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 studentsas 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.
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.
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.
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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