A huge number of Indian students go to the UK every year to study foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate courses. There are over 200 universities across different cities in the UK. However for a variety of reasons such as student safety, experience, culture and facilities, some cities are more popular than others and are largely considered as the best student cities in the UK for Indian and international students.
There are several factors which influence the choice of a university and one of the most relevant and relatable one is its location. When choosing a university for studying a 3-4 year bachelor’s or 1-2 year master’s degree, it is very important to think about the city in which you will be living for all this time. What a city offers to students in terms of services, transportation, food, leisure, resources, safety, culture and career opportunities are some of the most important considerations eventually contributing towards a great overall student experience.
A substantially high percentage of Indian students go to study in the UK each year to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering, arts, politics, law, business and medicine. Often the decisive factor to choose between equally good universities is the reputation of a city as being student friendly and offering great opportunities in terms of professional growth.
Learn more about the top three student cities in the UK below and find out which factors make them favourable for Indian students. And if you want to study in the UK from September 2021, arrange a free consultation with SI-UK India today.
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What factors make a city favourable for students?
The UK has an enchanting lifestyle, rich historical heritage, captivating medieval style architecture, beautiful landscape and a great learning environment. In addition, the country is truly cosmopolitan and the population is a mix of different nationalities adding to its cultural diversity. Together these factors make up for the best study experience Indian students can get in any study abroad destination.
Living in a good city in the UK helps Indian students get the desired exposure and complements their learning process. Students not only benefit from learning in a global environment but gain other valuable experiences such as attending various international events, fairs, musical concerts, student activities and most importantly, the opportunity to work with the world’s biggest multinationals. These factors together create a comprehensive student experience for any international student in the UK.
Listed below are some of the most relevant factors which make any city qualify as a favourite student city:
1. Top Ranking Universities
A concentration of top ranking universities improves a city’s desirability and student view index and makes it a global hub for academia. Living in such a city increases professional and social opportunities for international students.
2. Affordability
Students usually live on a limited budget and therefore prefer living in affordable cities with ample options to survive as well as maintain a decent lifestyle without having to spend too much. This includes availability of affordable accommodation and lower costs of living in a city.
3. Entertainment Opportunities
A student’s university life is one of the most exciting phases. University students look forward to living in cities with ample entertainment options including a happening night life, extra-curricular activities, sporting events, theatre, music festivals, and shopping.
4. Career Prospects and Employment Opportunities
One of the most important things a student looks for is the availability of internship and part-time work opportunities while studying a university degree. Moreover, students prefer a city which has a positive employer outlook and offers well paid job opportunities to start a career after graduation.
5. Student Safety
Any city’s desirability index depends on the level of safety and security that exists. For international students living away from home, safety is a big concern. Naturally cities with secure neighbourhoods and friendly helpful inhabitants are more desirable than places where students feel threatened to go out at night or are unable to access certain areas of the city without inhibitions.
6. Student Mix
Student mix refers to the proportion of student population to a city’s population as well as the proportion of international population. A city with a good student mix is more prepared to welcome students with better student facilities and a higher tolerance and inclusion index for international students. Studying in a truly international city with lots of students from abroad is a great way to connect with people from different parts of the world and gain exposure to different cultures and perspectives.
7. City Infrastructure
A good student city has a well placed infrastructure in place with transportation and other basic civic amenities being affordable and easily available to international students.
Top Three Student Cities in the UK
1. London
This capital city of the UK is a global hub for leading research and teaching. With around 45 universities, London has a high concentration of the world’s best universities, world class libraries and the most well-equipped labs. The universities in London are often ranked in the world top 100 making London not only the best student city in the UK but also in the world.
Although normally considered a little expensive, London has something to offer to everyone including those on a limited student budget. Students can make the most of student discounts and deals offered at various places of interest as also while using the student transport network. Last but not least, london is full of generous and well-paid work opportunities so that students don’t have to worry about finding a job after graduation.
Some of the top ranking universities located in London are:
- University College London
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
- Queen Mary, University of London
- Royal Holloway, University of London
- London School of Economics and Political Science
2. Edinburgh
Edinburgh is home to the finest universities in the UK and the local population of the city comprises 40% international students. It is the capital city of Scotland, also known as the ‘Athens of the North’. Edinburgh has it all - world famous unique festivals, lots of green spaces, breathtaking nature, amazing weather, an extinct volcano and an old city centre which happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Add to this Edinburgh’s spectacular nightlife which makes it all the more popular amongst students. It is a historic city with iconic castles that tower above the city and an eclectic mix of shops, pubs, restaurants and historical monuments.
Edinburgh’s most famous universities include:
3. Manchester
Manchester is one of biggest cities in the UK and the one with the highest number of students in Europe. The University of Manchester is among the UK’s oldest universities and boasts of the highest number of Nobel Prize winners in the country. It offers a great mix of entertainment options including world class sporting events and music and art festivals. Manchester also has the second highest economy in the UK and students can look forward to some great job prospects here.
The world famous universities concentrated in Manchester include:
Study in the UK
If you are interested in studying at the best student cities in the UK and gain a unique study abroad experience, book a free consultation with SI-UK to learn more about universities, courses, eligibility conditions and application process.
I sincerely thank SI-UK for getting me accepted to UCL. The MSc in Urban Development and Planning is extremely competitive, but the right guidance provided by SI-UK made my dream of studying at University College London a reality. The services were exceptional from beginning to end. 
