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Best Student Cities in the UK

24,881 Reviews by Students

Student reviews reveal the best and the worst cities and towns for students in the United Kingdom.

Not sure what the best student cities in the UK are? Then you’ve come to the right place!

Our list of best student cities and towns in the UK is the only live league table which is chosen 100% by students who are actually studying at each university.

It is constantly updated with new student reviews about the important areas of city life: cost of living, restaurants, nightlife, shopping options and public transport.

Because we only publish reviews from students using their university email account, you can guarantee all our reviews are from real students. You will hear directly from the experts which university cities in the UK top the chart for student experience.

Click on a location below to read all the independent student reviews and find out more about what each location can deliver.

You can help future students by reviewing your student location when you get there.

Review your town or city here!

Newcastle upon Tyne

It have been just three months so just to mention that i haven't explored this city throughout but yes its really beautiful place to live around, ther...

By Rakshit1509 On 18th December 2024

Liverpool

10/10 nights out, many different places to choose from to eat, drink and more. Shopping is relatively affordable (not really) but there’s many places ...

By member7137021 On 14th February 2025

Leeds

Leeds as a Student City – Affordable, Accessible, and Delicious Leeds is an amazing city for students, offering a balance of affordability, conveni...

By member12128599 On 25th December 2024

Belfast

Belfast is very cozy,friendly and chill atmosphere here peoples are very good here. I love Belfast and the life over here....

By member4109681 On 27th May 2024

Cardiff

Student life is really nice especially for a freshie and someone new. The welsh people are really nice to meet and talk to and the capital of Wales ha...

By Ahsan Basharat On 15th January 2025

Sheffield

I love the city! It's super pretty and has lots of trees/greenery. Easy to get around, and public transport is good if you need it. I wish buses were...

By emarks1 On 23rd October 2024

Glasgow

Very good, very good, very good, very good, very good, very good, very good, very good, very good. Just filling up the word count, just filling up the...

By member7131522 On 28th January 2025

Birmingham

Birmingham is a vibrant city with a rich mix of culture, history, and modern amenities. The city center is bustling with shops, restaurants, and enter...

By Sid4247 On 19th October 2024

Nottingham

Nottingham is an incredible city for students, offering the perfect balance of vibrant nightlife, cultural hotspots, and green spaces. With an eclecti...

By member6143269 On 22nd March 2025

#10

Southampton

Emily davies apartment in Southampton is a good value for money apartment, low price but very good location. It is close to all train and bus stations...

By member12104443 On 18th March 2024

#11

Edinburgh

What truly sets Prestige Mayfield Residence apart is its vibrant and welcoming community. I had the pleasure of meeting students from diverse backgrou...

By member11106086 On 4th April 2024

#12

Newcastle

Newcastle is one of the best cities I’ve lived in, you’ve got everything in one place. City center is right in between Newcastle university and Northu...

By Christy Lau On 1st October 2024

#13

Norwich

Best university city - very safe and amazing range of shops and small businesses. 365 pubs makes for a lovely city....

By member1387950 On 23rd June 2023

#14

Manchester

Wonderful nightlife! we went out every single day and had so much fun. Although it can be a bit costly, it’s definitely worth it and i would live in m...

By member5109281 On 22nd May 2024

#15

Portsmouth

Portsmouth itself is a fantastic place to live and study. With its rich history, vibrant cultural scene, and beautiful waterfront, there is always som...

By member8106070 On 4th April 2024

#16

Royal Leamington Spa

Love the services and the accommodation...

By member1258760 On 25th May 2021

#17

Lincoln

A hidden gem. Has everything but isn’t as crowded as some of the really big cities. Couldn’t get a better place to live and study!...

By member596626 On 22nd December 2023

#18

Aberdeen

There are plenty of options for eating out, lots of clubs and bars for nightlife, and a convenient bus network for getting around. Plus, we have a lov...

