Choosing where to study in the UK is about more than just picking a university — it’s choosing where you’ll live for the next few years. For international students especially, the city matters almost as much as the course. Having helped students from Nigeria, Ghana, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh settle into UK life, I’ve seen firsthand how different these cities can feel.

Let’s be honest: London is expensive. A room in a shared house in East London — where many of our partner GBS campuses are located — typically runs between £900–£1,300 per month. Add travel, food, and general living, and you’re looking at upwards of £1,500–1,800 a month to live comfortably.

But London offers things no other UK city can match: an enormous job market, huge international communities from virtually every country in the world, and a social life that genuinely never stops. If you’re studying Business, Computing, or Health and want to work in the UK after graduation, London gives you the widest network.

The city can feel overwhelming at first. But most international students I’ve spoken to say that within three months, they felt settled — particularly in East London, which has large Nigerian, Ghanaian, Bangladeshi, and South Asian communities.

Birmingham is increasingly popular with international students for its lower costs and strong South Asian community presence

Birmingham is the UK’s second-largest city and one of the youngest, demographically. It has a huge student population and a strong South Asian community — it’s home to one of the largest Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities outside of London.

Rent in Birmingham is considerably lower — a room in a shared house typically costs £500–£800 per month. Food, transport, and daily costs are noticeably cheaper too. For students who want to keep their living costs manageable while still being in a major, well-connected city, Birmingham is genuinely hard to beat.

GBS Birmingham runs courses in Business, Computing, and Health & Social Care. The campus is well-connected by public transport, and the city centre is easily accessible.

Manchester has a reputation as one of the best student cities in the world — and it’s earned it. The city is vibrant, affordable relative to London, and has a culture that genuinely welcomes students. Rent is typically £600–£950 per month for a room in a shared house.

The city also has a large West African community, making it a comfortable landing spot for students from Nigeria and Ghana in particular. Manchester’s job market — particularly in tech, healthcare, and finance — has grown substantially in recent years.

Two cities that are often overlooked but genuinely worth considering:

• Leeds — a growing city with a strong university culture. Rent is lower than Manchester, the city is safe and walkable, and GBS Leeds offers Business, Health, and Education courses. Good transport links to the rest of the North.
• Liverpool — one of the most affordable cities for students in the UK. It has a rich cultural identity and a tight-knit international student community. GBS Liverpool offers Business and Nursing courses.

For international students moving to the UK alone, having a community matters enormously. All five of these cities have well-established diaspora communities — Nigerian, Ghanaian, Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi, and Kenyan, among many others. You won’t be the only person from your country. There are places of worship, cultural associations, restaurants, and familiar food in every one of these cities.

If you want more specific advice about any of these cities — or want to know which GBS campus or Arden course might work best for where you want to live — feel free to get in touch.