a bus or cycle ride from the universities, with a mix of flats and shared houses.
- Bournville: green and quiet, popular with postgraduate and international students who want a calmer base.
- Jewellery Quarter: a creative area with a mix of historic and modern housing, close to Aston and BCU’s School of Jewellery.
What to Check Before You Book
- Contract length: Birmingham halls range from 17 to 51 weeks, so make sure your dates match your course and any summer plans.
- What the rent includes: the University of Birmingham and BCU state that bills are included, but food wallets, parking and extras can change the price.
- Room type: the same hall can cost very differently for a standard room, a large room or a studio.
- Distance to your campus: use the provider’s own walking or bus times, and check the route yourself if you can.
- Guarantor and deposit terms: international students should ask what is accepted and what happens if a visa is refused.
For wider budget advice, see our guide to cheap student accommodation in the UK and our student accommodation safety checklist. Studying nearby? See our guides to Coventry, Derby and Liverpool.
Frequently Asked Questions About Student Accommodation in Birmingham
For 2026/27, University of Birmingham undergraduate rooms range from £107 to £321 a week depending on room type, BCU’s listed halls cost £120 to £210, and Aston’s rooms start from £170 for undergraduates. Check each provider’s page, as prices change each year.
University halls are convenient, often include bills and suit first-year students. Private buildings can offer more facilities and room types, but the price, contract length and what is included vary, so compare them with the university’s own options.
The University of Birmingham and BCU both say bills are included in their listed halls, and iQ lists bills as included. Aston’s page confirms free Wi-Fi but does not say whether other bills are covered, so check your contract.
Apply as soon as your university or the provider opens applications, as popular halls and room types can fill early. Check each provider’s deadline and any rules about when you must hold an offer or a confirmed place.
Yes. Many students move into shared houses after first year, particularly in areas such as Selly Oak. Make sure everyone who will live there is named on the tenancy agreement and that you understand each person’s responsibilities.
Yes. The University of Birmingham lists postgraduate rooms such as The Spinney and Bournbrook, and Aston’s postgraduate rooms start from £145 a week on 44 or 51 week contracts. Quieter areas such as Bournville and Edgbaston also suit postgraduates.
Plan Your Stay in Birmingham
Start with your own university’s halls, compare them with one or two private options, and confirm the price, contract length and bills in writing before paying a deposit. Prices and details on this page were last checked on 16 October 2026. Browse more guides on our United Kingdom student accommodation page, or contact us if you would like help choosing.
