Cost of Living in Birmingham for Students in 2025

Student life is a lovely phase where you study, explore and experience. With renowned universities, tons of hangout spots and comfortable student accommodation in Birmingham, the city balances academic excellence and enjoyment. If you are a student who is planning for a smart financial move, it’s necessary to understand the cost of living factor in Birmingham. From university and housing costs to travel and entertainment expenses, this blog gives you an idea of how to spend your money wisely.

Top Reasons to Live in Birmingham as a Student 

1. Distinguished universities such as the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University and Aston University with quality education.
2. Affordable student accommodation options near universities. 
3. Thriving student population with various student-friendly events, festivals and social gatherings. 
4. Smart transportation network: simple, public and affordable.
5. Budget-friendly living 
6. Ample career opportunities 
7. Attractive student discounts at restaurants and shopping centres 
8. Cafes and restaurants for foodies 

Average Living Expenses in Birmingham

Tuition Fees

While considering your total budget in Birmingham living expenses, tuition fees are a great deal. It is one of the largest expenses and depends on which university and course you are finalising. The top universities in Birmingham such as the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University and Aston University, offer quality education and opportunities for a brighter career. Here is the comparison of tuition fees of three prestigious universities: 

1. University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham is a distinguished educational institution, known as the ‘Redbrick University.’ Established in 1900, it is a part of the prestigious Russell Group and has a wide range of courses and research facilities. It has over 8,700 international students from approximately 150 countries. The average tuition fee is mentioned below: 

2. Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University (BCU) is an exceptional educational institution with tremendous career opportunities. Established in 1843, it has more than 30,000 students from 100 countries around the world. Tuition fees in BCU differ based on the course of study. The average tuition fee is mentioned below:

3. Aston University

Aston University is the leading educational institution in Birmingham that offers an array of courses. Established in 1895, it has 18,000 students from over 120 countries around the world. Your chosen course will determine the tuition fees at Aston University. The average tuition fee is mentioned below:

Student Accommodation Costs: Finding a Perfect Home for You  

Finding a comfortable and perfect home for your living plays an important role in your journey as a student. The cost of student accommodation in Birmingham depends on the location, type, and facilities offered. You’ll also find numerous options for affordable student accommodation in Birmingham that offer the best lifestyle with top-notch amenities. 

University Halls 

University student halls are located in proximity to respective universities, making them a convenient option for attending morning lectures. They are available in various types such as standard en-suites, studios and shared flats. In Birmingham, the university halls are situated in three villages—The Vale Village, Pritchatts Park Village and Selly Oak Village. 

Advantages

• University-proximity housing 
• No separate bills for electricity, gas, or water
• Ideal for first-year students
• University-managed allocation
• Advance reservations are highly advised

Disadvantages

• Less privacy 
• Limited space 

Private Halls 

Private student accommodation in Birmingham is situated close to universities and the city centre. The city has a variety of private student housing options that offer different room types. You can choose from en-suite, studios and shared apartments according to your preferences and budget. 

Advantages

• A completely self-contained environment
• Convenience of en-suite bathrooms and a kitchenette in rooms
• Outfitted with cutting-edge amenities

Disadvantages

• Expensive than university halls 
• Students are required to commute as these halls are located further from the universities 

Pro Tip: Choose your neighbourhood wisely. The best areas in Birmingham, such as Edgbaston, Moseley and Digbeth, offer comfortable living with numerous student accommodation options. 

Food and Groceries Expenses 

After narrowing down big chunks of university course fees and student accommodation, students can decide on food and grocery expenses. Birmingham offers students affordable options for groceries. The city has a variety of supermarkets like Morrisons, Tesco Superstore, Asda Superstore, and Sainsbury’s Local. These supermarkets offer discounts and promote different offers for students, providing good-quality food at lower costs. Approximately, food and groceries can cost from £30 to £100 per week. You can reduce your expenses on food by:

• Cooking at home and cooking in batches. 
• Visiting superstores that give offers and discounts. 
• Splitting the grocery bill with your friends. 
• Using the ‘Too Good To Go’ app, which gives heavily discounted prices. 

Utilities and Internet: What Do You Need to Maintain? 

Usually, properties take care of utility bills like electricity, gas, water, heating, and wifi in the rent. Globe Works in Birmingham ensures that all the bills are included in the rent. However, some private properties need you to take care of these bills separately. Moreover, students also have phone, internet and OTT subscription charges that can increase their monthly expenses heavily. The average cost of utilities depends on where you live and your daily habits. You can expect the following cost of utilities:

Electricity, Gas, and Water: £15 - £20 per week

Other bills and subscriptions (phone, Netflix, Spotify): £20 - £100

Mobile Phone and Internet: £5 - £10

It is advised to cross-check with your provider whether the utilities have been included or not. To effortlessly manage your utility bills and shared costs like electricity or gas, consider a smart meter or apps like Splitwise or Glide to keep things fair and avoid disputes. For easy mobile access, grabbing an eSIM card is a smart move for staying connected while studying in the UK.

