Renowned for its academic excellence and vibrant student life, the United Kingdom (UK) is a dream destination for many students seeking an education abroad. You’ve spent endless nights researching the best-fit universities for you out there but skipped looking up the cities that’ll host you. We get it; there’s already a lot on your plate, so we’ll make things easier for you. This blog brings you the best student cities in the United Kingdom.
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The United Kingdom is home to some of the best student cities in the world. Over the years, UK has been a top pick by international students as the most sought-after study-abroad destination, coming in a close second only to the US. The QS Best Studies Cities 2023 rankings place 15 UK cities among the top 100 student-friendly cities worldwide. Based on student reviews, affordability, and desirability among the international student crowd, London has won the spot for most student-friendly city.
Let’s take a look at the top UK cities for Indian students.
LONDON
Home to 17 of the UK’s prominent educational institutions, London has the world’s second-largest number of top-ranked universities in the world. Here’s what takes London to the top of the list-
Lifestyle– London is a melting pot of culture, hosting students and working professionals from all over the globe. You’ll never have a dull moment in the city of Thames. From visiting silent art galleries to exploring the quaint towns nearby, London is always up for unforgettable experiences. With a high quality of life and an enriching lifestyle, London is a dream city for many international students.
Education– London houses more than 40 world-class universities that offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses across various disciplines. Universities in London are known for their academic prowess, offering excellent research and professional growth opportunities, which brings us to our next point.
Employment– As a student in London, you are exposed to plenty of internship opportunities that give a kick-start to your career. London is very well known as the financial hub of the world and opens you to an environment of professional and personal growth. Unilever, AstraZeneca, and Barclays are some of the world-renowned companies that are headquartered in London.
Top universities in London-
- Imperial College London
- University College London
- King’s College London
- The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- Queen Mary University of London
- Brunel University London
- Birkbeck College
Also read: Popular scholarships to Study in UK
EDINBURGH
Ranked at 10th position in the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2023, Edinburgh has caught the attention of several Indian students over the past years. It is one of the most affordable cities in the UK for international students. Let’s look at what draws students to the ‘City of Literature’.
Lifestyle– In addition to being dotted with centuries-old castles and palaces, Edinburgh is also blessed with an expansive natural beauty. The culmination of a rich history and a diverse past of this city offers a spirited life to students who move to Edinburgh for their higher education. The vibrant Scottish culture and a metropolitan lifestyle nestled in the lap of nature make life enriching for international students in Edinburgh.
Education– Out of the 15 top universities in Scotland, Edinburgh houses six. Edinburgh has a population of half a million, and the students make up about a whopping 12% of it. The city hosts universities dating back to the 15th century that continue to deliver excellent education to this day. Universities in Edinburgh are known for their history, science, technology, business, and philosophy courses.
Employment– Universities in Edinburgh not only offer excellent academic opportunities on campus but also expose you to professional opportunities off-campus. The rich industrial environment of this city is a big reason for this. During and after your studies, you can explore work opportunities in renowned companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, and IBM that have established their offices in Edinburgh.
Top universities in Edinburgh-
- University of Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Napier University
- Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
- SRUC, Aberdeen Campus
- Queen Margaret University
Also read: Most affordable universities in UK
MANCHESTER
With an international student population of over 100,000, Manchester is often described as a “smaller, cheaper and friendlier London”. Manchester ranks at No. 25 on the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2023. It is counted among the favourite cities of Indian students too.
Lifestyle– Manchester is a large lively city with a culturally diverse and progressive society. Manchester continues to provide its people with a high standard of living, a vibrant lifestyle, and the many-firsts of the world (It is also the first industrialised city where the Rolls-Royce story began). It offers a cost-effective lifestyle and rich working environment to international students looking for economical alternatives to London.
Education– The University of Manchester (UofM) boasts 25 Nobel laureates; the first atom was split in the UofM–a big breakthrough that led to the birth of nuclear power and cancer-fighting radiotherapy. There’s more, but we are tied for words, although it looks like we’ve made our point. The Manchester education system’s possibilities are endless and don’t stop at just education.
Employment– From Kellogg’s to Adidas, Manchester is home to many global corporations. The city is one of the leading economic hubs of the United Kingdom. The birthplace of the industrial revolution continues to provide international students with ample career opportunities even today. Manchester offers you several professional avenues to explore as a student and after graduation.
Top universities in Manchester-
- The University of Manchester
- The Manchester Metropolitan University
- University of Salford
- University of Bolton
- The Manchester College
GLASGOW
The largest city in Scotland, Glasgow is known for its rich cultural heritage, architecture, and the amity of its residents. The city is a feast for nature and music lovers. Glasgow ranks at 25th position in the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2023. One of the best students cities to study in UK, Glasgow has the following plus points-
Lifestyle– With a high standard of living, modern amenities, and being voted the world’s friendliest city in a ‘Rough Guide’ 2021 survey, Glasgow will offer you an unforgettable experience as an international student. When you want to take a break from your studies, you can explore Glasgow’s wealth of nature or its rich architecture and art galleries. It has a vibrant nightlife and a lively music scene (Glasgow was named the UNESCO City of Music).
Education– With universities dating back to the 15th century, Glasgow’s education system is known for its research-oriented, practical, and engaging teaching methodology. Glasgow is home to over 180,000 international students from 140+ countries and is one of the perfect cities to build your global networks. The universities in Glasgow have something for everyone to study.
Employment– International students enrolled for a full-time degree programme at recognised universities in Glasgow are allowed to work a part-time job for a maximum of 20 hours per week during their term. Besides hosting MNCs, including McDonald’s, Barclays, and Amazon, Glasgow also has a booming entrepreneurial industry. Chemify, Mind Mate, and Adimo are some of the successful startups in Glasgow.
Top universities in Glasgow-
- University of Glasgow
- University of Strathclyde
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- Glasgow School of Art
- Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
COVENTRY
Ranked at the 40th position on the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2023, Coventry is one of the less-talked-about student-friendly cities in the UK. Students make up 6.8% of its total population, out of which 40% are international students, making it a truly diverse city to study. Whether you are inclined towards adventure or art, Coventry has something for you either way.
Lifestyle– Coventry abounds in lush green places, museums, art galleries, historic buildings, sporting events (rugby, ice hockey, etc.), and music concerts. The city also has lively art scenes, with the Warwick Art Centre as the second largest art centre in the world after London’s Barbican. Coventry won the title of UK City of Culture 2021 in the year 2017.
Education– Coventry offers a quality education at affordable prices to international students (courses cost in the range of £15,000 to £18,000). The universities in Coventry are recognised for their international reputation, range of courses, and practical learning opportunities.
Employment– From Rolls-Royce and Jaguar to Cognizant and KM&T, Coventry has ample work opportunities for international students graduating from universities in the city. There is a rising demand for engineering, marketing, healthcare, and human resources graduates in the industries across Coventry.
Top universities in Coventry-
- University of Warwick
- Coventry University
- Arden University
- Coventry College
Studying in another country may seem daunting at first, but choosing the right university and the right study destination makes it a life-altering experience. To make sure you do not falter in your study abroad journey, book a free fifteen-minute session with our expert counsellor and foolproof your dream to study in UK here.
BANGALORE
BHOPAL
CHENNAI
CHANDIGARH
DELHI
FARIDABAD
GURGAON
GR. NOIDA
HYDERABAD
INDORE
JAIPUR
KOLKATA
Kathmandu
LUCKNOW
MUMBAI
NAVI MUMBAI
NOIDA
PUNE
THANE
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