Universities compete for student attention each year, doing their best to bring students to the city they are housed in. There are some universities which clearly stand out thanks to both the education they offer and the city they are housed in. Factors such as standard of living, cost, safety and nightlife all go into a student’s decision of where to study. A campus manager can learn a lot from looking at universities in the following cities:
Durham
Durham is arguably the jewel of the North East, with its traditional architecture and iconic cathedral dominating the skyline. The university operates a campus in the city and Queen’s campus in nearby Stockton. Both of which see frequent investment and boast a low crime rate, with 0.88 incidents per 1000 residents. The library has national archive status, one of only six in the UK.
It’s also fairly cheap – with housing costing an average of £84 per week. This makes it far cheaper than the other prestigious universities such as Oxford or Cambridge.
Newcastle
Remaining in the North, Newcastle Upon Tyne hosts two universities that both score highly on the student cities lists. Northumbria and Newcastle University share the city, which boats amazing nightlife and a low crime rate alongside a low cost of living. Northumbria is an ex polytechnic that has a thriving business school, while Newcastle is a traditional ‘red-brick’ and member of the Russel Group.
Both campuses have seen recent redevelopment focused on their student union areas and have a huge amount of student accommodation to choose from. Private lets from the likes of Walton Robinson are available close to campus or in one of Newcastle’s exciting suburbs.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is cheap to live in but carries the same traditional, prestigious feel as more expensive cities. 7.1% of the population is comprised of students so there’s a healthy buzz around the city. It was ranked as the 26th best student city in the world by QS.
For students, Edinburgh offers the full gamut of activities. Lots of shopping on the royal mile, lots of great bars with student offers and a university that is part of the Russel group. The campus has over 1,700 places for first year students and a wider range further afield.
London
While it is the most expensive of all the cities listed here, it’s hard not to argue that London is an amazing city for students. QS rated it their 2nd best city in the world to study in in 2013, and since then the city has went from strength to strength. The capital is a natural cultural melting pot that offers a huge number of options when it comes to education. Its main point of appeal is the thriving job market that offers the best employment prospects for graduates.
Unlike other universities, London as a city is much busier and less student focused. For students seeking an insular experience, it could be the wrong choice. It’s also one of the most expensive places to study – something that could put potential students off.
Cardiff
Cardiff is cheap, friendly and a city full of great nightlife. Cardiff also has one of the highest rates of job satisfaction for 18-30’s, making it ideal for students who want to put down roots in the city they study in.
The campus at Cardiff features halls of residence that cost £71-99 per week, making it an affordable choice. Private lets are even cheaper at £55-65 per week.