How to Structure and Write Amazing Essays

Essays are a regular standard for university and wrapping your head around what examiners are truly expecting out of you will ease the stress when you’re writing your essays. Even if you are someone who really enjoys writing, learning the theory behind writing a well-rounded essay is a critical skill to learn and put in practice. Here are a few tips and things to remember when essay season begins!

Prep Time

1. Spot the keywords

Before you even start writing or planning, it’s important to go through the assignment and examine it in detail. You need to know and really understand what the examiners want from you and what they will be expecting from the essay. A helpful tip is to analyse the content/assignment given to you and spot the major keywords. This will help you figure out how to format your essay and focus your writing.

When looking over your assignment, there are a few words to look out for to better understand the goal and expectations of the essay. With the word “explain”, you are expected to provide a heavily detailed description. Other words/phrases such as “justify”, “discuss” or “critically assess” all require you to engage in a debate or even a full discussion, with the expectation that you will challenge or provide a supportive argument with regards to the subject.

2. Spot the subject

Another important tip for creating the best writing you can, is to ensure that you are crystal clear on the subject you have been asked to write about. This is the main purpose of your essay in the first place, so if you forget about the original subject you will most likely loose a lot of marks from the overall piece of work.

When examining the given assignment, it is important to figure out what the intended focus is; is it a person, event, scene, key concept or a mixture? Once you have found this piece of information you need to ensure that everything you discuss in your essay links straight back to the above subject.

Planning

1. Word count

Planning before you actually start writing can save you a lot of time in the future from extra editing and cutting and can generally help to ensure your writing is well paced and makes sense. Start writing down some of your ideas, focusing on your intended key points and making sure you link the best possible evidence to go alongside and support your ideas.

2. Structure

It is important that your writing makes sense and is clear throughout and a big way to help with this is to gather all your ideas and research and begin to structure them into paragraphs prior to writing. This will help you visually see what the sections look like and whether they work. You will also be able to figure out whether you have paired the best evidence accordingly to your ideas, giving them as much power and accuracy as they can have.

Once you have put everything into sections, you can then start to assign each section with a word count. Try leaving 500 words for the intro and conclusion and decide how to best use the remainder of your word count. Do all sections need the same word count? Are there any that will require more in-depth writing?

3. Organisation

As you go along planning and organising your sections, focus on clearly illustrating the key points you want to make, always leading right back to the initial focus of the essay. Don’t just concentrate on the information that you have gathered, but rather making a point that best helps you answer the initial question.

Writing Time

1. Construction

As stated previously, the way you construct your essay will heavily affect the overall flow and how clear the points you make will be. It is also extremely important to begin each paragraph with a strong topic sentence. Start by creating a clear analytical point that showcases what you aim to explore in this paragraph. The rest of the paragraph is solely focused on backing up this point, trying to make it as convincing as possible.

Put in key evidence or counter evidence to support your ideas, but also make sure you explain your evidence and why it supports your stance. Once your writing is pretty much finished, read your essay out loud, paragraph by paragraph, preferably even to someone else. This is a crucial step, as it will help you hear if your grammar is correct, your paragraphs make sense and whether your writing flows naturally.

2. Introduction

The introduction of your essay is a very important part of your essay. Examiners do not like being surprised, so the introduction is where you are expected to sum up your argument in a short but strong way. This is where you will need to set your scene and answer the initial question immediately.

Tell your examiners exactly what you will be doing and writing about in this essay; you can give information as a preview to the content you will be providing, like key events, scenes or even theories. Use this introductory paragraph to showcase your aim clearly and in an interesting way, ensuring you stay away from waffling and keep it short and concise.

3. Conclusion

Similar to the introduction, the conclusion needs to be a strong and concise piece. This is your chance to once again state exactly what you wrote about, how you proved your key points and show how much you engaged with the essay topic you have written about. It’s also the last paragraph the examiners will see, so it’s vital that you can end with a bang that will leave a lasting impression.

Start your conclusion by repeating the key argument using 1-2 sentences, to remind the examiner what you have talked about so far. Just like the introduction, it’s important that you avoid waffling and keep this paragraph short and strong. In some subjects, something you could even try is finishing with a statement of change and providing a way forward or a possible solution. This can be a very powerful finale for some topics which it applies to.

