Which Part Of The UK Is Best For International Students?
Big cities like Leeds, Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff and Liverpool have been voted as student favourites thanks to their affordable living, entertainment options and great transport links.
For international students moving to the UK, it can be hard to know where the best place to be based is.
We’ve compiled the best cities for students and what factors to consider as an international student when coming to the UK.
If you’re moving to the UK to study, or thinking about studying in the UK in the future, you’ll want to make the right choice for you. Wherever you’re moving, make sure you make international shipping as hassle-free as possible. At The Box Co. we ship to and from over 150 countries worldwide to get your belongings door-to-door safely and securely.
Top 5 UK Cities for International Students
In a recent StudentCrowd, students voted the top cities in the UK to live and study - taking into account cost of living, eating out, nights out, shopping options and transport links. The results were the following:
1. Leeds
Leeds is home to many well-respected universities including the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University and Leeds Trinity University, offering a range of different courses and subjects.
,As a city densely populated with students, it has a vibrant social scene as well as an affordable cost of living and loads of opportunities for students to excel and enjoy. It’s also well connected both inner-city (with public transport) and with its own airport.
2. Belfast
Constantly voted as one of the most affordable cities for students, Belfast boasts a lower-than-average cost of living. Constantly described as a “cosy” city, it’s a place where students can easily feel at home.
It is also home to reputable universities Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, as well as being rich in culture and history.
3. Cardiff
Despite being a capital city, Cardiff’s compactness makes it easy to get around and know the city. Home to Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of South Wales, it has a thriving student population.
Its affordable cost of living as well as range of student opportunities and entertainment options make it a student favourite.
4. Liverpool
Cultural hotspot Liverpool has no shortage of options to keep students entertained, from music and arts to a vibrant nightlife and foodie scene. Affordable, well-connected and student-oriented, it is a great choice to study abroad - with three key universities to choose from.
5. Birmingham
Birmingham is home to five universities, resulting in a bustling student community and a multicultural population. With plenty of sports, culture and shopping in the vicinity, it has plenty to offer students.
It is also known for being one of the most diverse cities in the UK, bringing with it food, music and culture from countries all over the world.
What Makes a Good City for International Students Coming to the UK?
For international students coming to the UK, choosing a great university city is crucial. But what does that mean? Here are some of the key factors to consider when choosing where to study.
Diversity
Coming from abroad, you will want to feel at home in your university city. Choosing a city known for diversity and multiculturalism means that you’ll meet people from all different cultures. It also means you can connect more easily with other people from your home country.
More diverse student populations will also mean a great range of religious and cultural societies on-campus, making it easier to settle in and feel at home when you’re studying in the UK.
Academic reputation
If you’re choosing to go abroad to study in the UK, you’ll want to get a good education. The UK is home to many different prestigious universities but it is always a good idea to look at their global reputation (through rankings tables) as well as what the prospects are for graduates from your chosen subject.
You’ll want to ensure good teaching, a high calibre of professors and great employment potential.
Affordability
The UK is not cheap, so when coming to study abroad in the UK, the cost-of-living will be a big factor. There is a great deal of variability in how much things cost across the UK.
Smaller cities, areas with dense student populations and walkable cities are all ways of keeping costs affordable. Cities with more students may also have more student job opportunities available, so that you can balance your costs by earning some extra cash.
Connections
As well as choosing a city that’s easy to get around, whether walkable or with great transport links, if you’re an international student, you’ll want to think about getting home.
Choosing a city with an airport (such as London, Leeds, Bristol, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Liverpool), may be sensible if you want to go home for holidays or have family and friends come to visit more easily.
Affordable Storage Options
If you’re an international student, you may need to store your belongings during university breaks or when moving between accommodations, rather than shipping belongings back and forth. Traditional storage companies charge a higher cost in certain cities (e.g. hotspots like London, Manchester and Leeds) so choosing a lesser known city could work out cheaper for storing items.
Or, you could choose a company that specialises in student storage like The Box Co., who charges fixed low-costs regardless of your UK location.
Easy International Shipping for Students Coming to the UK
If you’re thinking about coming to the UK to study, why not ship internationally with The Box Co.?
At The Box Co., we believe in affordable, flexible and hassle-free shipping solutions.
We ship to over 150 countries around the globe and provide door-to-door solutions at the lowest possible cost. No matter how many boxes of belongings you have, we make sure they get to where they need to be - safely, securely, affordably and efficiently.
Get in touch with the team today to get your free quote!