By Rosie N On 2nd April 2024

#19

Bristol

Bristol is such a vibrant, diverse city filled with passionate people. I’ve heard Bristol referred to as the “France of England” because people are no...

By member10118435 On 9th October 2024

#20

York

York is a beautiful city that’s lively at all times of the day. Unfortunately due to its status as a tourist city, it can be expensive but if you can ...

By member12113918 On 23rd August 2024

#21

Chester

A great day/ night out, many shops and eateries to visit. 20 minute walk from the train station to the centre, very helpful....

By rubylee1234 On 6th March 2025

#22

South West London

Create stuff about this town. Great transportation system of buses and trains. Halal restaurants are nearby. Grocery stores for students is at walking...

By member11107483 On 26th April 2024

#23

Leicester

Living here has been a fantastic experience. The cost of living is reasonable, making it manageable for students. There are plenty of great options fo...

By member7111114 On 12th June 2024

#24

Dundee

ovbisouly dundee isn't the biggest city ever but I think its great fir student life. As snooze who came from a big city it did feel a little hard to a...

By member4107977 On 3rd May 2024

#25

Bournemouth

Night's out in Bournemouth are the bets i've ever had! Cameo is such a unique nightclub consisting of 5 rooms covering everyones music tastes....

By member9109126 On 20th May 2024

#26

Guildford

Guildford is very well connected, lots of shops and things to do. Great bus routes that take you to school and very close to London!...

By member10112206 On 5th July 2024

#27

Reading

There are friendly staff and delicious breakfast, and the daily cleaning is very good. There are often some festival activities to give us some small ...

By member5109611 On 24th May 2024

#28

Preston

Preston is such an affordable and great place to live everywhere as walking distance and everyone is so friendly...

By member13107842 On 1st May 2024

#29

Plymouth

Generally a good city for a student you get the best of both worlds and it offers a great balance in all aspects...

By member6106994 On 19th April 2024

#30

Ormskirk

Really nice area, clean and tidy and overall lovely...

By member1089205 On 23rd July 2023

#31

Swansea

Swansea is the best city for students. Its a student friendly town because it has many different types of student accommodation options in affordable ...

By member9133682 On 24th March 2025

#32

Derby

You don't really need to use public transport. The great thing about Derby is that it is a small city. You can reach from one end to the other in abou...

By member10125273 On 29th November 2024

#33

Exeter

The room is big, with good lighting, and the kitchen is quick and easy. Well ventilated and quiet surrounding. The community is good and every activit...

By member13105560 On 26th March 2024

#34

Uxbridge

Great little town, plenty to do and at reasonable prices :))...

By member1061527 On 2nd August 2021

#35

Hull

Cheap, cheerful and an array of nightlife of all genres (though lacking on a Tuesday night)...

By member985972 On 10th May 2023

#36

London

Living at McMillan Student Village has been a great experience! The location is convenient, with good transport links and nearby amenities. The rooms ...

By member7137188 On 15th February 2025

#37

Bath

Bath is Fantastic! I’m not too much of a clubbing person but I’m a big fan of the pubs and bars in Bath. The city has so much character and offers ple...

By member1289048 On 17th July 2023

#38

Coventry

Coventry, UK, offers a balanced experience for international students, blending affordability with vibrant urban living. The cost of living here is re...

By member7109033 On 20th May 2024

#39

Cheltenham

it is quite a big city so it seems to be a great choice to live in. I would compare the cost of living to the standard....

By member1384604 On 20th April 2023

#40

Central London

I recently lost my access card and approached the front desk for a replacement. The staff was incredibly helpful and efficient, making the process qui...

By member9106506 On 14th April 2024

#41

Bolton

I live in bolton but come to Manchester for all the amazing facilities...

By member593437 On 25th October 2023

#42

Brighton

The public transportation is very reliable, almost always coming every five minutes or so. The city is gorgeous and the citizens are helpful....

By member1191710 On 29th September 2023

#43

Worcester

Town centre is in walking distance, can walk back from a night out safely...

