Best Cities to Study in the UK for International Students

 

With more than 500,000 international students enrolling each year, the UK boasts 14 entrants in the QS Best Student Cities 2019, excelling in factors such as desirability, affordability, and student preferences. This article explores the reasons to study in the UK, the best student cities for UG and Masters in the UK.

 

Reasons You Should Study in the UK

1. Quality Education: The UK stands in the 2nd position as the most desirable and leading destination for higher education in the world, with four of its universities making it to the top 10 among the best universities in the world. The University of Oxford, which is the top university in the UK, holds a global rank of 5, the University of Cambridge has a global ranking of 7, Imperial College London ranks 8, and University College London ranks 10 in the global ranking.
2. Research and Innovation Scope: With multiple scholarships and grants dedicated to students to pursue high-quality research and innovation, the UK continues to leave its mark as the leading country in research and innovation.
   Additionally, with the new £300 million science plan, the UK plans to strengthen and upgrade its scientific infrastructure, extend three-year post-study work visas for Ph.D. graduates and also establish an “Office for Talent”.
   Also, the plan allows international students completing a Ph.D. in the summer of 2021 to stay for three years in the UK, as opposed to the current situation which permits them an extension of only 12 months.
3. Scholarships: To promote international talent, the UK provides multiple scholarships such as The Ch evening Scholarships, Euraxess UK, The Commonwealth Scholarships, The Royal Society Grants and the UK – China Research Partnership for Ph.D. Studies, etc.
4. Enriched Living Experience: The UK is a multicultural society with a diverse population, which provides a homely environment to its pool of international students. Excellent healthcare facilities, widely varied cuisine, beautiful and globally acclaimed architecture, and multiple cultural and sports events make studying in the UK an enriching living experience.
5. Shorter Course Durations: UG in the UK is usually for three years, whereas you can complete a graduate program in just one year, thereby saving money and time. Additionally, there are 50,000 courses in more than 25 subject areas to choose from in the UK.
6. Employment Opportunities: There are a lot of opportunities for internships, research, and teaching assistantships in the UK for international students, helping them earn better living while pursuing their courses. Students can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during semester breaks to manage their expenses in the country.

 

Best Cities in the UK for International Students

London

London is admired for its diverse population, multiple employment opportunities, and scope to build social networks. London ranks 1st in the world in the University Rankings Indicator with 18 ranked institutions, in the QS World University Rankings® in 2022.

Also, London ranks 3rd in the Employer Activity Indicator, which suggests that students graduating from universities in London have a higher chance of attracting employers from all around the world.

Moreover, London is home to top universities to get an MBA in the UK namely: The University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, London Business School, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Some exciting places and wonderful architectural landscapes in London are- Westminster Abbey, ZSL London Zoo, London Dungeon, Madame Tussauds, Sea Life London, Tower of London, and The London Eye. One can never get bored in London.

Additionally, whenever you want, you can have the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London-the place where your favorite movies like Harry Potter got shot.

According to QS World University Rankings 2022, the following are the top universities in London:

Edinburgh

Edinburgh, which is the Scottish capital, ranks 16th in the World University Rankings and welcomes around 67,995 students. The epitome of Scottish culture and sublime nature, Edinburgh ranks 37 in terms of employer activity and 82 in affordability.

Additionally, Edinburgh hosts one of the biggest art festivals-the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Places to visit in Edinburgh are Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse and Holyrood Abbey, The Royal Mile, Climb to Arthur’s Seat and the Salisbury Crags, Royal Yacht Britannia, National Museum of Scotland, Royal Yacht Britannia

Top Universities in Edinburgh:

• The University of Edinburgh
• Heriot-Watt University
• Scotland’s Rural College University
• Queen Margaret University
• Edinburgh Napier University

 

Manchester

Manchester ranks 29th in the world, with its highest-ranked university-the University of Manchester ranking 27th in the world rankings.

Home to places such as Castlefield, Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester Cathedral, National Football Museum, Chetham’s Library, Manchester Art Gallery, Chinatown, etc., the city is adored for its culture and extracurricular opportunities.

Manchester is cheaper than other cities in the UK, which adds to its desirability status for international students.

Top Universities in Manchester:

• University of Manchester
• Manchester Metropolitan University
• University of Salford
• University of Bolton

 

Glasgow

Fourth in the best UK student cities ranking, Glasgow holds a global rank of 39 and comes among the top 50 for the university rankings. Also, Glasgow ranks 57^th in the employer activity rank and 89^th in affordability. 

Some of the places of attraction in Glasgow are- Glasgow Cathedral, Riverside Museum, Glasgow School of Art, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, George Square and the Merchant District.

Top Universities in Glasgow:

• University of Glasgow
• University of Strathclyde
• Glasgow School of Art
• Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
• Glasgow Caledonian University

 

Coventry

Coventry ranks among the top 5 in the UK, 47th in the Best Student Cities Index, 104th in affordability and 44th in employer activity rank. The leading university in Coventry, which is- Coventry University, provides specializations in automotive design, making it one of the most sought-after institutions for students having a background in mechanical engineering.

Being a cultural hub of the UK, Coventry is home to places attracting tourists’ attention such as Coventry Transport Museum, the Coventry Music Museum, Coventry Cathedral, War Memorial Park, St. Mary’s Guildhall, and the Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve.

Top Universities in Coventry:

• Coventry University
• University of Warwick

According to the QS University World Ranking 2022, following is a list of the top 10 student cities in the UK:

Besides a good university and a perfect program…. the choice of city is also important. With a plethora of information on the internet, you are bound to feel overwhelmed!! Don’t worry, at Manya – The Princeton Review, there are specialists equipped to deal with all kinds of queries which can help you make an informed decision!

 

Brighton

This city has the highest student ratio among all the UK student cities, with approximately 10.5-12 percent of the total population and international students more than 27 percent of the student population.

It is ranked 24th according to the World Index in a mixture of students. The highest-ranked university is the University of Sussex, which holds a placing of 246th in the QS world university ranking® 2020.

The amazing weather and the relaxed atmosphere make Brighton one of the best cities in the UK for international students. It earns place 83rd in the world index.

Top Universities of Brighton are:

• University of Sussex
• University of Brighton
• Brighton & Sussex Medical School
• Greater Brighton Metropolitan College

 

Reason to Choose the UK for Studies

Various factors why students look for the UK while choosing the right destination for their studies:

• UK Universities are recognized as the best Universities all around the world for studies.
• UK Universities have a long history of offering high-quality education.
• UK Universities have a diverse range of courses. Around 1.5 lakh courses are offered by UK universities/colleges.
• The National Health Service (NHS) provides free medical treatment to Indian students when they opt for a full-time study course in the UK.

 

Conclusion

Going abroad for studies is a huge opportunity, but also brings the headache of planning. That’s why we picked the best 6 Cities in the UK for International Students, So they can relax during this mind-blowing process. The list is presented with the best 6 cities in the UK for studying and also living. Education is necessary but living is also important, so you can achieve the best path for yourself in the future.

 

Manya – The Princeton Review offers end-to-end study abroad services encompassing admissions consulting services, test preparation, English language training, career assessment, and international internship opportunities to study abroad aspirants.

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