Thousands of Pakistani students go to the UK to get top-class education, globally accepted degrees, and hands-on research experience. The number increased this year due to the PSW (Post-Study Work) visa by the UK government, allowing students to stay for 2 years after completing their degree.
But the biggest struggle for many, whether already studying or planning to, is choosing the right city. A city with affordability, career options, and a good university reputation can shape your success. So here are the top 10 best cities to study in the UK.
Best Cities To Study And Work In the UK As An International Student
It’s not just about going to the UK and studying in any city that you can get. It’s important to carefully select a city in the UK that has a great university reputation, employability, career growth opportunities, networking links, and a friendly environment so you can stay comfortable and joyful throughout your course. Affordability is another thing that you must consider in a city.
To help you easily select the best city to study in the UK for yourself, we’ve compiled a list of the best cities for you. You can select the one based on the availability of the university you want to study in, and also your personal preferences. We’ve considered the following factors in compiling the cities for you.
- Affordable cities with strong job markets
- Good entry-level pay with growth potential
- Low living costs, more savings
- Job security plus salary growth
- Higher income, lower costs
Top 10 Best Cities To Study In the UK
The best city to study in the UK is the one with a good university reputation, affordability, a welcoming community, and an ecosystem. These are all the best cities with these qualities.
1. Cambridge
With an 81% employment rate, which is higher than even Oxford’s, and 24,000+ students, shared housing options available, Cambridge is one of the best cities to study in the UK. It’s a youthful city with nearly 1 in 4 residents aged 18 to 25, and beautiful, friendly communities around that make studying more engaging and pleasant for you.
There are lots of career opportunities in the healthcare, science, and tech fields. The living expenses may not be so affordable here, though, but given the job opportunities, career growth, and the networking opportunities it gives, it’s worth it to spend more.
But still, it’s significantly more affordable than London and only a 50-minute drive away from it. The world’s famous Cambridge Science Park is also in this city, which attracts thousands of STEM graduates across the globe, who you can meet and learn from.
University Available
- Anglia Ruskin University
- University of Cambridge
2. Glasgow
If you want to study in a city with an average graduate salary of around £26,195 and also earn disposable income for an affordable lifestyle, Glasgow is your way to go.
It’s a quite popular city in the UK that gets the most attention from graduates across the globe due to its top universities with strong employer connections and also their assistance in landing jobs in leading UK businesses.
The living costs and the housing costs are way more affordable compared to London and Manchester.
The city offers you up to 52,000 jobs in finance and business, which is a great opportunity for students. Furthermore, the city has a good infrastructure, reliable transport, and plenty of leisure options.
University Available
- University of Glasgow
- University of Strathclyde
- Glasgow Caledonian University
3. Newcastle Upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a beautiful city located in Northern England with up to 6,000 job vacancies available, affordable housing, and the presence of big employers like Greggs and the Sage Group Plc.
The city offers you lots of advantages that could help you save money and also study and live joyfully as an international student in the UK. You can get unlimited travel by bus for only £60/month.
Furthermore, it’s only £90/month for a night out and £750 for a 2-bed housing, which is way more affordable than most of the cities in the country. Furthermore, if you work part-time here or after graduation, your pay rate will be £27,896, which is one of the best starting salaries for graduates.
University Available
- Newcastle University
- Newcastle College
- Northumbria University
4. Leicester
If you have just graduated in the UK, no matter what field, Leicester can offer you great jobs. It’s a centralised city that gives you access to all the major cities with strong business in finance, retail, and the leisure industries.
It’s home to many companies, such as HQs like Next. It’s a beautifully welcoming city with a community of living people and also career opportunities with major companies such as Amazon, Barratt Developments, and Santander.
University Available
- De Montfort University
- University of Leicester
- Leicester College
5. Cardiff
Cardiff city in the UK gives you everything, whether it’s the beautiful castles, historical places, and also the combination of the retro and the modern living. The housing here is quite affordable compared to cities.
The city is the best for postgraduates who are now looking to test and hone their skills by working with big companies such as PwC, Amazon, Tesco, Starbucks, Asda, and Deloitte.
