Chances are, if you’re considering the UK as your destination to study abroad, Manchester vs London is a decision you’ve been battling with. Manchester and London are clear standouts in the search for Britain's best student cities for internationals, and choosing between the two is tricky.

When people think England, London naturally comes to mind.

On the one hand, London is the country’s capital. It offers iconic attractions, world-class culture, and so much history. On the other, Manchester has its own proud culture, great nightlife, more of a student vibe, and all at much cheaper costs. Tricky, tricky, tricky…

In either case, the UK is one of the premier destinations in the world for international students, but if you’ve been struggling to decide, you're in the right place. Below, we’ve mapped out the pros and cons of studying abroad in Manchester vs London, comparing the two across a number of factors to help you make the right choice.

Should I study abroad in London or Manchester? 6 things to consider

1. Diversity

Winner: London

It’s close, but on average London unis attract more international students. University College London has the highest percentage of international students in the UK, . Although, it’s worth mentioning that University of Manchester follows closely behind with 33.6% of its students being international.

In either case, you’ll be in good company. With world-famous universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, Britain has always been a popular destination for international students. In fact, there were .

Moreover, both cities are hugely multicultural beyond their student population as well. So, if diversity was something you were concerned about when asking if you should study abroad in Manchester or London, don’t let that hold you back.

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2. Quality of universities

You’ll find dozens of high quality universities in and around London.

Winner: London

Once again, Manchester gets pipped to the post. London is home to not only some of the best universities in the country, but some of the best in the world. They perform well in terms of student satisfaction, graduate prospects, quality of research; across the board!

It must be said, this question is stacked against Manchester. There are simply more universities in London. In either location, you’ll receive a high quality of education and internationally respected degrees.

What’s more, depending on the course, some of Manchester’s unis may outperform some of London’s. So, if this is a deciding factor for you, consult the to see which universities excel in your chosen field.

Book your accommodation in London or Manchester with Uhomes

3. Culture and tourist attractions

Winner: Both

This one’s a draw. Both cities have so much to offer. Each, however, has its own character and offers something different. So, when picking between studying abroad in Manchester vs London regarding culture, it’s a matter of taste. Below are some of the key attractions in both cities.

London

One of the most iconic cities in the world. So much of the architecture, fashion, theater, music, and history that defines British culture can be found in the country’s capital.

• Big Ben
• The Houses of Parliament
• The British Museum
• The Globe Theatre
• The Harry Potter Studios
• Bloomsbury
• Buckingham Palace
• Windsor Castle

Manchester

Don’t sleep on Manchester—it’s full of cultural and historical significance.

The hub of the North and origin of truly important cultural, and counter-cultural, movements in British history. With a proud LGBT+ culture and women's rights heritage, a legendary music scene, multicultural cuisine, and world-famous football, Mancunian culture is a sight to behold.

• Manchester Art Gallery
• Science and Industry Museum
• IWM North
• John Rylands Library
• Printworks
• The Lowry
• The Royal Exchange Theatre
• Etihad Stadium

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4. Student life

Winner: Manchester

The deciding factor here is that Manchester has more campus universities. This means students can live, work, and socialize all in one area, Fallowfield, instead of being spread out around the city. Student reviews suggest this close proximity helps with making friends in those first months.

London, made up of its many boroughs, has universities dotted all around—some not even within the city. Some students feel more integrated this way, and the tube can keep you well connected, but there can be less sense of community without a campus.

Another thing we’ll come to later is the cost of living. Manchester’s cheaper cost of living is much more amenable to student budgets. As such, students get to see more of the city. It’s not much fun living somewhere you can’t afford to do anything.

5. Nightlife

Manchester has a nightlife to rival those of many cities around the world!

Winner: Manchester

Few top 10 lists for student nightlife don’t include Manchester University. The city has a long-held reputation for student nightlife. If you’re looking for a great social life out and about during evenings and weekends, you should study abroad in Manchester.

Here’s the main areas for student nightlife in Manchester:

• Fallowfield – This is where most student accommodation is and so where most nights begin and end. A little outside the city center, there’s fewer clubs, but a nice selection of pubs and bars.
• Northern Quarter – The most popular part of the city for student nights out. You’ll find nightclubs, music venues, and cool bars like Soup Kitchen and Flok.
• Gay Village – As the name suggests, this is the heart of Manchester’s LGBT scene. However, the area attracts a broad mix of revelers. Expect cocktail bars, cosmopolitan speakeasies, and giant dance floors.
• Spinning Fields – The classier, more up-market side of town. Go to The Ivy for great dining experiences, The Alchemist for mixologist-made cocktails, or take your pick from any other quirky independent bar and eatery.

Of course, it goes without saying that London has great nightlife too. The capital can cater to the needs of any party-goer, and if you know the right places to go, it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

You’ll love exploring London boroughs.

These are some of London's best boroughs for student nightlife:

• Camden – Famed for its rock and punk roots, Camden remains one of the premier locations for live alternative music. Come here for great venues like The Underworld and The Blues Kitchen.
• Dalston – London’s up and coming neighborhood; the hipster part of town. Thrift stores and markets by day, unique bars and basement clubs by night.
• Southbank – Home to London’s high-end culture. Visit for the National Theatre, the Southbank Centre, BFI Film Festival, or a number of other world class art venues and events.
• Soho – Known as London’s LBGT capital. There are some iconic queer venues like The Duke of Wellington and The Yard, but Soho has something for everyone. Come here for cabaret, karaoke, and after-hours venues.

6. Cost of living

Studying at the University of Manchester will help you keep costs lower than studying in London.

Winner: Manchester

A clear winner. Manchester’s not cheap, but compared to London, just about anywhere is. To put things in perspective, the average weekly cost of student accommodation in Manchester is ; in London, the average is over double that at .

Manchester has cheap, reliable public transport, affordable accommodation, and a bounty of restaurants and takeaways catering to student budgets. This means when you study abroad in Manchester, you can spend your time enjoying the city and all it has to offer, instead of pinching pennies (or, in this case, pence).

London is undeniably an incredible place to study, but even to UK students with London-weighted loans, the cost of living is enough to put many off. There are of course ways London can be done on a shoestring, but a good head for budgets will be necessary.

Whether you study abroad in Manchester or London, your experience will be life changing!

And don’t forget you can go further afield to explore everything England has to offer!

When most people ask if they should study abroad in London or Manchester, or anywhere else in the UK, their first answer will likely be London. It’s the capital city and a popular travel destination—add to that the reputation of its universities, and it’s obvious that London should appeal to international students.

However, it shouldn't be the only destination in the UK international students consider. Manchester has its own proud heritage and culture, excellent universities, and out performs London in some areas of student life. What’s more, the lower cost of living makes it a much more accessible option.

We hope this list has helped elucidate some of the pros and cons of studying in each city. Whichever side of the study abroad in Manchester vs London debate you land on, your experience studying abroad in the UK will be life changing!

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