Harry Potter. Beatles. Tea time. Does any country come to your mind? That´s right! The United Kingdom, a.k.a UK. The United Kingdom consists of beautiful four islands: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We will explore the 5 best student cities in the UK within this article. Take your tea!
The UK is the birthplace of the Beatles and Harry Potter. Moreover, the UK led the 1960-1980s heavy metal culture and brings up the popular football clubs.
Moreover, the UK is the most popular destination for international students in Europe. Which cities in the UK are the most appealing to students?
Best 5 Student Cities in the UK
1) London
2) Manchester
3) Nottingham
4) Edinburgh
5) Glasgow
1. London
London is the capital of England. When we think about London, a red double-decker bus will pop up in our mind. Red buses run all day long which proves London is a metropolitan city with 9 million citizens.
Historically, London was the economic, historic center of Europe and the home base of the British royal family. It is filled with places which were important in world history, such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Palace of Westminster, and it attracts millions of international tourists all over the world.
Also, London offers a variety of stunning night light experiences which are essential to students. Especially, Soho is the most famous district for the notorious London nightlife. Students can experience the best pubs and clubs in London in Soho. Also, students can enjoy cultural life with various musical performances. Let´s get along with local London people! You might find some like-minded people in Soho.
In London, the high-ranked universities are located, equipped with academic reputations internationally. University College London (UCL), King's College London, and The London School of Economics and Political Science are the most difficult universities in the UK to enter, due to the high competition. Students all over the world eagerly want to be accepted into these universities.
2. Manchester
Where is the most famous city for football derby in the UK? That´s right! Manchester. Manchester is located in northern England and was the center of the Industrial revolution. It is the fifth most populating city in the UK. The city has also its own reputation for two football clubs: Manchester United and Manchester City. When there is a derby match between these two teams, the whole city is crowded with football fans, with passionate cheering and sometimes disappointing sighing.
Where can we find new friends and hang out with like-minded people in Manchester? The Northern Quarter is a vibrant neighborhood, full of street graffiti, independent bars, and indie record shops. It is a perfect place to meet local people and have a drink. Lots of live music performances happen in every corner of the district.
The University of Manchester was established in the late 19th century. Its buildings are spread all over the city. The University of Manchester is the third-largest university in the UK. It offers programs that fulfill a wide range of academic interests. The University of Manchester attracts numerous international students from 154 countries around the world. It produced 25 Nobel Prize winners in the sector of Physics, Chemistry, Psychology, Medicine, and Economics.
3. Nottingham
Where did Robin Hood come from? That´s right! Nottingham. Nottingham is located eastern middle of England. Since the city is full of historical and medieval architecture, Nottingham is the top 5 tourist city in the UK. In 2018, the city received the second-highest number of overnight visitors in the Midlands.
The Lace Market is the historic place of Nottingham. It was once a hub of the British lace market. Victorian redbrick warehouses are reborn as fashion boutiques, gastropubs, and creative agencies which produce a unique and charming atmosphere. It offers provocative art shows, trendy cafes, and restaurants. If you are new in Nottingham, you can find definitely new friends here.
The University of Nottingham has a long history from the 18th century. The institution's alumni have been awarded prestigious awards, including 3 Nobel Prizes, a Fields Medal, a Turner Prize, and a Gabor Medal and Prize. It has a big main campus, and also smaller campuses and sites spreading in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
4. Edinburgh
Let´s look at another land of the UK, other than England. Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. The city offers a medieval Old Town and gorgeous Georgian New Town with gardens and neoclassical buildings. All the beauty of Scotland is lying in this city. If you visit Edinburgh, you will understand why William Wallace, the Scottish rebel and the real character of Braveheart, wanted to protect this beautiful land from the British Kingdom.
Edinburgh is also known for its festival: Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the biggest arts festival in the world. It offers free open access to all kinds of performing arts, where anyone can participate and perform any kind of art. If you are interested in performance, you should definitely visit here. Before going to the festival, you can find new friends to go to together with via UNBLND, who have also the same interest in the arts. At this festival, you are entitled to enjoy various genres of performances; Opera, Theater, Comedy, dance, etc.
Edinburgh's Old Town is the place where you can hang out with your new friends. The district is full of pubs and bars and live music. If you want to feel the mixed atmosphere of old and modern times, this is the perfect district for you.
From naturalist Charles Darwin to philosopher David Hume, the University of Edinburgh has its fame for its alumni which are the essentials in modern history. Its buildings are spread all over the city, with a mix of historic and modern buildings, including Scotland's oldest concert hall. If you want to study Medicine, Social Science, and Economics, the University of Edinburgh will not disappoint you to fulfill your academic interest.
5. Glasgow
It would be a shame if we don´t mention Glasgow as one of the best student cities in the UK. Glasgow is the second-largest city in Scotland. The city has beautiful scenery with mountains and also historical architecture. With the sweet melody of Celtic music, get ready to explore the city.
If you wanna taste the real Scotch (Scottish Whisky), you should visit the Glengoyne Distillery. With the fame of “the most gorgeous Scottish distillery”, Glengoyne distillery opens every day waiting for you to offer you a unique Whiskey tasting experience. Be prepared to fill your mouth with deep and flavourful Scotch!
Now, we gotta get back to our original goal: Studying! There are 5 universities in Glasgow. The most famous one is the University of Glasgow. This university is actually one of the oldest universities in Europe, which was founded in 1451. The campus itself is a museum. The buildings are from ancient medieval times. If you wanna be a vet or work in the field of civil engineering in the future, you should consider choosing this university. The University of Glasgow also offers Celtic Studies which you can be expertise in Scotland and Celtic culture.
If you are interested in other student cities in Europe, such as Germany, check out our recent article about the best student cities in Germany. You can also check out the best student cities in the world.
Do you wanna travel around the UK and also to other fabulous cities in Europe? Interrail Global Pass will help your tight budget with a very reasonable price! Check out this great offer!
How was exploring the best student cities in the UK? The UK has a vast European history and well-known cultural aspects, so it will not disappoint your student life. Do you need like-minded friends who will join your delightful student journey?
Then, you should download our app UNBLND! It offers you the best opportunity to meet the people on your interest-based. You don´t have to worry about the lack of chances to socialize in new cities. With UNBLND, whenever and wherever you can find the best like-minded people around you! It is available on Appstore and Google Playstore. The best part of this app is: It is free of charge! So enjoy! :)