Not sure where to go to university? Here's what we recommend based on your personality đ
Big city or small? Wild nightlife or rolling hills? Green spaces or sandy beaches? When youâre choosing where to study, itâs always important to think about whatâs right for you.
And hereâs the thing: everyoneâs different. What some of us might consider the best student city wonât be everyoneâs cup of tea.
Naturally, the university will play a huge role in the city you choose to live in, but there are plenty of other factors that will inevitably shape your decision.
Read on to discover the best student cities based on your personality!
đ If you love to be beside the seaside...
âŚYouâll love living in Brighton! Here, the atmosphere is always buzzing, and a beach is always within walking distance.
Situated on the south east coast, Brightonâs beach is one of the most famous in the UK, attracting tourists from across the world whenever the weather gets warm. Of course, when youâre living here, youâll get to benefit from the beach all year round and dodge the swarm of tourists.
Although itâs known as âLondon-by-the-seaâ, the culture in Brighton rivals the beach in reasons to live here: from festivals and rallies to a thriving nightlife and a passion for arts and culture, itâs hard not to fall in love with Brighton when you move here.
â˝ď¸ If youâre a football fan...
âŚNewcastle will welcome you in with open arms! Even if you donât support the local team, the culture in this northern English city will sweep you up in its community spirit.
Whether you grow to become a proud member of the Toon Army or just want to appreciate from the sidelines, it doesnât take long to start feeling at home in Newcastle. Beyond the footballing culture, youâll benefit from a warm and welcoming atmosphere and a great night out whenever you want one.
đ¨ If youâre a patron of the artsâŚ
âŚSheffield should be high on your list. This South Yorkshire city embraces arts in all forms - from visual arts to music, dance and drama.
Sheffield continues to be a source of inspiration to artists, and the affordable studio space ensures the talent in this city is well nurtured. The arts scene contributes massively to Sheffieldâs vibrancy as well as its economy â in fact, around 7.2% of Sheffield's working population are employed in the creative industries, well above the national average of 4%. If youâre looking to pursue a career in art, youâll fit right in!
đ§ If youâre into musicâŚ
âŚYou should move to Liverpool, where the live music scene is renowned in the UK and across the world.
Everyone knows Liverpool for The Beatles, but thatâs just the tip of the iceberg. This is a UNESCO listed City of Music, home to a buzzing live music circuit, an abundance of recording studios, record shops and grassroots music organisations. Whether you love jazz, rock, indie, pop or something completely different, you wonât have to look too hard to find a scene for it.
Liverpool is bursting at the seams with musical talent â so, if youâre a musician yourself, youâll feel right at home in this Merseyside city.
đ˛ If youâre a self-proclaimed tree-huggerâŚ
âŚYou might want to move to the UKâs greenest city. Bristol was ranked top on the list by Compare the Market, scoring high for recycling and air quality.
This city is full of green spaces for strolls, picnics and quiet study sessions â but donât for a moment think thereâs anything quiet about this city. The population here has a reputation for activism, particularly when it comes to issues such as climate change, conservation and human rights.
Of course, the student community does know how to have a good time: when you live here, itâs hard not to take advantage of the buzzing nightlife that runs throughout the city.
đ¨âđ If youâre a history buffâŚ
âŚYork could be the perfect place to study. Situated in north east England, York was founded by the ancient Romans and its rich history has been well preserved. From the gothic Cathedral adorned in stain glass to the City Walls and a vast collection of museums, youâll feel like youâve time-travelled when you start exploring the cobbled streets of York.
Of course, times have changed, and York has since been rejuvenated by its lively student population.
đŽ If youâre a foodieâŚ
âŚYouâll feel right at home in Birmingham, where street food or gourmet options are equally as mouth-watering and always on offer. Yes, there are currently five Michelin-starred restaurants in this Midlands city, but this diverse foodie haven goes beyond the high-price tags of fine dining.
Asian cuisine is the beating heart of Birmingham, and Chinatown has long been a student favourite. That said, the arrival of the Digbeth Dining Club changed the game in Birmingham. Whether youâre big on burgers or youâre after a post-lecture Balti, this is a must-visit street food destination and a reason alone to move here for uni!
đââď¸ If you love to keep activeâŚ
âŚYouâll be with your people in Loughborough. Not only does the university hold unrivalled achievement in sport, but the town is home to beautiful parks where you can keep fit and immerse yourself in nature all at once.
Thereâs also an indoor climbing station that is a go-to for students looking to stay active and try something new â trust us, itâs way harder than it looks! The culture in Loughborough is a reason in itself to study here. From the entertainment available at the Town Hall to the farmers markets that offer students a change from microwave meals, Loughborough is as charming as it is vibrant.
đş If youâre an adventurerâŚ
âŚKeele will make for a great base. Although Keele itself is a village and not a city, the expansive countryside that surrounds it is a hillwalkers dream.
Maybe youâve been raised in a big city and need a break... or maybe youâre already an avid hiker and want to study somewhere where youâll be surrounded by nature. Either way, Keele is bound to tick your boxes. Plus, itâs only 4 miles from Stoke-on-Trent, so you donât have to worry about missing out on nightlife. On campus, the tight-knit student community in Keele makes it easy to fit in and make friends.
đť If you love a good night outâŚ
âŚLook no further than Manchester. Itâs no secret that Manchesterâs nightlife is one of â if not THE best â in the UK.
No matter what youâre into, thereâs a club for you. Be it Albert Hall (arguably the most popular club in Manchester) where world-renowned DJs grace the decks, Matt & Phredâs jazz club, where live acts play 6 nights of the week, or Hidden, an award-winning venue that hosts infamous summer parties and boasts a warehouse-style basement club.
Manchester is, without a doubt, a party city; and the people here are open-minded and ready to accept you for who you are.
Which city are you moving to for uni? Let us know where and why over on Instagram!