What’s interesting about this city is that, along with the top universities, it also has a vibrant lifestyle with sports, music, and the green nature that will delight you and keep you entertained.
University Available
- Cardiff University
- Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
- Cardiff Metropolitan University
6. Nottingham
Nottingham is another best cities to study in the UK for international students. It has a strong economy backed by multiple industries that also attract big companies such as Boots, Speedo, Capital One, and Experian. With an affordable living and also balanced lifestyle with work and the culture,
It’s a great place for the students to study and work in. The city effectively reflects the culture of the UK, and hence it’s also called the UK City of Culture. Not only is it beneficial to you in terms of education and employment, but also the entertainment. It has lively music, galleries, and theatres where you can watch your favourite movies with your friends.
The city gives you opportunities to grow in your career while also enjoying your life in modern living.
University Available
- Nottingham Trent University
- University of Nottingham
7. Birmingham
Birmingham is a famous city in the UK that was previously known for engineering, but now, with advancements in education, it’s a major business hub. Besides, it also offers you education and employability in finance, healthcare, defence, and transport.
The city can be great to work in for students who graduated in finance, as it hosts the major banks, including HSBC, Barclays, and RBS.
Also, you can get jobs in the logistics, construction, and public sectors. So many fields it offers you jobs in, and hence, it’s also called “the city of 1,001 trades”. The city has fast fast-growing IT sector as well, offering numerous jobs for graduates.
University Available
- Aston University
- Newman University
- University College Birmingham
- University of Birmingham
- Birmingham City University
8. Aberdeen
The Silver City, Aberdeen, is an excellent UK city for graduates as it offers great job opportunities with 66% cheaper rents than London. It’s a global leader in the oil and gas industry, also giving you opportunities to secure jobs in these sectors.
It’s the wealthiest city in the UK that offers you work opportunities as a graduate in multiple sectors such as renewable energy, tech, life sciences, and food & beverages.
It has been known historically for its fishing, paper, and shipbuilding. The city only has a 2.6% unemployment rate, which shows how incredible it is for job seekers.
University Available
- University of Aberdeen
- Robert Gordon University
9. Belfast
Belfast is the capital of Ireland, and it’s known for its vibrant culture, friendly people, and the natural beauty that takes you to the world. The city offers many career opportunities to students who are into tech, as it has major tech companies such as Marks & Spencer, Asda, and Tesco.
Getting a job in this city is quite easy compared to other cities in the UK because it has 38.7 businesses per 1,000 people, which shows its high startup activity.
Furthermore, if you’re into tourism, then the city also has a booming tourism sector because of its natural beauty and the advancements being made. So, you can also work in this sector as a graduate in the UK.
University Available
- Ulster University
- Queen’s University Belfast
10. Sheffield
Sheffield is also known as the most affordable city in the UK, with high disposable income for graduates after rent and bills. It has a growing job market in both the public and private sectors. It’s a constantly evolving city with its industrial heritage and ongoing regeneration.
It also has a vibrant nightlife with leisure activities for you to do with your friends. It’s also expanding tech and the creative industries, opening more career opportunities for the new graduates or students. So, if you’re into working across multiple sectors and living in affordable housing, Sheffield is your way to go.
University Available
- University of Sheffield
- Sheffield Hallam University
Final Words
As an international student, you should look for a city in the UK that has more career opportunities, higher employment chances, big companies in your preferred sector, and also growing fields like tech, finance, and healthcare. You should also consider how affordable the city is and what kind of entertainment it offers.
We’ve considered all this to select the top 10 best cities to study in the UK. Glasgow stands out for its high graduate pay. Newcastle offers energy, affordability, and jobs. Cambridge leads in science and tech. Nottingham blends culture and careers.
Belfast has startups and tourism. Leicester is affordable with big employers. Aberdeen offers low rent. Cardiff has charm. Sheffield is budget-friendly with growth. Birmingham thrives in business and tech.
If you’re unsure which city suits you best, contact StudyLeads consultants. Our students are in all major UK cities, well settled, and many have landed jobs too. Reach out today.