Coventry

COVENTRY UNIVERSITIES

Living at our stylish, comfortable student accommodation in Coventry means that you are in the perfect location to study at either Coventry University, CU Coventry, The National Mathematics and Science College, the University of Warwick or Coventry College.

Coventry University was founded in 1843 and has a tradition of being a modern, forward-thinking university that delivers high standards of teaching. There are a whopping 50,000 students spread across the three campuses (Coventry, Scarborough, and London), with a real emphasis on opportunities and learning. A network of industry connections ensures students can get stuck in with incredible work placement opportunities. The university was recognised as University of the Year for student experience in the The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019.

The studying facilities at Coventry University are fantastic. If you’re more of a night owl than fear not, The Lanchester Library is open every single day of the year, 24 hours a day, meaning you can study at whatever time you’d like. The library is fully kit out with access to over 350,000 print books, 160,000 e-books, 95,000 e-journals, 1,400 individual study spaces, 500 computer workstations and a laptop loan service. There are also different zones throughout the library, from silent zones through to group zones, to help maximise productivity and focus.

The Futureworks is the recruitment agency at the university, and helps students to find part-time and flexible job roles in the local area, and within the university itself. For long-term career advice the Employability Service offers personalised career support and access to national and international employers to meet, network with, and gain work placements with. The Students’ Union based at TheHub has a huge presence on every campus and is a vital part of everyday student life. There are over 200 societies and clubs to join, as well as a Summer Ball, Varsity Sports tournament, and various events to enjoy throughout the year, a perfect opportunity to make new friends!

From your comfy student accommodation at Apollo House, Calcott Ten, Millennium View or Ringway House you can reach the University of Warwick in under half an hour when using the public transport which is right outside the building, it’s as simple as that! The university itself is highly ranked within the UK league tables and has a reputation for delivering fantastic levels of academic excellence in all subject matters. Their approach helps students maximise employability post-graduation.

The SU is one of the biggest and best in any UK university and is the centre to fun activities and events all-year round. You’re absolutely spoilt for choice with over 300 societies and clubs to choose from, meaning you’ll be able to make friends no trouble! You can also watch theatre from student performers at the SU, as well as regular comedy shows if you fancy a laugh, touring live bands, not forgetting the bar and nightclub for nights out with your mates.

EATING OUT IN COVENTRY

We don’t doubt that you’ll be cooking up some mighty meals in your student accommodation with our modern kitchen facilities, but if you fancy a treat, it’s always best to know where to eat! Luckily for you, Coventry has an abundance of tasty food options, with loads of new, quirky independent venues opening up over the past few years.

The independent food scene is thriving here, so whether you fancy a quick bite on your way to lectures, a big breakfast to help you recover from your hangover, or something generally delicious at a low price, you’re spoilt for choice in Coventry. What’s great about where you’re living is the fact that nothing is ever too far away!

One particular student favourite is The Pod Café on Gosford Street, which is a vegan-friendly café that uses local ingredients to produce incredibly tasty meals. Each meal is £4 or £3.25 if you’re an active member of Food Union or Time Union, which is fantastic for students on a budget. We’d have to recommend the Pod Calzone which is stuffed with spinach, cheese sauce, and tomato, topped with basil & sunflower pesto dressing, accompanied with a tomato and peppery leaf salad, delicious! They also serve brunch from 10am if you want to nurse that hangover, why not try the Indian Spiced Brunch Pancake if you fancy a kick?

Got the taste for pizza? Look no further. Basement Browns is a casual, counter-serve restaurant with creative toppings in a nice relaxing, rustic setting. The pizzas are made fresh and you are given a buzzer to let you know when your pizza is ready to be devoured. We would recommend the BBQ pizza with plenty of toppings and a delicious fluffy base.

Another Coventry favourite is Noodle Bar, which is home to tasty Chinese food for a great price, whether you want to pop in for a quick lunch midst shopping, or come here with your friends for the evening, there’s loads of great food on offer, as well as massive portions which is always a bonus. The atmosphere here is buzzing, making it an ideal venue to socialise and have fun.

If you fancy something different, Tumeric Gold is a unique award winning Indian restaurant with a majestic tent-style seating area. We would recommend their Green Korma, which consists of chicken or lamb cooked with coriander, garlic and onions, all simmered in a coconut milk and roasted-cashew nuts. They also have a meal deal option on Thursdays and Sundays, and a takeaway service too if you’d rather stay in your pajamas in the comfort of your own peaceful student accommodation!