By member769854 On 7th July 2022

#44

Loughborough

Living in Loughborough has been a delight! Whether it's hitting the shops for high-street brands or unique finds, there's something for everyone. Plus...

By member13110797 On 11th June 2024

#45

Wolverhampton

Amazing city, not crowded like most cities are, most takeaways and cafes are in walking distance, same as the train, bus and metro station...

By member463014 On 20th October 2021

#46

High Wycombe

It’s a bit far away from home....

By member478953 On 20th February 2023

#47

Cambridge

Cambridge is a fantastic city - so much to do! Bars, restaurants, pubs, clubs, activities day or night....

By member588290 On 28th June 2023

#48

Lancaster

Has everything a students needs here at Lancaster except for bigger shops, may have to travel to Manchester for selfridges...

By member9107473 On 25th April 2024

#49

Sunderland

Sunderland is growing as smart city it is developing many things. such as transporting, industrial revolution, and other facilities such as big major ...

By member6142655 On 17th March 2025

#50

Salford

Great city to live in with reliable and accessible public transport available to everyone and a wide range of shopping facilities....

By member13108325 On 9th May 2024

#51

South East London

South East London offers a vibrant blend of cultures, rich history, and diverse neighborhoods. The green spaces, trendy cafes, and cultural hubs creat...

By member492799 On 17th October 2023

#52

Durham

The bus links to Sunderland from here are regular it does take a while but. Living here is like living in a fairy tale...

By member1183117 On 4th April 2023

#53

Oxford

"Oxford University is an epitome of academic excellence and intellectual rigor. From its distinguished faculty to its state-of-the-art facilities, Oxf...

By member7106395 On 11th April 2024

#54

Bradford

Bradford is a culturally rich city known for its historical landmarks and vibrant arts scene. The city offers diverse dining options, beautiful parks,...

By member13112488 On 15th July 2024

#55

Stirling

Stirling is a beautiful city with very interesting places to visit and have fun...

By member988457 On 30th June 2023

#56

Huddersfield

Huddersfield is a great place for students as it’s got everything you’d want, shopping, entertainment, parks, etc....

By member1083744 On 6th April 2023

#57

St Andrews

Extremely expensive. The only Tesco located in Market Street is away more expensive than other Tesco I’ve ever been to....

By member5101883 On 23rd February 2024

#58

West London

A lot of students say that Egham is boring and there isn't much to do here. However, for a person like me who is not really into going out, Egham is p...

By member1183719 On 6th April 2023

#59

Falmouth

Amazing friendly atmosphere, beach on your doorstep, and if it’s for you, a slower, more mindful pace of life...

By member888212 On 28th June 2023

#60

Canterbury

For safety reasons, I do not recommend that new international students who have just arrived in the UK walk alone on the streets at night without a co...

By member12107109 On 22nd April 2024

#61

Newport

A fun night out with friends in the weekends is one thing I will never forget when leaving this place....

By member8100993 On 18th February 2024

#62

Winchester

Cost of living: Winchester can be an expensive place to live, but considering this, food, petrol, rent etc. is to be expected for the south. There is ...

By member5121314 On 21st October 2024

#63

Colchester

Great town lots to do good resteraunts and bars and shops. Well equipped for travelling with buses and train stations clean friendly...

By member883845 On 8th April 2023

#64

Luton

Beautiful city, very quiet area living standard is very nice near to london city and also there is lots of our muslim community...

By Khawerrafik9 On 2nd November 2024

#65

East London

Best connectivity, Easily available convenience stores, Friendly neighbourhood, Safest locality...

By member1189493 On 3rd August 2023

#66

Bangor

2 local clubs and many pubs, many which are cheap. Local supermarkets- asda, morrisons, lidl, aldi. Variety of shops, cafes and restaurants....

By member783852 On 8th April 2023

#67

North London

Good experience but the area isn’t safe. However, station court is pretty much safe....

By member10111108 On 12th June 2024

#68

Ipswich

Ipswich is my home town and although it is not the best for young individuals it is a nice town to live in...

