Unconsciously, two months of the year 2024 have already passed, and students around the world who plan to study in Birmingham will soon receive their offers. This blog post will provide the most comprehensive answers to frequently asked questions about studying in Birmingham, covering everything from pre-departure preparations to practical tips for living in the city, helping international students gain early insights of Birmingham.
Pre-Departure Packing
Q: What are the essential items to pack for studying in the UK?
Britain is often rainy. Students can bring a raincoat and a high-quality umbrella to protect themselves if necessary. In addition, students can bring basic medicines according to their personal conditions. Customs will not check or detain medicines.
After the epidemic, most student apartments and dormitories have stopped providing bedding. Students can bring bedspreads, but quilts and pillows are too bulky to carry. They can be bought at shopping malls in downtown Birmingham.
In addition, buying second-hand items is also a good choice. Students can first join some second-hand groups on Facebook. They can not only buy affordable items but also meet new friends.
Q: What documents should international students take to Britain ?
In addition to all the documents and information used in the application for schools and visas, you also need to carry all the original transcripts of undergraduate study and the sealed translations. In addition, you can also prepare several ID photos. The university can take pictures of the student card during the freshmen registration, or you can upload them yourself, requiring 35*45mm, white background, no more than 1M, JPG format.
Q: Is it difficult for international students to enter the UK for the first time?
If you have never entered the UK before, the customs officer will probably ask you more questions, but they are mostly related to the university. For example, the name of the university, what you are studying, where you will live, and when the semester begins. As long as you answer the questions truthfully and don’t bring any contraband, most students will not have difficulty passing customs.
Q: What is the strategy for taking clothes according to the weather in UK?
If you enter the university in September, bringing more autumn and winter clothes is recommended. The temperature difference between day and night is sharp in the UK, and it will be cold most of the time. In addition to a down jacket and coat, you can bring more hoodies, jackets and windbreakers. The summer in the UK generally lasts from June to August, but it is generally short. T-shirts can be bought less or bought in the UK.
University of Birmingham Guide
Q: Where are the classrooms in Birmingham University?
The University of Bolton provides all new students with a very clear paper map showing the location of each building. Alternatively, you can download the official UoB Campus Map app to find locations and directions online.
The old business school is located at O3 University House, next to Lloyd’s Bank, and a Starbucks is in the building. The new business school is located at R29, The Alan Walters Building, with an inside coffee shop as well. The library is located at R30 Main Library, and there is a catering place in the building, which is very convenient.
In addition, there are two restaurants in the Uni centre. The first is a food court on the first floor, offering Mexican chicken rolls, salads and other food from different countries. Whether vegetarian or not, you can find what you want to eat here. The second restaurant is on the first floor of the basement, which is also the most popular place for dining on campus. Here you can eat traditional British food, such as fish and chips, pizza, fried chicken and so on.
Q: What can i do in the University of Birmingham library?
The university library is open 24 hours a day during exam week. Otherwise, it is 8 am-8 pm; other buildings usually close around 6 pm. There are several group meeting rooms in the library, which you need to book on the library website in advance.
The library is very crowded before exams, but there are many other places to study. For example, there are classrooms and study rooms in different buildings, but on weekends, many classrooms are locked, and only the library is open.
If you need a printer, there are printers in most buildings, apart from those outside the library. The university will put a few pounds into your student account at the start, which you can top up online. Some student housing also provides printing services for students to study in.
Q: How does the gym at Birmingham University work?
The university gym is located at the south gate of the campus and is divided into peak and off-peak. Peak means you can go at any time; off-peak means you can go at a certain time, so the fees differ. The gym includes many options, such as various ball games, swimming cards, gym cards and so on. Choosing a single-item card will be cheaper, costing about 134 pounds a year; if you choose a multi-item card, the price will be more expensive.
Q: How is the security around the University of Birmingham?
Birmingham is ranked highly in terms of safety in the UK. However, walking in groups and returning to your accommodation before dark is still advisable to avoid being robbed or pickpocketed. Additionally, be aware that some Brits drive pretty quickly, so make sure you are crossing the road when there is no traffic.
Q: What time do classes start at the University of Birmingham?
The schedule of regular classes varies according to your major, and students can check the schedule by logging into the university portal. In addition, sometimes there will be group discussions or seminars in addition to regular classes.
Q: What are the tips for taking classes at Birmingham University?
All teachers will provide a list of textbooks at the start of the semester, which can be purchased on Amazon. However, as physical books are expensive in the UK, students may pay to download e-books or borrow books from libraries. In addition, it is advisable to print handouts in advance and take notes during class. You can bring a voice recorder if you are worried about missing anything. However, many courses now have video replays, which can be viewed on the university’s course page.
Q: When do students graduate from University of Birmingham?
