1.4 mi
from University of Birmingham - Edgbaston campus
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- 19 mins
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https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/accommodation/residences/undergraduate/aitken.aspx
Most helpful review
I loved aitken in my first year. I actually didn't know about it until later on but it has a very homely feel due to the two floors per flat. The shared kitchen space is a good size for the 6 of us and the bench adds to the social aspect. It is a little further from the uni campus however that means it is closer to the city centre so on a night out you can walk instead of getting a taxi. I would reccomend aitken and the vale reception and very quick at getting back to you about maintenance requests.
Value for money
Location
Property management
Cleaning
Social spaces
Social experience
Internet / Wifi
University of Birmingham Hall Rankings
| Belgrave View | #16 |
| Athena Studios | #17 |
| Canvas The Old Fire Station | #18 |
| Mary Sturge | #19 |
| Aitken | #20 |
| The Recording Rooms | #21 |
| Pritchatts House | #22 |
| Oak Brook Park | #23 |
| Shackleton | #24 |
| 800 Bristol Road | #25 |
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Most helpful review
I loved aitken in my first year. I actually didn't know about it until later on but it has a very homely feel due to the two floors per flat. The shared kitchen space is a good size for the 6 of us and the bench adds to the social aspect. It is a little further from the uni campus however that means it is closer to the city centre so on a night out you can walk instead of getting a taxi. I would reccomend aitken and the vale reception and very quick at getting back to you about maintenance requests.
Value for money
Location
Property management
Cleaning
Social spaces
Social experience
Internet / Wifi
Aitken Information
| Telephone | +44 (0)121 512 2158 |
| Postcode | B15 3SZ |
| Top tip | Aitken is a small and comfortable collection of blocks of flats that offer residents comfortable student living. Visit the website to find out more! |
Room Types
Amenities
This property offers a shared bathroom, self-catered, kitchens & social areas. Discover more!
Popular
- Common Room
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Access
Features
- Common Room
- Communal Kitchen
Internet Access
- WiFi
Special Policies
- No Smoking
Travel Times
Aitken has easy access to The Vale & is a short walk away from the Hub at Shackleton – the centre of village life, student bar, social spaces, Vale Infusion restaurant & local shops.
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston campus19 mins4 mins14 mins1.4 mi
Aitken Biography
Located at the top of The Vale Village – University of Birmingham’s largest and most social student village – Aitken is well placed to help you get the most from student life. Nestled in leafy surroundings, you can benefit from being a short walk away from the Hub at Shackleton. This is the heart of village life, where you’ll find a student bar, study and social spaces, plus a restaurant and grocery store.
Home to 147 students, Aitken is the ideal place for you if you'd prefer to live with a smaller group of people. Here you'll find twenty-three flats, all with spacious and modern bedrooms. For your convenience, each bedroom comes equipped with its own vanity area, bed, study area, and storage. You'll share a bathroom and kitchen with your flatmates.
Although each flat is self-catered, you can upgrade to the University’s catered package, Student Living Plus, at any point during the academic year. Each week you’ll have credit to spend at over 20 food and drink outlets on campus, including the award-winning Vale Infusion, which is just moments away from Aitken.
Visit the website to find out more.
All the Answers You Need About Student Accommodation
What tenancy length do I need?
Some students choose to stay during the academic year, whilst others – particularly international students – require a tenancy that covers the entire year. You can also find student accommodation that is available for one or two terms, classified as a “short stay” on our search filters.
Should I stay in catered student accommodation?
This is totally up to you! Catered accommodation means you will be served meals at set times in a dining hall, and you’ll likely have access to fewer kitchen facilities than if you were to stay in self-catered accommodation.
What is a guarantor and do I need one?
A guarantor is a person who signs a contract to agree to pay your rent if you are unable to. Most university accommodation requires a guarantor, and this applies to both domestic and international students.
Will I need to pay a deposit on student accommodation?
Most likely, yes, you’ll need to pay a deposit. This will be refunded at the end of your stay as long as there is no damage to the room or property.
What bills will my rent include?
If you are staying in university-run accommodation or private halls, your rent should include any utilities such as electricity, gas, water, and internet. Students are not required to pay council tax, however you may need to fill in an exemption form so make sure you check with your local council.
What is purpose-built student accommodation?
Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) are residential buildings designed for students. They are often located close to campus, boast modern facilities, include all bills, and often have staff on site to assist residents.
Will my student accommodation be furnished?
Student accommodation is typically fully furnished. Your room should include at least a bed, clothes storage, desk and chair. You’ll likely need to bring things such as bedding and kitchen utensils, but we have a full list here of everything you’ll need.
Read Aitken Reviews
I loved aitken in my first year. I actually didn't know about it until later on but it has a very homely feel due to the two floors per flat. The shared kitchen space is a good size for the 6 of us and the bench adds to the social aspect. It is a little further from the uni campus however that means it is closer to the city centre so on a night out you can walk instead of getting a taxi. I would reccomend aitken and the vale reception and very quick at getting back to you about maintenance requests.
