Best Cities to Study in UK for Indian Students

Choosing a city to study in is one of the most crucial steps for a student. There are many factors to consider before you decide which city is best for your studies. Location, weather, cost and many other things are all important considerations when choosing where to study.

The United Kingdom has become the home to some of the world's top student cities. According to the QS Best Studies Cities 2023 rankings, 15 UK cities are among the top 100 student-friendly cities in the world. London is the most desirable city regarding desirability, affordability, and student feedback. The United Kingdom is a desirable study-abroad destination because of its academic prowess.

Do you know which are the best student cities in the UK? Do you think it will be useful to know the top universities in these cities? The answers to these and many other questions can be found in this blog.

Below are the top 10 picks of the best cities to study in the UK. 

What are the 10 best cities to Study in the UK?

Studying in the United Kingdom is advantageous for international students. But the question is, which city in the United Kingdom should you choose for further education?

The finest UK cities for international students are listed here, along with their QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2023.

City Name

Student City QS Ranking 2023

London

1

Edinburgh

10

Manchester

25

Glasgow

25

Coventry

40

Newcastle Upon Tyne

42

Birmingham

45

Bristol

49

Nottingham

50

Leeds

56

Let's explore more about the cities and living expenses.

London

For the second year in a row, London was named the most fantastic student city in the world (QS). Though the costs may be a little more, you will have an experience well worth the money. This city is home to approximately 40 universities that provide a variety of courses. Education at the Undergraduate, Postgraduate and foundational levels is of excellent quality, with multiple universities receiving gold awards for teaching excellence.

Best Study City QS Ranking 2023

1

Best Universities in London

  • University College London (UCL)
  • Imperial College London
  • Queen Mary University 
  • University of London
  • King’s College London (KCL)
  • Brunel University
  • The Royal Holloway University of London

Cost of Living in London

£1300-£1400 per month

Things to do in London

  • Free admission to the British Museum.
  • Investigate the world-famous Buckingham Palace.
  • Visit the West End Theatre District for some entertainment.
  • On weekends, Camden Market offers a diverse choice of cuisines.

Edinburgh

Natural beauty abounds in Edinburgh, often known as Dunedin and the 'City of Hills.' If you enjoy being surrounded by natural beauty as a student, Edinburgh has emerged as the top city in the United Kingdom for Indian students. Edinburgh Castle, tasty scotch whisky, and local festivals will motivate and entertain your everyday routine. Above all, Edinburgh is one of the most affordable cities in the United Kingdom for students. In addition, this city is ranked tenth in the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2023.

Best study city QS ranking 2023

10

Best Universities in Edinburgh

  • The University of Edinburgh
  • Heriot-Watt University
  • Edinburgh Napier University
  • Queen Margaret University

Cost of Living in Edinburgh

£2225 per month

Things to do in Edinburgh

  • Free admission to the British Museum.
  • Learn how to do the ceilidh.
  • Grass market serves neeps, tatties, and haggis.
  • Climb to the summit of Scott Monument.
  • Visit the Royal Mile and sample various Scottish whiskeys.

Manchester

Manchester is England's second-largest city and is noted for its diverse culture, vivid street art, dynamic nightlife, and Victorian-era monuments. In the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2023, this city is ranked 25th. Mancunians (Manchester residents) are highly sociable and enjoy interacting with international students. Manchester is one of the most excellent locations in the UK for international students seeking further education and professional progression.

Best study city QS ranking 2023

25

Best Universities in Manchester

  • The University of Manchester
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • University of Salford
  • University of Bolton
  • Royal Northern College of Music

Cost of Living in Manchester

£1040 – 1500 per month

Things to do in Manchester

  • Exploring Chinatown's Asian-owned restaurants and supermarkets.
  • At Old Trafford, you may watch live football matches.
  • Visiting Manchester Museum, shopping, and having fun with friends at the Trafford Centre.

Glasgow

Glasgow, widely renowned as the friendliest city in the world, is rich in architecturally spectacular structures. Apart from being an excellent study location, students who are avid Instagrammers and social media influencers can find enough content to shoot in Glasgow. The school system in Glasgow adheres to worldwide norms, which is a positive for overseas students. Glasgow is one of the best student cities in the UK for those who enjoy music and natural beauty. In addition, like Manchester, this city is ranked 25th in the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2023.

Best study city QS ranking 2023

25

Best Universities in Glasgow

  • University of Glasgow
  • Glasgow Caledonian University
  • University of Strathclyde
  • The Glasgow School of Art

Cost of Living in Glasgow

£1623 – £1683 per month

Things to do in Glasgow

  • Visit Glasgow Botanic Gardens.
  • Put yourself in the shoes of a Glaswegian and visit the Dry gate Brewery.
  • Clyde side Distillery offers single malt whiskey to quench your thirst.
  • The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a must-see.
  • View the Glasgow Science Centre's research.

Coventry

Coventry is one of the most undervalued or overlooked cities in the United Kingdom. Yes, it may come as a surprise, but Coventry is home to lush green spaces, Roman art galleries, and museums. Coventry is an excellent choice if you enjoy being surrounded by friendly people and green landscapes. Coventry Institution is the city's largest and most well-known university, ranking #601-650 in the QS Global World Rankings 2023. In addition, according to the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2023, this city is ranked 40th. As a result, Coventry has established itself as one of the most significant study locations in the United Kingdom for international students.

