10 Best Cities in UK for Students: Complete Guide

Updated on 18 February, 2024

10 Best Cities in UK for Students: Complete Guide

The number of Indian students in the UK has been soaring, with a record 1,42,848 study visas being granted in 2023. The country’s student-friendly cities, esteemed universities, and post-study work opportunities are some of the major draws for international students. If you too are someone planning to study in the UK, choosing the ideal city is crucial for a fruitful academic journey. So, let’s discuss the best cities in the UK for students. 

Top 10 Best Cities in UK for Students

Let us briefly check out the top 10 best cities in the UK for students as per the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2024. 

London

The UK’s capital city, London, houses students from every corner of the globe. It is the largest metropolis in Britain and a central hub of the country’s economy, transport, and culture. Ranked #1 in the world on QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2024, London provides ample opportunities for cultural exchange and professional development. 

  • QS World Ranking (2024): 1
  • Number of Universities in the Top Ranks: 18
  • Average Annual Tuition Fee for Indian Students: £18,432–£27,066
  • Popular Job Sectors: London is a global hub for financial institutions, with headquarters of esteemed organizations, such as the Bank of England and Barclays. 
  • Average Annual Salary: £43,000

Here are some other details about the city:

Average Cost of Living(Monthly)

£4,209–£6,458

Top Universities
  • Imperial College London
  • King's College London (KCL)
  • UCL (University College London)
  • Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL)
  • London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Top Companies
  • Amazon
  • Deloitte
  • Accenture
  • PwC
  • EY
Popular Hangout Spots
  • Natural History Museum
  • British Museum
  • Imperial War Museum
  • Victoria and Albert Museum
  • Burgess Park

Edinburgh

Edinburgh ranks 2nd among the best cities in the UK for students. This Scottish capital houses UNESCO World Heritage Sites and has beautiful natural scenery. The city ranks an impressive 35th worldwide for employer activity, indicating graduates at Edinburgh’s universities are sought-after by employers. 

  • QS World Ranking (2024): 16
  • Number of Universities in the Top Ranks: 4
  • Average Annual Tuition Fee for Indian Students: £14,400–£26,500
  • Popular Job Sectors: Banking, finance, software, healthcare, and tourism
  • Average Annual Salary: £34,000 

Here are some other details about the city:

Average Cost of Living(Monthly) £2,079–£3,768
Top Universities
  • Edinburgh Napier University
  • Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
  • The University of Edinburgh
  • Heriot-Watt University
Top Companies
  • JP Morgan
  • Royal Bank of Scotland
  • Cairn Energy
  • Amazon
  • Tesco
Popular Hangout Spots
  • National Museum of Scotland
  • Writer’s Museum
  • National War Museum
  • Edinburgh Castle
  • Arthur’s Seat

Manchester

The 3rd best city for Indian students in the UK, Manchester is extremely popular for its music scene and enticing history as a major part of the industrial revolution. Manchester has around 41,000 international students and is buzzing with cafes and festivals. 

  • QS World Ranking (2024): 30
  • Number of Universities in the Top Ranks: 3
  • Average Annual Tuition Fee for Indian Students: £13,750–£20,340
  • Popular Job Sectors: Manchester offers several opportunities, starting from private multinational companies to civil service and local government. It is a major hub for cyber, MedTech, construction tech, and AI and data industries. 
  • Average Annual Salary: £32,000

Here are some other details about the city:

Average Cost of Living(Monthly) £1,871–£3,732
Top Universities
  • University of Manchester 
  • University of Salford 
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
Top Companies
  • Equal Experts
  • Mott MacDonald
  • Google
  • FGH Security
  • easyJet
Popular Hangout Spots
  • Whitworth Gallery
  • Manchester Museum
  • Chetham's Library
  • The John Ryland’s Library
  • Etihad Stadium

Popular Read: Best Universities in UK for MBA

Glasgow

The 5th best city in the UK, Glasgow houses one of the world’s oldest universities (The University of Glasgow). With evidence of a fortified prehistoric village, this city has an unmatched charm. 

