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Best Student Cities in the UK

27,714 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!

Liverpool

liverpool one contains most of the big retail shops and restaurants - variety of different types to suit different budgets. situated in the city centr...

By member10176583 On 26th February 2026

Newcastle upon Tyne

Living in Newcastle upon Tyne has been an amazing experience. The city is friendly, vibrant, and full of character, with great nightlife, culture, and...

By member9182971 On 25th February 2026

Newcastle

Newcastle is a vibrant and welcoming city with plenty to see and do. From shopping and restaurants to cultural attractions, there is always something ...

By finn110807 On 2nd April 2026

Sheffield

I’m very happy to stay here. The place is convenient, quiet, and very comfortable. Everything is clean and well maintained, making me feel relaxed and...

By member7193926 On 23rd April 2026

Glasgow

The city of Glasgow is one of the UK’s most vibrant and culturally rich urban centres, known for its welcoming atmosphere, historic character, and str...

By Kukkie On 8th April 2026

Cardiff

Cardiff is an amazing city, but the buses often let it down. Especially considering parking a personal car as a student is near impossible...

By member11193274 On 21st April 2026

Leeds

Leeds is a vibrant, student-friendly city with a perfect mix of culture, green spaces and convenience. Locals are welcoming, life is relaxed yet livel...

By member13189790 On 1st April 2026

Birmingham

New exciting city ,lovely people,good vibes ,recommend anyone looking for good change .Suitable for Uni students and close to everything such as trans...

By member13194495 On 27th April 2026

Nottingham

I’ve really enjoyed living in Nottingham as a student. It’s a vibrant and welcoming city with a great balance between a lively social scene and peacef...

By Yashithasathish On 13th April 2026

#10

Manchester

I have had a good experience living at Vita Student so far. The building is clean, safe, and the facilities are well maintained, which makes the envir...

By member8186296 On 14th March 2026

#11

Belfast

I love Belfast, ecen before I came before I came here for uni. Everything is so close together and my university (ulster) is right beside everything....

By member7168614 On 3rd December 2025

#12

Southampton

Night life is good, the shopping centre in town is also great. Fancy dress shop for Wednesday socials and very close to the new forest. however, can s...

By member12189146 On 29th March 2026

#13

Bristol

At the University of Bristol, I am immersed in a vibrant, world-class robotics ecosystem that perfectly bridges cutting-edge research with practical e...

By member5191149 On 9th April 2026

#14

Dundee

As a current international student at University of Dundee, living in Dundee, Scotland has been a great experience. The city is safe, friendly, and af...

By Kamran_123 On 30th April 2026

#15

Lincoln

So reasonably priced no matter where you go, because the city is mainly built around catering to the students (in my opinion) it is so fairly priced, ...

By member7167980 On 27th November 2025

#16

Preston

Welcome to the north east of England where it rains everyday and it’s cold yeah you probably thinking where is Preston well by train is 30 mins from M...

By member11169847 On 6th January 2026

#17

Chester

Chester is situated in a great location and has a wide of variety of places to go and do. The town is extremely safe and affordable. The community is ...

By member7193392 On 21st April 2026

#18

Aberdeen

I had a great stay at this hostel. The location was very convenient, close to public transport and key attractions, which made getting around really e...

By member10163863 On 16th April 2026

#19

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a beautiful and historic city with a unique atmosphere. The architecture is stunning, and walking through the Old Town feels like steppin...

By member13184757 On 5th March 2026

#20

Portsmouth

Living in Portsmouth as a student has been a really comfortable and enjoyable experience for me. The cost of living is reasonable, especially compared...

By Indu kannan On 18th December 2025

#21

Bath

Starting my BA in Business & Entrepreneurship at Bath Spa University has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. When I first moved to ...

By Deep On 17th April 2026

#22

Leicester

Compared to every other city in the UK this is so cheap so affordable everything is good just like anything you want as possible. Do you wanna try Ind...

By member8194519 On 27th April 2026

#23

Swansea

I’ve had a really positive experience living here. The location is very convenient, with easy access to campus and nearby shops. The facilities are we...

By member12191079 On 9th April 2026

#24

Salford

Living near Salford has been a convenient and enjoyable experience. The area is quiet but well connected, with easy transport links to Manchester city...

By member7162213 On 21st February 2026

#25

Cheltenham

Really Great town. Is quite expensive but I think everything is expensive on a uni budget...