The Greyhound Inn is an idyllic, traditional early 1800’s canalside pub with a fabulous atmosphere and cosy interior. If you need a pick me up after a big night out on Saturday, they do delicious Sunday roasts and pies. Yakii Sushi is another favourite on the food scene, with east-Asian cuisine offered at student friendly prices, offering food from Japan, China, and Korea.

Other places worth mentioning in Coventry are Chi Bar and its massive portions of Chicken Katsu Curry for under £10, guaranteed to fill your belly. Falafel Corner is also worth a visit, where you can get some of the most delicious wraps and salads around.

COVENTRY NIGHTLIFE

The nightlife in Coventry is fantastic for students attending the University of Warwick or Coventry University, in both Student Union’s and the town itself. For most students living in Coventry there are plenty of places where you can pre-drink before heading on to a club or a student night. You can’t go wrong with Wetherspoons (there are three in the city centre!) for a cheap boozy night. The aptly named “Quids Inn” right at the heart of the Coventry Campus is open until 4am every day with a 2-4-1 happy hour from 5pm to 7:30pm except on Sundays. If you fancy a more chilled vibe, The Phoenix serves a huge range of cocktails, affordable wine and beer, and also has BT and Sky Sports, ideal for footie fans.

The biggest night out for Coventry students can be found at the Kasbah, which attracts plenty of students living in nearby Leamington Spa and Warwick. The Kasbah is a fab place to go for drinks and club nights, and is also a home to loads of great live music, including touring bands and DJs as well as local acts on their way up in the scene. Less than half a mile from Coventry University, and close to your comfy student accommodation in Coventry, is The Empire nightclub. This venue is very popular amongst students for a night out, and so close to home you can stumble home quickly after one too many bevvies!

JJ’s is another super popular student nightclub in Coventry, with free discounted entry before 11pm, perfect after some pres! Every Tuesday at JJ’s is BOOM!, a staple night for many Coventry University students. With a large host of themes, activities, free sweets and even free toast on exit if you’re feeling peckish, BOOM! Is the place to be.

Being so close to Birmingham via public transport also has its perks, with many students planning a pre-drinking session in Coventry before heading over to the bigger city of Birmingham for a big night out. Some students party until the early hours and head back home, or book apartments with a big group of friends and stay over in Birmingham, which is great if you fancy a change, and right on your doorstep!

SPORT IN COVENTRY

Coventry is a brilliant city to explore and get involved with sports, especially because it was voted the European City of Sport 2019! As a new student in the city you might be looking for activities to take part in and whether you want to go running to keep fit, play football or rugby as part of a team, go-karting with your new friends, or go swimming, or even rock-climbing. There’s loads of choice and lots of fun to be had.

You’re only a stones throw away from some amazing sports facilities at Coventry University whilst at your fabulous student accommodation, which is a bonus in itself! That means that when you’ve had a long day playing sports or hitting the gym, it only takes a few minutes to get back into your large comfy bed so you can recharge your batteries and chill. Coventry University Active is a programme that allows students to take part in a wide range of sports, and allowing you to try out sports you may not have had a go at before. It’s all done in a relaxed and fun environment, with no judgement on ability and skill levels, and there are drop-in sessions, lessons, leagues, and tournaments throughout the year.

Team Phoenix is a programme dedicated to supporting the sporting experience of the flagship university teams. It is a framework of training and support that helps individuals improve skills and become better equipped to compete at a higher level, whether in the BUCS league or with a view to becoming a professional athlete in the future. Clubs in the programme have access to strength and conditioning sessions, sports physio and rehabilitation services, welfare support, training camps, workshops, and the provision of a qualified, professional head coach.

Not forgetting the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, home to Coventry City Football Club! The team play in League One and it is easily reached via public transport on the edge of the city centre. Not only do you have access to Coventry City though, if you love football there are plenty of other big clubs in the region. Just a quick train ride away in Birmingham you can find Aston Villa, Birmingham City, and it’s even close enough to visit sides such as West Bromwich Albion, Northampton Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and even Leicester City, all within an hours travel.

You’re all settled in at your modern, flash student accommodation, so what’s next on the list? Shopping of course! You’re going to want to impress your new friends with your fabulous cooking skills in the shared kitchen area, so you need to make sure you have somewhere close by with all the tasty ingredients! Luckily for you there’s a Tesco Express on Shelton Square close by, as well as a Trinity Street Sainsbury’s. It’s important to note that Coventry is home to a range of authentic Asian supermarkets too, so you’ll definitely be able to rustle up some delicious meals to impress.

