Best Student Cities in the UK

10282 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

Newcastle upon Tyne is such a diverse place with a great night life, plenty of places to eat out and lots of activities to do. The metro service is gr...

By Shane McClean On 26th January 2022

Liverpool

If you enjoy being social, Liverpool is a great city to do that. You get a good range of coffee shops, restaurants, clothing stores, clubs, pubs and i...

By member467432 On 21st March 2022

Cardiff

I truly adore Cardiff. I love the social experience of being here as well as the vast range of activities you can partake in, in the city. There is tr...

By member1267508 On 23rd March 2022

Sheffield

The apartment is very nice, close to Tesco supermarket and next to the tram stop. Common areas such as the gym are very clean and well equipped. The...

By member867860 On 6th April 2022

Nottingham

Nottingham is one of the best cities i have been to. Everything is the price you would expect it to be but drinks are much cheaper than down south!! T...

By member1368104 On 13th April 2022

Manchester

You can get a bus pretty much everywhere. There’s loads of great charity shops as well as some stores that can’t be found anywhere else in the country...

By member865031 On 16th December 2021

Glasgow

Glasgow is a student city and it has a lot of students, both natives and international. The whole city is centered and focused with students in mind m...

By member566232 On 11th February 2022

Norwich

Norwich is what I call a "human-sized" city. It is as entertaining as any bigger city, but as safe as any smaller town. It is historical and yet moder...

By member968167 On 14th April 2022

Belfast

Transport is amazing in Belfast, the buses, trains, gliders can get you anywhere! There’s so many shops and restaurants as well as tourist places too!...

By member1166334 On 12th February 2022

#10

Leeds

Everything is close to each other. There is alot of restaurants or cafés. The town itself is medium sized but all the essential is present. A walk to ...

By member1067878 On 6th April 2022

#11

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is very expensive, more than most places in Scotland but less than London. The student union bars are as expensive as most pubs and in fact ...

By member1365021 On 16th December 2021

#12

Birmingham

Birmingham is such a small city that everything from the University of Birmingham is within a one or two-hour walk. There are also numerous public tra...

By member768191 On 14th April 2022

#13

York

Very safe, cost of living is medium expense cheaper alternatives can be found like anywhere can make it as cheap or as expensive as you like. Transpor...

By member667938 On 7th April 2022

#14

Plymouth

I live in private student halls that are actually cheaper than the university halls by £30 per week which helps. The uni is so close to the mall and t...

By member1165051 On 18th December 2021

#15

Bristol

The city itself is great. Transport is fantastic, bus will get you everywhere you need to be and you get a free bus pass for the Unibus with your uni ...

By member1363162 On 25th October 2021

#16

Reading

Reading is a lovely town, the transport is really convenient. The cost of living is a bit high, would expect lower living costs....

By member1361320 On 25th July 2021

#17

Dundee

Dundee is a great place to live and study even with covid restrictions ! There’s loads to do within walking/short bus distance and you’re always close...

By member761033 On 20th July 2021

#18

Southampton

With Westquay shopping center a short distance from Highfield campus, plenty of shops and restaurants await for you to try, while the cost of living c...

By member1165596 On 23rd January 2022

#19

Central London

It is quite safe at night because you can often many policemen around. It just takes less than ten minutes to go to the supermarkets and shops around,...

By member462813 On 13th October 2021

#20

Leicester

Great public transport with direct trains to major cities such as London and Birmingham. some good places for nights out but there is definitely a pla...

By member668840 On 11th May 2022

#21

Portsmouth

Beautiful city full of history. Portsmouth offers a platter of activities… you’ll never get bored!...

By member1260984 On 16th July 2021

#22

Swansea

Generally,the ease in which every aspect of living can be reached is surprisingly well. Even if you want to go somewhere further than 1-2 miles the wi...

By member1062719 On 7th October 2021

#23

Aberdeen

There are no disadvantages except that the room is small. In particular, I was very satisfied with the delivery. I would receive an email to remind me...

By member565128 On 29th December 2021

#24

Chester

Such a lovely area to live with so many facilities within walking distance. The city is visually appealing and contains all of the facilities that a s...

By member667495 On 22nd March 2022

#25

West London

Heathrow is only a 15 minute drive while the SU , medicine and atik provide a great night out for students...

