We’re very lucky here at The Insurance Emporium; our offices are slap bang in the middle of the North Yorkshire countryside, while also being within a short drive of one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, York.
It has something for everyone; the Shambles (which is No.6 in Time Out’s 15 Most Beautiful Places in the UK), Viking and Roman heritage, great nightlife and easy access to the Moors and the North Yorkshire coast.
It’s easy to see why it’s such a popular tourist destination, but it’s also a great place to study, with the University of York on the outskirts with its great sports facilities and reputation as a centre for research, and the historical buildings of St. John’s just a stone’s throw away from the Minster, any student is spoilt for choice. Which got us thinking, which are the best student cities in the UK?
LONDON
Our capital city has 17 universities in total, more than any other city in the UK and with a student population of around 500,000, it’s obviously popular with students, many of whom come from all over the world. This makes it a diverse place to live and study and there’s always something to do; from visiting one of the many museums (most of which are free), enjoying some of the best nightlife in Europe, or walking in one of its amazing parks (47% of London is made up of parks/commons etc). It also has a great public transport system including trains, buses and tubes, so it’s easy to get around.
MANCHESTER
Manchester is home to two universities: the University of Manchester, which is ranked 32nd in the QS World University Rankings, and Manchester Metropolitan University, both of which offer a range of courses ranging from the Arts to Engineering. Manchester is also highly regarded as a centre for research.
With a student population of around 100,000, this city has a thriving student community, with plenty of student societies within the universities themselves as well as things to do in Manchester. It has a lively music scene, plenty of museums, galleries and theatres and a tram system. It also has easy access to the surrounding countryside and moors, as well as to Manchester airport.
The city also has a vibrant job market crying out for graduates, including start-ups and digital and creative jobs; for example, it rivals London when it comes to broadcasting since the BBC was decentralised and moved to MediaCityUK opened in Salford.
GLASGOW
Glasgow has three universities, University of Glasgow, Strathclyde University and Glasgow Caledonian University, as well as specialist unis such as the Glasgow School of Art and it attracts over 185,000 students a year.
There’s always something going on in Glasgow; from music festivals and gigs, to art exhibitions, sport and theatre, but you’re also within reach of the beautiful surrounding scenery of the Trossachs National Park and Loch Lomond if you fancy a trip out of the city. It also has the third oldest underground system in the world, as well as plenty of buses and trains.
Glasgow is No.16 on the 2023 Student Living Index, making it one of the most economical places to study in Scotland.
NEWCASTLE
Currently at No.5 on the Student Living Index, Newcastle is home to both Newcastle and Northumbria universities and 45,000 students. Newcastle is famous for its warm hospitality, as well as its history and its nightlife. The Quayside area on the Waterfront has lots of bars, restaurants and shops, and there are plenty of theatres and museums, including the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. Football fans can also catch a game at St. James’ Park.
The city is fairly compact so is easy to get around, it also has a great public transport system; buses and the metro system connect it to the surrounding area, including the stunning Northumberland coast.
BRISTOL
Bristol has a really strong cultural identity; with its own genre of music, street art, festivals and live music venues, there’s something for everyone. It has two universities, the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England (UWE) with a student population of 60,000.
Bristol has Purple Flag Status because of its safe nightlife scene that encourages a welcoming, diverse and accessible night out between the hours of 5pm and 5am. It’s an easy city to navigate, being quite compact, and has great public transport. You can also easily get to the surrounding countryside; for example, the Mendip Hills and the Cotswolds.
BIRMINGHAM
No.8 in the Student Living Index, Birmingham has three main universities – the University of Birmingham, Aston University and Birmingham City University, with a student population of 80,000.
It’s the second most populated city in the UK, so it’s ideal if you want a big city experience without the big city living costs and it has lots going whether you want to go shopping or visit a gallery.
Birmingham has three major train stations, plenty of buses and a metro system. It has a great music scene whether you’re into house, indie, northern soul or jazz.. It’s also famous for its diverse food and its Christmas market.
NOTTINGHAM
Nottingham has two universities, the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent, and a student population of around 60,000. It has a great reputation for its nightlife – for both clubs and live music venues, as well as its sport; Trent Bridge houses Nottingham’s cricket club and the city has two football clubs. It also has plenty of history, theatres and of green spaces.
Its location makes it easily accessible from most places in the UK, and its compact size, buses and tram system make it easy to get around.
LEEDS
Leeds is 7th in the Student Living Index and has 5 universities, the main ones being the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett, and a student population of over 70,000. It has a bustling nightlife, with lots of bars and clubs, as well as the famous Otley Run – a pub crawl that takes in around 15 pubs and has to be done in fancy dress.
There are also plenty of museums and theatres and it has two major music venues in the city centre; the First Direct Arena and the O2 Academy. Being in the heart of Yorkshire, Leeds is right in the middle of some amazing scenery and has great transport links to the rest of the country. It’s also easy to get around the city itself using buses and trains.
Leeds has one of the fastest growing economies in the UK, so it’s a great place for graduate job opportunities.
LIVERPOOL
A city brimming with maritime and musical history, and a vibrant art and culture scene, it’s easy to see why Liverpool attracts around 50,000 students to its two main universities; the University of Liverpool, and Liverpool John Moores University. It’s said to be one of the UK’s most loved student cities.
Liverpool has some great galleries; the Tate Liverpool is in the Royal Albert Dock, itself a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its home to the amazing architecture of Liverpool Central Library whose Picton Reading Room is one of Liverpool’s most Instagrammable spots.
It’s a compact city so easy to get around using public transport, and it has lots of bars, restaurants and clubs and is the home of both Liverpool and Everton football clubs.
SHEFFIELD
Sheffield is home to the University of Sheffield – ranked as one of the top 150 universities in the world – and Sheffield Hallam University, with a combined student population of 60,000.
It’s got everything you’d want as a student; bustling nightlife, some great live music venues and a proud Real Ale culture (there are more brewers per capita than Greater London). It’s particularly well-known for its Street Art, industrial architecture, hills, and access to open green spaces. You have access to everything an urban city has to offer, but a 15-minute drive takes you to the Peak District. Public transport – buses and trams – is also great.
Both universities have great industry connections which offer plenty of graduate job opportunities.
Applying to uni can be overwhelming, and where you choose to live can play a huge part in your experience as a student. Everyone around you will have an opinion, but with so many great universities to choose from, it’s worth taking the time to think about what you really want from your time at uni; your lifestyle, budget and hobbies, as well as the course you want to do.
If you’re still looking around at different unis, read our advice about questions to ask at uni open days (yes, we know it’s mainly about the freebies). And while you’re there you might want to have a look at some of our other blogs for students; including coping with anxiety at uni, making friends at uni and (because we know that those pints won’t buy themselves) the best ways to earn money as a student.
One thing that can take some of the stress out of the whole experience is to get your student insurance sorted. It’s designed specifically for anyone in full-time education living away from home. Take a look at our website and get a free, no-strings quote.
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