Congratulations, freshers! Here’s the ultimate Birmingham student’s guide to the city

You alright, bab? A little birdy told me you’re moving to Birmingham this September and are wondering what you should get up to. Despite its reputation in some circles, Birmingham is a vibrant and exciting city, with plenty to see and do – so much so, I’m preparing to spend my fourth year here!

Whether you’ve already got your Freshers’ Week planned to a T, or you haven’t got a clue where to start, here are a few fan favourite Brum picks for the next time you’re at a loose end.

University of Birmingham campus

The day you arrive at university is so daunting, but it’s also the best time to put yourself out there and meet new people. Everyone is just as nervous as you are, and the worst thing to do is coop yourself up in your room!

Campus is so beautiful during Autumn, and the absolute best time to explore it is while it is still empty just before term starts. Grab a coffee on campus with your new flatmates, explore campus and start settling into your home for the next three years. Getting familiar with your surroundings in the first few days is the best way to make Birmingham feel like home.

If you’re living on The Vale, the lake is a great hangout spot, and the sunsets are unmatched. I’ve lost track of how much time I spent there in first year, and it is even better with a glass (or three) of wine.

Birmingham nightlife

Nightlife is one of the best parts about being a student, and Birmingham certainly won’t disappoint on that front. There’s a good chance you’ll be dragged to Broad Street for a night out in your first few weeks. It does have plenty of clubs all situated on one strip (Snobs, Barbara’s, Rosie’s and Pop World.) However, don’t make the mistake I did in my first year and think it’s the only place worth going! Brindleyplace is just around the corner from Broad Street, with lots of restaurants, bars and cafés all situated beside the canal basin. Most of them offer Bottomless Brunch, another tick off the Freshers’ agenda.

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If Brindleyplace isn’t your vibe, then try Digbeth. One of my favourite ways that I bonded with my friend group in first-year was heading to Golf Fang for a round of boozy minigolf; it’s a great icebreaker and its student discounts make it really affordable. Just across the road from Golf Fang is The Night Owl, which hosts tonnes of events all year round. Jazz Tuesday and Boogie Tuesday were popular last year, but there are also Britpop nights, intimate gigs and they even offer regular Northern Soul dance classes! There’s literally something for everyone.

If central Birmingham feels like too much effort, or you don’t fancy forking out the money on an Uber, then the student-only nightclub Circo is the perfect choice. It’s conveniently located in Selly Oak, just a 20-minute walk from The Vale student village, and five minutes from Oak Brook Park.

The best part is that there is a brand new Wetherspoons on campus, which is the perfect pitstop on the way. Birmingham is a very walkable city, and you can pretty much walk from either end in under half an hour. I love starting a night in Digbeth and seeing where I end up, but maybe that’s the Type B in me.

Daytime activities

Student life is all about balance, and at some point you might get a bit sick of going out. Luckily for you, I know just the thing. For some retail therapy, you can visit the Bullring and New Street. Birmingham is also home to the world’s biggest Primark, so do with that information what you will.

Just a 10 minute walk away, you can find Redbrick Market, tucked away in my favourite jaunt, Digbeth! It’s filled with independent stalls selling vintage clothing and lots of quirky bits to decorate your uni room. My best tip during Freshers’ is to decorate your room so it feels like your own. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re staying in a glorified hotel room. When you’re ready for such much-needed respite, Moseley and Kings Heath are a couple of great neighbourhoods to explore. There’s regular live music at Hare & Hounds, and Moseley houses the Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival each July.

If you’re looking for some greenery, Canon Hill Park is the perfect spot for a picnic during the warmer months. Canon Hill also has a mini golf course, swan lake boating, a wildlife conservation park, tennis courts and plenty more. If you are an early riser, then their weekly Saturday park run could be just the thing.

However you choose to spend Freshers’ Week and beyond, there is something for everybody in Birmingham. Make the most of it, because it will be over before you know it. I’d do anything to do it all over again!

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