What's on in Birmingham for Students

Birmingham is a multi-cultural hub of activities and events. After a long week of lectures and studying, it can be nice to go out and experience something new, or different. For those studying at the University of Birmingham, this is very easy to do, as every weekend promises something exciting.

Below, we recommend a number of events that will be happening around Birmingham, that might interest you as a student. But remember; it's important to have your student accommodation sorted before the next academic year. If you don't have anything sorted, make sure you head over to Unihousing and book a viewing as soon as possible, so you don't miss out on your choice of accommodation.

Keeping It Light

First-up, with tickets priced at £5 at The Dark Horse in Moseley, is Wax Elephant with Tony Law during February. Tony Law is the surreal comedian who has appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Russell Howard's Good News, Have I Got News For You, and more. He brings his unique comedy to Birmingham in what promises to be a laugh-filled night that won't stretch the your bank balance too much. At a venue easily accessible from Selly Oak and surrounding areas in Birmingham, this is a fun way to spend the evening out with friends, and should give you a great break from all the studying and hours in uni'.

Music To Your Ears

As music enthusiasts know, seeing a live band can be very costly indeed, especially if it's a big name act. So how about a tribute act for one of the all-time biggest names in music, and for a very low cost. If that's sounds appealing to you then you may be interested to hear that Hells Bells are performing live at Cotteridge Social Club, Birmingham during February. A highly regarded ACDC tribute band, Hells Bells will be riffing their way through some serious classic, and you can see the whole thing for as little as £8.

Birmingham Vegan Festival

For a palatable mix of food, beauty and clothing stalls, the Birmingham Vegan Festival could make for a stimulating visit. Held at Edgbaston Cricket Ground on 14^th April between the hours of 10am and 5pm, this should have something for everyone. And with all profits from the festival going towards the care and re-homing of rescued animals, it's all in aid of a very worthwhile cause, too.

Big Flavours

To really indulge your appetite, head over to the Bedight Dining Club, based in Lower Trinity Street, Digbeth. An event so good it has been recognised with a number of awards, the Digbeth Dining Club is sure to tantalise taste-buds with its inviting array of street food traders. Sink your teeth into pizza,waffles, kebabs and so much more, and soak-in the delights of the music and entertainment that accompany this mouth-watering event.

Getting Out in Selly Oak

There doesn't have to be an event to keep students entertained, as there is pretty much always something to see and do in Selly Oak, and elsewhere in Birmingham. For a relaxed evening out with your friends, one of Selly Oak's pubs should be ideal. Make your way to the Goose or the Bristol Pear and enjoy a bite to eat. Watch the latest sporting action on screen and get competitive over a game of pool.

Into the City

Selly Oak also has its own diverse collection of superb places to go and fill your stomach, but if you want a little change of scenery then maybe journey into Birmingham City Centre. Perfectly positioned, Selly Oak is only a short train ride, bus trip or taxi drive to the City Centre, so it's not really any effort to begin seeking out all the range of activities - both day and night - that the heart of this city has to offer. See the latest blockbusters or alternative screen gems, browse the shops in the Bullring and stalls in the markets during the day, and then loosen-up to the tunes at some of the various nightclubs which Birmingham is known so well for. It's safe to say that, regardless of what your interests are and what appeals to you most, both you and your friends are sure to find something in Birmingham City Centre to entertain you.

It's Your Year

Any academic year has its challenges and rewards, but hopefully as this guide has pointed out, being a student in Selly Oak and Birmingham in general can be a lot of fun as well. As you tick-off all the essential things on your weekly to-do list such as doing assignments and things related to your accommodation, you can also give some thought to those enjoyable activities that let you socialise and enrich your time as a student away from university. Ensure that the whole student experience isn't dominated solely by endless amounts of studying and explore these experiences in Birmingham. Make your time in the city as rewarding as possible.

Top 10 Tips for Improving your Student Experience

Your 2018 student year is another step towards your future. It should be a successful year, and it should be fun. You should get out of it as much as you can. However, you should give a thought to certain little things that could make living as a student better for yourself. So read this blog for some of the little tips that are all part of having a worthwhile student year.

