Birmingham Student Accommodation: 10 Best Roads & Areas for 2027/28

Looking for Birmingham student accommodation but not sure where to start? Whether you’re moving to university for the first time or searching for your next home with friends, choosing the right location is just as important as finding the right property.

Birmingham has plenty of student-friendly neighbourhoods, from the busy streets of Selly Oak to the independent cafés of Harborne and the nightlife of the city centre. Each area offers something different, depending on where you’re studying, your budget and the lifestyle you’re looking for.

For students attending the University of Birmingham, Selly Oak remains one of the most popular places to live, with a wide variety of shared houses, local amenities and convenient access to campus. However, there are also several other locations worth considering across the city.

At Oakmans Estate Agents, we help students find accommodation throughout Selly Oak and the surrounding areas. In this guide, we’re exploring 10 of the best roads and areas for Birmingham student accommodation to help you find the perfect place to live for the 2027/28 academic year.

The best roads for student accommodation in Selly Oak

Selly Oak has long been one of Birmingham’s most established student neighbourhoods, particularly for those attending the University of Birmingham. With supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, transport links and a large student community, it’s easy to see why so many students choose to live here.

The area offers a mixture of traditional terraced houses, modern student properties and larger shared homes for friendship groups. While many of the most popular streets are located within walking distance of campus, each has its own advantages.

1. Tiverton Road

Tiverton Road is one of the most recognisable student streets in Selly Oak, situated within the popular Bournbrook area. Its location makes it particularly appealing to University of Birmingham students who want to be close to campus while enjoying everything the local student community has to offer.

The road features a wide selection of traditional terraced houses, many of which have been adapted into shared student accommodation. With properties suitable for both smaller groups and larger friendship circles, Tiverton Road is an excellent place to begin your search.

Another advantage is the convenient access to Bristol Road, where you’ll find supermarkets, takeaway restaurants, cafés and everyday essentials. For students who want to live in the heart of Selly Oak’s student community, Tiverton Road is certainly worth considering.

2. Dawlish Road

Dawlish Road is another well-known student housing location in Selly Oak, offering convenient access to the University of Birmingham and the surrounding amenities. Like Tiverton Road, it sits within the established Bournbrook student area, making it popular with friendship groups looking for shared accommodation.

The street is home to a variety of student properties, including houses with multiple bedrooms and communal living spaces. Its position also means students can enjoy easy access to nearby shops, cafés and local transport connections.

For students who want the traditional university experience of sharing a house with friends, Dawlish Road offers a great combination of location, convenience and access to student life.

3. Heeley Road

If transport connections are a priority, Heeley Road is another location worth exploring. Situated close to Selly Oak railway station, the road offers convenient access to Birmingham city centre while remaining within reach of the University of Birmingham.

This can be particularly useful for students who work part-time, frequently travel home or enjoy spending time in the city centre. The surrounding area also provides access to supermarkets, restaurants and other everyday amenities.

Heeley Road features a variety of shared student houses, including larger properties suitable for established friendship groups. At Oakmans, we’ve previously advertised six-bedroom student accommodation on Heeley Road, demonstrating the types of homes available in this part of Selly Oak.

4. Exeter Road

Exeter Road is another popular location for students wanting to live close to the University of Birmingham. Positioned within the Bournbrook area, the street offers access to the busy student community while remaining conveniently located for lectures and campus facilities.

The road is particularly appealing to friendship groups looking for shared student houses, with a selection of traditional properties offering multiple bedrooms and communal living spaces.

Living on Exeter Road also puts students close to the cafés, restaurants and supermarkets along Bristol Road, helping make everyday student life more convenient. For those who want to walk to university and enjoy the social atmosphere of Selly Oak, Exeter Road is a great location to consider.

5. Raddlebarn Road

Raddlebarn Road offers a slightly different option for students searching for accommodation in Selly Oak. As one of the longer residential roads in the area, it features a mixture of traditional houses, apartments and larger shared properties, making it suitable for different group sizes.

Parts of Raddlebarn Road are conveniently located for Selly Oak railway station and the shops around Bristol Road, while other sections offer a more residential atmosphere.

Because the road stretches across a considerable distance, it’s worth checking exactly where a property is located before arranging a viewing. Some homes may be particularly convenient for university access, while others could be better suited to students who prefer living slightly further away from the busiest student streets.

6. North Road

North Road is another established residential street worth exploring when looking for Birmingham student accommodation. Located within Selly Oak, it offers access to local amenities and transport connections while remaining within reach of the University of Birmingham.

The area features a variety of traditional homes, including properties suitable for smaller groups of students. At Oakmans, we’ve advertised four-bedroom student accommodation on North Road, offering an example of the shared houses available locally.

For students who want to live with a few close friends rather than a larger group, North Road provides another option to explore when comparing properties across Selly Oak.

7. Bournbrook Road

Bournbrook Road is another familiar name in Selly Oak’s student housing market. Running through the wider Bournbrook neighbourhood, it offers access to both the University of Birmingham and the shops and amenities around Bristol Road.

