Looking for the right study spot in busy Birmingham can sometimes feel harder than the assignment itself! Here are the best study spots on and off campus.
Looking for the right study spot in busy Birmingham can sometimes feel harder than the assignment itself! Here are the best study spots on and off campus, from study spaces to cafes to help increase your productivity and get revision and assignments done.
My favourite study spots on campus
The Harding Law building: This is a large study space, you can book study rooms, or work on one of the University PCs. The upstairs of the study space is an open, light filled space, with seats positioned by large windows overlooking gorgeous views of the campus whilst you study. The upstairs desks have individual touch lamps on each desk!
The School of Engineering building: The School of Engineering Building is another building I love to go with my friends to study on campus. The space feels very modern and open, with plenty of seats and plugs for group study sessions. The atmosphere is more social than the library, but there are also booths and quieter corners if you need to focus.
The Link: Located in Gisbert Kapp, the Link is a hidden gem for group projects, especially for practising presentations! It’s a large study area with sofas, booths and workstations if you don’t want to be distracted, as well as the café right downstairs if you are in need for a snack break!
My favourite study spots off campus:
Winterbourne House & Garden: Winterbourne House and Garden is a 10-minute walk from campus, with free entry for University of Birmingham students when you show your student ID upon entry. Studying in the Terrace Tea Room whilst overlooking greenery and the gorgeous views of the gardens and having a slice of cake from the café provides all the motivation you need to finish your assignments! For students with Student Living Plus, you can use your credit here for drinks and food!
The Exchange: The Exchange is a stunning building in the city with rooms, which frequently hosts exhibitions and artwork if you want a brief escape from studying, just a 10-minute walk from Birmingham New Street. Like Winterbourne, students with Student Living Plus can also use their credit here for food and drinks in the café! The café is also a lovely place for studying in a chill and relaxed environment, which is also opposite the Library of Birmingham, another great study spot in the city.
J&H coffee café: My favourite café located in China Town, a ten-minute walk from Birmingham New Street station is my favourite place for a matcha and sweet treat fix whilst I do my assignments. The interiors are calming and relaxed, with the upstairs having plugs, a mini library and aesthetically pleasing ambience. My recommendations are the iced matcha lattes and the Danish pastries!
Written by a Guild of Students Residence Life Assistant