4. Sources

To make it easy on yourself, try gathering potentially useful information as you go. When using your sources and information, always ensure you are giving the reason as to why it’s useful; does it come from an expert in the field who has conducted research, someone who has a wide knowledge and experience of your topic, or does it corroborate with the other source material you have provided? It is also important to find a diverse range of sources and information which all points right back to help prove the points you are making.

The more essays you write, the more confident you will feel. Even though they can be daunting at first, essays are a big part of university and once you have mastered the technique, you will have the ability to create phenomenal pieces of work to be proud of.

Unihousing

Do you have your accommodation for 2020 planned yet? Unihousing offer modern, spacious student studios and houses that are all within walking distance of the University of Birmingham. Fully furnished and fitted with all the student essentials, don't miss out on your choice of accommodation.

Browse our available student accommodation today!

Diet, Food, and a Good Night Out in Birmingham for Students

Getting a Good Start

It’s easy to overlook the importance of healthy eating, or to be a bit complacent about making mealtimes healthier- especially when it can be so easy to order a pizza sometimes. With just a little bit of effort though, it’s not difficult to increase your intake of the foods you should be having more of and reducing those you should be consuming less of.

What is also easy to do is to not realise how much better you can feel by changing your diet. With the new academic year on the horizon, altering your habits could get you off to a healthy and positive start.

Places to Eat in Selly Oak 

The reality is that it’s unlikely anyone would really avoid take-aways and eating-out altogether. So, with that in mind, it’s worth knowing that if you are a Selly Oak student looking for a quick meal or dinner out with friends, Selly Oak has a lot of options. As well as some of the bigger name restaurants like Frankie & Benny’s and Nando’s, Selly Oak includes other places like the succulent chicken-skewer serving Paprika Grill UK on Raddlebarn Road, and other cafes too.           

Digbeth

It probably goes without saying that the city centre of Birmingham is ideal for students, as its plentiful supply of places to get something to eat and drink pretty much caters for all tastes and makes for a great night-out. What may not be so obvious is the fact that Digbeth is a less-familiar location stuffed with little surprises- including a location for some totally terrific food.

The food is brought to you courtesy of Digbeth Dining Club. Digbeth Dining Club is held every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and asks for a small entrance fee to get in, but it’s absolutely worth it. This unusual yet buzzing little event brings together a diverse collection of street-food vendors that are spread-out through its busy venue. Sandwiched between the two halves of the DDC layout is a bar, making it easy for you to get yourself a drink when you want it. A vibrant place in distinctive surroundings, Digbeth Dining Club is accompanied by DJ music overflowing from its speakers into the masses, providing a bouncy backdrop to this lively food experience.

    

While You’re There

Just because you’re in Digbeth to get a little something to eat, doesn’t mean the night has to start and end with this eating experience. The reason for this is that Digbeth also offers other interesting places to go to that you may not have heard of before. There’s Ghetto Golf; an imaginatively decked-out, urban twist on standard crazy golf that’s strictly for adults only. There’s also a variety of bars to head to. And, don’t forget The Custard Factory: great for visits day or night, The Custard Factory has its own cinema called The Mockingbird that shows a unique range of films, which could make it the ideal way to round-up your evening.  

   

Student Accommodation with Unihousing

On the previously-mentioned subject of the forthcoming academic year, it would be helpful to be aware of the impressive Birmingham student accommodation that Unihousing can provide you with. Registered lettings agents that offer you student housing for a reasonable price, Unihousing boasts a number of student studios and houses to share within the busy, bustling town of Selly Oak. Spacious, tastefully modern and featuring all of the furnishings that are suitable for everyday student living, Unihousing’s student studios and houses’ superb situation also means that in just a quick walk you can get to the local train station and other public transport points. Positioned with a variety of shops, supermarkets and pubs nearby as well, Unihousing student accommodation makes your day-to-day student living easy, convenient and enjoyable.

Contact Unihousing today to find-out what we can do for you!!

