Why Birmingham?

Birmingham Conservatoire is situated right at the heart of the city, a place buzzing with atmosphere and opportunity.

As a student, you’ll be part of one of the largest communities for training in the creative and cultural arts outside London. Birmingham has so much to offer you and is a fantastic place to study and have fun.

Indulge your musical tastes, whatever they may be

The city has a long, proud musical history means that all tastes are catered for. You might even find some new ones while you’re here. As well as our own exceptional Conservatoire, which includes the city’s only dedicated jazz venue, there are many world-class music venues. Birmingham boasts two magnificent concert halls, the Symphony Hall (home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO)) and Town Hall, which play host to our own orchestra. At the CBSO Centre, the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG) presents its ground-breaking concert series.

There’s also the Barclaycard and Genting arenas (for popular and big name acts), and the O2 Academy and O2 Institute for (rock and indie fans).

If all that’s not enough, you can feast your senses at a host of other events and venues, including the Midlands Arts Centre, Moseley Folk Festival, Legacy Centre of Excellence, and Flatpack Film Festival.

Study in a creative city with a world-class cultural offering on your doorstep

You are also spoilt for choice in the performing arts, with the Birmingham REP Theatre, Birmingham Hippodrome, New Alexandra Theatre, the Crescent Theatre, the Old Rep, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Royal Shakespeare Theatre (Stratford-upon-Avon) all accessible.

Just as importantly, art galleries, museums and theatres, and the iconic Library of Birmingham are all in the immediate vicinity. You’ll find Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG), the Gas Hall and Water Hall Galleries, the IKON Gallery, Number 9 Gallery, Barber Institute of Fine Art, the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) Gallery and our own University’s Parkside Gallery.

For a thriving nightlife, you are spoilt for choice, with world class restaurants alongside a host of bars and clubs.

The city is also a shoppers' paradise, with glossy, modern shopping centres, restored Victorian arcades and a range of markets offering everything from designer labels to second-hand bargains.

A young city that welcomes students

With so much going on, Birmingham city centre is a thriving cultural hub to rival any European city.

Indeed, it is often dubbed the ‘youngest city in Europe’, with 40 per cent of the population aged 25 or under, making for a lively, energetic atmosphere. Birmingham was also the 9th most cost-effective city for students in the UKRBS Student Living Index 2016.

Road and public transport systems make Birmingham easily accessible, nationally and internationally. This is reflected in the city’s famously multicultural life, and also at the Conservatoire itself.