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. While choosing the right city is crucial for a fruitful academic journey, it's equally important to understand the cost of living in the UK, which varies across regions and directly impacts your budget and lifestyle. So, let’s explore the best cities in the UK for students.

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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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