Days and Nights for Birmingham Students

Being a student at university can mean weeks that are long and filled with a lot of hard work. By living on your own and being largely independent, you may also find that sometimes you are without a plan of what to do when there is nothing on the academic schedule. If you are a student in Birmingham, you are at the front door of a whole range of things to keep you active throughout those periods when you have some free time to fill.

A rewarding student experience though is not quite possible without good student accommodation. And for students in Birmingham, the accommodation that is both high-standard and affordable can be found with Selly Oak-based registered lettings agents Unihousing, who own all of their properties. Brilliantly situated in order to allow for easy access to the University of Birmingham Edgbaston campus in addition to the kind of interesting places that will be highlighted in this blog, the student studios and houses that Unihousing provide are most definitely worth a look.

Keeping The Costs Down

Many places in the city are appropriately adjusted towards to the local student population by featuring prices attractive to university-goers. Even if you lack the inclination or the budget that allows for a trip out for the day or evening to become a possibility, some of the nearby take-aways could make a delicious accompaniment to a night in with friends, possibly including some imaginative games or a themed night of films, for example. Many bars or clubs also offer discounts on certain nights of the week for students, so make sure you make the most of the various discounts you can find.

Unfamiliar Choices

Apart from those restaurants that are probably not so out of the ordinary but are still amazing for a bite to eat, you can get a more unique taste experience in Brum at the Digbeth Dining Club. Held every Thursday and Friday 4-11pm, Saturday 1-11pm and Sunday 12-8pm, and only a few minutes away from the Birmingham Bullring in the City Centre, the Digbeth Dining Club attracts a diverse collection of disparate food vendors. Pretty expansive, vibrant and an experience that offers more than just food, being at the Digbeth Dining Club means you could quite easily find yourself spending a while there.

For an activity that is a definite step away from the ordinary, Escape Rooms are a great little challenge for you and a group of your friends. In Brum, you can have a go at Escape Reality: a six-room centre situated on Constitution Hill that promises both varying levels of difficulty and intrigue, Escape Reality offers a consistent level of excitement throughout. Something different, for sure.

Another way to put yourself to the test for a bit of fun is by getting to Depot Climbing. It’s located on Sherlock Street just south of Grand Central, and features some of the best bouldering walls in Birmingham. Suitable for a range of abilities, from first-timers to advanced climbers. Bouldering at Depot Climbing is highly physical, very enjoyable and is very reasonably priced, too.

If you’re studying in Birmingham though, it is not only the City Centre where you can discover enjoyable ways to spend your time. Within various towns around Birmingham, busy pubs imbued with a distinctive look and atmosphere is easily located, in much the same way that a great many cafes can be found as well.

More Stuff for Students In Birmingham

If some of these suggestions of places to go sound perhaps a little too out-of-the-ordinary for you, or you feel that you need them balanced with some of the places you are more used to, then bear in mind that Birmingham has all of the usual fun places to keep you entertained on your days away from uni’ when you have a  good chunk of time to yourself.

In Birmingham, you will find a range of cinemas showing all of the latest blockbusters and star-studded movies, you would expect. Plus with The Electric Cinema, located on Station Street- the oldest working cinema in the UK, and the cinema at the MAC (Midlands Arts Centre), you have added opportunities to see a more eclectic choice of films.

Birmingham will also offer you, especially in the City Centre, a splendid array of restaurants and eateries that are ideal for you and your mates to head-to at the weekend. Chinese, Indian, Caribbean, Italian-it’s pretty much all here, and all pretty hard to resist as well.

Student Accommodation in Birmingham with Unihousing

In addition to the appealing price tag and superb locations of Unihousing's Birmingham student accommodation, what makes Unihousing student studios and houses so appealing is their spacious and well-presented interiors alongside the furnishings that are perfect for modern-day student living. Furthermore, these student properties will be given the necessary maintenance by Unihousing’s own team of qualified tradesmen if any problems with the property should arise. This means you are left to enjoy your comfortable and convenient student accommodation stress-free.

So why not get in touch with Unihousing today and see what we can do for you?

10 Tips for Moving

Moving-out will certainly be something you’ll have to face at some point in your academic experience and it’s a big task, so tips on how to make it easier will surely be welcome. Finding that new student accommodation would surely come first though, and this is where Unihousing comes in. Selly Oak-based registered lettings agents offering student studios and houses with all the furnishings needed for contemporary student living, Unihousing provide high-standard student accommodation in Birmingham for affordable prices in excellent locations.    