By member1085195 On 27th April 2023

#69

Northampton

I love it it’s very pretty and social...

By member8100942 On 16th February 2024

#70

Stoke-on-Trent

Such a cheap place to live and it has easy access to other places so boom, perfect. Oatcake cafes are in abundance here so if you enjoy those then yo...

By member10108441 On 10th May 2024

Bury

great and i love it so much thank yo...

By member5143787 On 25th March 2025

Weston-Super-Mare

good brilliant great excellent...

By member12139722 On 25th February 2025

Abingdon

A quiet town with everything you need. Everything within a walk away including a shopping area and a large Tesco superstore....

By member843862 On 21st November 2019

Swindon

Scunthorpe

so many things to do and plenty of things too do...

By member11136511 On 13th February 2025

Solihull

Easy to get to Coventry, Birmingham and the airport! Then there’s start city not far away too...

By member1250312 On 7th August 2020

Warrington

It has a lot of good links to different cities...

By member9143627 On 25th March 2025

Burnley

Nenenennenenens evened Jane jenen...

By member5126166 On 6th December 2024

Yeovil

Since you are living at home you can go out as often or as little as you like. You can attend face to face tutorials or not as suits you. Early on sum...

By member649752 On 7th July 2020

Leeds

The town is charming, peaceful, and well-developed. It has friendly people, beautiful scenery, and a strong community. Public services are efficient, ...

By member10139727 On 25th February 2025

Hertfordshire

Great shopping and food and transport where I live but very high cost of living...

By member6125262 On 29th November 2024

Buckingham

The cost of living in this community is relatively fair. As a student, I refer to cook my meals so that I don’t spend a lot eating out; however eat ou...

By Oluwayomi On 18th October 2024

Kingston upon Thames

Kingston has shopping center which can meet daily needs...

By member5107341 On 24th April 2024

Inverness

Inverness is a great place to live....

By member858578 On 23rd May 2021

Stoke Gifford

Eevrything is really connected, only bristol itself is a little more expensive...

By daisyhp2000 On 3rd April 2020

Hagley

fantastic area everything is within a 10min walk...

By member5109327 On 22nd May 2024

Doncaster

I didn’t live in Leeds I stayed at home. Leeds is a lovely city but everything is quite spaced out and if you’re staying at trinity it is quite the tr...

By Amy070196 On 13th September 2019

Watford

Great everything in my town is great...

By member11119839 On 15th October 2024

Gillingham

Thank you for everything. I am glad....

By member459926 On 10th June 2021

Lampeter

Lampeter is a small, quiet village surrounded by countryside. There are a few cafes, pubs and restaurants but if you want more choice then Aberystwyt...

By member464617 On 5th December 2021

Romford

i would say you cant really have a nice night out because there's a lack of places and even if there are its filled with people who are bound to cause...

By member4122114 On 26th October 2024

Penryn

Bus comes frequently. Not many clubs, but plenty of bars and of course, we have the beach!! Many many restaurants!!...

By Chubbs On 15th July 2015

Dagenham

Transportation in london is quite more expensive than expected ....

By Prabin On 21st March 2025

Gloucester

Central location, close to the city centre...

By member11138542 On 20th February 2025

Bedford

Nothing much just my rating that’s...

By member6112983 On 31st July 2024

Maidstone

Eating out in the local area is expensive however as it is close to a university they offer student discount which helps a lot. There are many local m...

By member1385517 On 30th April 2023

Epsom

I have been commuting from home....

By member10105705 On 27th March 2024

Chichester

Chichester City Centre has majority of the shops that you want in the high street, With also restaurants and pubs in the city centre its very ideal....

By member673142 On 8th November 2022

Birkenhead

As the living crises go up this cannot be blames to a specific area. It is hard to keep up with everything but it is manageable....

By member12117009 On 1st October 2024

Milton Keynes

It's distance learning...

By member1349794 On 7th July 2020

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