BIRMINGHAM

A classic ‘red-brick’ (meaning older) university, Birmingham is now ranked as the 66th best university in the world and offers a great urban setting without the cost of London. The campus is a couple of miles south of the city, a manageable distance from the urban hubbub.

There are huge numbers of societies and clubs and the student union is very active. All first years get accommodation and all halls of residence are within easy walking distance of one another.

The LBGT society has its own office in the Student Union (get them!) with two specifically designated LGB councillors. It also has a link in with the university counselling service. The Society is very active; it runs weekly coffee afternoons as well as ‘gay Thursdays’ with mingling events in ‘Joe’s’ and clubbing afterwards (not dubbing films presumably).

There are also film nights, debates and women’s evenings and events during LGBT history month are numerous. The campaigning element of the society is particularly strong, with a range of campaigns around faith, bisexual issues and blood donation.

Birmingham has a vibrant gay scene based around Hurst Street which boasts 12 gay bars and pubs (so enough for a good few bar crawls). The annual Pride event is one of the biggest in the UK.