Also, if you are wondering what student accommodation Birmingham boasts for those studying at the University of Birmingham, then Unihousing may be for you. Look into the impressive accommodation that Unihousing has on offer on their website today. For your academic year, Unihousing provides Birmingham student accommodation that is furnished and ideally located, all for a price that is absolutely perfect for a range of budgets.

1. Spending

Having to budget is surely an inevitable part of student living. It doesn't have to result in a poor standard of living though. Take a sensible approach. Think about your necessary outgoings, and balance these against the more fun and frivolous aspects of your lifestyle that need to be covered. There are often more ways to cut-back financially than you may realise. Plus, there are often various deals and discounts to be found if you look for them.

2. Doctors and Dentists

This is especially useful if you are living in student accommodation that is a good distance from your family home. Making sure that you are registered to a doctor and dentist is seriously important. Not only are regular dental check-ups a recommended part of healthy living, being able to see a professional for quick or urgent care is essential. So if you haven't done so already, make sure you register with a local doctor and dentist.

3. Socialising

Creating and maintaining friendships is always a good idea. It can be easy to become isolated at university, especially if you live on your own, so meeting-up with people when you can and socialising often is definitely recommended. To help with this, the University has a number of societies, so you can meet people who share your interests.

4. Going Out

This is when being a student can be most fun. Parties, night-outs and other activities may all be on the menu as you progress through this academic year. Doing what you find enjoyable is important. It's also a good idea though to do some research into what's on offer. For going-out or other activities, there can be various money-saving discounts to be found. However, there may also be times when you get bored of doing similar things on a weekly basis. This is when you may wish to look a little deeper into what's available for students and young people today.

5. Studying at Home

You're at university for a reason. While this is stating the obvious, it's a good idea to keep focused on the overall goal of being a student. So try not to fall behind on your studying. Concentrate and focus at lectures, and make them as worthwhile as you possibly can. And, when you're away from university, have a proactive attitude towards study; prepare your surrounding environment in a way that makes working as comfortable and non-distracting as possible. And find the approach that best suits you in terms of effective working, which could involve thorough planning, carefully scheduled breaks or gentle background music, or something else altogether. Whatever gets the best result.

6. Storing Important Documents & Records

A fairly simple one, really. All documents or records that are particularly important to living as a student, such as those pertaining to your accommodation or finance, should be gathered together securely in one easy-to-access place. This is just a sensible tip for organisation and convenience. You'll appreciate the effort you put into organising your documents and records when you next need to find a particularly important letter.

7. Sharing Jobs/Duties

Sharing a house can have its challenges. Ensuring that all of the household jobs are carried out, and are shared evenly between all the tenants is one of these. Just a simple discussion or even a chart to list who will do what and when can be an easy solution to this little obstacle. In a house of multiple occupancy, things can get messy very quickly without a proper cleaning schedule.

8. Maintaining Your Property

Any signs of wear and tear on your property should be reported to the relevant people. The sooner you report an issue, the sooner it can be resolved. Additionally, not reporting an issue as soon as it occurs could cause it to become worse. As you are renting, getting in touch when there are problems with your accommodation is also appreciated, as it allows the owner of the property to make necessary improvements to the property they own.

When it comes to maintenance and repairs, Unihousing boast their own team of qualified tradesmen to deal with any problems with your student home.

9. Keeping Fit

It's not difficult to fall into a routine and forget about exercise. Between attending lectures, studying and seeing friends, it's hard to find the time. Exercise doesn't have to be done to excess, and can take the form of just walking. It is always beneficial to your overall health, though. Try and squeeze-in some physical activity here and there and you should notice the difference. Whatever time you can make for doing some exercise, it is definitely wise to do so.

10. Healthy Eating

Another factor in keeping fit is healthy eating. Incorporating healthy ingredients and healthy meals into your diet is certainly what you should be aiming for. To do this, only simple adjustments may need to be made. A general increase of fruit and vegetables is an obvious improvement, but cooking healthy meals for yourself can be really simple, too. You may be surprised by how delicious they can be, as well.