  • QS World Ranking (2024): 36
  • Number of Universities in the Top Ranks: 3
  • Average Annual Tuition Fee for Indian Students: £21,600–£25,290
  • Popular Job Opportunities: Glasgow has tremendous opportunities to offer in the fields of technology, finance, engineering, and textiles. 
  • Average Annual Salary: £33,000 

Here are some other details about the city:

Average Cost of Living(Monthly) £1,548 - £3,182
Top Universities
  • The University of Glasgow
  • The University of Strathclyde
  • Glasgow Caledonian University
Top Companies
  • Mott MacDonald
  • NFU Mutual
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Arcadis
  • Pinsent Masons
Popular Hangout Spots
  • Hampden Park
  • The Necropolis
  • The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery
  • Riverside Museum and Tall Ship
  • Glasgow Science Centre and Glasgow Tower

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Located in Northeastern England, Newcastle Upon Tyne dates back to the Roman period. A bustling metropolis, it offers a blend of modern and historic architecture with a thriving international community.

  • QS World Ranking (2024): 39
  • Number of Universities in the Top Ranks: 2
  • Average Annual Tuition Fee for Indian Students: £20,590 - £25,385
  • Popular Job Sectors: Several lucrative jobs in digital and tech, health and life sciences, creative industries, and corporate services.
  • Average Annual Salary: £30,000 

Here are some other details about the city:

Average Cost of Living(Monthly) £1,784 - £3,538
Top Universities
  • Newcastle University
  • Durham University
  • Northumbria University at Newcastle
Top Companies
  • Sage
  • Accenture
  • Amazon
  • HM Revenue and Customs
  • NHS
Popular Hangout Spots
  • The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
  • World Headquarters
  • Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
  • St James Park
  • The Biscuit Factory

Bristol

Bristol is one of the most mesmerizing historic cities in the UK. Since the 16th century, this city has become a key manufacturing hub in the country. The city has gained a reputation for its safety and hosts people from 187 nationalities.

  • QS World Ranking (2024): 44
  • Number of Universities in the Top Ranks: 2
  • Average Annual Tuition Fee for Indian Students: £26,400–£31,300
  • Popular Job Sectors: Bristol has many industries seeking highly skilled graduates, including electronics, aerospace engineering, creative media, and financial services.  
  • Average Annual Salary: £35,000

Here are some other details about the city:

Average Cost of Living(Monthly) £2,194–£3,850
Top Universities
  • The University of Bristol
  • University of the West of England
Top Companies
  • Amazon
  • Deloitte
  • Tesco
  • PwC
  • EY
Popular Hangout Spots
  • Millenium Square
  • Cabot Tower
  • Wills Memorial Building
  • The Georgian House Museum
  • Clifton Suspension Bridge

Coventry

Coventry is a popular student destination in the UK owing to its powerful history and lively culture. The city offers excellent connectivity to the surrounding cities of London and Birmingham. Its universities attract 13,000 international students annually.

  • QS World Ranking (2024): 44
  • Number of Universities in the Top Ranks: 2
  • Average Annual Tuition Fee for Indian Students: £16,800–£19,850
  • Popular Job Opportunities: Manufacturing, automotive, and engineering. 
  • Average Annual Salary: £34,000 

Here are some other details about the city:

Average Cost of Living(Monthly) £1,935–£3,466
Top Universities
  • The University of Warwick
  • Coventry University
Top Companies
  • Jaguar Land Rover
  • Severn Trent
  • Sainsbury’s
  • Shell Energy Retail
  • Coventry Building Society
Popular Hangout Spots
  • Herbert Art Gallery & Museum
  • The Arts Center at Warwick University
  • St Mary’s Guildhall
  • FarGo Village
  • Coventry Transport Museum

Birmingham

Birmingham is located in the heart of the United Kingdom. The city's diversified industrial base makes it one of the top production hubs in the country and has earned it the name of ‘City of a Thousand Trades.

