London
Home to over 8 million people, London is one of the most ethnically diverse and welcoming cities in the world. There are over 300 languages spoken in the city and students from more than 200 different nations study here. London has long been recognised as a magnet that draws international students into the UK. This is largely due to its HE institutions which make up a quarter of all UK education institutions. Universities from London routinely make it into the top 10 world university rankings, and degree qualifications from London universities are recognised worldwide.
Immerse yourself in local London, with cool street markets, art and fashionable shops - and enjoy life set amongst the bright lights of England’s capital city. Whoever you are and whatever you enjoy, you’ll love living in the heart of London. From Chinese to Italian, French to Indian, Lebanese to Korean, there are thousands of restaurants, markets, street stalls and cafes of all price ranges that reflect the city’s multicultural population.
Getting around London couldn’t be easier. London is served by a huge underground network of trains, often called the ‘Tube’. They run every few minutes on routes that are called lines. The Tube is one of the most popular ways to travel in London.
With an amazing range of student accommodations in London, you can be close to campus and the heart of buzzing London neighbourhoods like Shoreditch, Islington, West London, Central London, Holborn and Stratford. The quality of student accommodation here, with excellent facilities, unparalleled comfort and security, makes it easy to relax and explore the city from your own personal base.
Manchester
International students gain much more than a degree in Manchester. Beyond the universities you’ll find that the city of Manchester is a diverse and modern place where a taste of home is never far away. The city is lively and brimming with character, whether it’s the Industrial Revolution or a musical revolution Manchester is at the heart of it. From shopping at the Trafford centre to watching football at Old Trafford, there’s something for everyone.
Manchester is also one of the UK’s favourite student cities, with some of the best hang-outs and events. Home to two great, successful universities – it is no surprise that Manchester has one of the biggest and diverse student communities and was considered the best UK city to live in in 2018 (Economist Global Liveability Survey 2018).
Part of Manchester’s character is its fusion of modern and vintage architecture, which makes for a stunning backdrop. Modern, Contemporary, Georgian, Roman and Gothic, Manchester has all of them. Home to the tallest building in the UK outside of London (The Beetham Tower) and the neo-gothic town hall, Manchester continues to impress visitors to the city.
As an international student coming to Manchester for the first time, you’ll benefit from the opportunity to live and study alongside British students in a safe and welcoming environment. Living in student accommodation is a great way to get settled into university life, meet new people and immerse yourself in the student experience.
Birmingham
In the glorious heart of England, Birmingham is a diverse, modern and exciting city with a long cultural and intellectual heritage. As the UK’s second largest city, Birmingham boasts a dynamic and diverse international community, unrivalled cultural heritage and first-class sporting opportunities. Rough Guides has named Birmingham one of the top 10 cities in the world. Home to five different universities, studying in Birmingham is an exciting and unique experience.
Cadbury’s chocolate, The Bullring, Peaky Blinders, the Balti – all things synonymous with our city. Yet Birmingham has so much more to offer than this. As one of the original pioneering cities Birmingham has developed into a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, music, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. The city’s amazing musical heritage reflects its cultural diversity. Birmingham is renowned as the birthplace of heavy metal music, the global centre of Bhangra culture, and the city that brought reggae and ska to Britain.
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Student accommodations will allow you to enjoy your new-found independence in a safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings. Finding student accommodation that is comfortable and, secure and suits your needs is a hugely important part of the experience studying abroad.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the quirky capital city of Scotland; a capital which is consistently considered one of the most desirable places to live in the world, and is also ranked the greenest in the UK. It is situated in the lowlands but it does not take long to get to the rolling hills and the highest mountains of the UK.
Despite its small size, Edinburgh has all of the social and cultural assets of a city. It’s no surprise that Edinburgh is one of the UK’s leading tourist destinations, coming only second to London. It is an historic city, famous for internationally renowned festivals, events, architecture, wildlife, museums, and more. It is the perfect mix of thriving city life, and vast, panoramic views of nature.
Edinburgh tops the list for atmosphere, positive reputation and desirability, beating off competition from London and York. As a student friendly city with great universities, there are a few areas across Edinburgh that are particularly popular with students. Some of the best areas for students are, Holyrood, North Edinburgh and Leith, Old and New Town and Haymarket. Across the city you’ll find a diverse range of international eats that cater to different budgets. In fact, the city has more restaurants per head than any other UK city, with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.