QS Best Student Cities 2027: The best UK student cities for international students
For international students choosing where to study in the UK, selecting the right city can be just as important as choosing the right university.
The newly released QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings provide one of the most comprehensive comparisons of the world's leading student destinations, assessing cities on factors including university quality, graduate employment, affordability, student diversity and the experiences of current students.
This year's results once again underline the UK's global strength. Sixteen UK cities feature in the rankings – more than any other country – with five making the global top 50 and ten ranked among the world's top 60.
London continues to lead the way as the UK's highest-ranked student city, but the rankings also highlight the strength of destinations such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne and Coventry, giving international students an exceptional range of options across the country.
Whether you're looking for world-class universities, vibrant student communities, excellent career opportunities or a more affordable place to live, the latest rankings offer valuable insights to help you decide where to study.
Key takeaways
- ✓London remains the UK's highest-ranked student city, placing 3rd globally in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings.
- ✓The UK has 16 cities featured in the rankings – more than any other country.
- ✓Five UK cities are in the global top 50, demonstrating the UK's depth as a world-leading study destination.
- ✓Regional cities offer outstanding value, combining highly ranked universities with lower living costs than London.
- ✓Scholarships can make a major difference, helping international students afford higher-cost cities while reducing the overall cost of studying in the UK.
Why this matters
Choosing where to study is about much more than university rankings.
The city you live in can influence your experience throughout your degree, affecting everything from accommodation costs and part-time employment to graduate career opportunities and quality of life.
While London continues to dominate international headlines, the QS rankings show that students have an outstanding choice of destinations across the UK. In many cases, studying in a regional city can offer excellent academic opportunities while reducing living costs by thousands of pounds over the course of a degree.
For international students, comparing city rankings alongside scholarships, tuition fees and university reputation can help you make a more informed decision.
Best UK student cities in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings
London remains one of the world's best student cities
London has retained its position as the UK's leading student city, ranking third globally with an impressive overall score of 97.3.
The capital continues to excel because of its concentration of world-leading universities, international reputation and outstanding graduate employment opportunities. Home to institutions including Imperial College London, UCL, King's College London, the London School of Economics and Political Science and Queen Mary University of London, London offers students access to some of the world's most prestigious higher education institutions.
Its Student View score of 99 demonstrates the city's enduring popularity among students, while a Rankings score of 98 reflects the exceptional quality of its universities. London also performs strongly for Employer Activity (92.5), underlining its status as one of the world's leading graduate job markets.
However, the rankings also highlight London's biggest challenge: affordability.
With an Affordability score of just 14.4, London records by far the weakest performance of any UK city in this category. High accommodation costs and day-to-day living expenses remain significant considerations for international students planning to study in the capital.
For many applicants, this is where scholarships become particularly valuable. A tuition fee scholarship or maintenance award can significantly reduce the overall cost of studying in London, making one of the world's leading student cities far more accessible.
The UK's real strength is choice
Although London attracts much of the attention, the 2027 rankings tell a broader story.
Rather than relying on one standout destination, the UK offers world-class student experiences across the country. Five cities feature in the global top 50, while ten are ranked within the world's top 60.
For international students, this means there is no single "best" place to study. Instead, applicants can choose between cities that offer different lifestyles, costs and career opportunities while still benefiting from internationally recognised universities.
This breadth of choice remains one of the UK's greatest strengths as a study destination.
Beyond London: why international students have more choice than ever
While London continues to dominate the headlines, one of the most interesting findings from the QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings is the strength of the UK's regional cities.
For many international students, these destinations offer an attractive balance of academic excellence, vibrant student communities and lower living costs than the capital.
The rankings also reveal that different cities excel in different areas. Some score particularly highly for student satisfaction, while others stand out for affordability, diversity or graduate employment. Understanding these strengths can help you find the city that best matches your priorities.
Edinburgh combines prestige with quality of life
Edinburgh remains the UK's second-highest ranked student city, climbing to 13th globally with an overall score of 89.1.
The Scottish capital performs particularly well for Student Mix (96.1), reflecting its diverse international student population, while its Desirability score of 90.3 is the highest of any UK city outside London. Students benefit from a safe, historic city with excellent cultural attractions, festivals and access to Scotland's natural landscapes.
Although Edinburgh is less expensive than London, its Affordability score of 21.9 shows that living costs remain relatively high compared with many other UK cities.
For students looking for an internationally recognised university in one of Europe's most attractive cities, Edinburgh continues to be an outstanding choice.