The road features a mixture of student houses and traditional residential properties, with accommodation available for different group sizes. Its position also makes it convenient for students who want to enjoy the social side of university life without travelling far from home.

The University of Birmingham’s Selly Oak Village guide highlights the area’s shops, cafés, restaurants and easy access to campus, all of which contribute to its popularity among students.

For those looking to immerse themselves in the established Selly Oak student community, Bournbrook Road is well worth considering.

Other great areas for Birmingham student accommodation

Although Selly Oak is particularly popular with University of Birmingham students, it’s not the only part of the city offering great accommodation options. Depending on your university, preferred lifestyle and travel requirements, other areas may be just as suitable.

8. Harborne

Harborne is a popular alternative for students who want to live close to the University of Birmingham while enjoying a slightly different neighbourhood atmosphere.

Known for its lively high street, independent cafés, restaurants and shops, Harborne offers plenty to explore outside university hours. The area has a mixture of established residential streets and student properties, making it particularly appealing to students who enjoy having local amenities within easy reach.

Harborne Park Road is one location worth exploring, with student accommodation available within reach of the University of Birmingham. Oakmans has previously advertised larger shared student homes along this road, including five-bedroom properties with multiple bathrooms.

For students who enjoy university life but prefer to live outside the busiest streets of central Selly Oak, Harborne could offer a good balance.

9. Edgbaston

Edgbaston is another excellent area to consider, particularly for students who prefer green spaces and a more residential setting. Known for its leafy streets, attractive surroundings and local amenities, it offers a different atmosphere from the busy student neighbourhoods around Bristol Road.

The area is home to the University of Birmingham’s main campus, with nearby attractions including the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Edgbaston Reservoir. Students can enjoy outdoor spaces while still having access to shops, restaurants and transport links.

Edgbaston can also be convenient for students attending certain Birmingham City University campuses, including its City South Campus on Westbourne Road. However, Edgbaston covers a large area, so the exact location of a property makes a difference to your daily journey.

For postgraduate students, healthcare students and those who prefer quieter surroundings, Edgbaston is another area worth exploring.

10. Birmingham City Centre

For students who enjoy shopping, restaurants, entertainment and nightlife, Birmingham city centre offers a completely different living experience.

Areas such as Eastside and Digbeth are particularly worth exploring, especially for those studying at Aston University or Birmingham City University’s City Centre Campus. Living centrally can make it easier to access university buildings, libraries and study facilities without travelling across the city.

Birmingham city centre is also home to the Bullring, a huge selection of restaurants, entertainment venues and major railway stations. Whether you’re meeting friends, heading to work or exploring the city, there’s always something happening nearby.

Unlike Selly Oak, where traditional shared student houses are common, city-centre accommodation often includes purpose-built student residences, studios and apartments. These can be particularly appealing to students who prefer modern accommodation and a more urban lifestyle.

How to choose the right area for your student home

With so many different locations to explore, finding the right Birmingham student accommodation ultimately comes down to your individual priorities.

If you’re attending the University of Birmingham and want to walk to lectures, Selly Oak and Bournbrook are excellent starting points. Streets such as Tiverton Road, Dawlish Road and Exeter Road are particularly worth exploring if you want to be surrounded by the local student community.

Harborne and Edgbaston may appeal more to students who prefer a varied residential neighbourhood, while the city centre can offer greater convenience for those attending Aston University or Birmingham City University’s central campus.

It’s also important to consider your budget, the size of your friendship group and the facilities available at each property. A house with extra bathrooms, a spacious communal living area or bills included could make a real difference to your experience, regardless of the location.

Before making a decision, we’d recommend exploring several properties and considering your everyday routine. Think about how you’ll get to lectures, where you’ll do your food shopping and whether the surrounding neighbourhood suits your lifestyle.

When should you start looking for student accommodation for 2027/28?

If you’re planning your accommodation for the 2027/28 academic year, now is a great time to begin exploring your options. Student properties in Selly Oak and the surrounding areas are already being advertised, giving you the opportunity to compare different locations, property sizes and facilities.

Starting your search early also gives you more time to agree on a budget with your friendship group, arrange viewings and find a property that works for everyone.

At Oakmans, we offer a wide selection of student properties, ranging from smaller shared houses to larger accommodation for groups of eight or more. Many of our listings also feature professional photography and 360° virtual tours, allowing you to explore suitable properties before arranging an in-person viewing.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional student house on Tiverton Road or a larger property close to Selly Oak railway station, our student lettings team can help you find something suitable.

Find your perfect Birmingham student accommodation with Oakmans

Choosing where to live is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make during university, and Birmingham offers plenty of great locations to explore.

From the established student streets of Selly Oak to the cafés of Harborne, the green spaces of Edgbaston and the nightlife of the city centre, there’s something to suit different lifestyles and budgets.

At Oakmans Estate Agents, we’re here to make finding your next student home easier. With a wide range of Birmingham student accommodation available for the 2027/28 academic year, our team can help you compare properties, explore different areas and arrange viewings.

Ready to find your next student house?

Browse our available student accommodation in Birmingham or contact Oakmans to speak to our student lettings team.