How to make this year at Uni even better

As we are now into January of the new year, as a student you will surely be preparing yourself for a whole heap of university work that will be coming your way very soon. Hopefully you are enjoying your course and aren't dreading the thought of more studying and more lectures. The studying aspect of university though, is just one part of the overall experience, and there will be a number of other things to think about as you advance in your studies. To get the best out of this university year,  it's good to refect on the issues caused you problems last year and plan some steps to make this year even better.

Money
This can be a difficult matter for a lot of students, but with a little effort, money can become less of a problematic issue. The best way to start controlling your finances is to budgeting. It will help you manage with your finances in a sustainable way, meaning all the essentials, such as food, are covered by the money you do have. Creating a budget for yourself also means that once you have listed or set aside the cash for necessary expenditures, what remains can be used for for enjoyment, or savings if you are particularly frugal. There are other ways you can make the financial side of your student experience a little easier, such as limiting the amount of take-aways and lunches out that you consume, looking for sales or money-saving deals, and being careful how many times you go out every week.

Studying

Although studying is just one part of the university experience, there is no denying it's probably going to be the most important part your the university experience and hopefully provide an academic qualification; that will have value for many years to come. So it's a very good idea to do it right. One way you can tackle your studies effectively is to plan. Planning may not be for everyone, some people may prefer to just dive straight in to their work, but giving yourself some time to prepare what it is you're trying to get done can be very helpful indeed. Simply taking a moment to outline the key areas you're attempting to focus on can help identify the areas that needs the most attention. This allows you to use your time efficiently, leading to better overall results.

When writing assignments, planning can make a huge difference, by enable you to organise your writing. This ensures that you won't miss anything out, so you know that you will be meeting the criteria for the piece. It can help to structure your assignment effectively, so that it achieves its purpose. Also, planning is great for the research element of assignments. You can gather all the information you have discovered and begin setting it out in the desired way, making it easy to then insert into the overall body of the assignment.

Student Accommodation
Going into the new year, you may have already realised where you live now, is not where you want to live next year! It may be the area, the living arrangements, or even the place itself that makes you want to move out quick! If this is you, it's important to find somewhere else now, as most of the student accommodation for next year will already be taken. Feeling uncomfortable where you live can lead to you feeling less motivated and a weaker performance in your academic work as a consequence. And of course, it's not nice to feel unhappy where you live.

This is where Unihousing can offer assistance. Based in Selly Oak, Birmingham, Unihousing are registered lettings agents that specialise in providing high-standard student accommodation and a fine service for their tenants. The Unihousing studio is one that affords you a level of privacy that living in a house with other students simply does not. If you are someone who likes to have some peace and quiet at home, this should be a definite advantage to you. Studios and apartments are compact and self-contained too, which means that they enable you to enjoy a simpler way of living. And for some people, simple means less-stressful. Plus when you are living on your own, you won't need to discuss and make agreements with housemates regarding times of bathroom usage or household chores.

Aside from the quality of their accommodation and the furnishings that accompany each studio, Unihousing also: have their own property maintenance team to respond to any issues with your property; and include utility bills and internet within the price for each of their studios. In addition, the area of Selly Oak, where Unihousing is based, has great places to go for a night-out or a meal with friends, and offers excellent access to the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City Centre and other worthwhile places to visit.

The Year Ahead
This year is a great opprotunity for you, both inside and outside of Univeristy. While last year may have presented challenges that are oultined in this blog, these challenges are in many ways a natural part of the University experience. From accommodation to finances, these issues can be overcome, for a fantastic year of studying and succeeding.

Why we think Unihousing is the Best Landlord in Selly Oak

As a student, you may be fairly certain about what kind of accommodation is right for you. However, finding a place to settle in, that matches your desires, can sometimes be a challenge. At Unihousing, in Selly Oak, we have a wide variety of properties and it is very likely that you will find the student accommodation you are looking for.

 What Unihousing Student Accommodation Offers

There is a general list of things that you can expect from Unihousing's  student accommodation. All are great for making your time with us as a tenant as pleasant and problem-free as you could hope for.

We Provide

• Excellent Location: All of our Birmingham student accommodation is situated a short distance from the University of Birmingham. This should make getting into lectures on time that little bit easier. Selly Oak is also highly convenient for public transport and for accessing the city centre as well as other Birmingham suburbs.