Clothes and Shopping 

If you are a shopaholic and love to purchase clothes and accessories, you have to consider shopping costs in your monthly budget. The cost varies with the person and the place you are purchasing from. You can spend around £10- £30 per week on clothes and miscellaneous shopping. Birmingham has numerous shopping centres, such as Primark and TK Maxx with budget-friendly options to purchase from. Moreover, for thrifting, there are famous places like Magic City Mercantile, Vapor Thrift Store, and The Foundry Thrift Stores.

Transportation in Birmingham 

Birmingham is a big city with universities, shops and places to explore. The city offers many ways to get around, including buses, trams, trains, taxis, and ride-sharing services. Each has different benefits and costs, depending on which travel option you choose. If you live near universities, you can easily walk to the university campus to attend your lectures. You can also use buses and trams to reach the universities. Birmingham offers three main stations for students—Snow Hill, ideal for Aston University; Moor Street, best for Birmingham City University (BCU); and the central Birmingham New Street. You can also refer to the official website of the West Midlands transport network for more information about travel in your region. 

On average, students can expect a standard single bus ticket of £2 and a standard return ticket of £4. If you are taking 2 buses in a day, you can opt for a standard ‘day saver’ ticket for £4.50. Moreover, students can take advantage of the bus pass priced at £45 per month. Additionally, train fares depend on your destination. The closer you live to Birmingham, the less costly the travel will be. You can also use the 16-25 railcard for discounts. The ticket finder helps students to find a suitable pass for their travel. Usually, the cost of transportation per week is £20-£50. 

Entertainment and Social Life 

Birmingham is a lively city and has a vibrant student life. There are many budget-friendly things to do in Birmingham, including movies, concerts and social outings. There are pubs for vibrant nightlife, such as The Tunnel Club, Forum, Roxy Lanes Birmingham Digbeth, and Popworld Birmingham. For cinema lovers, the weekday adult ticket at Odeon New Street is £5. Usually, weekend tickets are expensive. If you are into music and entertainment, you can visit the main attraction CBSO Centre and music clubs. The cost of the ticket ranges from £4.50 to £15, depending on the program you choose. The cost of entertainment can ranges between £4 and £20 per week. 

Sports lovers can visit Active Aston sports sessions run by Sport Aston for badminton, basketball and squash. It costs around £1 for each sport. Apart from that, students must also consider miscellaneous costs on their arrival such as personal computers or laptops that can cost £1,000. Trips and holidays can cost approximately £500. 

Tips for Students for Saving Money 

As a student living away from your home, it is very difficult to manage money. It takes planning and understanding finances to reduce money-related stress. A bunch of factors influence the cost of living in Birmingham, including lifestyle choices and needs. Here are some key pointers that can help you find a way to save money: 

• Plan Your Expenses: You can create a realistic budget wherein you can track your spending. If your plan is set, you can check where your expenses are going. Apps like Monzo, Wally and Splitwise help you with budgeting. 
• Part-time Jobs: If you wish to balance your money and earn while you are pursuing your course, then part-time jobs are here to save you. There are thousands of part-time work opportunities for students in Birmingham. The Guild of Students at the University of Birmingham is an exceptional union that helps students to grow. Worklink and the UKCISA website will help you search for part-time jobs.
• Affordable Accommodation Options: There are various budget-friendly options for accommodation in Birmingham that can help you reduce your overall expenses. Edgbaston, city centre and Selly Oak are the best areas to live in Birmingham with lots of amenities. You can also search for the best student accommodation in Birmingham, like iQ Broderick House, Canalside and Belgrave View.
• Cook at Home: Eating outside with friends and trying out different cuisines indeed seems interesting. However, it might add extra stress to your pocket. Instead, you can cook at home daily and reduce your expenses. This can also keep your health well. 
• Make Smart Use of Student Discounts: You can use offers and discounts given at supermarkets, cinemas and shopping centres. Student discount applications like UNiDAYS, StudentBeans, and a Totum card can save a lot of our money.  

Save Your Money: Avail Discounts and Offers

As a student, it is a crucial part to save your money wherever it’s possible. Here are some places where you can get discounts:

• Things to Do in Birmingham for Students

• Restaurants in Sheffield for Students

Also read: Top Restaurants in Birmingham for Students

• Shopping in Birmingham for Students

Pro Tip: You can get all these discounts through websites/applications such as UniDays, Student Beans and the TOTUM card.

The Concluding Part