Don’t forget you’re going to need some nice new outfits if you want to head out on the town, for brand names and high street shops that you already have a feel for The West Orchards Shopping Centre is the place to go. The shopping centre also has a food court, so if you’re all shopped out and fancy a break, this is a lovely place to relax with a coffee. Amazingly, there’s also a city centre IKEA in Coventry! Ideal for you to kit out your student accommodation with stylish bits and bobs, making the place even cosier. Don’t forget to grab yourself some meatballs either, they’re far too tasty to miss.

Coventry isn’t shy of promoting its independent retail scene either, if you like collecting memorabilia, or consider yourself a vinyl fan, you’re covered! Forbidden Planet is the world’s largest and best-known science fiction and cult entertainment retailer, and the largest UK stockist of the latest comics. You’ve also got FarGo Village, where there is a wide range of creative independent retailers inside a cleverly refurbished industrial space. You’ll find plenty of tasty restaurants and cafés, artists, craft stores, designers, jewellers, antiques, and vintage clothes. The Big Comfy Bookshop is also worth a visit, where the local community gets together to discuss, plan, and create. You can even enjoy local handmade cakes from Coventry and Nuneaton bakers whilst sinking into your comfy chair and getting lost in a book.

In terms of clothing, you’re absolutely spoilt for choice in Coventry. Kong in Burges is a fine example of a fashionable menswear outlet. Chameleon Menswear in the West Orchards Shopping Centre is the home of many stylish clothing brands such as Ralph Lauren, Pretty Green, Lacoste, and Lyle and Scott. If you’re into your running, Coventry Runner is a cool independent shop for runners, there are shoes for running on and off the road, shoes with spikes for the track, and shoes designed for women and children too.

COVENTRY EVENTS

Although you’re not going to be short of entertainment from the comfort of your own spacious accommodation, with your gym, cinema room and games room, there’s also loads of entertainment available in Coventry! There is always something to see and do in this vibrant city, with a wide range of interesting and exciting festivals and informative museums.

The SU at Coventry University is home to many events throughout the year, including regular comedy shows with award-winning comedians, the Moving in Party to provide the best welcome possible for brand new students, regular quiz nights, movie nights, sports fairs, and of course the previously mentioned BOOM! student night at JJ’s every Tuesday.

If you fancy some theatre, The Belgrade is a 850-seat theatre that plays host to regular touring productions, whilst The Albany Theatre is an Art Deco building that is home to a theatre, studio space, and dance performances, comedy, and music events. There’s also some really interesting museums in Coventry, The Transport Museum and The Watch Museum both highlight aspects of Coventry’s industrial development.

Designed by architect Sir Basil Spence following the bombing of the city in 1940 it was opened in 1962, Coventry Cathedral is a great place to visit. Whether you want to take a stroll and soak up the amazing architecture, or sit close by with a coffee taking in the scenes, these stunning views won’t disappoint you!

There are plenty of festivals throughout the year too, including the Coventry Coffee Festival, which is home to a wide range of speciality coffees, cake, coffee machines, and speciality tea. The British Science Festival is spread throughout venues in Coventry and Warwickshire, and hosts experts and professionals from the industry offering free talks, debates, and live shows. The Boudica Festival is a fantastic celebration of woman in the music industry, including showcases and live performances from some fantastic woman and non-binary artists in music.

For a nice quiet picnic in the park with your mates, you could visit Coombe Abbey Park, which offers 500 acres of beautiful gardens, woodland, lakeside walks and bird watching. There are also picnic/BBQ areas if you fancy a burger, as well as plenty of activities and events throughout the year. This park is ideal if you want a quiet break from studying and want to unwind.

If you’re more of a sporty person and fancy a break from the gym at your accommodation, you could visit the Coventry Sport and Recreation Centre where there are lots of classes to choose from for all different levels and abilities.

You could even try The Ballroom Climbing wall if your strength is up to it! Coventry is also a famous hub of music during the 2-Tone era, with famous bands such as The Specials coming from the city, perfect to boogie to!

For those with a good aim, Delta Force Paintball in Coventry is perhaps the best-recognised name in the sport of paintball today. With over half a million paintball players through their doors last year alone, you’d be guaranteed some great fun with your friends, just be careful you don’t give them any bruises!