• Full Furnishings: Our student accommodation boasts full furnishings, making setting up home easier and ensuring a better day-to-day living experience for yourself and your housemates.  Unihousing have equipped each accommodation with good quality furniture, including: sofas, beds, cupboards and desks as well as fridge/freezer and washer/dryer, oven and microwave.  Some properties feature extra luxuries, such as Jacuzzi baths, for an added touch of indulgence.
• Property Maintenance Team: Made-up of 16 engineers, our Property Maintenance Team are ready to respond to any issues our tenants may have with their accommodation. Emergency repairs and general housing problems will be seen to promptly and efficiently. So, you can be at ease, if you decide to opt for one of our studios or houses, knowing that if anything goes wrong we will rectify the problem.
• Full Gas Central Heating: Enabling you to keep your accommodation always at a comfortable temperature, the central heating will enable you to relax at home and dedicate your energy to your studies and to chilling out, rather than to keeping yourself warm. 
• Electric Showers: A key part of the package, having these in your digs will give you much-needed daily convenience.

• Utility Bills and Internet Included in Rent for Studios: This makes keeping track of your finances infinitely easier.
• All Communal Areas in Studios Cleaned Regularly by Staff: This ensures that these areas stay hygienic and more welcoming on a consistent basis, making your studio a more pleasant place to be. It also saves those arguments with fellow housemates about who's turn it is to clean up next, or who is most to blame for the mess. 

Life in a Studio

Unihousing student studios are a form of accommodation that Birmingham students are sure to appreciate. The studio enables you to lead a simplified, streamlined existence that is tailored-made for the typical uni lifestyle. Your studio offers you control, privacy and an independent lifestyle, where you can choose who to spend time with and when. Therefore, it's good to think about some of the aspects of studio living, and how to make the most out of your time there.

Cooking: Of course, there is always the option of having take-aways or even going out to restaurants to eat, especially living in Selly Oak. Doing that on regular basis though, is neither healthy or cost-effective. For those reasons, you should familiarise yourself with the cooking equipment in your studio. There are plenty of tips, guides and websites that will give you recipes and advice to make meals that are both healthy and affordable. You can make tasty meals that are simple to prepare as well. If you are able to build-up some culinary skills as a student, living independently will be a lot easier for you.


Cleaning: No, it's not an enjoyable job, but it's pretty essential. Cleaning doesn't have to be too complicated or demanding for it to be effective. And, as your accommodation is a studio, it should be fairly simple. Tidying, dusting and cleaning the bathroom are probably the main tasks to be completed. The more frequently you do them, the less thorough the cleaning will need to be.

Make It Your Own: One factor to think about when living in a studio is: how to make the place feel like it's your own. This may not seem important, but adding a few decorative items to your place or arranging things in a way that reflects your tastes, interests, or even just looks nice to you, can make a huge difference. It may only be a minor alteration, but making a studio your own can make you feel more settled, happy and relaxed, which is surely what you want.

A New Opportunity

For Birmingham students, Unihousing really can open the doors to a better academic experience all-round. Every person has their own unique requirements, desires and preferences. With Unihousing, your criteria will be met. Find the Selly Oak studio for you with Unihousing.

Living as a Tenant: Your Rights and Responsibilities

Tenancy agreement

As a student, it is more important than ever that you understand exactly what your rights are when you’re paying your rent to a landlord or letting agent. All landlords will charge a varied amount for the student accommodation that they offer and will provide you with a tenancy agreement before you move in, this should state the agreed rent and the rules that need to be followed by both parties, having a good knowledge of your tenancy agreement can only work in your favour. Your agreement will also tell you your allotted time at your accommodation, this time will be more than likely a year for a university student. Finally, your agreement will contain the rules that are set out, this can change depending on the landlord and the property. These rules can include any of the following; maintenance, allowance of pets and what a tenant can and cannot change (e.g. painting, wall mounts).

 

Rent Deposits

The majority of landlords and lettings agents ask that their tenants pay a deposit when they let a property to them. This deposit acts as security against non-payment of rent and damage. However, it is important to remember that that deposit should be returned. If the tenants failed to leave the property in a clean and respectable condition prior to vacating, the landlord will deduct as much as is required to fix or clean the property.