By member9161653 On 14th October 2025

#26

Derby

Derby is a fairly quiet and practical city that’s well-suited to student life if you prefer a more relaxed environment. It has all the essentials—shop...

By member6194557 On 27th April 2026

#27

Royal Leamington Spa

Great access to all areas with stagecoach bus network, Close to university of warwick with great social third spaces like cafes, stores, clubs, etc...

By member13183868 On 1st March 2026

#28

Reading

Reading itself is a lively, welcoming town that offers everything a student could want. It has a great mix of modern shopping centres, cafés, restaura...

By member13169877 On 11th December 2025

#29

Durham

Durham University is prestigious and academically strong, with a beautiful historic campus and supportive community. It offers a great balance of trad...

By member5182179 On 20th February 2026

#30

Canterbury

i love living in canterbury as a student, there is lots to do for everyone. amazing shopping experience and varied night life for everyone. everything...

By member5176550 On 3rd February 2026

#31

Uxbridge

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

By member1061527 On 2nd August 2021

#32

Bournemouth

Great town all year round. Lovely location with beautiful beaches. Town Centre is slightly run down but there is action taking place this year to look...

By member7179442 On 11th February 2026

#33

Plymouth

Really good! i’ve always come to plymouth as i live nearby anyways - lots of things to do here from b- pottery painting - to bowling - to clubbing - t...

By Tamara0407 On 2nd March 2026

#34

Huddersfield

Huddersfield is the perfect student base because it balances history with a real sense of community. I love the contrast of the grand, historic Railwa...

By member10193113 On 20th April 2026

#35

Norwich

Really good to go around here, never bored in norwich. The nightlife is great but the conditions aren’t great....

By member10182736 On 24th February 2026

#36

York

As an international student, I’ve found York to be a great place to live: people are generally polite and respectful, and the city feels well organise...

By member5181976 On 20th February 2026

#37

West London

I miss home. Bristol is a lot dirtier compared to London which is surprising. However the people here are a lot nicer...

By member7177395 On 5th February 2026

#38

Hull

really good place to live near the ms...

By member6142904 On 8th July 2025

#39

Ormskirk

Good town nice and quiet if you don't like the noise of a big city. Not really much to do around town but your a short train away from Liverpool city ...

By member9180563 On 15th February 2026

#40

South West London

London, is big and lively. It has famous places, good transport, and many cultures. Sometimes crowded and expensive, but exciting and full of opportun...

By member4192538 On 17th April 2026

#41

Central London

My experience at City, University of London has been very positive. The university offers a supportive academic environment with knowledgeable lecture...

By member10195940 On 4th May 2026

#42

Brighton

I am currently staying at Hollingbury House, Brighton, and my experience has been outstanding, which is why I have already rebooked for next year. The...

By Blessy On 20th November 2025

#43

Guildford

Guildford is great, can sometimes be a bit expensive but lots of great shopping places that are more premium. I like Guildford it's a small wee town b...

By member10173926 On 21st January 2026

#44

Sunderland

The city is cool or suitable. Because the city is Sunderland, which is nearby the sea, so that there is cool when it comes summer....

By member9192486 On 17th April 2026

#45

Coventry

Living in Coventry has been a really lovely experience. It’s a friendly, diverse, and welcoming city with a great mix of history, culture, and modern ...

By member10179120 On 10th February 2026

#46

Worcester

Worcester is a great place to live, a balanced environment of city and suburbs....

By member12158574 On 29th September 2025

#47

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

#48

Exeter

All public transport is well connected and most things are within walking distance. Some accommodation can be very expensive. There are so many nice p...

By member13193160 On 20th April 2026

#49

North London

North London is a lively and diverse area with a great mix of green spaces, local cafés, and vibrant high streets. It’s well connected by public trans...

By member4176775 On 4th February 2026

#50

High Wycombe

It’s a bit far away from home....

By member478953 On 20th February 2023

#51

Wolverhampton

After midnight , it is very hard...

By member13193122 On 20th April 2026

#52

Loughborough

Well connected town, busses to Leicester and Nottingham are great. My favourite place to eat is Rolling Smoke and the breakfasts at Green Bowl are che...

By wintrfox On 24th April 2026

#53

Stirling

Stirling is a fantastic place to live, offering a perfect balance between city convenience and beautiful natural surroundings. Known for its rich hist...

By member4189233 On 30th March 2026

#54

Lancaster

As a postgraduate student at Lancaster University, living here has become an important part of my study life and memories in Lancaster. During these t...