• Planning Ahead

To make the whole process of moving go smoother, putting together a little plan should help you. By creating a plan or even by writing down some useful notes you can list all the things you need to pack and all the other jobs you need to do before you finally say goodbye to your old place. Planning ahead may help you move your items from one place to the other in the most efficient way, as well.

• Advanced Packing

Just because the date you need to move-out on is a while away doesn’t mean you can’t start packing stuff into boxes early. If you start packing well-ahead of the date you are due to move, you may find that the whole process will be less stressful and tiring as the moving day approaches.

• Boxes and Bags

When it comes to moving, having a large number of boxes ready is a great idea. It’s very easy to underestimate how many boxes you will need for all of your belongings once you begin packing, so “the more, the better” is a good way to approach this aspect of the move. There’s also a risk that at least one of the boxes will rip or break, so having some spares is useful, too. Bags- whether that’s plastic carrier bags or rucksacks etc- are another huge boost to anybody’s chances of having a successful move.    

• Tape and Paper

Having lots of paper to hand is very important, as it can be used to protect your belongings while they are being transported from one place to another. Or, for better protection, you could use bubble-wrap. Something else that will be very much appreciated as you pack your possessions is a tape dispenser gun, which is a vast improvement on using masking tape or Sellotape in a conventional way. 

                 

• A Little Assistance

Having extra pairs of hands ready to assist you will get all of your carryings, transporting and final pieces of packing done more quickly and with less stress. And if you don’t drive, having someone who is willing to give up their time to drive your stuff to your new student accommodation would obviously be a huge benefit.       

• Be At Your Best

Getting all of your belongings out of your current studio or house and into another one will take a while, meaning that a good sleep the night before is ideal for making sure you have plenty of energy for the following day. By getting up early as well, you give yourself plenty of time to get things done and increase your chances of completing all of the liftings and carrying before it gets dark, which would only make things more difficult. 

   

• Timing is Everything

If you haven’t quite got round to making a plan or a list, or simply don’t think you really need one, at least remember the times at which things need to be done at throughout the day. Times at which you are required to be out of your current place and into the new one, or times at which you are supposed to meet people necessary to the move, are important. Having these times in mind could help you stay on schedule during the day as well.

• Stay Fed and Watered

Ensuring that you take breaks or at least one substantial break during your moving day is vital, even though it can be difficult to stop sometimes once you have started and are building momentum towards getting the whole thing done. Without breaks, you will become increasingly tired and less productive as a consequence. It’s also wise to drink plenty throughout the day and have a little snack every now and then to keep energy levels up.

• Background Music

Although it can be a long day and there may be a lot of people busying around you to make your move happen, you can still try and keep people in high spirits. Put some music on and make the day a little more relaxing, and it should feel as though it’s passing by a little quicker also.   

• Safe Lifting

Perhaps the most crucial point of all here, being careful with lifting is essential; not only is being careful with heavy lifting good for your health, but not lifting correctly could get you hurt which would mean you probably not lifting anymore for that day.
Sharing the load with someone who’s there to help, crouching down instead of bending to the load and assessing the route you are taking to carry the load are some of the general principles for lifting, but it’s best to look online for a comprehensive guide to correct lifting and carrying.   

Unihousing

Making a move with Unihousing is a good move. Unihousing’s student properties are an impressive option for any Birmingham student. Whether you decide on a student studio or a house to share, their student accommodation is also superbly situated. This means that easy access to amenities such as shops and supermarkets as well as getting to pubs, nightlife and other places of interest in Birmingham will be quick and convenient.

So why not get in touch with Unihousing today to find out more!

Effectively Using Your Time at the University of Birmingham

Keeping busy while you’re at university is often not that much of a difficult task. In fact, if you ask most students at the University of Birmingham they will tell you that they could do with a lot more time to get everything done. However, this is not to say that there aren’t students out there who may have some spare time during the week and don’t know what to do with it. If this is you, or you’d like some other ideas of what to do with your time, read on to get some great ideas on what you can do with your time when you’ve not got your head in a book.

