Birmingham is one of the UK’s largest student cities, with over 80,000 students studying across five universities. Whether you’re moving into halls for your first year, shifting to a shared house in Selly Oak, or relocating for postgraduate study, this guide covers the practical details of student moves in Birmingham.
Birmingham’s Universities
The city’s main higher education institutions each have distinct locations and student populations, which affects where students typically live and when they move.
University of Birmingham
The largest university in the city with approximately 37,000 students, the University of Birmingham has its main campus in Edgbaston, about three miles south of the city centre. It’s the only mainland UK university with its own railway station—University station on the Cross-City Line, which reopened in a newly rebuilt form in January 2024. Most students live in Selly Oak, Bournbrook, or Harborne, all within walking distance of campus.
Birmingham City University (BCU)
With around 31,000 students from over 100 countries, BCU has multiple campuses spread across the city centre. The main City Centre Campus is based around the Curzon Building on Cardigan Street, near Millennium Point. Students typically live in purpose-built accommodation in the city centre or in areas like Digbeth and Aston.
Aston University
Located in the heart of Birmingham’s city centre, Aston has a compact campus near Aston Science Park. The university is known for its business school and engineering courses, with students often living in city centre accommodation or nearby areas like Nechells and Newtown.
University College Birmingham (UCB)
Specialising in vocational courses including hospitality, culinary arts, and business, UCB has multiple sites within a mile of the city centre. It’s smaller than the other universities, with around 8,000 students, many of whom live centrally.
Newman University
Based in Bartley Green, about five miles southwest of the city centre, Newman is a smaller Catholic foundation university with around 3,000 students. Some students commute, while others live in Selly Oak or Harborne areas for easier access to the campus via bus.
Term Dates 2025/26
Term dates determine when students move in and out, which directly affects demand for removal services. The busiest periods are mid-September (arrivals) and late June to early July (departures).
University of Birmingham
Welcome Week runs 22–26 September 2025. Autumn Term runs 29 September to 12 December 2025. Spring Term is 12 January to 27 March 2026. Summer Term runs 27 April to 26 June 2026. The summer vacation begins 29 June 2026.
Birmingham City University
International arrivals week is 8 September 2025. Welcome Week is 15 September 2025. Semester 1 teaching runs 22 September to 12 December 2025. Winter vacation is 22 December 2025 to 4 January 2026. Semester 2 runs 26 January to 1 May 2026, with Easter vacation 30 March to 12 April 2026.
University College Birmingham
Accommodation move-in date is 6 September 2025. Induction runs 23–26 September 2025. Semester 1 is 29 September 2025 to 16 January 2026, with a reading week 27–31 October. Semester 2 runs 16 February to 22 May 2026.
Popular Student Areas
Where you live depends largely on which university you attend and your budget. Here’s what to expect from Birmingham’s main student neighbourhoods.
Selly Oak
The classic Birmingham student area, Selly Oak sits immediately south of the University of Birmingham campus. It’s dominated by Victorian terraced houses converted into student lets, with rents typically ranging from £90 to £120 per person per week for shared houses (excluding bills) or £100 to £150 with bills included. The area has a 24-hour Tesco, numerous takeaways, pubs, and easy access to Selly Oak railway station. It’s lively during term time but quieter in summer. Most tenancies run 52 weeks from July, meaning you’ll often need to find housemates in January or February for the following academic year.
Bournbrook
Adjacent to Selly Oak and equally close to the University of Birmingham, Bournbrook offers similar housing stock at comparable prices. The Bristol Road provides good bus links into the city centre, and the area has slightly fewer student-oriented bars than Selly Oak itself.
Harborne
A more upmarket area about a 20–25 minute walk from the University of Birmingham campus, Harborne attracts mature students, postgraduates, and those who prefer a quieter environment. Rents are typically £100–150 per person per week. The High Street has independent shops, cafes, and restaurants, giving it a village feel despite being part of the city.
Edgbaston
The University of Birmingham campus sits within Edgbaston, and some students live in the area itself rather than crossing into Selly Oak. It’s generally more expensive, with a mix of purpose-built student accommodation and private rentals. The area includes Edgbaston Reservoir and is close to the cricket ground.
