Undertaking a degree is a big investment in your future, and you’ll want to be sure that you’re choosing the right place to study. To help your decision, we've shared our top 10 reasons why Birmingham is a great place to study Computing and Digital Technology.
1. 'Workshop of the world'
Birmingham has garnered a reputation as the 'workshop of the world' for its development of technologies like steam engines and motor vehicles. Now Birmingham is set to become a hub for future digital technologies with UK Research & Innovation investing £1 billion into the West Midlands area since 2016, to assist technological developmental stages. (West Midlands Combined Authority, 'First Local Industrial Strategy to Drive Growth Across the West Midlands.')
2. UK's second largest tech sector
Birmingham has the largest tech sector outside London with roughly 3000 tech businesses generating over £2 billion for the local economy. (Business Birmingham, 'Tech & Digital')
3. West Midlands 5G
The West Midlands is the UK's first large-scale 5G testbed with an accelerator programme being implemented to help roll-out.
4. Kainos A.I. Camp
Kainos, a large software company, hosts free two-week A.I. Camps in Birmingham, with some even running on our campus in Millennium Point. These camps are not only a chance to test your skills outside of lectures but to also meet Kainos' team, with at least a quarter of their hires being recruited from local universities like BCU.
5. Youngest city in Europe
Birmingham is the youngest city in Europe with under 25's accounting for nearly 40 per cent of its population so there will be plenty of opportunity to meet people your age.
6. Hub for gaming
The gaming scene in Birmingham is thriving with local gaming studios like VooFoo Studios, Inspired Gaming Group and Codemasters, who are one of the biggest UK developers.
7. HackTheMidlands
HackTheMidlands is an annual 24-hour hackathon hosted in Birmingham in Millennium Point. The event is a chance for people to come together to test their skills, share ideas and create new technological projects.
8. Birmingham Tech Week
Each year, Birmingham Tech Week deliver events across the city to celebrate its tech industry and encourage collaboration to occur.
9. Entrepreneurs believe in tech
With 61 per cent of Midlands entrepreneurs stating technology is a key business driver for them (Birmingham Mail), there are plenty of opportunities for Computing and Digital Technology students to seek out these professionals and provide them with tech support for their budding businesses.
10. STEAMhouse
Our brand new £70 million pound building, STEAMhouse, will become the new home for its School of Computing and Digital Technology from the start of the 2022 academic year. Based at our expanding City Centre Campus, this unique centre will give you access to outstanding facilities and equipment, as well as opportunities to collaborate with people and businesses across multiple sectors and work on real industry-based projects.
Find out more
To be part of the School of Computing and Digital Technology visit our courses page to find the right degree for you.