It is possible that a situation could occur in which a landlord feels justified in refusing to give the tenants deposit back, even if the property was left as it was found. A useful tip for new tenants at a property is to ensure you have photographic evidence of the state that the property was found in. That way, if it comes to it, you can prove that you left the property in the same state as it was found.

Additionally, a scheme was put into place in England and Wales in 2007 that is a huge benefit to tenants. This scheme offers protection to tenants’ deposits regarding assured shorthold tenants.

It is mandatory for the landlord to use a tenancy deposit protection scheme to safeguard the deposit that’s been paid when renting accommodation.

As a result, if the landlord has no need to make deductions due to any damage to the property that may have been caused, you should find the process by which you get your deposit back at the finish of your tenancy much less difficult.

Repairs

It is the legal responsibility of the landlord to adequately maintain your home, and, as a tenant, you have the right for your rented home to be kept in a state of repair that is reasonable. This includes the interior of the building, such as toilets, drains, sinks and gas appliances as well as external doors, windows, walls and roofs.

Repairs and Tenant Rights

You should contact your landlord if you notice that any repairs are required on your rented property. You should do this in writing and provide a deadline for completing these repairs. Due to your tenant rights, you have the option of taking the issue further as a way of forcing your landlord to complete the repairs if he or she unreasonably delays or refuses to complete the repairs.

There may be the possibility of you being able to take court action. Also, if the situation arises whereby the disrepair is creating a serious health and safety risk, you can contact the Environmental Health Department of your local council. It may be reasonable in some instances to make the arrangements yourself for the repairs to be carried out before claiming the costs later.

It is worth pointing out though, that prior to you talking action in response to the disrepair in your accommodation, you should read through your tenancy agreement. Given that putting in a request for repairs to be carried out can make it easier for landlords to end certain tenancy agreements, you could face the prospect of being without your home.

  

Responsibilities, Rights and Shorthold Tenancies

The rights and responsibilities of the tenant and landlord are listed in the contract that is agreed upon when you begin renting your property as a tenant. Your legal rights will be determined by the nature of the tenancy agreement, that exists between you and your landlord.

Tenancy agreements come in a range of various types. Most of these tenancy agreements state which specific type they are. In England and Wales, the majority of tenancies entered into on or subsequent to 28^th February, will be shorthold tenancies. This form of tenancy has these characteristics:

• The property must be the main home for at least one of the tenants.
• The tenants must be individuals.
• The tenants are free to use the property as their own (meaning that other people, including the landlord should not be using or treating the property as their own).

Enjoying Your Student Life

Student life has many facets. The main objective is the hard work and discipline of study, with a specific goal of achievement. Alongside that, there is the making of friends and building of relationships. Perhaps a little hidden, but just as important, is the care and development of yourself as a whole human being. In order to make the most of your time at university it's important to create a good balance of these three, with good patterns and habits. Remember that the knowledge, experiences and relationships that you gain at university will impact and shape the rest of your life.

Study

Lectures and seminars 

They may be early in the morning and you might not want to climb out of bed but your discipline (or lack of it) in attending your lectures will determine the grade you get and your future success in your working life. Four years down the line, when you’re in a stable job and on a good salary, you will be thankful you went. Not only this but, as I’m sure you’re well aware by now, you’re paying a considerable sum of money for this, so get down to your next lecture or seminar and get learning.

Assignments

These are definitely not anyone’s favourite thing, but they are worth doing well. Not only are they vital in helping you to achieve your desired grade but every moment you spend on them will further your overall learning. Aim to get your assignments in early, this will help you to retain the knowledge you gather. If you rush your assignments at the last minute, you are likely to forget most of what you learn.

Exams

Quite possibly the most stressful time for students will be the exam period. So much pressure and so many expectations and aspirations depending on this one or two pieces of work, done in such a short period of time. Again, make sure you prepare well in advance. Take your time. Don’t rush it all at the end. Make sure you know your stuff well before it comes to exam week, that way you’ll be confident instead of anxious. The most important thing to remember in this instance is to keep a level head, don’t overwork yourself, and don’t lose sleep over them. Do the best you can and you will be fine.