Best study city QS ranking 2023

40

Best Universities in Coventry

  • Coventry University
  • Coventry College
  • University of Warwick

Cost of Living in Coventry

£1,100-£1,300 per month

Things to do in Coventry

  • Picnics with friends can be held on weekends at Coombe Abbey Park.
  • Take a cue from the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum.
  • Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve is a great place to go bird-watching.
  • View the oldest and most valuable aircraft at the Midland Air Museum.

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Newcastle, known for its industrial background, vibrant nightlife, and eponymous brown ale, attracts hundreds of international students each year. Newcastle, without a doubt, boasts some of the nicest streets, with countless art galleries, museums, street markets, bars, clubs, theatres, and so on. Newcastle's universities, like those in the rest of the UK, provide high-quality education. Furthermore, according to the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2023, this city is ranked 42nd.

Best study city QS ranking 2023

42

Best Universities in Newcastle

  • Newcastle University
  • The University of Newcastle
  • Durham University
  • Keele University

Cost of Living in Newcastle

£1112.50 per month

Things to do in Newcastle

  • Investigate the historic Tyne Bridges.
  • Meet up with buddies and go to the Millennium Bridge.
  • Explore Newcastle's historic castle.
  • Eldon Square is a great place to go shopping.

Birmingham

Birmingham is one of the most desirable cities for international students to live in. Birmingham, regarded as the "home of heavy metal," attracts hundreds of overseas students yearly. Birmingham is one of the best places in the UK to study because it combines modernism and British culture, as well as its high-quality education system. In addition, according to the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2023, this city is ranked 45th.

Best study city QS ranking 2023

45

Best Universities in Birmingham

  • University of Birmingham
  • Aston University
  • Birmingham City University
  • Newman University

Cost of Living in Birmingham

£2237 per month

Things to do in Birmingham

  • Local cuisine can be sampled in Michelin-starred restaurants.
  • The National Motorcycle Museum houses almost 1000 classic motorcycles.
  • Visit the National Water Life Center to learn about the beautiful sea life.
  • Damascena Coffee House serves the best coffee in the world.
  • Take the Shakespeare Express into Birmingham's city centre.

Bristol

Bristol is a city in southwest England on the River Avon with a prosperous and unique maritime heritage. The city has a population of 6,86,000 people, an average international charge of USD 30,500, and is ranked 102nd in terms of affordability. In addition, according to the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2023, this city is ranked 49th. As a result, international students can look into some of the country's leading universities to further their studies.

Best study city QS ranking 2023

49

Best Universities in Bristol

  • University of Bristol
  • University of West of England
  • Bristol Filton College

Cost of Living in Bristol

£2309 per month

Things to do in Bristol

  • Has the most talented and brightest student body.
  • It is a bustling city with live music, art scenes, and intriguing dining places, among other things.
  • Universities provide a variety of scholarships, grants, and other financial aid.
  • The harbour's 19th-century warehouses hold restaurants, stores, and cultural institutions like The Arnolfini, a modern art gallery.

Nottingham

Nottingham has a unique role in British history because it was Robin Hood's hunting field. Furthermore, Nottingham is the ideal blend of modernism and British culture. This is a culturally rich city with a thriving nightlife that won't break the bank. Furthermore, it is ranked 50th in the QS Best Student Rankings 2023.

Best study city QS ranking 2023

50

Best Universities in Nottingham

  • University of Nottingham
  • Nottingham Business School
  • Nottingham Trent University

Cost of Living in Nottingham

£2472 per month

Things to do in Nottingham

  • Investigate the Wollaton Hall's interiors.
  • Visit the National Justice Museum's old-style Nottingham jail and court.
  • Explore Green's Windmill was created by George Green's father, one of the most well-known Mathematical Physicists.
  • Visit Lord Bryon's ancestral house, Newstead Abbey, for some inspiration.

Leeds

Leeds, a newcomer addition in the QS Best Student Cities 2023 rating, is ranked 10th this year. Leeds is the county seat of West Yorkshire and home to two prestigious universities, namely the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University. Leeds received the highest score in the international student view indicator this year. This indicator is based on a student poll that received responses from over 85,000 pupils worldwide. Furthermore, according to the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2023, this city is ranked 56th.

Best study city QS ranking 2023

56

Best Universities in Leeds

  • University of Leeds
  • Leeds Beckett University
  • Leeds Trinity University

Cost of Living in Leeds

£1473.00 per month

Things to do in Leeds

  • The city has 7,93,000 people and ranks 78th in employer activity. The country has four major universities.
  • It charges an average international cost of GBP 15,680.
  • Under the renovated railway arches, the city features bars and live music.
  • The Kirkgate market in Leeds has hundreds of indoor and outdoor vendors.

What Are the Most Affordable Cities in the UK for Higher Education?

You will also find some affordable cities to live in in the UK. They are given below.

  • Manchester
  • Cambridge
  • Belfast
  • Leicester
  • Durham

The cities listed above are the top places to study in the United Kingdom. The best city for higher education is mainly dependent on your interests. When deciding on your ideal study destination in the UK, you should consider various aspects such as preferred courses, education system, tuition fee, specialisation, and the cost of living in the UK.

You'll be able to make the best selection for yourself and have a good life as an international student in the United Kingdom if you consider these aspects and conduct a thorough study. 

Are you still worried about the application process for your preferred course? Contact AECC and get free counselling from our experts. We offer end-to-end services that can help you in choosing the right path.


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