If you’re scanning for the absolute cheapest option first, Cadnam Hall in Harborne starts at £119/week with bills included, which makes it the most budget-friendly PBSA on this list. Edge Apartments and The Emporium sit in the mid-range around £198-244/week, while Canvas The Heights offers flexible pricing between £140-200 depending on room type and lease length.
Finding budget-friendly student accommodation in Birmingham is about finding an affordable home that suits your lifestyle and allows you to enjoy the city without overspending.
Current Student Accommodation Scene in Birmingham
Birmingham’s student accommodation market is diverse, offering a broad range of housing types tailored to different budgets and lifestyle preferences. Understanding these options helps students match their housing needs with their financial situation, ensuring affordable yet comfortable living in Birmingham’s competitive rental market.
- Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) dominates the market, featuring modern facilities such as en-suite rooms, communal social spaces, gyms, and study areas, typically with all bills included. These PBSA options tend to be pricier but promise convenience, security, and a strong community atmosphere.
- Shared houses remain a popular choice for those looking to save money and enjoy a more traditional student living experience, often with the freedom to choose housemates.
- University-managed halls provide budget-friendly options, usually located close to campus, though they can vary in terms of facilities and comfort.
- Studios and private apartments offer maximum independence but come with higher costs.
Key Student Housing Areas in Birmingham
| Area | Description | Key Benefits |
| Selly Oak | Widely regarded as the heart of the student community in Birmingham, accommodating thousands of students. Affordable rent and a lively social scene. Close to University of Birmingham’s main campus and well-connected by public transport. | Large student community, vibrant social life, close to university |
| Harborne | Leafy and quieter suburb with a mix of house shares and private rentals. Slightly higher rent but more tranquil, suitable for students preferring a peaceful study environment. | Quiet residential feel, relatively close to city centre |
| Digbeth | Known for its vibrant, artistic atmosphere. Offers a blend of converted warehouses and modern flats, affordable relative to the city centre. Close to nightlife and unique amenities, with good transport links. | Creative vibe, affordable, good public transport |
| City Centre | Central Birmingham with modern student accommodation mainly for Birmingham City University students. Higher rents but immediate access to shops, entertainment, and transport. | Proximity to university, city amenities, excellent transport |
Budget-Friendly Student Accommodations In Birmingham
1. Canvas The Heights, Birmingham
Located centrally at 30 Staniforth Street, Canvas The Heights, Birmingham is popular for its variety of en-suite rooms and studios, flexible lease terms, and excellent amenities such as a gym, laundry, and social spaces. It’s a stone’s throw from major universities and the city’s shops and transport.
Room Types & Pricing
- En-suite Bronze: £149-£155/week for 51-week stays (move-in Sep 2026), £120 deposit, private bathroom in 4-6 bed flats sharing kitchen/lounge.
- En-suite Silver Plus Upper Level: £157-£167/week (total £2,839-£8,007 for academic year), bills included, 13 sqm rooms with desk, wardrobe, storage.
- Studio Silver Mid Level: From £149/week for shorter 27/45-week terms (e.g., Jan/Sep 2026 move-ins), self-contained with kitchenette.
- All options include WiFi, water, electricity, gas; flexible contracts like semester one/two, 44/51 weeks.
Amenities & Facilities
- On-site gym (free), laundry room (paid), courtyard/garden, lounge with TV/Sky/pool table, study areas, communal kitchen access.
- Security: 24/7 CCTV, electronic key fob, on-site overnight/weekend staff, reception Mon-Fri 8am-7pm.
- Apartment perks: Fridge, microwave, electric stove, fully furnished, utility bills covered, WiFi throughout.
Location & Accessibility
- Address: 30 Staniforth St, B4 7DR, city centre; 5-min walk to Aston University, 6-10 min to BCU/BPP.
- Near Bullring shopping, Digbeth, train station, Tesco Express, pharmacies, Newtown Shopping Centre.
- Excellent transport: Buses/trams to campuses, city shops, nightlife.