Social life

Clubs

One of the best ways of making friends and building friendships, as well as having a lot of fun, is to join a club or society. Birmingham university, like few others, has an extremely wide variety of different clubs and societies that you can be a part of. So whether you want to meet with people who are sporty, or creative, or intellectual, or gamers, or who share your faith, you are sure to find a group of people meeting who also enjoy sharing those things. This is a great place to let your hair down and relax. It's important to create space in your life for fun and enjoyment and for the things that you are passionate about. Get out there, enjoy yourself and meet new people.

Housemates 

The people you are most likely to connect with during your time at university are the people you live with. These are the people who will see you at your best and at your worst and whom you will rub shoulders with everyday. They will challenge you and encourage you and you will have to learn to live alongside them in harmony. This is not always easy. People have all sorts of different beliefs and expectations. Learning to accept and understand each other is one of the key things you will learn in your time at university. Make sure you spend time with those you live with and socialize with them, whether this is sat on the sofa or out partying. If you take the time to really get to know and get on with the people around you, they will be some of your closest friends for years to come.

Friends back home 

Your friends back home have a significant role to play too. They have seen where you’ve come from, they’ve grown up with you and they know your family and your ways. Although your new life will be very exciting and time consuming, don’t let overwhelm you so that you forget those old friendships. Invite your friends to stay, make time to visit them at home, or to visit them wherever they have gone. Be there for them and when you are in trouble, or missing home, they will be there to encourage you and to pick you up.

Mental well being

Plan your time

You can never be over-prepared for university. Be aware of all your deadline and completion dates. Don’t fall into the trap of leaving everything till the last minute, this can cause stress affecting your quality of work and your general life. Create a work plan that enables you to finish work well in advance and leave you stress-free.

Accommodation next year

Get your student accommodation sorted early. It’s never too early to secure accommodation for your next year at university. It is important that you feel comfortable and relaxed in your living environment. A mad dash at the end of the year could mean that you end up living the next year in a space that isn’t right for you. Get looking today, and find your ideal space in good time.

Physical activity

Exercise is a great way to not only keep yourself physically fit but maintain your mental well-being. Exercise has an ability to enhance a person’s self-esteem and confidence helping to fight mental issues such as anxiety and depression.

Finance

Be careful with your money, it can disappear very quickly.  Have you tried budgeting? This involves setting out spending targets in order to manage your overall spending over a week or a month. Students often overspend during their nights out and leave themselves short for food and other essential amenities. Also, never lend money to or borrow from your friends. Small debts can quickly build up and will often leave you or your friend in a worse situation, they can even destroy your friendship altogether. Being able to look after your money is one step to avoiding stress, which is something you’d rather do without during your time at university.  

Christmas

Saving money at Christmas

It’s now December and we couldn’t finish this blog without mentioning Christmas. This is an expensive time of the year for anyone, often costing students more than the average month. To combat the stress of spending all at once, we suggest that you get your presents early. This way you can spread the cost over a period of time and often find things at a discount price, saving you a bit of money. Another simple way to save money at Christmas is by organizing a ‘secret Santa’, this way you’re only buying one gift for one of your friends, instead of many, but it’s still a great deal of fun.

Enjoy time with your family

Finally, the most important part of Christmas is being with your family. Don’t forget who has supported you and encouraged you to get to where you are today. Enjoy the festive holiday with the people you consider to be your closest friends and family, and remind them of what they mean to you. 

Enjoying your student life

In conclusion, it's important to make the most of your student life. Studies are important because they will shape your future working life, and putting in the discipline to achieve good results requires discipline and hard work. However, building good friendships and looking after yourself, although often overlooked, are just as important. So get into good habits now with a balanced life style: hard work, a healthy body, mind and spirit and good relationships with others, and you'll be well on your way to full enjoyment of your student life. 

Choosing the Right Accommodation

The majority of students today will spend their first year in a community based student accommodation known as ‘student halls’. This type of shared living does not suit every student however and come the second-year, students will have the opportunity to branch out as a group or independently. The vital decisions that are made in this moment can shape the rest of your university experience, therefore, we are here to shed some light on the variety of student accommodation that is available in Birmingham and its surrounding area.