By member766352 On 14th February 2022

#26

Hull

Not many good shops for young people but loads of great places to eat out and different things to do, it's a lovely city...

By member767875 On 6th April 2022

#27

Huddersfield

Small town, but great for student nights as all sports clubs go out on Wednesdays following their own route and end up in the last two clubs together....

By member867669 On 30th March 2022

#28

Lincoln

Lincoln is an amazing place to live. Since moving to Lincoln, it made me realise that I don’t want to move back home and that I want to live here for ...

By MollyK On 22nd February 2022

#29

South East London

Southeast London is the good place to live. It has a good network and options of public transportation. Cost of living is good in relation to the job...

By member462470 On 23rd September 2021

#30

Preston

get most of my shopping done at aldi which is relatively cheap, there’s some decent stuff to do in preston, obviously not as much as there could be bu...

By nomorefences On 30th January 2022

#31

Cheltenham

Cheltenham is gorgeous. Few clubs and lots of bars and places to go. Really lovely area and lots of events happen regularly...

By member1057930 On 14th May 2021

#32

South West London

Kingston is a lovely city, it has every city facility which you need with cheaper price. I can find fancy restaurants on the riverside. It'll be a goo...

By member1061692 On 13th August 2021

#33

Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke On Trent is a great place for student life. There are many clubs for students, a huge shopping centre and a nice park to take walks in. The tran...

By member1263727 On 10th November 2021

#34

Bournemouth

I made the best decision by coming to live in Bournemouth. It reminds me of my town back home. I love living in the area of Lansdowne, I have everythi...

By member860744 On 5th July 2021

#35

Lancaster

The town isn't very big or modern, yes, but it's got everything you would need. As someone who grew up in the city, I find these old buildings and clo...

By member1161459 On 28th July 2021

#36

Derby

Has something for everyone from clubs, bars, pubs, shops, restaurants, cafes to modes of transport. It really is a great city and it’s not too big so ...

By member961365 On 27th July 2021

#37

Worcester

Worcester is a great location, with lots of amenities and bars and shops to get everything you could need and have the best social life...

By member858479 On 22nd May 2021

#38

Coventry

Love the city. Historic and calm. It’s an amazing place to roam around and just hangout for a coffee or a beer. It looks extremely beautiful in snow. ...

By member465921 On 2nd February 2022

#39

Exeter

So basically to talk about cost of living it is little pricey but then I am okay with the budget because I’m living in a studio and also whenever I ha...

By member1166252 On 11th February 2022

#40

Cambridge

I live in the middle of 2 big shopping centres. Everything i could need is within a 15 minute walk max. 4 main clubs and lots of pubs. Also many resta...

By member566437 On 15th February 2022

#41

Falmouth

I'm halfway through second semester and although I only go down into town a roughly 3 times a week, I haven't scratched the surface of the amount to d...

By member29063 On 21st February 2022

#42

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

#43

Durham

It is nice and comfortable. Everything you need is close by and everyone is friendly and approachable as well. It is a community of helpers and Givers...

By member566483 On 17th February 2022

#44

Colchester

The scenery is really great, and the cultural environment is comfortable and relaxing, I can experience different life here...

By member1262918 On 15th October 2021

#45

Sunderland

Metro is a god send. It's accessible and easy to use to get in and out of Sunderland. Also useful for getting to and from the hospital of you have loa...

By member559060 On 27th May 2021

#46

Loughborough

Cost of living generally is better than unis that I know of in the south. There's a fair amount of options for eating out but not quite as many as my ...

By member464420 On 1st December 2021

#47

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

#48

Keele

Although the town is not dazzle, local students can still find lots of bars to hang out. Only 3 stars on "Nights Out" because of those night places ar...

By Bowen On 29th November 2021

#49

High Wycombe

Very good area to live and study in, all the facilities they have....

By member654273 On 17th February 2021

#50

Canterbury

I usually walk to city centre as it isn’t that far which is really good but if I do need to use transport it’s really easy to get I don’t usually eat ...

By member1067261 On 15th March 2022

#51

Bradford

Bradford is a good town to live in as a student, has everything you need, and is amazing food-wise. It's a small town and isn't the best for a night o...