Best For Freshers
- Ideal for no-visa/no-pay flexibility, 24/7 support, social events, bike storage, disabled access.
- Positive for modern city living, community vibe, proximity balancing studies and urban perks.
2. Edge Apartments, Selly Oak
Edge Apartments sits at 520 Bristol Road right in the middle of the Selly Oak student quarter, and the University of Birmingham’s Edgbaston campus is genuinely walkable in about 5-10 minutes depending on which building you need to get to. Hello Student manages this one and they’ve positioned it as the affordable option compared to their newer Brook Studios across the road.
The building has studios plus 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments so you can go solo or split costs with friends. There’s a Sainsbury’s Local literally downstairs in the same building which is more convenient than it sounds when you’re running low on milk at 10pm and don’t want to trek anywhere.
Room Types & Pricing
| Room Type | Weekly Rent | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Bathroom (2-person cluster) | From £244 | Small double bed, 51-week contract |
| Shared Bathroom (3-person cluster) | From £254 | Shared kitchen/living space |
| Studio | Higher tier | Private bathroom and kitchenette |
All bills included meaning utilities, WiFi, and contents insurance are covered in the rent price.
What You Get
- Cinema room, gym, games room, and study spaces
- Reading rooms for when you need quiet
- Laundry facilities, bike storage, car parking on-site
- CCTV throughout and management team available
- Can access amenities at Brook Studios across the street too
Transport-wise you’re looking at a 9-minute walk to Selly Oak train station and bus stops on Bristol Road connect you to city centre in about 20 minutes. Aston University and Birmingham City University are reachable by bus in 20-25 minutes.
3. The Emporium, City Centre
The Emporium is in a historic building at 6 Fox Street that has been turned into student housing. If you’re studying at BCU or Aston, the location is hard to beat because Birmingham City University’s city center campus is right across the street and Aston is less than five minutes away on foot. Birmingham Metropolitan College is also very close.
This one is also run by Hello Student. They maintained the outside looking like it did at the turn of the century, but they made the inside more modern. All rooms have a ¾ bed and an en-suite shower room. This is true for all accommodation types, not just the premium ones.
Pricing Structure
Studios and en-suite rooms start from £198/week with all bills bundled in. No booking fees and no deposit required which removes that upfront cash barrier that catches a lot of students off guard with other providers.
Room Types Available
- Studios in various sizes for solo living
- 1-bedroom apartments
- 2 and 3-bedroom apartments for groups
Facilities
- On-site gym for working out between lectures
- Cinema room and TV room for downtime
- Shared spaces designed for residents to actually use
- All utilities plus WiFi plus contents insurance included
- Rent payable in three instalments timed around student loan payment dates
The Eastside City Park is right on the edge of the property and the city centre location means shops, restaurants, and nightlife are all within walking distance rather than requiring a bus journey.
4. Cadnam Hall, Harborne (Afforable and Best)
Cadnam Hall is the budget pick on this list with en-suite rooms starting from £119/week going up to around £196/week for deluxe options. Premier Student Halls manages this property and it’s located at 65 Cadnam Close in Harborne, which is a quieter residential area compared to the busier Selly Oak student quarter.
The University of Birmingham is about a 10-minute bike ride or 20-minute walk, and Newman University is reachable by an 18-minute bus journey. The peaceful location suits students who prefer studying without the constant social noise that comes with living in the main student areas.
Room Options & Pricing
| Room Type | Weekly Rent | Room Size | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| En-suite Classic (4-6 bed flat) | From £119 | Standard | Shared kitchen/lounge |
| En-suite Deluxe | From £196 | 17.5-22.3 sqm | Shared kitchen/lounge |
| Studio | Mid-range | Self-contained | Private kitchen |
Every room is a double with private en-suite bathroom. You share an open-plan lounge and kitchen area with flatmates which keeps costs down while still giving you privacy where it matters.
