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Best Student Cities in the UK

24,874 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

Great city, very friendly and the locals are willing to help. Very safe feeling, never felt uncomfortable or worried for my safety, well connected via...

By member6147180 On 30th April 2025

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 enjoy the verity of restaurants and bars that Sheffield offers and the green spaces/ parks available. The cost of living is one of the lowest in the...

By member4150059 On 31st May 2025

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 my home town, so I'm a little biased, but I think its a great city with a lovely mix of 'big city' with lots of people, facilities, shop...

By member4146083 On 18th April 2025

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

Really good public transport helps you get anywhere, enough clubs to keep you occupied, but not so much in the way of other leisure....

By member5146696 On 24th April 2025

#11

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

#12

Edinburgh

I really love Scotland and Edinburgh, which is a beautiful city with friendly people. If I can, I really don’t want to leave...

By member13112042 On 1st July 2024

#13

Manchester

Manchester as a whole is amazing, so many different things to do, great nights out and places to eat...

By member6149887 On 5th June 2025

#14

Lincoln

Lincoln is a nice, small city. The city centre is only a 5 minute walk away from campus. It has a good blend of history (up near the cathedral and cas...

By member12145016 On 6th April 2025

#15

Portsmouth

Great place to chill and study there is a lovely beach where h can go and have quality time with you mates...

By member590541 On 29th August 2023

#16

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

#17

Royal Leamington Spa

Love the services and the accommodation...

By member1258760 On 25th May 2021

#18

Aberdeen

The city is beautiful, the air is fresh. There are convenient transportation, suitable climate, and easy to go anywhere....

By member1091044 On 9th October 2023

#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

South West London

Very nice to live here, because of the super conveniences to all the supermarkets and restaurants nearby...

By member1290571 On 29th August 2023

#21

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

#22

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

#23

Hull

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

By member985972 On 10th May 2023

#24

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

#25

Preston

Great town - no hustle bustle really chill lots of good places to visit and a really great place to live in...

By member7119937 On 16th October 2024

#26

Plymouth

Close to both Dartmoor and Cornwall, both easy as pie to get to. Walkable city, great sea views and amazing people! Shout out the Plymouth sound natio...

By member10144860 On 4th April 2025

#27

Dundee

The night life here is on another level. There is loads of pubs and local restaurants to go for your favorite meals. Getting there is no issue as th...

By member893833 On 27th October 2023

#28

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

#29

Leicester

The city gives an urban vibe with lesser cost of living. Its has the city centre where you can shop for or get anything you need. The social life is s...

By member7140832 On 1st March 2025

#30

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

#31

Reading

Really well connected city, can get to London within 30 minutes. Good for nights out, 2 big shopping centres. Housing is very expensive...

By member13120606 On 17th October 2024

#32

Swansea

Good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good ...

By member13142235 On 29th March 2025

#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

Ormskirk

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

By member1089205 On 23rd July 2023

#35

Bath

I use the bus every day pretty much, to get to and from my campus as I live privately, and I love it. Everyone is very chill and friendly, the bus dri...

By member13148524 On 15th May 2025

#36

Uxbridge

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

By member1061527 On 2nd August 2021

#37

Coventry

I have a very good experience here. And I’ve also met good people here, the staff, the neighbors are all very nice....

By member8106157 On 5th April 2024

#38

London

London is a vibrant, multicultural metropolis that blends rich history with cutting-edge modernity, making it one of the most iconic and dynamic citie...

By diwakar10 On 30th April 2025

#39

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

#40

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

#41

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

#42

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

#43

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

#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

Salford

The cost of living in Salford, like any other city, can vary depending on what you spend and location of where you are either accommodation or shared ...

By member1394000 On 27th October 2023

#49

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

#50

Worcester

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

By member769854 On 7th July 2022

#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

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

#53

Durham

An expensive uni town, but somewhat expected given the ratio of private to state school education. Going out options are plentiful and lots of shoppin...

By member1192051 On 8th October 2023

#54

West London

Got to know about new culture and knowledge about when started living in london. Cost of living is a bit high might be difficult to manage according t...

By member497287 On 16th January 2024

#55

Canterbury

Canterbury is a nice city with plenty of choice for food and shopping. As I am on meal plan, my cost of living is currently quite economical and affor...

By member11146478 On 22nd April 2025

#56

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

#57

Bolton

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

By member593437 On 25th October 2023

#58

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

#59

Stirling

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

By member988457 On 30th June 2023

#60

Huddersfield

A small city that is suitable for living may have a poor shopping experience, but people are very friendly and not as noisy as other cities. Overall, ...

By member1290522 On 28th August 2023

#61

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

#62

Colchester

really fun and fantastic experience would highly recommend okayyyy...

By member10111265 On 13th June 2024

#63

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

#64

East London

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

By member1189493 On 3rd August 2023

#65

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

#66

Northampton

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

By member8100942 On 16th February 2024

#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

Bangor

The nights out in Bangor are absolutely amazing especially Wednesday night especially academi and castle, bus travel and trian travel can easily and c...

By member791119 On 14th September 2023

Weston-Super-Mare

good brilliant great excellent...

By member12139722 On 25th February 2025

Bury

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

By member5143787 On 25th March 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

Greenwich

The city is so beautiful and I love moving around and the locals are very amazing...

By member6144695 On 2nd April 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

Warrington

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

By member9143627 On 25th March 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

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

Inverness

Inverness is a great place to live....

By member858578 On 23rd May 2021

Kingston upon Thames

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

By member5107341 On 24th April 2024

Stoke Gifford

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

By member543125 On 4th November 2019

Watford

Great everything in my town is great...

By member11119839 On 15th October 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

Hagley

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

By member5109327 On 22nd May 2024

Gillingham

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

By member459926 On 10th June 2021

Gloucester

Central location, close to the city centre...

By member11138542 On 20th February 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

Dagenham

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

By Prabin On 21st March 2025

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

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

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

Epsom

I have been commuting from home....

By member10105705 On 27th March 2024

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

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

Middlesbrough

It’s my hometown and all my family live here so i had an amazing childhood...

By member9148530 On 15th May 2025

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