Sports

Sports are not for everyone but investing a small amount of time in new and interesting sports could help you to find some sports that you actually quite enjoy, whether that is in an individual sport such as tennis or fencing, or in a team game like football or basketball. However, you don’t have to just think of competitive sports, as there are many other options. Joining a local running or athletics group offers you the chance to exercise without applying the added pressure of a competitive game. Other options include rock climbing, such as bouldering or lead climbing.

Finding clubs and teams that you can join also couldn’t be easier. All students at the University of Birmingham have access to the student union, from here students can get involved in a variety of local sports groups. Alternatively, students can also find great connections in the local gyms and leisure centres that could help you to find an activity which is right for you. Whatever it is that takes your fancy, finding a sport or exercise that you enjoy is good for both your physical and mental health.

Music

Whether you are someone that likes to put on a pair of headphones and bob along to the music, or if you love to be right in the middle of a mosh-pit at a gig with your favourite band or singer. No matter what, all of us can find a way to listen to music that excites us. If you’re someone who loves their music then Birmingham is the place for you. The city is littered with music venues, raves, clubs, orchestras, choirs and many others. You name it, Birmingham has it.

However, you’re not just limited to listening to music. Learning to play an instrument is also a possibility. The University of Birmingham can help to set you up with something like this. Not only is this an opportunity to fill your time constructively, but also offers you the opportunity to learn a new skill.

Games

Being out in large crowds and in very social areas is not for everyone, sometimes a much smaller crowd is all that is required to fill hours and hours of fun. Gaming is a great way to use your spare time and still accomplish small achievements. This can be in the form of a video or board game. Gaming can be great for meeting new people and socialising. The University of Birmingham offers several societies for board gaming, wargaming, and video gaming. Don’t be afraid to get stuck in, meet new people, and have a fun time.

Books/Films

For those who enjoy relaxing and enjoying spare time on their own then maybe this is one for you. Books and films offer an escape from the real world and allow you to enter a world of wonder without needing to leave the house. Investing in Netflix or Amazon Prime can get you access to thousands of hours of films and tv series which could help to take up your time. Alternatively, the student library also offers a great place to pick up reading material to suit all.

If you’d like to meet people who share a similar interest, or who can give you recommendations for books or films, you can join one of the many societies that UoB has to offer. Finding people who share your interests whilst at university can really help your student experience flourish.

Student Societies

We’ve already mentioned student societies, but it definitely deserves its own section. Your university experience will be mostly defined by the people you surround yourself with, and one of the best ways to find people who share your interests is by finding a student society. You don’t have to stop at just one though, filling your evenings with different social activities is a great way to meet new people, try new experiences and have a fun time. Societies range from sports and exercise, to books, films and animation, to board and video gaming. There are also several societies that offer uncommon experiences, such as batsoc, the society for battle re-enactment (if you see people around campus in chainmail, you can guess which society they belong to!).

Most societies often go out for drinks some evenings as well, so you can also get involved in the classic student experience, alongside something new.

Volunteering

Volunteering isn’t for everyone, but can be a great experience. For something such as volunteering it is often a good method to offer your services directly to the place you would like to volunteer. This doesn’t however mean that the University will not assist in helping you find a volunteering placement. This means that not only can you fill your time, but you are helping to make the lives of others better. Something that will help you to stand out as an individual at the University of Birmingham, and when you find work in the future.

Unihousing Student Studios

Are you prepared for next year at the University of Birmingham? Finding student accommodation early means you can spend more of your time enjoying yourself, worry free. Unihousing still have accommodation which is available to students at the University of Birmingham. Our student studios could be just what you are looking for, offering a fully furnished kitchen, study, bedroom and personal bathroom. They’re going fast, so make sure you book yourself a viewing soon, so you don’t miss out.

Interested in student housing? Why not get in contact with Unihousing today and find the student property that’s ideal for you.

FIve Things to Do and See in Birmingham

Quick Snacks; Holy Moly and Pig and Apple in Grand Central

Holy Moly is fairly new to Grand Central. It’s located on the upper part of Grand Central where the shops and eateries are situated, right where this section connects to the rest of the Birmingham Bullring. What it offers is a variety of mac and cheese dishes as well as other meals such as burgers and chicken, all perfect for tempting your taste buds. 

