The Smart Student's Hack: Coventry Instead of Birmingham
Here's a secret that Coventry students don't talk about enough.
You're 20 minutes from Birmingham by train. You can access everything Birmingham offers. But you're paying Coventry prices.
Let me show you the numbers.
Coventry vs Birmingham: The Real Comparison
| Factor | Coventry | Birmingham | |--------|----------|------------| | Average rent | £157/week | £185/week | | Cheapest room | £84/week | £109/week | | Train to Brum | 20 mins | - | | Properties | 35 | 66 |
At first glance, £28/week difference doesn't seem huge. But over 51 weeks, that's £1,428. Over 3 years, you're saving £4,284.
And the cheapest options tell the real story: £84 in Coventry vs £109 in Birmingham. That's £1,275/year saved on the budget end.
My Top Picks for Coventry Uni
Budget Tier (Under £100/week)
1. Queens Park House - £85/week View Property →
Student Roost (2.4★). Look - 2.4 stars isn't great. But at £85/week, it's one of your cheapest options.
The play here: Book it, document EVERYTHING at move-in, and you'll be fine. The low rating is mostly about deposit disputes, which you can avoid by being thorough.
2. Raglan House - £86/week View Property →
Unite Students (2.7★). Just a pound more, slightly better rated.
My take: Between these two, I'd go Unite. Marginally better track record.
Mid-Range (£100-150/week)
3. Gosford Gate - £95/week View Property →
Host (4.0★ on Trustpilot). This is the standout.
Why? Host is the best-rated major provider. At £95/week, you're getting Host quality at budget prices. This is the one I'd book.
4. Singer Hall - £89/week View Property →
Mansion Student. Solid mid-range option.
Premium (Skip These Unless Money's No Object)
There are properties at £200-300/week in Coventry. I genuinely don't understand why anyone would book them.
At those prices, you could live in Birmingham city centre. The whole point of Coventry is value.
The Coventry Campus Advantage
Coventry University is in the city centre. Everything's walkable.
Within 10 minutes of campus:
- Train station (for Birmingham trips)
- Shopping centre
- Most student accommodation
- Restaurants, pubs, essentials
The University of Warwick situation:
Some people confuse Coventry Uni with Warwick. They're different:
- Coventry Uni = City centre, modern
- Warwick = Out of town, more traditional
If you're at Warwick, the accommodation situation is different (more on-campus housing). This guide is for Coventry Uni specifically.
What Students Actually Think
From Reddit:
"Coventry gets a bad rep from people who've never been here. It's fine. Normal city, cheap living, easy access to Birmingham."
"I spend more time in Brum than Coventry tbh. But my rent is way cheaper than my mates who live there."
"The city centre is still being rebuilt but it's way better than it was 5 years ago."
The consensus: It's not glamorous, but it works. And the savings are real.
My Honest Take
Coventry is a strategic choice.
You're not choosing it for the Instagram aesthetics. You're choosing it because:
- Rent is cheap (£84-100/week for good options)
- Birmingham is 20 minutes away
- The university is solid and improving
- You'll graduate with less debt
If you're the type who needs to say "I go to a London uni" at parties, Coventry isn't for you. But if you're the type who cares about actual financial outcomes? It makes sense.
Browse all Coventry properties →
December 2025 data