Why Birmingham

Why Birmingham With over 60,000 students living, working and playing in Birmingham, the vibrancy of the UK`s biggest regional city provides a welcome home from home. The high-lights of the city:

• Birmingham is, after London, the UK's largest city, but one with a big heart. In 1998 alone, it hosted the G7 summit for world leaders, The Lion's International Convention of over 60 thousand people, and the Eurovision Song Contest.
• Birmingham is now one of the most progressive, lively and dynamic cities in the United Kingdom. Whatever your tastes, whatever your interests, Birmingham has something to offer you.
• Birmingham lies at the heart of the motorway system, with well-developed bus and coach services, a metropolitan rail network which is attracting massive investment and the fastest expanding international airport in the country. Within 90 minutes it is possible to reach London by Intercity train and Manchester by road. With so much to do and so much to see, our City is the ideal place to live and study.
• From 'indie' to opera, from waterfront cafes to five star restaurants, whether you're looking for 'culture' or just good value entertainment, everything is on your doorstep in the 'Second City'.

Birmingham lies at the heart of the motorway system, with well-developed bus and coach services, a metropolitan rail network which is attracting massive investment and the fastest expanding international airport in the country. Within 90 minutes it is possible to reach London by Intercity train and Manchester by road. With so much to do and so much to see, our City is the deal place to live and study.

From 'indie' to opera, from waterfront cafes to five star restaurants, whether you're looking for 'culture' or just good value entertainment, everything is on your doorstep in the 'Second City'.

With its thriving Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, West Indian, Cypriot and Irish communities the City is rich in cultural diversity, with each community adding their own character, fashion, music and religious heritages. Another advantage, of course, is the range of adventurous and exotic foods to suit all tastes. You will find hundreds of restaurants offering cuisines from around the world, including Birmingham's legendary Balti dishes, a firm favourite with students.

If you are a sports fan or enthusiast, the City can offer unparalleled facilities. The National Indoor Arena is now the United Kingdom's number one indoor sports venue. Whether you're a soccer, cricket, ice-hockey or basketball fan, Birmingham boasts some of the top teams in the Country. For the more energetic, the City has outstanding facilities for those who want to play or participate in any sport. Just a few miles down the road, you can even enjoy the Country's first indoor ski dome with real snow!.

Birmingham is home to several major recording bands and is a 'must' for all live acts and headline bands, with the National Exhibition Centre and National Indoor Arena now ranking among the country's top venues for live music. The pub and club scene is equally vibrant, offering the broadest range of venues and music. The City is also the home to the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the world famous Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

The countryside around Birmingham is easily accessible and full of interesting places to visit, from historic towns, such as Warwick, Gloucester and Stratford-upon-Avon, to one of Europe's largest theme parks - Alton Towers. The picture book Cotswolds, beautiful Welsh Borders and fascinating Black Country are similarly accessible for day visits. Birmingham's central location is a tremendous advantage for travelling, as north or south, by road or rail, it is easy to reach anywhere in the United Kingdom.

Want to know more? Visit the Birmingham Visitor and Convention Bureau's site, to find out what Birmingham is currently offering.

The Advantage

Normally, students studying abroad are supposed to return home as soon as their studies are accomplished. Today, however, things have changed.

Recently the UK has realized the acute shortage of qualified and competent people in certain domains (skills shortage) and has been allowing overseas students to remain and seek employment in the country after studies, which is envisaged to give the economy a boost and competitive edge.

Western Countries like the UK have come to the realization that rather than spending large amounts of money to try to recruit and attract the people they want, they would do much better by just letting their overseas fee-paying students remain after their studies. After all, they are oriented and acclimatized to the country, have recognized qualifications from the country, have a strong and stable financial base (otherwise they could not have afforded their studies) and want to live in that country.

Social Life

Students have many opportunities to visit historic and other places of public interest and participate in many social activities throughout the year to develop personal, academic and educational skills. Your social life in Birmingham is likely to centre in the heart of the City, where you will find everything you need to relax, wind down and party.

Sports & Leisure

There are many modern exercise and sports centres in the city centre. A modern sport centre is not more than few minutes walk from the College. Birmingham holds many sports competitions including Table Tennis, Badminton, Volley Ball and Football (indoor) etc.

Eating Out

Birmingham's range of restaurants cover the globe and reflects the cosmopolitan mix of the city's population. Whatever your taste a choice of cuisines is on offer, from Latin American and Mongolian to the finest French and world renowned Balti. from cheap & cheerful, to Egon Ronay commended venues, you'll find a eaterie to suit your tastes.

Nightlife

Check out the vibrancy of Broad Street, The Waters Edge, Brindleyplace, Canal-Side at The Mailbox or Star City. Also visit Hurst Street, the Arcadian Centre, Chinese and Irish Quarters to discover a city that never sleeps.

Religion and Faith

The UK is a country where there is freedom to practice one's faith, and you will be able to do so whilst a student at Birmingham. The UK is a multi-faith society, with a great richness of faith traditions.

The largest faith community is Christian, and there are good relationships between the major faith communities. The vibrant international community at the College offers great opportunities for meeting people of the same tradition and faith, and those from others - or none.

An important part of your culture may be your religion. The College supports all students regardless of their religious beliefs and holds information about local places of worship. There are Mosques, Temples, Gurudwaras, Synagogues, Churches and other places of worship in the city. There will be other students at the College who will be of the same faith as yourself many of whom you will be able to meet through study at the College.

Surrounding Tourist Places

Students are invited to join day trip to the following famous places and castles during the year.

Cadbury World
www.cadburyworld.co.uk

National Sea Life Centre
www.visitsealife.com/Birmingham

Coventry Cathedral
www.coventrycathedral.org

Drayton Manor Family Theme Park
www.draytonmanor.co.uk.

Dudley Zoological Gardens
www.dudleyzoo.org.uk

Hatton Country World
www.hattonworld.com

Royal Shakespeare Company
www.rsc.org.uk

Weston Park
www.weston-park.com

Coughton Court
www.coughtoncourt.co.uk

Heritage Motor Centre
www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

shakespeare Birthplace Trust, The
www.shakespeare.org.uk

Warwick Castle
corporate.events@warwick-castle.com