This would certainly make a nice change to your regular restaurants and takeaways, especially amongst the hustle and bustle of all the City Centre footfall as the stomach starts to rumble. What you could do is go around town, visit a number of places, nip into some shops along the way and end up here for a lunch or a snack. It might just turn out to be one of your favourite places to visit.

Another new one that’s perhaps a little out of the ordinary, but pretty hard to resist when it appears in your peripheral vision as you happen to walk past, is Pig and Apple. Great for a quick snack, especially when you’re a little tired of going to McDonalds, Greggs or Subway etc, this place provides hog roast style food. Ideal for meat lovers, and brilliant for hungry lunch-time tums.

Ghetto Golf at the Custard Factory

Somewhere that combines a cocktail bar with a form of crazy golf, this entry on the blog is most certainly unique. Ghetto Golf is situated within the Custard Factory- a quirky place in Digbeth boasting shops, a cinema and a café. Ghetto Golf is eye-catching and fun, boasting adventurous, bold designs around its urban golf course. It’s an adults-only place that’s worth keeping in mind for when your evening is ending or just beginning and you want to something fun and different to do for a laugh with friends.

Trips Out On the Train

Sometimes the city surroundings can become a little too familiar and you feel like you need a change of scenery. And sometimes you want to find something that is interesting and stimulating on a different level. With that in mind, students in Birmingham should take note of how well-placed the city they’re living in is. Its central position relative to the rest of The UK means other parts of the country are fairly easy to reach. Plus, with the train services that run to and from Birmingham on a regular basis, planning and executing a day-trip to somewhere that is well worth a visit such as Stratford, can be hassle-free and pretty kind on your bank balance, too.

Live Music in Birmingham

If you really want to get out and experience something in the evening, seeing a concert is a great way to do it. Birmingham has a rich history when it comes to music, and when you take along a few of your mates with you, a great gig can become a shared night that you will always remember. While some of the venues in Birmingham cater to larger acts with a ticket price to match, other venues like the O2 Institute host a collection of slightly lesser-known names for a much more affordable price. Visit their website today and have a look at who you could see in the near future for an evening of awesome live music.

Both Sides of the Stage

Another option for something to do that is also easy on your debit card is a visit to The Crescent Theatre. The Crescent Theatre is a non-professional theatre handily positioned just off Broad Street. They put on a range of first-rate productions, and tickets are available for a very reasonable price. Plus, what’s great about the Crescent is, if you like what you see and want to get involved, there are numerous ways for you to join and participate directly.

Birmingham Student Accommodation with Unihousing

Whatever you are looking for in your Birmingham student accommodation, Selly Oak-based lettings agents Unihousing are sure to satisfy your demands. Unihousing offers a selection of Birmingham student studios and houses which are superbly situated and furnished with everything needed for the modern-day student lifestyle. 

Affordably priced, Unihousing’s Selly Oak studios and houses are conveniently located within a short distance of transport links making it easy to get to Birmingham City Centre as well as other towns and cities. Also, the location of these properties means that getting to shops and supermarkets as well as Selly Oak restaurants and nightlife is easy too.

Why not get in touch with Unihousing today to find out what we can do for you!

Student Accommodation in Selly Oak

It goes without saying that there are certain things that need to be put in place before you start the new year at university. One of these things is accommodation. And with Birmingham-based Unihousing, it might just be that their student studios are just the thing for you as you embark on this next phase of your academic journey.

A Studio For You...

Studios are, in many ways, the ideal accommodation choice for students. Studios allow for a very stripped-down, uncomplicated way of living. In a studio, your toilet and bathroom area will be placed in a separate room, whilst pretty much everything else you need and would want to get access to is laid out around you. So, if you're the kind of student who enjoys partying and going-out until the early hours, a student studio would be great for you, as it is tailored towards those who tend to just breeze-in and breeze-out of wherever they're based from day-to-day.