By member13195245 On 30th April 2026

#55

East London

London is a good place to live and study. It has good transport links, useful facilities, and many opportunities for education and work. Overall, it p...

By 1111m On 9th March 2026

#56

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

#57

Wrexham

Honestly it's great here, towns busy with lots of shops. Plenty to do in general. Nights out are really fun with a big three floor club 'Atik', as wel...

By member5168032 On 28th November 2025

#58

Oxford

The city has a nice atmosphere, friendly people, and everything you need as a student. Most things are easy to get around and the area feels safe and ...

By Priyxnshu On 8th December 2025

#59

Keele

Bit further out from the town but buses run every 15mins and it’s not too far of a walk. There is pretty much everything you need on campus already to...

By member4109885 On 29th May 2024

#60

Northampton

Really good Accomodation. Gym is the best. WiFi is the best. Reception is the best Elle . I just love it. I want to stay here next year again or fore...

By Wole On 26th March 2026

#61

Bangor

Located in a really great place close to the town centre and th supermarkets...

By Kelly47283 On 31st March 2026

#62

Cambridge

Costly, but worth it. £1 buses everywhere with a tiger card, decent selection of clubbing with insane deals on drinks like 5 for 5 at mash, you can sh...

By member10157472 On 19th September 2025

#63

Colchester

Living in this small town is peaceful and relaxing. The environment is clean and quiet, with friendly neighbors and fresh air. Life here is simple and...

By member13181675 On 19th February 2026

#64

Aberystwyth

lovely place, a good one if you want a mix of countryside and town vibes. comes alive in the summer. unfortunately everyone is an awful driver and a d...

By member765396 On 13th January 2022

Bromley

Very sociable area with interconnected community...

By member5168275 On 1st December 2025

Swindon

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

Weston-Super-Mare

good brilliant great excellent...

By member12139722 On 25th 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

Bury

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

By member5143787 On 25th March 2025

Scunthorpe

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

By member11136511 On 13th February 2025

Timperley

Excellent place to live, so much to do....

By member9161630 On 14th October 2025

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

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 is a lovely place. I love this place....

By member5175608 On 30th January 2026

Rotherham

we are very close to sheffield and it’s a very close knit community...

By member12167902 On 27th November 2025

Hertfordshire

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

By member6125262 On 29th November 2024

Oban South and the Isles

Oban South and the Isles is a beautiful and peaceful place to live, with a reasonable cost of living and a strong sense of community. It has great pla...

By member11183518 On 27th February 2026

Stafford

Really good accommodation with great facilities...

By member13160744 On 27th November 2025

Isleworth

london is very expensive. specially the travel is too expensive. its difficult to manage expenses...

By member13157684 On 22nd September 2025

Greenwich

Greenwich is a great place to study – it’s got a nice mix of history, parks, and riverside views, while still being close to central London...

By member13158354 On 26th September 2025

Warrington

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

By member9143627 On 25th March 2025

Gillingham

Yay bus comes to my uni and yeah great...

By member8193032 On 20th April 2026

Stoke Gifford

The best City You can go by bus to the centre in 15 minutes...

By member543125 On 4th November 2019

Gloucester

Central location, close to the city centre...

By member11138542 On 20th February 2025

Milton Keynes

This is a great spot for a night out. You will find fantastic local restaurants here with great food. Enjoy a fun evening filled with delicious meals!...

By member10194024 On 24th April 2026

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

Barnsley

Very cool, close to the university...

By member11193411 On 21st April 2026

Hagley

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

By member5109327 On 22nd May 2024

Bognor Regis

In Bognor, they have a lot of charity shops as well as a savers, which can really help for those struggling with cost of living. As well as, it has go...

By member8160201 On 7th October 2025

Burnley

Nenenennenenens evened Jane jenen...

By member5126166 On 6th December 2024

Hartlepool

Cheap, smaller Northern town. Transport and food/shopping options are good and close together. Because its a smaller town though the nightlife is pret...

By member7158453 On 27th September 2025

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

Watford

Great everything in my town is great...

By member11119839 On 15th October 2024

Yeovil

£stgbcgjknvguj gghjj. Ghujb ghhb...

By member7184109 On 2nd March 2026

Farnham

good public transport, awful nights out...

By member9178342 On 8th February 2026

Carmarthen

It is an amazing place to be,it is full of life there is easy access to buses and trains. There are a wide range of shops, restaurants and bars. It ha...

By member758666 On 24th May 2021

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

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

Dagenham

Really fund and great j like jt...

By member13186523 On 16th March 2026

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