The top university cities in the UK
The city you study in can have an impact on your university experience. These are the top university cities in the UK according to Uni Compare
Seeta Bhardwa
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Many students choose to study in the UK, not only for its prestigious universities, but also for the lifestyle and experience of living in the UK.
Where you choose to study in the UK can have an impact on the experience that you have and it’s important to choose a location that suits you and your aspirations. Whether it’s a big city, a coastal location or a suburban town, the UK offers a range of options for all students.
To help you make that choice, Uni Compare has analysed UK university cities on a range of factors including cost of living (30 per cent), safety (30 per cent), university quality (20 per cent) and public transport (20 per cent). These factors were then combined to create a “Student City Score” to find which cities provide the best overall experience.
Newcastle upon Tyne came out on top with a Student City Score of 70.37. It scored particularly highly for university quality and public transport. Universities located in or near Newcastle upon Tyne include Newcastle University and Northumbria University.
Making up the rest of the top five university cities are Edinburgh, Belfast, Cambridge and Manchester.
In terms of value for money, Belfast took the first place position for affordability with a cost of living score of 57.60. This means that in Belfast students can generally experience cheaper rents, groceries and reasonable prices for eating out. Belfast also came third in the overall ranking table. Universities in Belfast include Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University.
Owen O’Neill, founder of Uni Compare, commented: “What’s clear from our research is that the ‘best’ student city varies depending on what matters most to you. If you’re primarily concerned about costs, Belfast or Sheffield might be your best bet. If academic prestige tops your list, Edinburgh or Cambridge score incredibly well. For the best all-round experience, Newcastle currently offers that perfect balance of affordability, safety, academic quality, and getting around easily.”