Unihousing are registered lettings agents situated in Selly Oak who offer high-standard student accommodation in Birmingham at prices that are affordable for a range of budgets. Their student housing is perfect for studenty-living, and their studios are no exception. Complete with kitchenette/kitchen-areas enabling you to prepare all those non- takeaway meals at the end of the day, these studios are also equipped with all the essential kind of furnishings that you will need along with a generous amount of space. Furthermore, these studios are double-glazed, central heated and usually have a rent price that includes internet and utility bills. Another thing that makes renting with Unihousing such an appealing prospect is that they boast their own team of qualified tradesmen-so any issues that you might find with your accommodation can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Where Are These Student Studios Located?

Selly Oak is generally the area where you will find Unihousing's student accommodation- which includes their student studios. Selly Oak is a busy Birmingham town that has a great deal to offer both in terms of both practicality and leisure. For practicality, it features a number of shops as well as hairdressers/barbers, chemists, takeaways and supermarkets. For leisure, Selly Oak is packed with a mix of pubs, club and restaurants.

What's Nearby?

By being based in Selly Oak, these student studios make it really easy to get to other nearby places such as Kings Heath, Harborne and Moseley. Due to Selly Oak having its own train station and being well-served by public bus services, travelling in and out of this place is quite straightforward. Also, being a tenant in a Selly Oak student studio will mean that you are only about 15 minutes away from Birmingham City Centre, which is somewhere that should definitely visit, as it has loads to offer in terms of things to see and do. In addition, it is from trains stations such as New Street station and Moor Street station in Birmingham City Centre that you can reach other cities and places of interest.

One obvious advantage to all of these opportunities for getting out and doing things in Selly Oak and other parts of Birmingham is that gives you a break from all the studying, allowing you to have fun and enjoy yourself. It's also a brilliant chance to socialise and build-on friendships, which is especially important as it can sometimes be easy to get isolated at university.

The Local Nightlife!

If you want a good night out, a short journey from the front door of your accommodation is all that's needed to bring you to the vibrancy of Selly Oak. Take a stroll along the streets and you will come to The S'Oak. This is a Selly Oak pub with a strong reputation that is matched by the likes of The Goose and The Bristol Pear.

Instead of gulping down a few beverages at the best of Selly Oak's pubs, you might choose to get yourself a tasty plate of food. For top-tasting grub, Selly Oak is a good place to be. It includes the more mainstream yet well-priced and perfectly palatable Frankie and Bennies as well as the more upmarket Bohemia. There's also Paprika Grill UK on Raddlebarn Barn, a simply mouth-watering restaurant serving a truly inviting selection of Middle Eastern-inspired cuisines such as a variety of chicken skewers, hummus and Dolma. Go slightly further afield and you can sample the sensational flavours of Stirchley's numerous balti houses; a cost-effective way to enjoy a lovely Birmingham speciality.

As well as this, it is in Selly Oak that you will also find Circo and The Indie Lounge. It is here in these clubs that you can really find the sounds and the energy to make your night out a memorable one. At Circo, you can enjoy drinks from as little as £1 on Mondays between the hours of 6pm and 1am- this night is called Pounded Monday. Fridays, on the other hand, are known here as Fab Friday and they offer free entry before 10.30pm! Circo has been carefully constructed to bring together a lounge area with a bar section and the main area. Occupying more space outside, Circo additionally features a heated garden with a gazebo plus an outside bar and barbecue.

The Indie Lounge is eager to emphasise the very-welcome fact that it charges its customers prices that are perfectly suitable for student budgets. Primarily an independent cocktail bar, the Indie Lounge is also the place to see and hear some great DJs and top live music performed by a multitude of different acts.

Birmingham City Centre

Being a tenant in a Selly Oak student studio places you within a convenient distance from the City Centre, somewhere that opens-up yet more possibilities of things to see and do, so it's not likely that you would get bored here. The ways that Birmingham City Centre can keep you entertained stretch from the cultural and artistic, such as its various galleries and music venues to its more commercial offerings in the form of the Bullring and the quirky The Oasis. Sample from its plethora of restaurants, make your way to the diverse street food event Digbeth Dining Club held every Friday from 5pm or come back after dark and try-out one of the many clubs that light-up the city nights here.

Over to You, Then!

Finding student accommodation can be a chore but by choosing a student studio with Unihousing you will get the standard of housing you need along with the opportunity for the kind of lifestyle that will undoubtedly suit you. And by being in Selly Oak, you're in the right place to take the path to academic success whilst also making the most of countless opportunities for fun and enjoyment.