Glasgow earns the UK's highest student satisfaction score
One of the standout performers in this year's rankings is Glasgow.
Ranked 31st globally, the city records an exceptional Student View score of 98.6 – the highest of any UK city and one of the strongest scores anywhere in the world.
That suggests students who choose Glasgow overwhelmingly enjoy their experience, thanks to its welcoming atmosphere, lively social scene and respected universities, including the University of Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde.
With a lower cost of living than London and Edinburgh, Glasgow offers an excellent combination of academic quality, affordability and student experience.
For many international students, it represents one of the UK's best all-round study destinations.
Manchester remains a global student powerhouse
Manchester ranks 40th globally, maintaining its reputation as one of Europe's leading student cities.
The city scores particularly highly for Student Mix (97.1), reflecting its diverse international community, while its Employer Activity score of 75.3 highlights the strength of its graduate job market.
Home to the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and several other higher education institutions, the city attracts students from more than 160 countries.
Manchester's extensive business community, thriving technology sector and excellent transport links continue to make it an attractive destination for students planning to build their careers after graduation.
Newcastle upon Tyne punches above its weight
Newcastle upon Tyne climbs to 43rd globally, demonstrating that smaller cities can compete with much larger destinations.
The city records an impressive Student View score of 87.2, suggesting high levels of student satisfaction, while also performing strongly for international diversity.
Newcastle has long been recognised for its welcoming atmosphere, compact city centre and comparatively affordable cost of living, making it particularly popular with international students looking for value as well as quality.
Coventry continues to impress
Coventry has become one of the UK's fastest-rising higher education destinations in recent years.
Ranked 45th globally, it combines a strong international student community with one of the UK's better affordability scores (25.0).
The city's success reflects the growing international reputation of universities such as Coventry University and the University of Warwick, both of which attract students from around the world.
For applicants seeking a city with modern facilities, strong graduate prospects and manageable living costs, Coventry remains an excellent option.
Nottingham, Leeds and Bristol complete the UK's top 10
Three more UK cities feature in the global top 50.
Nottingham (48th)
Nottingham combines two well-established universities with a strong student community and relatively good affordability, making it a consistently popular choice among international applicants.
Leeds (49th)
Leeds continues to strengthen its position as one of the UK's leading student destinations. With a large student population, thriving graduate employment market and lower living costs than London, it offers excellent value for money.
Bristol (50th)
Bristol rounds off the UK's top 10 student cities. Its internationally respected university, vibrant creative industries and strong graduate employment opportunities make it particularly attractive for students interested in technology, engineering and the creative sectors.
Hidden strengths in the rankings
Looking beyond the overall positions reveals some fascinating insights.
Best student satisfaction: Glasgow leads the UK with a remarkable Student View score of 98.6, closely followed by London (99.0 overall student view), Liverpool (93.6) and Edinburgh (92.0). These scores suggest students have overwhelmingly positive experiences living and studying in these cities.
Most affordable: Aberdeen records the UK's highest Affordability score (31.7), followed by Liverpool and Belfast (both 28.1). For students concerned about living costs, these cities may offer better value than higher-ranked but more expensive alternatives. Check out our cost of study calculator to explore different living costs.
Most international: Manchester (97.1) and Edinburgh (96.1) score particularly highly for Student Mix, highlighting the diversity of their student populations and the welcoming environment they offer international students.
These findings reinforce an important message: the highest-ranked city is not always the best choice for every student.
🎓 Scholarship Scanner insight
One of the biggest mistakes international students make is focusing solely on rankings.
A city that is ranked slightly lower but offers generous scholarships and lower living costs may represent much better overall value than a higher-ranked destination with significantly higher expenses.
For example, a student awarded a £10,000 scholarship at a university in Manchester, Coventry or Leeds could graduate with substantially less debt than someone studying in London without financial support.
When comparing universities, we recommend looking at four factors together:
- 🎓 University reputation
- 💷 Cost of living
- 🏆 Scholarship opportunities
- 💼 Graduate employment prospects
Considering all four gives a much more complete picture than rankings alone.
How does QS rank the world's best student cities?
Unlike traditional university league tables, the QS Best Student Cities rankings evaluate entire cities rather than individual institutions.
Each city is assessed across six indicators:
University rankings
Measures the strength and global reputation of the universities located within the city. Find out more about the main UK university rankings.
Employer activity
Assesses graduate employment prospects and the reputation of local employers.
Student mix
Evaluates how diverse and internationally connected the student population is.
Desirability
Considers factors such as safety, pollution, quality of life and overall attractiveness.