University of Birmingham‘s graduation ceremony is generally in July for undergraduates and December for graduates. The Univeristy or students can choose to send home graduation certificates or directly receive them at the ceremony.
The examination content is different for different majors, and it lasts 2-3 hours. The undergraduate thesis is generally 3000-4000 words, and the graduate thesis is generally at least 10,000 words.
Birmingham Living Guide
Q: What is the cost of living in Birmingham
Birmingham is a medium-priced city in the UK, so for the same items and restaurants, you’ll pay less than in London. If you stick to cooking for yourself, you’ll only spend around £100-£150 a month on supermarket bills. However, spending on food can vary greatly; if you often eat out, it can run upwards of £300 a month. Regarding transport, students can keep costs down by buying a weekly bus pass and a student Railcard for the trains. For a more detailed analysis, read one of our other blogs.
Q: What are the common supermarkets in Birmingham?
Common supermarkets in Birmingham include Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Lidl, etc., which are well-known supermarket chain brands in the UK, with stores in various cities and reliable quality. In addition, Home Bargains is also a discount shop worthy of recommendation. A variety of household supplies, such as light bulbs, hooks, small tools and so on, can be bought here.
Q: What are the student accommodation options near the Univeristy of Birmingham?
There are several student accommodation options in Birmingham.
- The university dormitory is the most popular option, as the number of rooms is limited, and students must book in advance on the university website. The main advantage of university residences is that they are located around the university campus, giving students quick access to the university’s buildings and facilities. And there’s free cleaning every two weeks.
- In addition to on-campus student housing, off-campus student accommodation near Univeristy of Birmingham is becoming a popular option. Built by independent apartment developers, they offer a variety of price points and housing types for students to choose from. Most of the student housing units provide a variety of community facilities and extra services, making them the best option for students looking for a comfortable living experience.
- Students who want a more independent living experience can rent social properties. Whether it’s in the city centre or near the university, you can find suitable accommodation in all parts of the city. However, it’s important to note that unlike student apartments or dormitories, students living in social properties must pay utility bills and apply for council tax on their own.
Q: What are the best apps for living in Birmingham?
- University: Canvas
- Transportation: trainline, National Rail, uber
- Communication: Skype, Outlook, Whatsapp, messenger
- Mobile phone: giffgaff, three, O2
- Travel: Booking, Airbnb
Q: How to Apply for a Bank Card in Birmingham
The three main banks for students are Lloyds, Barclays and HSBC. Other banks include Nationwide, Santander, Netwest and Halifax. Once students have registered with the university, they can go to the Student Hub and get a Bank Letter with the university’s signature and seal. They can then make an appointment and follow the bank’s procedures to submit their documents and get a bank card.
Q: How to get a SIM card in Birmingham?
You can buy SIM cards at the airport in Birmingham and in supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s. This type of SIM card is the most convenient as you can buy prepaid cards separately and do not need to have a bank account linked to it. In addition, GiffGaff is also a popular supplier among students. It is cheap and does not require a bank account. The disadvantage is that the signal is sometimes weak. In addition, there are about 7 mainstream mobile phone operators in the UK, namely EE, Vodafone, O2, Theree (3), GiffGaff, Lebara and T-mobile. These operators have their own apps available for download, but you need to have a bank account linked to them to buy deals.
Birmingham Travel Guide
Q: How to get to University from Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport is located east of Birmingham University. The most common choice is to call Uber, which usually costs about 25 pounds and takes about 40 minutes to arrive. Another way is to take the train to the city centre and then transfer to the university train station, which takes about 1 hour. Students can also contact the university in advance to make an appointment for the airport bus service.
Q: What's the cheapest way to travel in Birmingham?
For new students, once you arrive in Birmingham, you should get a Young Person Railcard. You can apply at the train station or online, and all you need is your passport, student card and a photo. If you don’t have a photo, you can get one from the self-service machines available in almost all underground stations. The Railcard costs just £30 a year, but it gives you a 33% discount on train tickets, saving you a lot of money on your commute.
More FAQ about Birmingham City
The contract is in English, and the flat does not translate Chinese.
It is essential to pay attention to the spelling of the name, passport number, ID number, the beginning and the end of the contract, as well as the contract mentioning the fees, confirming the amount of money to ensure that there is enough credit or cash in the card provided.
Pay special attention to the rules for returning, subletting and refunding deposits.
Widely regarded as a good place to live for a variety of reasons, Birmingham is renowned for its cultural diversity and multicultural atmosphere. People from different backgrounds and ethnicities have made Birmingham their home, creating a vibrant and inclusive community.
Birmingham proudly holds the title of being the second largest city in the UK, eclipsing Manchester both in terms of sheer geographical area and vibrant population.
If you are interested in Birmingham study life. Please check following blogs!
