Thinking of studying in the UK but not sure where? Here’s our definitive guide on the best student cities in the UK.
The UK is a great place to study. It’s home to some of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world, which regularly rank highly on university league tables. The UK is also packed with history, culture, and a diverse mix of nationalities, which is why the locations of the universities also come in at high positions on student cities’ ranking tables.
If you need some help deciding which UK university city is for you, here are our top 10 to get you started.
*This is a collaborative post. Image Source.
*This is a collaborative post. London
One of the largest cities and possibly the most international city in the world, London simply has to take the top position based on sheer opportunity.
London offers a variety of world-class universities to choose from, such as Imperial College London, University College London (UCL), King’s College London, and The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). These universities can often be seen on world rankings tables and have gained international recognition for their range of courses, teaching, and employment opportunities.
There’s no shortage of job openings and networking opportunities in London, which makes it a hugely attractive prospect for graduates. In fact, London is the business hub of Europe, home to some of the leading global firms across fields, with several prestigious companies headquartered in the city. So kickstarting your dream career after uni ends, there’s no better place to be than London.
And aside from the academic and employment aspects, you’ll never be short of things to do when you have some downtime. The city is a cultural hub, attracting people from hundreds of cultures from around the world, with a plethora of languages spoken here, and plenty of people to meet.
London is a youthful city with a rich student population, with around 382,000 students enrolled in higher education institutions, making up a whopping 16% of the UK’s student population.
That youthful presence means that the city’s nightlife is unrivaled, and the transport system with its famous London Underground means that getting back to your modern student accommodation in London after a night out is safe and easy. The transport system, along with various airports, makes travelling further afield on spring break or getting back home for Christmas super easy too.
Being the capital of the UK, the cost of living is somewhat more elevated, but there are plenty of student discounts which you can take advantage of, and many places like the British Museum have free entry. Other cool plans are available for reasonable prices too – think selfies outside Buckingham Palace, catching a musical at the West End, or sampling international cuisine at Camden Market.
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne, up in the northeast of England, is second on our list of the best student cities in the UK. Newcastle is a friendly place full of down-to-earth locals and is where you can find some of northern England’s best universities, such as Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, and Keele University.
It’s not just the academic prestige on offer – here you really get the best of both worlds. Newcastle was named the best place to visit in the world by The Rough Guide 2018, and the city is renowned for its arts and culture, as well as its strong community vibes.
History students will love finding out about the city’s industrial heritage and visiting the castle and Tyne bridges, and there are lots of museums, art galleries, shopping venues, theatres, and street markets to explore.
There’s fantastic nightlife to be enjoyed here too, with a multitude of clubs and pubs serving up the famous brown ale favoured by the locals! And if you fancy exploring in the uni holidays, the border with Scotland is just a short train journey away!
Liverpool
Another city with an industrial heritage, and now one of the best student cities in the UK, is the internationally famous north-western port city of Liverpool.
Liverpool has a great sense of fun about it – think welcoming, friendly people with a great sense of humour, buzzing nightlife, a legendary music scene, and a much more affordable cost of living than some of the other cities on this list. Liverpool’s universities include the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, and Liverpool Hope University.
Aside from these well-recognised institutions, the city can boast that it was the 2008 UK Capital of Culture and has the second-highest number of national museums, art galleries, listed buildings, and parks in England, second only to London.
Some must-visit attractions in your downtime from lectures are the Beatles Story Museum, the Walker Art Gallery, and the Royal Albert Dock with its landmark Liver Birds. Travelling further afield from Liverpool is easy too, as the city has superb transportation links.
Nottingham
Next up on our list of the best student cities in the UK – the land of Robin Hood: Nottingham! ‘Queen of the Midlands’, Nottingham was ranked 50th in the QS Best Student Cities of 2023 and is home to the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Business School, and Nottingham Trent University.
Getting to and from uni is easy as the city is compact and walking around is easy. There is also an abundance of transport options, including eco-friendly trams and plenty of Ubers.
The city of Nottingham has something for everyone, as it perfectly blends fun, diversity, and modernity with a rich history. When you’re not enjoying the thriving nightlife at student nights in the clubs and bars, you can explore the historical gems of the city.
Pay a visit to Wollaton Hall, or take a stroll around the Green’s Windmill, built by George Green’s father, one of the most famous mathematical physicists. Whether you’re a law student or not, you’ll love the National Justice Museum’s old-style Nottingham jail and court, and literature students should definitely pay a visit to Newstead Abbey, Lord Bryon’s ancestral home. All in all, plenty of fun and friendliness to be had here!
Cardiff
Cardiff is a compact city but it’s certainly not short of things to do nor does it lack in academic reputation. The capital of Wales and its largest city, Cardiff is bursting with life and activity. The city’s two academic institutions are Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University, and they both attract tons of international students every year.
The city has everything you could possibly need, including nightclubs, shopping arcades, coffee shops, and bars, all within easy walking distance of each other.