City Centre
For BCU and Aston students, city centre living is the most convenient option. Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) dominates, with studios and en-suite rooms typically costing £150–250 per week including bills. Areas around Eastside, Digbeth, and the Jewellery Quarter are popular. The advantage is easy walking access to campuses and Birmingham’s nightlife; the trade-off is higher costs and less of a traditional student community feel.
Digbeth
Once an industrial area, Digbeth has transformed into a creative hub with independent venues, street food markets, and converted warehouse apartments. It’s within walking distance of BCU and popular with students who want something different from standard halls. Rents vary widely depending on the property.
When to Book Your Move
Student moves cluster around specific dates, which affects availability and pricing for removal services.
Peak periods: Mid-September (arrivals), late June to early July (departures), and late January (January-start courses). During these times, book your man and van at least two weeks in advance—ideally three or four weeks for weekend slots.
Quieter periods: October, November, February, and March see fewer student moves. You’ll find more availability and potentially better rates.
End-of-tenancy timing: Most Selly Oak and Bournbrook tenancies end on 30 June or early July. This creates a concentrated period when thousands of students move out simultaneously. If you’re moving between student houses rather than back home, coordinate with your incoming and outgoing landlords to avoid gaps or overlaps.
What You’ll Need to Move
Student moves tend to involve smaller loads than family house moves, but that doesn’t mean they’re simple. A typical second or third-year student moving between shared houses might have a single bed (usually provided by the landlord), desk, clothing, books, kitchen items, and personal belongings. This usually fits comfortably in a medium van (6m³), though if you’re moving a whole flat’s worth of furniture or multiple students together, a large van (10m³) may be more efficient.
First-year students moving into halls typically bring less—often just what fits in a car or a few suitcases. Moving out of halls and into a shared house the following year involves more, as you’ll need to acquire kitchen equipment, bedding, and other household items.
Halls and Purpose-Built Accommodation
University-managed halls and private PBSA have specific move-in and move-out procedures that differ from private rentals.
Move-in: You’ll be assigned a time slot, typically during Welcome Week. Universities stagger arrivals to prevent chaos, so you may not be able to choose your exact day. Parking is usually limited to 15–30 minutes for unloading, after which you’ll need to move your vehicle.
Move-out: Similarly controlled, with specific dates and times. You’ll need to clear your room completely, return keys, and pass an inspection. Late departures often incur charges.
Storage between years: If you’re an international student or can’t take everything home over summer, several storage companies near Birmingham offer student rates. The Storage Giant in Oldbury, for example, has student lockers from around £3.75 per week.
Practical Tips for Student Moves
Coordinate with housemates: If you’re sharing a van with friends moving to the same house, split the cost. A medium van for two hours might cost £70–90, which divided four ways is more economical than each person making separate trips.
Check parking access: Many Selly Oak streets have permit parking. If your new or old property is on a restricted street, arrange visitor permits or a parking dispensation in advance. See our guide to parking permits in Birmingham for details.
Keep essentials separate: Pack a bag with phone charger, toiletries, bedding, and anything you’ll need immediately. Student houses often have keys handed over late in the day, and you don’t want to be digging through boxes at 10pm looking for your toothbrush.
Photograph condition: Before moving in, photograph any existing damage and report it to your landlord or letting agent immediately. Do the same when moving out to protect your deposit.
Clean Air Zone: Most removal vans are exempt from Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone charges (Euro 6 diesel or Euro 4 petrol), but check with your man and van provider if you’re booking an independent operator with an older vehicle.
Typical Costs
A student move within Birmingham—say, from Selly Oak halls to a shared house in Bournbrook—typically takes 1–2 hours including loading, driving, and unloading. For a medium van with one driver, expect to pay around £35–50 per hour, so £70–100 total. Adding a helper increases the cost but speeds things up considerably, especially if you’re on the second or third floor without a lift.
For moves between Birmingham and other cities (returning home for summer or arriving from elsewhere in the UK), costs depend on distance. A move from Birmingham to London, for example, might run £200–350 depending on the amount of belongings and whether you’re sharing the van with other students going the same direction.