What’s Included in Rent
- Water, electricity, council tax all covered
- High-speed WiFi throughout building
- Large communal TV and outdoor garden space
- Laundry facilities on-site
- CCTV, fire alarms, security alarms
- Lockable cupboards in rooms
The X22 bus stop nearby gets you to city centre quickly, and the No.11 bus picks up right outside the property. That route happens to be the longest bus route in Europe and connects you to 69 leisure facilities, 40 pubs, and 19 retail centres across the city if you’re into that sort of exploration.
Deposit is £250 to secure your room with termly, monthly, or full payment options available.
5. Selly Oak Apartments
561A Bristol Road is home to Selly Oak Apartments, which is in the middle of what most people think of as student life in Birmingham. The University of Birmingham’s Edgbaston campus is also close by. Hello Student runs this one together with Edge Apartments and Brook Studios, which are all on Bristol Road and are all within two minutes of each other.
The concentration here is on shared flats with two to six bedrooms, as opposed to the studio-heavy approach of some other properties. Each room has a bed, a place to study, and storage space, and you share the kitchen and living room with your roommates.
Prices
The cost of a shared apartment varies depending on the size of the flat and the room, but it usually ranges from £150 to £180 each week. All bills are covered, such as utilities, WiFi, and possessions insurance.
Why It Works for Groups
If you already have a group of friends and prefer to live together instead of being given flatmates at random, the 2-6 bedroom options let you book as a group. You have more room than in other PBSA studios, and the communal living rooms allow you a place to hang out with other people without having to squeeze into a small room.
Amenities Access
Living at Selly Oak Apartments gives you access to facilities at Edge Apartments which is a 2-minute walk:
- Gym and cinema room
- Games room and study areas
- Bike storage and car parking
The Selly Oak Shopping Park is practically on the doorstep with Sainsbury’s, TK Maxx, and Aldi for budget grocery runs. Seoul Plaza nearby sells Korean food supplies if that’s your thing.
Quick Comparison Table
| Accommodation | Location | Price From | Bills | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canvas The Heights | City Centre | £140/week | Included | Aston/BCU students, flexible contracts |
| Edge Apartments | Selly Oak | £244/week | Included | UoB students wanting modern PBSA |
| The Emporium | City Centre | £198/week | Included | BCU/Aston, no deposit required |
| Cadnam Hall | Harborne | £119/week | Included | Budget-conscious, quieter location |
| Selly Oak Apartments | Selly Oak | £150/week | Included | Groups wanting shared living |
Tips for Securing Affordable Student Housing in Birmingham
- Begin your search as soon as you can. People grab deals quickly, especially at the start of the school year. You have the most possibilities and don’t have to pay a last-minute surcharge if you start looking for a place to live at least 3–6 months before you plan to move in.
- If you share a flat with other people, your rent and utility bills will be lower. But you need to be careful when you choose your flatmates. Before you move in, talk openly and clearly about your expectations regarding bills and duties around the house to make sure everyone is on the same page.
- There are a lot of tips and sublets out there that aren’t well known. Using local resources like university forums, notice boards, Facebook groups, and so on, and becoming involved with local housing and student groups are all solid, reliable possibilities.
- You should always look at the real estate photographs yourself. The common areas and rooms in each house are at varied levels of cleanliness and quality. If you can’t visit the neighbourhood you’re considering about, look it up and do virtual tours to avoid unpleasant shocks.
- Check with the landlord. See what utilities are included so you can better manage your monthly budget. Some places charge you for Internet, and others include amenities like water, gas, and electricity. Ask if you will have to pay your council tax.
- Always take the time to read the contract. Read the whole rental agreement to find out how long the lease is, how much the deposit is, how much notice you need to give, and what happens if you break the lease early. Knowing your rights and duties is crucial and will help you avoid problems in the future.
Look for accommodations with secure reflections, CCTV, and on-site managers. Peace of mind when living through your studies is essential.
Consider the location of the accommodation. Good transport links are important to make sure you are close to your campus.
Birmingham is full of conveniences for fresh students. You can find comfortable and affordable housing in communities such as Selly Oak and newer accommodations such as Canvas The Heights. Making good accommodation choices will give you a good university experience in one of the most diverse and exciting cities in the UK.