A visit to Bute Park and Cardiff Castle is the best place to spend chill days in the sun, and there are hiking and cycling trails in the nearby Brecon Beacons. Cardiff’s sense of community adds to its charm, and the beauty of Wales and its strong cultural identity will ensure you have an incredible, fascinating student experience.
Sheffield
Sheffield was once where the steel industry was king. These days, this northern English city is a thriving university city, home to the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University. Sheffield is also now making a name for itself as a creative hub for the UK’s arts and entertainment sector, with museums and art galleries, and a thriving underground music sector.
Famous bands such as Arctic Monkeys and Bring Me the Horizon have emerged from here in recent decades, and the nightlife hits the spot. There are also cool annual festivals to enjoy like Tramlines and Off the Shelf.
For quieter plans, there are endless green spaces to enjoy like Sheffield Botanical Gardens and outdoorsy adventures are ready on tap thanks to the city forming part of the Peak District National Park.
Glasgow
Number seven on our list of the best student cities in the UK is the iconic Scottish city of Glasgow. Some of the best higher education institutions can be found here, including the prestigious University of Glasgow, the Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow Caledonian University, and the University of Strathclyde which dates back to the 15th century!
The education system in Glasgow also adheres to international standards, so if you’re an international student that makes life easier for you.
Uni is great here, and so is extra-curricular life.
The largest city in Scotland, Glasgow has been named the friendliest city in the world and is famous for its rich history, fascinating contemporary culture, great music, buzzing nightlife, stunning architecture, and natural beauty. In your downtime, visit the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, or wander the halls of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
Alternatively, see the research at the Glasgow Science Centre, or visit the Drygate Brewery. If you fancy an escape to nature, hop on a train and you’ll be immersed in views of the jaw-droppingly stunning Western Highland mountains within an hour!
Manchester
Another northern English powerhouse city makes it onto our list of the best student cities in the UK, in the form of Manchester!
Truly one of the most diverse and vibrant cities in the UK, Manchester blends the old with the new and has something for just about every taste.
Choose from the quirky, independent bars and shops in the trendy Northern Quarter, the lively atmosphere in the main shopping streets near Piccadilly Gardens, the upmarket business areas around Spinningfields, or the student vibes in and around campus in the Oxford Road area.
Public transport networks make getting around the city easy, though many places are within walking distance. Sports (particularly football) and music have a huge presence here, and you’ll often spot production companies filming movies or TV shows in the streets as they use the Manchester backdrop to double up as New York – a testament to just how cool the city is.
With its own unique personality, the locals are welcoming, with a quick sense of humour and down-to-earth vibes. Many international students flock to the city for a chance to study at its internationally-recognised universities and to seize the abundant career opportunities here.
The universities are the Russell-group ranking University of Manchester, the Manchester Metropolitan University, the Royal Northern College of Music, and the University of Salford.
Manchester has one of the largest student populations in Europe, with around 100,000 students in the city. This youthful population is reflected in the buzzing nightlife scene, vibrant street art, and regular gigs.
When you’re not studying, head to one of the many small music venues like Band On the Wall to discover new artists – Manchester is, after all, the cradle of Oasis, Joy Division, The Smiths, and the Buzzcocks.
In your spare time, you can also head to football matches at Old Trafford or the Etihad Stadium, home to Manchester United and Manchester City, respectively. Or if the beautiful game isn’t your thing, dine out in Chinatown or on the famous Curry Mile after hitting the shopping centres, art galleries, and museums!
Birmingham
Next up in our rankings of the best cities for students in the UK is the home of the Peaky Blinders – Birmingham! The second largest city in the UK, the cost of living is much more affordable there than in the capital and offers you a similar level of diversity and culture.
Birmingham’s top universities include the University of Birmingham, Aston University, Birmingham City University, and Newman University. They attract international students from all over the world, and the Uni of Birmingham ranked 45th in the QS Best Student Cities Rankings of 2023.
Aside from some incredible universities, the city is home to tons of restaurants, history, entertainment, shopping, and culture. It has more miles of canals than Venice and hosts the largest Christmas market in the UK every year! Not only that, it’s host to the Birmingham Comedy Festival and more than 50 festivals every year. In short: life is never boring here!
Belfast
When we’re talking about studying in the UK, it would be a mistake to leave out the stunning city of Belfast. The capital of Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, Belfast is a very student-friendly city with some great international universities such as Queen’s University Belfast and the Belfast campus of Ulster University.
A city with a welcoming vibe, it’s also affordable, one of the safest places to live in the UK, and is pretty green, as you can walk or cycle just about anywhere in the city.
Belfast has had a rich and varied history, including being the place where the Titanic was constructed, so there are plenty of Titanic-themed activities to get stuck into in your study breaks.
Take a trip to the Titanic Museum before hanging out in the bars of the Titanic Quarter. Nightlife is also abundant here, with nightclubs and pubs remaining open till the early hours of the morning, and with the city having a proud musical identity. Plenty of craic to be had!
As you can see, the UK is a fantastic place to study and full of interesting places to choose from! Wherever you decide to go, work hard and have fun!
*Disclaimer – This is a collaborative post. This post has been pre-written.