Heart & Soul

Study in West Midlands

Interested in studying in the west midlands region of the UK? Then read on…

Studying in the West Midlands will not disappoint. The West Midlands Region, at the heart of the UK, is home to no less than thirteen Universities creating possibly the richest and most varied higher education offer in the country. Warwick and Birmingham are maybe the best known names, but there is internationally renowned expertise located in all the West Midlands’ Universities. Just a few examples of world leading teaching and research might include automotive design at Coventry, medicine at Keele or jewellery at the University Of Central England (UCE).

Get Experience & passion IN THE WEST MIDLANDS
Whether your passion is polymers, politics, accountancy, art history, horology, biology or literally anything else you can name, you can live that passion to the full in the West Midlands Region. The strong regional identity of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurialism makes the West Midlands one of the most exciting and future focused places to study in the UK, whatever your discipline.

 It's Friendly & multicultural IN THE WEST MIDLANDS
West Midlanders are some of the friendliest and most down to earth people you can ever meet - and the most welcoming to newcomers. The population of the Region is one of the youngest and most ethnically diverse in the country, creating a culture as dynamic and vibrant as they come.

Rural beauty & urban energy IN THE WEST MIDLANDS
Outstanding rural beauty surrounds agricultural specialist Harper Adams University College in Shropshire, University College Worcester and the Universities of Keele and Staffordshire while nearby, vibrant urban energy is concentrated in regenerated Birmingham - home to no less than five Universities including Aston, Newman College, Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies, Birmingham University and UCE - and the smaller but up and coming city locations of Coventry and Wolverhampton Universities. 

Accessibility to and from THE WEST MIDLANDS
Great rail, road and air links mean that whether you’re based in the urban bustle or rural tranquillity, it isn’t difficult to take in a change of scenery: within the Region itself or throughout rest of the UK, or even across Europe and the world. Visiting friends and family or exploring new places couldn’t be easier from the best connections hub outside London.

It's Cheap & resourceful IN THE WEST MIDLANDS
Perhaps best of all, the West Midlands comes with all the facilities, opportunities and diversions you would expect from a world class Region, but with a great deal attached. The cost of living it all is a great deal less than you might think, which means more of your money can go on enjoying student life rather than the bare essentials of rent, travel costs and other day to day bills. A recent study found that Birmingham offered some of the cheapest rents in the UK alongside some of the best opportunities to earn extra cash through part time and holiday work.   

A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF THE WEST MIDLANDS

Here are just some of the ways you could be living and loving it all in the West Midlands Region – though you might want to spread all this activity over the course of a term or even a year so you can squeeze in some lectures along the way!

Monday: Day out in Stratford, birthplace of William Shakespeare. Punting on the Avon, drinks at the Black Swan (or Mucky Duck as the locals call it) and a play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. This Art Deco theatre has launched a galaxy of stars from Dame Judi Dench to Ralph Fiennes and is planning to stage the Complete Works of Shakespeare over 2006. Stratford is also close to the magnificent castles of Warwick and Kenilworth and Coventry’s two cathedrals.

Tuesday: Shopping in Birmingham, taking in the Bullring, the Mailbox and the regenerated Jewellery Quarter. Top off with a visit to the world renowned pre-Raphaelite collection at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, or, if contemporary art appeals, to the Ikon Gallery in Oozells Square. Start your evening at one of the city’s many theatres, or at the Birmingham Royal Ballet, or by living it up along Broad Street, home to cinemas, bars, clubs and restaurants catering to every taste.

Wednesday: Get sporty, by visiting one of the many top quality venues around the Region, which include the brand new Ricoh arena in Coventry. Football clubs Coventry City, Birmingham City, Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers attract big followings. Coventry is also home to one of the best ice-hockey teams in the country – Coventry Blaze - and the rink they use is open to the public. Worcester is home to rugby and racing, while Edgbaston Cricket Ground hosts international cricket. Tamworth Snow Dome offers the thrills of the Alps in the heart of the UK, while the NIA hosts a variety of international sporting events, including athletics and tennis.

Thursday: Hit Staffordshire for the excitement of Alton Towers! A whole day can be spent here on the world beating rides, but for another kind of buzz, the Peaks and Cops offer some of the best undiscovered walking in the entire country.

Friday: Explore the wild west of the Region, taking in the Malvern Hills of Worcestershire, the black and white villages of Herefordshire or the outstanding natural beauty of Shropshire. Adrenaline junkies can enjoy the white water of the Severn Bore, climbing, hiking and a host of other outdoor activities.

Saturday/Sunday: It’s the weekend and an opportunity to visit one of the many festivals hosted in the West Midlands Region. The V-Festival is held at Weston Park in Staffordshire, while the Big Chill is located at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire. Book lovers can take in the Hay-on-Wye festival on the Herefordshire border, while arts lovers of all kinds can attend massive free festival Arts Fest, held in the city centre of Birmingham. The Region is home to a host of large and small live music venues, comedy clubs and nightspots of every kind, so making the most of your weekend can be a different experience every time.