Beyond London - The UK’s best university cities for Indian students - 2026

For Indian students heading to the UK in 2026, the decision doesn’t end just with choosing a course or a city. What matters equally is the city they choose to live in.

Academic reputation is important, but long-term outcomes are often shaped by how well a student adjusts to daily life in a new city. How convenient it is to get around town. How long does the commute take to different hubs? How comfortable a student feels outside the campus.

These factors are not highlighted in the brochure, but often impact how well a student adjusts to life in a new city.

While both cities offer excellent education and career opportunities, they operate differently day-to-day. Understanding how these differences play out in students' daily lives helps Indian families make decisions with clarity and confidence.

Why location matters for Indian students

Based on our extensive experience working with Indian families, one pattern is consistent: students with similar academic abilities can have different experiences depending on where they live. This is because city choice affects daily routines, travel times, access to part-time work, social support, confidence and independence over time.

With academic standards high in both London and Manchester, a side-by-side comparison highlights how city environments influence students’ lives in different ways.

Graduate Route planning: The role of location

The UK’s Graduate Route allows overseas students to stay and work after completing their studies. While visa eligibility is the starting point, outcomes depend on several factors that develop during the academic years.

These include the presence of employers in relevant sectors, access to entry-level roles and experience gained during the course itself.

Both London and Manchester offer pathways under the Graduate Route. The difference lies in how opportunities are distributed across industries and how students position themselves for these roles during their academic years.

Key considerations for Indian families

Rather than comparing cities directly, you can benefit from focusing on alignment.

The questions to consider when choosing a city for your child include:

• preferred pace and scale of city life,
• the level of independence your child is comfortable with,
• academic priorities and post-graduation career goals.

Viewed through this lens, London and Manchester represent different value profiles than the alternatives competing on the same criteria. The right choice is often the one that supports routine and long-term progression.

How Benham and Reeves India assists Indian families

Benham and Reeves has worked with many Indian families since establishing its local presence in 2011. Teams in Delhi and Mumbai work closely with the UK offices to support families across different stages of the UK education and property journey.

We help families identify student-friendly neighbourhoods across major UK cities and provide guidance on rental accommodation, including shortlisting properties and lease structures.

If you are planning on buying a property in the UK, our in-house property management service provides continuity through tenant management, maintenance and compliance support.

Contact us today for a no-obligation, one-on-one consultation.