Best accommodation? The Vale vs Selly Oak

I recently got an unconditional to the Uni of Birmingham and I'm more than likely going to firm it so I was looking into the sort of accommodation there is (might be a bit early to start looking but oh well)

I'm not too fussed whether there is an en suite or not but I guess it is preferable. I also would like to be somewhere that's sociable but not too wild as I like to do my own thing every now and then.

At the moment I like the look of the Selly Oak accommodation (Jarratt and Bournbrook) because they're close to campus but I worry they won't be as sociable as the halls like Tennis Courts and Maple Bank on The Vale.

Also does anyone know what it's like in the private accommodation Victoria Halls?

I'd love to know your thoughts on the accommodation available!

Hi there!

I'm currently a first year student so I'll give you some advice.

I live on the Vale this year and I'm really glad that I've been placed in an accommodation over here as I really enjoy the community atmosphere and that the majority of first year undergrads are all around me.

I know a few people in Jarratt and as far as I know, they're happy with their halls but they don't get as many opportunities to socialise with the rest of undergrads staying on the Vale as they're further away - of course, they're able to do this during lectures and with their course mates etc. but as much as I see, the majority of them make better friends within their own accommodation.

I'm on the Vale and I have friends from all over the place and I'll be sharing a house next year with people from a number of different accommodations so I've really been able to branch out. And a load of my friends live in different accommodations on the Vale and it's really handy to have them in walking distance.

Not sure on your price point, but you sound like Mason or Tennis Courts might be a good match for you if you're looking on the Vale! Would recommend Maple Bank if you're not able to stretch so far with your budget, but it's not the nicest of accommodations and it's the one people tend to grumble about the most, I'd say. Chamberlain is absolutely lovely if you can afford it, and you get to know people across all floors and even blocks A, B and C if you aren't in the tower.

Meal plan is really social too if you're looking at catered accommodation - gives you and your flat mates a good chance to get to know one another as you dine together over the first few weeks!

Anything else you want to know?

Thanks this was really helpful! Did you get placed into your first choice accommodation? I've heard that you are randomly placed into one so would I need to put down The Vale accommodation for all of my options to ensure I get there?

Thanks this was really helpful! Did you get placed into your first choice accommodation? I've heard that you are randomly placed into one so would I need to put down The Vale accommodation for all of my options to ensure I get there?