Independent Living

If you’ve spent your first year in student halls and have decided that they are not for you, maybe it’s time to consider an independent living environment. This is ideal for students who enjoy time to themselves. Student studios and apartments offer a perfect get away from the busy life as a student. Both studios and apartment have their pros and cons so it’s important to know what you’re looking for.

Price

Studios – the cost of a studio can vary greatly depending on the supplier, but the average for a studio in the Selly Oak area next to the University of Birmingham can be between £100 - £150 a week. This price is affordable to students, but by doing your research, there’s always a chance you can find a good quality studio for a lower price.

Apartments – the cost of a student apartment is very similar to the cost of a studio, so in this instance, there is not a great difference. Both are affordable for students in Birmingham.

Layout

Studios – a studio often consists of one large room that contains your bed, a kitchen and a lounge/study area. It is said that a studio is suited to a person who lives a busy life, as everything you need is in one space allowing you to easily move between tasks. While you may have enough space to have your friends around, some of your friends may have to perch on the end of your bed, which could be invasive to your privacy.

Apartments – the layout of an apartment can provide a great environment to relax and relieve stress after a long day at university. However, apartments differ from studios here due to their layout, an apartment has 2 or 3 rooms, one large main living room for relaxing and study, a second kitchen room and finally a bedroom. This can offer a more relaxed style of living, and means that you can have friends visit without impacting your privacy.

Size

The size of both a studio and an apartment are solely dependent on the size of the property and can vary. As should be expected, the price of a studio or apartment will increase with it’s size.

Storage

Studios – storage in all property types will not vary much, however you could argue due to a studio being one large room that it will not contain as much storage as you may need.

Apartments – an apartment can offer a more ideal storage solution. Having a number of rooms offers the opportunity to add multiple storage options of your own, without your accommodation looking like a storage facility.

Shared Accommodation

For those who have enjoyed their time in student halls, shared accommodation would be a great way to live during your time at university. Shared accommodation such as housing has its own advantages and disadvantages for student life, but with communication between everyone, most of the disadvantages can be worked through.  

Price

The price for a shared house in Birmingham averages around £60 – £90 a week per person. This price gets you your own room, with shared bathrooms, a lounge and kitchen. This is often a lot more affordable for students than an independent living solution, however you are sharing the space with other people.

Floor Plan

In shared accommodation, the layout tends to vary a lot more. A student house can hold anywhere from 2 bedrooms to 12 and above. Alongside this, there will be a number of bathrooms, usually 1 to every two/three rooms. On the bottom floor you will have a large kitchen complete with appliances such as a washing machine, cooker and fridge/freezer. You will often find that the layout of the student house will differ street to street. The best way to find a property that suits you is to book several viewings.

Size

Houses tend to have a lot of variety in the size of its rooms. You are likely to get a larger kitchen and lounging area than those found in independent accommodation, but this is to be shared between everyone at the property. Most properties have bedrooms with a double bed and storage, alongside a small desk or study area. The bedroom in shared accommodation is your private space away from your housemates, so make sure you find a house with a bedroom that suits you.

Storage

The amount of storage you have available in a property will often depend on the size of the property that you are looking at. However, almost all properties will give you a wardrobe for your clothes and a desk with drawers in your room, with some properties giving you additional drawers or shelving space. There will likely be room to add a further small storage unit if you require it. The true test of storage in shared accommodation comes in the kitchen, as everyone will be trying to find room for their pots and pans. It may be worthwhile for everyone to agree on sharing utensils, or to buy a shared pack of cooking utensils for the entire house to use. 

What’s Right for You?

This isn’t something that we can tell you. Where you decide to live in your second and third year at university is up to you and your preferences. Each form of student accommodation has advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered. It is important that you pick your accommodation based on what suits you and your requirements. Living in a space that doesn’t agree with you can lead to you not enjoying your university experience, or causing issues with your studying.

Unihousing offers all types of student accommodation in Selly Oak and other surrounding areas of Birmingham. Both student studios and shared housing are on the market for the new academic year in 2018. We could have your ideal student accommodation, head to our site and book a viewing so you can find your ideal student accommodation.