By member1357933 On 14th May 2021

#52

Oxford

What can I say about Oxford? It has now become one of my favorite cities in the world, and though small in size in comparison to London, it has its ow...

By member1162037 On 31st August 2021

#53

Guildford

Guilford is a very safe town and the people here are also very nice. It’s very close to London and it’s very nice to spend a weekend in London or a ni...

By member567491 On 22nd March 2022

#54

Salford

Great area for supermarkets, easy to get into Manchester...

By member657417 On 6th May 2021

#55

Brighton

Living in Brighton is great. There is so much to do, and walking around the city honestly makes you smile. There are so many pubs, clubs, restaurants ...

By member460222 On 17th June 2021

#56

Ipswich

Nice and quiet town, definitely many opportunities for discovering heritage, eating out and shopping. Prices are average. Transport could be better ar...

By member565489 On 19th January 2022

#57

Stirling

Stirling is for sure one of the best cities in the world which you can access to Edinburgh or Glasgow easily since it is located in the heart of Scotl...

By member763484 On 3rd November 2021

#58

East London

mile end was a great area in some hours of the day, but of course i had to be careful at night. the uni was very close to victoria park which was just...

By member961344 On 26th July 2021

#59

Bath

Quite an expensive city to live in. Lots of places to go and eat in the city and lots of things to do with visiting family/friends. Bus is obviously b...

By member1161352 On 26th July 2021

#60

Bangor

I love it here. There are loads of nooks and crannies and beautiful sights once you get looking. It's right next to Anglesey, Snowdonia and some prett...

By member860402 On 22nd June 2021

#61

Bolton

there are quite a few places to enjoy quiz nights, dancing, and drinking • several shops have been closing due to unsatisfactory demands e.g. high str...

By member868605 On 29th April 2022

#62

Winchester

the city centre is very safe and easy and there is an incredible range of local shops, supermarkets, amenities and city attractions....

By member458939 On 26th May 2021

#63

St Andrews

A central bus hub for North East Fife with regular passage to Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee. A proximate train station in Leuchars (~15 minute bus jo...

By member763572 On 6th November 2021

#64

Hatfield

Galleria and 20 mins train ride from London...

By member1146463 On 5th March 2020

#65

Middlesbrough

Getting around in Middlesbrough is great, brilliant prices, amazing nights out, but not for the weak of heart. It can be a rough town, but once you're...

By member562139 On 5th September 2021

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

Twickenham

Everything is easily accessible, with London being on your doorstep....

By member1160220 On 17th June 2021

Inverness

Inverness is a great place to live....

By member858578 On 23rd May 2021

Ormskirk

Public transport is great there buses and trains to all over, the little town has all the necessary shops. The night life is great too as it’s not too...

By member463163 On 25th October 2021

Gillingham

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

By member459926 On 10th June 2021

Luton

It's a nice area to live that like peace and calm atmosphere...

By member659125 On 27th May 2021

Gloucester

A beautiful city, with a good location and welcoming people, also with a lot of opportunities for student development....

By member544610 On 3rd January 2020

Carlisle

Decent town. Lovely walks through it and parks are also nice...

By member559966 On 11th June 2021

North London

Great area, easy to get around....

By member665743 On 27th January 2022

Newport

Newport is a little town with the larger Telford nearby. There are regular buses and I think the prices are decent, especially in comparison to if you...

By member850365 On 11th August 2020

Chichester

Good transport links but apart from pubs and restaurants there is no night life....

By member942003 On 7th September 2019

Writtle

A picturesque village though without many facilities....

By anonwrittle On 28th April 2021

Buckingham

Buckingham has lots of lovely coffee shops and all the main things one would need. I wish we had a train station though!...

By member1045052 On 28th January 2020

Northampton

The town is dull and depressing, don’t move here unless you like being in the minority...

By member1364158 On 24th November 2021

Wrexham

Chester is close on the train but there are some decent pubs about. Fair range of shops and a few museums.. Also easy transport links to Liverpool,Ma...

By member868961 On 15th May 2022

Keep reading...

Join StudentCrowd for Unlimited Access, to Write Reviews and Help Students.

We'll send you an email so that you can verify your free account.

By joining you agree to our T's and C's. We're committed to protecting your privacy.