  • QS World Ranking (2024): 49
  • Number of Universities in the Top Ranks: 3
  • Average Annual Tuition Fee for Indian Students: £22,080–£30,420
  • Popular Job Opportunities: It is an up-and-coming financial and commercial hub.  
  • Average Annual Salary: £32,000

Here are some other details about the city:

Average Cost of Living(Monthly) £1,783–£3,725
Top Universities
  • University of Birmingham
  • Aston University
  • Birmingham City University
Top Companies
  • Jaguar Land Rover
  • Mondelēz International
  • Cummins
  • Siemens
  • Procter & Gamble
Popular Hangout Spots
  • Selly Manor Museum
  • National Motorcycle Museum
  • Symphony Hall
  • Birmingham Hippodrome
  • National Sea Life Centre

Nottingham

Popular because of the legend of Robin Hood, Nottingham is a dynamic student city.  The well-connected public transport system of the city makes the universities easily accessible. Additionally, there are several shopping centers, entertainment spots, theaters, and galleries for you to enjoy besides studying. 

  • QS World Ranking (2024): 52
  • Number of Universities in the Top Ranks: 2
  • Average Annual Tuition Fee for Indian Students: £17,150 - £29,950
  • Popular Job Opportunities: It has a robust bioscience industry, along with manufacturing, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and retail.  
  • Average Annual Salary: £30,000 

Here are some other details about the city:

Average Cost of Living(Monthly) £2,561–£4,286 
Top Universities
  • the University of Nottingham
  • Nottingham Trent University
Top Companies
  • Tesco
  • Capital One
  • Experian
  • Deloitte
  • Boots
Popular Hangout Spots
  • Nottingham Castle
  • The Lace Market
  • Old Market Square
  • The City of Caves
  • National Justice Museum

Leeds

With its low cost of living and splendid student culture, the city is always on the list of students seeking higher education in the UK. The city is the financial and cultural hub of West Yorkshire. It is also one of the greenest places in Europe, with 4,000 hectares of green areas. 

  • QS World Ranking (2024): 55
  • Number of Universities in the Top Ranks: 2
  • Average Annual Tuition Fee for Indian Students: £29,250–£31,000
  • Popular Job Sectors: Creative and digital industries, construction, manufacturing, leisure, and retail are some of the key sectors in Leeds.  
  • Average Annual Salary: £31,000

Here are some other details about the city:

Average Cost of Living(Monthly) £784–£2,679
Top Universities
  • The University of Leeds
  • Leeds Beckett University
Top Companies
  • Amazon
  • PwC
  • NHS
  • Deloitte
  • Tesco
Popular Hangout Spots
  • City Varieties Music Hall
  • Country Arcade
  • Trinity Leeds
  • Thornton’s Arcade
  • Leeds Town Hall

Selecting the right city is an important step while planning your higher studies in the UK. Get started on your academic journey in the UK after considering the cost and quality of living in various cities.

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FAQs

What are the top 3 universities in the United Kingdom?

According to the QS World University Rankings 2024, the top three universities in the UK are Cambridge University, Oxford University, and Imperial College London. 

Why should I consider the United Kingdom for my higher studies?

The United Kingdom is home to renowned institutions, with 90 of them appearing on the QS World University Rankings 2024. Moreover, the job opportunities here are multifaceted, from business and medicine to manufacturing. The rich historic culture and diverse student populace allow you to expand your knowledge and communication skills. These factors attract a significant number of international students to the country every year.

What is the average cost of living in the United Kingdom?

The average tuition fee for undergraduate courses in the UK is around £22,200 per year, whereas it is around £17,109 per year for postgraduate students. Depending on the city where you live, you may have to pay an additional £900–£1400 as your living cost.

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Urvi Agrawal

Urvi has 3 years of experience as a content writer and marketer. Over years, she has established herself as a study-abroad expert and is adept at crafting compelling and engaging content for students. Self-driven and passionate professional, she likes writing poetry and has authored a poetry book ‘Thoughts of a Wallflower’.

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