Affordability
Measures tuition fees alongside the cost of living and general affordability for students.
Student view
Captures feedback from students already living and studying in the city, providing valuable insight into the real student experience.
Together, these indicators aim to give prospective students a more rounded picture of what it is like to study in each destination.
Should you choose your university or your city first?
The QS Best Student Cities rankings are an excellent starting point, but they shouldn't be the only factor influencing your decision.
At Scholarship Scanner, we recommend choosing your course and university first, then comparing the cities where your preferred universities are based.
A highly ranked city can enhance your university experience, but it won't compensate for choosing the wrong course or institution.
Once you've shortlisted your universities, consider questions such as:
How much will accommodation cost?
What scholarships are available?
Are there opportunities for part-time work?
Does the city have strong graduate employment prospects?
How easy is it to travel home during university holidays?
Does the city offer the lifestyle you're looking for?
Taking a balanced approach will help you find the destination that's the best fit for your academic goals, budget and future career.
Scholarships can transform your study options
One of the clearest messages from the QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings is the difference in affordability between UK cities.
London remains one of the world's leading places to study, but it is also one of the most expensive. Regional cities often offer lower living costs, but even then, studying in the UK represents a significant financial commitment for many international students.
That's why scholarships should form part of every student's research.
Many UK universities offer scholarships specifically for international students, with awards ranging from a few thousand pounds towards tuition fees to full scholarships covering both tuition and living costs.
These awards can make higher-ranked universities and cities far more accessible than many applicants initially expect.
Before making your final decision, it's worth comparing not only university rankings and city rankings, but also the financial support available from each institution.
Find out what scholarships are available.
🎓 Scholarship Scanner insight
Thousands of international students search for scholarships after deciding where they want to study.
We recommend doing the opposite.
Research scholarships before you submit your applications. Funding opportunities vary significantly between universities, and identifying generous scholarship schemes early could influence where you choose to apply.
A university offering a substantial scholarship may provide better overall value than a higher-ranked institution with little or no financial support.
The UK's student cities continue to set the global standard
The latest QS Best Student Cities rankings confirm what many international students already recognise: the UK remains one of the world's best places to study.
London continues to rank among the global elite, while cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle upon Tyne demonstrate that students don't have to study in the capital to receive a world-class education.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this year's rankings is the depth of choice available across the UK.
With 16 cities included, more than any other country, prospective students can choose from destinations that offer different strengths, whether that's graduate employment, affordability, student satisfaction or quality of life.
The best city for you will depend on your personal priorities.
Use the rankings as a guide, compare the universities that interest you, explore the scholarships available and consider the overall cost of studying before making your decision.
That approach will help you find not only a great university, but also a city where you can thrive.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Still have questions? We've answered the most common queries about the QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings, including how they're calculated, what they mean for international students and how to use them when choosing where to study in the UK.
What is the QS Best Student Cities ranking?
The QS Best Student Cities ranking is an annual league table published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). It compares cities around the world using indicators including university quality, employer reputation, affordability, student diversity, desirability and feedback from current students.
Which is the highest-ranked UK student city in 2027?
London is the highest-ranked UK city, placing third in the world in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings.
How many UK cities are included in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings?
The UK has 16 cities featured in the rankings, more than any other country.
Which UK cities are in the global top 50?
Five UK cities are ranked in the global top 50:
London
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Manchester
Newcastle upon Tyne
Coventry
Nottingham
Leeds
Bristol
Editor's note: You'll notice that's nine cities rather than five. This is because the verified rankings you've supplied place nine UK cities in the global top 50 (positions 3, 13, 31, 40, 43, 45, 48, 49 and 50). I'd update the article accordingly wherever it currently says "five". That's actually a much stronger story.
Which UK city has the highest student satisfaction?
Glasgow records the UK's highest Student View score at 98.6, indicating exceptionally positive feedback from current students.
Which UK city is the most affordable?
According to the QS affordability indicator, Aberdeen is the UK's highest-scoring city for affordability, followed by Liverpool and Belfast.
Should I choose my university or my city first?
Most education advisers recommend choosing your course and university first, then comparing the cities based on affordability, lifestyle, career opportunities and scholarship availability.
Can scholarships reduce the cost of studying in expensive cities?
Yes. Many UK universities offer scholarships for international students that can significantly reduce tuition fees and, in some cases, contribute towards living costs.
Where can I find scholarships for UK universities?
Scholarship Scanner helps international students discover hundreds of scholarships offered by UK universities, making it easier to compare funding opportunities before applying.