So Get in Touch With Unihousing Today to Find Out More!!

Getting to Know Birmingham Even Better

Arriving at the City Centre by train, you will be greeted by the impressive expanse of Grand Central. Browse the array of shops here that are placed around the ground floor level and above, or take the escalator up to where your nostrils will be promptly met by the rich aroma flowing from the collection of eateries. Suitable for most budgets and wonderfully diverse, this is an ideal option for a quick snack or a proper plateful.

Discovering more...

Wind your way out of the network of colours, smells and liveliness of Grand Central and the retail powerhouse that is the adjacent Bullring, and you will make it outside to the vibrancy of Birmingham City Centre, where getting the chance to soak up some art and culture will be all yours.

It may be a change of pace somewhat, but why not start with Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery located in Chamberlain Square? If you are new to the city, this will certainly be a fascinating experience; get down there before 9^th September and see Dippy On Tour, the 21.3 metres long Diplodocus skeleton cast, for free!

Or, at just a short distance away, you can catch a glimpse of the contemporary art world by going to the Ikon Gallery, just off Broad Street.

On to Digbeth

The City Centre leads you to Digbeth, opening doors to yet more to see and do, promising you a bigger dose of the artistic and the cultural. Work your way down and you'll acquaint yourself with Eastside projects, a gallery that presents to the public a variety of experimental works of art.


Once you're done there, journey over to the Custard Factory. The Custard Factory is the name given to a collection of imaginatively restored Victorian factories that are now the premises for a variety of businesses and a selection of cool shops. A cinema- the Mockingbird Cinema and Kitchen its called- showing all manner of fantastic films can be found there as well as Ghetto Golf. Ghetto Golf is a distinctive take on the crazy golf concept. It is actually a cocktail bar that amalgamates all the enjoyment this kind of venue would have with the frenzied energy of a radically designed 18-hole mini golf course. A striking and memorable feast for the eyes and a whole load of fun for you and your mates, this is something to earmark for a terrific night out.

There's another thing that should tempt you to come to Digbeth at some point. It's known as the Digbeth Dining Club. This special event takes place every Friday and Saturday from 5pm and gives the opportunity for hordes of hungry individuals to get their hands on a plethora of irresistible types of food served fresh at a gathering of stalls. Digbeth Dining Club gives you the chance to try a range of food from vendors you may be unfamiliar with. It really is a diverse mix, and if you get some friends together, you can make it into a shared experience that combines seriously tasty grub with entertainment and music.

Cannon Hill Park

Dominated by its grand expanse of well-kept green grass, a visit to Cannon Hill Park is a brilliant way to get a reviving breath of fresh air. Take a football and enjoy a kick-about with your mates or have a relaxing wander, Cannon Hill Park is another easily accessible spot to sample some of the nature that resides within the city of Birmingham. Something else that makes Cannon Hill park such an appealing place is that it is positioned right next door to the MAC, an arts centre where there is a whole heap of things going on at.

Music

In all honesty, getting to know what the real Birmingham is all about would not be complete without attending a few of the music venues situated within the city. At one end of the spectrum, you have the more pricey yet more spectacular venues like the Genting Arena and (NIA) which is where you can see some of the biggest acts playing to vast crowds of devoted fans.

When the student budget won't allow for this though, or for a taste of the more independent flavour of music in Birmingham, venues such as Hare & Hounds and the Kitchen Garden Cafe in Kings Heath or the Sunflower Lounge in the City Centre should give you what you're looking for.

Unihousing Student Accommodation

Birmingham is not without the kind of accommodation that meets a student's needs. One place to find this student accommodation is in Selly Oak with registered lettings agents Unihousing. Unihousing specialises in providing high-standard student accommodation in Birmingham that comes at an affordable price for your budget. Aside from their properties being equipped with the kind of furnishings that are ideally suited to modern-day student living, their Selly Oak student accommodation is also conveniently located, placing tenants within short distances from the nightlife and amenities of Selly Oak as well as the University of Birmingham Edgbaston campus and public transport links.

Get in touch with Unihousing to find out what they can do for you today!!