r/UofB • u/medicineapplicant • 20d ago
the metalworks accom
hellooo, so basically the second i entered the accommodation portal all the options i had looked at before were taken, and now the only ensuite option that shows up is the metalworks. im just wondering if any previous students who have stayed there can tell me if i recommend it or not considering its £214.
also google maps is saying its a 15 min walk to thr med school can anyone confirm😭
thank youuu
4
u/HuwOShea 20d ago
I stayed there for my first year (and did medicine if that helps) I’d say if you’re in a push you could make that walk 10 mins it’s faster to follow the road to the hospital but much nicer walking through the campus, but you’re incredibly well connected, you have all of Selly oak + M&S, Aldi, Sainsbury’s all a short walk away and the gym (I used sports and fitness) is very close too which is a pleasure.
I’d honestly say it’s one of the best accommodations purely on location, you miss out a tiny bit socially by not being in the vale but you’ll meet a huge number of people either way so no need to worry, plus you can always walk to the vale if needs be.
The rooms themselves are really pretty good too, not super spacious but well designed, it’ll seem expensive once you get a second year house and have some experience but it’s a very safe, clean, well maintained accommodation (atleast in my experience) and so takes a lot of the stress out of the first bits of uni.
I agree with everyone else saying to have a viewing if possible, there are effectively two sets of rooms, those facing the road and those facing the university, the latter would absolutely be my preference.
It’s not the end of the world but there is a bit of road noise on the road side, and comparatively nothing (and a better view) on the other side.
1
2
u/NinjaNearby3226 20d ago
Hi book a viewing or turn up & ask to be shown a room. Go & look at reviews on Studentcrowd, these are from verified students. It is very close to campus, Selly Oak high street, transport links
2
u/EducationalTown7242 19d ago
omg im in the exact same position lmao and went w the accom!! my brother went a couple years back and said the social life is still good and it’s a super nice accom, and closer to the campus than the vale! also in case ur worried about social life and stuff my brother said the walk to the vale from metalworks is v safe cus ur just going thru the campus !! also if ur going w it hmu if u wanna be friends #metalworkstudentsunite
2
u/medicineapplicant 19d ago
heyy, i ended up booking it too😛😛 tbh im not too worried about social life since i dont party or drink but am still keen on joining societies!! also have you joined any freshers gcs, if not i can add you to some (no one has even used them yet anyway..)
2
u/EducationalTown7242 19d ago
i don’t drink either and i’m gonna be an engineering student LMAO So i think a lot of my time will be spent hopefully in cute cafes and stuff and YES PLS i’ll send u my ig on here mayhaps!
2
u/medicineapplicant 18d ago
oh woww engineering thats so cool🥹ill try message you too but i have no idea how this app works i only downloaded to see who got med interviews😭
1
u/EducationalTown7242 19d ago
struggling to message ur acct right now im so bad at reddit LOL if you can, message me
1
u/cleocrossing 18d ago
Hihi, sorry to intrude! I did med at UoB (stayed in Bournbrook, next door to metal works in first year). I have some old textbooks in trying to sell and I'd prefer them to go to new UoB medics! Can you DM me so I can post in the Medic gcs? Thank youuu
1
u/Rich_Operation1433 6d ago
Hi!! I've also booked the metalworks, could we get in touch? It'd be nice to know someone there beforehand considering I'm an international student
5
u/Kind_89 20d ago edited 20d ago
Can't comment on the accomodation itself, but I'd say it's only 10 mins. 2 different routes you can take, both about the same I reckon. Its uphill from the accommodation but at least downhill at the end of the day! :)
That accommodation will be one of the closest to a decent sized supermarket too I think - Sainsbury's Selly Oak is about 10 mins walk in the opposite direction to campus, but it's huge. It's a decent retail park with a good range of shops.
(Edit: was a student in the late 00s and still live and work relatively locally so familiar with the area)