Top 11 UK locations for a student night out

Most students enjoy a good night out and for many, it’s a huge part of the university experience. After all, freshers’ week (and the many nights out after freshers’) can be a great way to form lifelong friendships and make some incredible memories. 

Using the results of the 2026 Whatuni Student Choice Awards, we’ve looked at the top unis for student life in different regions of the UK to find some of the best areas for a student night out. While obviously there’s more to student life than just going out, nightlife contributes massively to the overall student life experience.  

Although not all nights out involve alcohol or drinking, we’ve used the average cost of a pint to give you an idea of the cost of living and going out in the local area, so you’ll know what sort of prices to expect if you end up studying in any of these locations. So, here are the regional winners of the 2026 Whatuni Student Choice Awards for student life! 

Scotland – Edinburgh Napier University 

Located in Scotland's capital, Edinburgh Napier University benefits from being in a thriving student city with a wide range of nightlife options on offer. Prices can be a bit high, with a pint being around £6 on average (source: Numbeo). Students praise the proximity of nightlife venues including clubs and pubs, and also the variety of venues and events on offer. Many clubs offer student nights and discounts or free entry for students to entice you in. 

"It’s a great tourist city with great nightlife too which makes for a really good overall student experience" - Whatuni review of Edinburgh Napier University

NEXT: Find out more about Edinburgh Napier University

North East England – Newcastle University 

Newcastle, home to Newcastle University, has plenty of options when it comes to nights out and nightlife, from clubs to classic British pubs to fancy cocktail bars. The cost of living in Newcastle is fairly low in general, though you'll still be paying around £5 for a pint (source: Numbeo), which is a great advantage to students on a budget.

"Amazing nightlife and beautiful university campus! Interesting course with great support." - Whatuni review of Newcastle University

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North West England – Liverpool John Moores University 

Student reviewers on Whatuni praise the nightlife at the Liverpool John Moores University, particularly the range of options available. With the average price of a pint just under £5 (source: Numbeo), it can be a little expensive, but there are plenty of student nights with drinks offers to help your budget stretch further. 

"There is so much to do and see and I love bringing my boyfriend to Liverpool to experience the nightlife and other activities." - Whatuni review of Liverpool John Moores University

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Yorkshire and Humberside – University of Sheffield 

Students clearly love life at the University of Sheffield! With a pint of beer sitting at an average of £4.50 (source: Numbeo), Sheffield is a student-budget friendly city. Students also mention the safety of the city at night, as well as the wide range of nightlife venues and events on offer. The city is also known for having lots of small and independent music venues, so it’s a great place to study if intimate gigs are your thing. 

"I have always felt a great sense of belonging and being part of a student community. The nightlife has always been excellent, especially in my first year." - Whatuni review of University of Sheffield

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East Midlands – Nottingham Trent University 

Although a town in the East Midlands may not strike you as the best place for a student night out, Nottingham actually offers a wide range of options to keep students entertained in the later (and early!) hours. Students appreciate the fact that everything is so close together, as it means an easy journey home after a big night. The average pint is about £4.90 (source: Numbeo), though you can take advantage of student offers to find even better prices. 

"I really enjoy the nightlife in Nottingham and how much there is to do here for students." - Whatuni review of Nottingham Trent University

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West Midlands – University of Wolverhampton 

Wolverhampton has plenty to offer for students. The uni is close to a good selection of different nightlife venues to cater to different interests, and students appreciate the tighter-knit community offered here. The cost of living is pretty average compared to most major cities, with the average pint sitting at £5 (source: Numbeo), though it's worth noting that rent in Wolverhampton is fairly cheap for city living. 

"For nightlife, there are plenty of pubs, bars, and music venues where students can relax and socialise after classes." - Whatuni review of University of Wolverhampton

NEXT: Find out more about University of Wolverhampton

Eastern England – University of Suffolk

Ipswich, the town where the University of Essex is located, offers students some fun spots to enjoy their evenings, and the Students' Union are particularly good at making sure everyone stays entertained. The average pint is £5 (source: Numbeo), and there are bars offering student prices or deals. Popular venues with students in the area include Unit 17 and Sin Bar. 

"The student union is very active and really listens to what we need, Suffolk itself is just beautiful." - Whatuni review of University of Suffolk

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Wales – Cardiff University 

As a city, Cardiff is relatively small, meaning it’s easy for students to access everything the city has to offer, and there’s a large student population meaning lots of student nights, deals and discounts to take advantage of on your nights out. Cardiff is also a popular location for musicians to perform in, so there’s lots of opportunity for live music, be it a small intimate gig or in an arena or stadium. 

"Students Union is the hub of all uni life and features so many events, both nightlife and society shows, as well as external concerts in its multiple events." - Whatuni review of Cardiff University

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London – University of Roehampton 

Unsurprisingly, London has the highest average price point for a pint at £7 (source: Numbeo), however students living in London are able to access a higher maintenance loan to help with the additional costs. The University of Roehampton is ideally located for nightlife, with the centre of London only a short distance away, offering the largest variety of nightlife options in the UK. 

"Roehampton has a beautiful campus, whilst still being a London university." - Whatuni review of University of Roehampton

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South East England – University of Sussex 

The University of Sussex benefits from being near both London and Brighton, meaning you've got loads of choices when it comes to nights out. It's probably worth noting that London and Brighton have higher than average cost of living compared to many places across the country, but that might well be the cost of options.

"I love where I study, it is close to the sea and the nightlife is great." - Whatuni review of University of Sussex

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South West England – University of Bath

University of Bath students love the vibrant and diverse nightlife on offer. There are a wide range of bars, clubs and bars with nights catering to students, and you’ll find lots of student deals and discounts. The average price of a pint is £5.80 (source: Numbeo), which is pretty high indeed, so you'll absolutely want to look out for the aforementioned student deals.

"I've been here for around a month and so far the lectures have been so interesting and student life (and nightlife) has been amazing!" - Whatuni review of University of Bath

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