Top 5 UK Cities for International Students

With more than 60 student cities, each having an international student population of 5%, there is a reason millions of students choose to call the United Kingdom home. Along with enticing campus life, you get to evolve in a city with a flourishing economy and exceptional lifestyle.

London is the obvious first choice while you plan to study in the UK. But big cities come with a heavy pocket and a hustle work culture. So, it’s important to consider other factors like comfort, treatment of immigrants, economic and political conditions, career prospects, affordable student accommodation in UK cities, and career prospects while shortlisting the cities to study.

While Hollywood has made the big names look fancy, there are gems of cities where students can enjoy an equal share of city and nature and immerse in the local lifestyle without going broke. Here, we bring you the top 5 cities in the UK that leave students with a broad smile on their faces.

Table of Contents

1. Manchester
2. Bristol
3. Cardiff
4. Sheffield
5. Coventry

1. Manchester

Even before we can spell out Manchester, we have images of the two most famous football clubs; Manchester United and Manchester City. Along with football grounds, Manchester hosts the biggest student campus in the whole of Europe. There are many well-ranked universities like Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Manchester, RNCM, Salford University, and the University of Bolton. Equal opportunities in the different sectors like finance, management, health, and scientific technology have helped develop the economy and lifestyle. 

The city serves as a great place to study, live and travel. The halls of residence and studio accommodation in Manchester are sure to serve as your ‘home away from home. The famous ‘Manchester Student Night Out’ where students get exciting deals from more than 100 stores is to die for. You can use the official tram service Metrolink, the bike-sharing scheme Mobike, or the free city bus service Metroshuttle to go around the city. As a city that loves and celebrates history and culture, you can enter most museums, galleries, and libraries for free. Don’t be surprised if I tell you Manchester has a museum entirely dedicated to hats-the Hat works!

2. Bristol

Bagging the badge of an environmental warrior and inclusive society, Bristol hosts thousands of students every year from across the world. The University of Bristol and the University of West England promote world-class research across different disciplines like engineering, architecture, media, and communications. The state-of-the-art learning is indicative of the thirteen Nobel prize winners among alumni and former staff of Bristol.

Bristol has something for everyone. If you crave buzzing nightlife and a fancy lifestyle, you have Clifton Village. If you need a much more peaceful and residential area, go for Stoke Bishop or Redland. If you need a mix of all cultures and cuisine, St. Pauls has lanes for you to explore. The splendid alley of Arch House Deli will take your taste buds on a roller-coaster ride. Cider has the soul of Bristol in it; no one leaves the city without taking a pint. Irrespective of the part of the city you are in, you have MetroBus and Great Western Railways covering most of Bristol. A simple Google search on student accommodation Bristol will give you numerous housing options near the city center to choose from.

3. Cardiff

Cardiff is the biggest city in the UK’s smallest country, Wales. Cardiff boasts a pleasant waterfront, exciting nightlife, and perfect balance between modernism and history. With international students pouring in from more than 130 countries, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to the University you should graduate from. Cardiff University, University of Wales, and Cardiff & Vale College offer graduate programs in a wide range of subjects. The Welsh capital boasts an educational system with a cutting edge in technology and research.

Rugby is the national sport, and the city entertains all kinds of water and land sports. Cardiff has the advantage of cycling trails covering most of the routes. It is a cheap city to live in, and the student rooms near Cardiff University are available even for short terms. 

A major attraction is the collaborative efforts by the Cardiff Student union to ensure safe commutes for students. For example, the ‘Safe Taxi Scheme’ drops you home safe if you have the University card with you. You don’t have to bother about paying right away; you can do it later through the corresponding forums. 

4. Sheffield

With the highest tree to people ratio among the European cities, the city that derived its name from the River Sheaf, Sheffield, is rightly known as a green city. Topping the list of countries for student satisfaction, Sheffield offers research-oriented real-time learning in its admired institutions, namely the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University. Sheffield has the best student union in the UK and welcomes over 50,000 new students every year. The best teaching staff and 5 Nobel prizes come from the University of Sheffield. The international collaborations and the early introduction to industries would earn a brownie point in your CV. 

Sheffield is among the top 10 affordable cities to live in. Student apartments in Sheffield are well-distributed around the campus and the city. Your visit to the city is never complete without exploring Sharrow, a southwestern district dotted with eateries, bars, and all things fun. If you’re passionate about art, head out to Bant Street Arts, which hosts performances, exhibitions, and events throughout the year. In addition, there are music, literature, and arts festivals around the year in this haven for vegan lovers.

5. Coventry

Coventry, the ninth-largest city in England, is situated in the middle of Britain, around 30-minute from Shakespeare’s birthplace. Immersed in history and culture, Coventry is less touristy than London or Birmingham, but it has a lot to offer. The city was ruined ruthlessly during the second world war where prisoners were sent to Coventry, away from the social life in the other cities; thus giving birth to the English idiom “send to Coventry”. But the city has washed away this reputation via its multiculturalism and modernism.

University of Warwick and Coventry University are the major colleges that mentor students towards rewarding careers and fulfilling campus life. The DLHE survey stated that 97% of Coventry graduates start a new job or a degree within six months of graduation. With the green campuses, Coventry University dorms are nothing less than a holiday retreat. The famous Black Taxis of London are actually made in Coventry. If you have an edge for modern art, you can visit and even get a part-time job at the Warwick Arts Centre or Mead Gallery. You can find the largest collection of British transportation in Coventry Transport Museum. 

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