I loved Aitken - definitely the hidden gem of the Vale! Newly refurbished bedrooms and bathrooms with a 2 story townhouse feel! The rooms have so much storage, and come with a sink in your room which gives you that extra home comfort if you don't vibe with your flatmates! Very little noise and was a perfect first year accommodation - especially for the price!
Aitken is the hidden gem of the vale. From someone who’s stayed here for nearly the whole academic year it is great! The rooms are spacious, with a small double bed and sink which are super convenient. The desk has lots of space and the unserved storage means there is loads of space to store things. Each flat has 6 residents with an upstairs and downstairs bathroom. These are quite good from my experience and having a downstairs bedroom means you only share it with one other person anyway so it’s basically an en suite but bigger. It can get a little damp and dingy if you are in some of the bottom floor flats (experience from block B), so I would advise an upstairs flat if you visit and work out which one you like. In my experience Block B is great for social so make the most of chatting to people as there is no common space in Aitken. Overall, Aitken is fab and so are the people in it, you are also one of the closest to Broad street where all the nightlife is!
Aitken has been redone and is now really nice. You have a sink in your bedroom so sharing a bathroom isn't that bad. It is really easy to know your block so social for introverts and extroverts. Its set-up makes it really easy to form strong groups. Its near the uni and the hub so overall most underrated and best value for money accom there is.
Aitken is great, big rooms, big kitchens, sinks in your room, stairs! Probably the UOB accommodation with the most unique selling points and was just refurbished. The storage is great too! Whilst it is on the far side of the vale, you don't have to pass the other accommodations if you go up the hill, like you would at Chamberlain/Elgar/Maple Bank. Plus a great view of the lake! Whilst I get on with my flatmates, aren't close them but can't fault Aitken for that. It's fairly quiet and chill if that's what you're after.
I wanted to love Aitken but I really didn’t. It’s bland, whitewashed walls and dampish smell wasn’t very welcoming at all when I arrived. My friends even likened it to a hospital ward. Also, it’s the furthest away from campus and up a massive hill so the location isn’t great. My social experience wasn’t great either as I didn’t really get on that well with my flatmates. A major problem I found with aitken is that the walls are paper thin so you can hear everything. I was next to the kitchen and literally could hear every word of every conversation that was had in there. So overall, even though it’s good value for money, I wish I’d never picked aitken as after looking in every other accommodation (even maple bank) I can assure you they were far more homely than aitken.
Recommend aitken so much! So social and being on meal plan is so much easier and helps you socialise. It's so much better value for money than most other accomdation! Sink in the room is so convient and in most flats 2 bathrooms for 6 people so never any issues waiting. Also you need to be on the vale! Enjoyed aitken so much!!!
Nice people, decent sized rooms. Absolutely poor management, take ages to fix things. Bought a TV license and my tv with me and they have aerial sockets but can't be bothered to fix them. Meal plan is convenient but all frozen, processed crap and won't last you the full week
Really really quiet, big rooms but you have to clean yourself :)
Being a rare and mythical creature that is a (former) resident of Aitken, I can tell you that it is the greatest pleasure when bleary eyed and confused in the smoking area of Snobs to meet a fellow Aitkener. You relive the halcyon days of the treehouse lifestyle; when people wandered into each other's kitchens for a cup of tea, when you had to walk for ages to get pizzas on Aitken Wednesday and when the washbasin (we are very proud of our washbasins) fell off the wall because your drunk friend tried to take a dump in it. Aitken is cheap and cheerful, without being the sinkhole of despair that is Maple Bank. Yes Chamberlain does tower over us with their shiny kitchens and lines of Prosecco bottles, but due to our small and hidden location, we are doubly proud and fiercely loyal to our halls. Plus you get a roomy kitchen even though the halls are catered. A great place to make memories and friends, just don't expect maintenance to fix your broken light anytime soon.
Would pick it again every single damn time.
Good location at the top of the Vale yet quicker to get to than Maple or Shackleton, great views of the lake too! However the rooms are smelly and with only single glazed windows, everything outside can be heard so very noisy! Carpets need changing in most flats. Although they've all received new kitchens, which are nice, new bathrooms are most definitely needed! Not worth the price paid, when compared to halls of the same price, e.g. Jarratt Hall. Also, meal plan is not worth the money!!
Wouldn't want to live anywhere else, so many hall socials and because it's so small everyone becomes a great group of friends!
Great vibe without too many people so you get to know all the people in halls. If you want a night out you can find someone, let alone having great socials organized by the Residents Association. Plus we get some of the biggest rooms of all halls, as well as kitchens bigger than the self catered halls
It's so friendly and welcoming and there is a real sense of community and friendship. I feel like I've got an Aitken family!
Aitken is the smallest halls at UoB which is what makes it one of the best! You know everyone who lives there. It's on the beautiful Vale and you even get Meal plan, which is ideal. It's genuinely the best value for money of all the halls.
Amazing feel to the whole place! Friendly! Social! But also quiet enough to study and do work. I've stayed in my flat alone and with no one else in the block on my own and i've felr perfectly safe! Near morrison's for essentials, because you're on meal plan, which provides plenty of food and options but for things like milk and fruit its located nicely! Lovely views across the lake, and only 15-20 minutes walk from campus!