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Graduate Retention: Best UK Cities at Keeping Students After Graduation

A study from Liberty Living reveals the best UK cities for keeping students happy enough to stay there after they've graduated...

For university cities, retaining the students that have studied there after graduation means adding talented young minds into the local workforce. But there are a lot of factors that can impact what recent graduates decide to do after university. 

Research by student accommodation provider Liberty Living asked 2,000 recent graduates about where they decided to move after graduation, and what influenced their decision.

The study has revealed that over a third (36%) of students stayed and worked in their city of study. It has also revealed the best UK cities for student retention.

If you are still in the process of choosing a uni to study at, knowing where graduates are sticking around - and why - can be really helpful in making your decision.  So, let's take a look at the top ten...

1. Glasgow – 51%


Over half of Glasgow students decided to stay following their graduation, more than any other city in the UK. But it doesn’t just stop there...

The city also ranked highly in Liberty Living's survey for several reasons as to why people were encouraged to stay after graduation. It was polled the most positively of all cities (good or excellent) in areas such as atmosphere (79%), culture and heritage (78%) and transport and accessibility (79%). 

60% of graduates in Glasgow said it provided good or excellent networking opportunities and many students felt it provided preparedness for the real world (56%). Glasgow alumni were also impressed with the work experience or internships available during their studies (53%).

Recent research by CV-Library also ranked it top based on analysis of grad job salaries and cost of living, making this truly the place to be for graduates.

2. Edinburgh – 51%


The Scottish capital pushed Glasgow close in the number of students that stayed in the city once their studies were over. While it didn’t have as prominent success rate as its counterpart, the city did still score competitively in several areas.

With places like Edinburgh Castle and events such as the infamous Fringe Festival, it was one of the highest-rated cities as ‘excellent’ for culture (36%) and amenities (39%).

Excellent transport and accessibility (74%) was a notable positive highlighted by students.

3. London – 47%


London, unsurprisingly, features high in the top ten. As well as being the financial heartbeat of the UK, the capital features many of Europe’s major brands, making it a great place for internships and graduate opportunities.

Despite high cost of living, its cosmopolitan atmosphere (67%) was a major factor for staying after graduation. 73% said the amenities were good or excellent and 65% said the same for city culture. With the London Underground and numerous major airports on its doorstep,  transport and accessibility (77%) was rated the highest by former students. London also has the fourth-best networking opportunities in the UK, with 56% saying their good or excellent.

London also proved to be a location that attracted the most students from other cities, with a quarter of respondents (24%) who moved to a new city after graduation choosing the capital as their new home.

4. Birmingham – 41%


Birmingham comes fourth as the city that manages to stop the graduate brain drain with 41% choosing to stay in the city.

Home to places like the Bullring, Birmingham’s amenities on offer were the most popular factor for encouraging people to stay with 74% of grads rating it positively, while transport (74%) and atmosphere (66%) were other contributory factors.

Some of the brands operating in Birmingham include National Express, Chad Valley and Dollond & Aitchison.

5. Leeds – 39%


Leeds is fast becoming one of the major economic and graduate hubs with a thriving digital and technology scene – Channel 4 have just moved there - as well as housing some of the UK’s major legal and financial companies.

But it is the atmosphere and nightlife that drives Leeds’ ability to retain its students. 79% rated the overall atmosphere as good or excellent, joint with Glasgow, while 73% said the same for the city’s vibrant nightlife.

It also featured in the top three cities for the ease and availability of renting accommodation (66%).

6. Sunderland – 39%


Sunderland came sixth overall with almost 2 in 5 students saying they remained in the city after graduating.

The Wearside city had the second-highest positive rating for nightlife with 74% saying it was good or excellent, while it had the highest percentage rank it as ‘excellent’ for transport (39%). The ease and availability of renting accommodation (65%) was another notable factor encouraging graduates to stay.

Nissan is the largest employer in the North East with a base in the city.

7. Cambridge – 39%


Cambridge university is one of the most prestigious in the UK and its close locality to London makes Cambridge an excellent commuting start point to the capital.

And while 68% did say transport was one of the highest reasons for keeping them in the city, the major factor was the networking opportunities on offer. A whopping 77% of grads rated this favourably and given many of the UK’s highfliers, leaders and political figures start out in Oxbridge unis, it is not surprising this features prominently. City amenities and culture also scored highly.

Compared to other cities, Cambridge claimed a top-three position in areas such as post-grad career opportunities (60%), university career advice and support (60%) and ability to get work experience and internships during studies (57%).

8. Newcastle – 36%


Newcastle is renowned for its excellent nightlife (40% of grads rated it as excellent, highest of any city). This is just one of several factors making Newcastle an appealing city for recent graduates.

Former students spoke highly of the Tyneside City’s culture and heritage (74% rated it as good or excellent), joint second in the UK. Atmosphere (70%), nightlife (69%) and amenities (68%) were all notable parts of students’ experience of the northern city.

Bellway, The Sage Group and Greggs all have major presences in the city.

9. Norwich – 33%


The East Anglian city of Norwich comes ninth in the list with a third of its students remaining in Norfolk.

With a market a huge tourist market, it perhaps doesn’t raise eyebrows that local amenities are rated the highest with 71% of graduates saying the local shopping and things to do provided a great reason to stay. Culture (62%) and atmosphere (59%) were other popular reasons.

Companies such as Archant and Naked Wines are situated in the city.

10. Southampton – 32%


Almost a third of students in Southampton chose to stay on the coast meaning it edges into the top ten. Employers such as Carnival Cruises, Ordnance Survey and B&Q are based in the area, but it also offers a great coastal location within commuting reach of other major cities such as Brighton and London.

Transport and accessibility was one of the main reasons grads considered staying, followed by amenities (56%) and culture (53%).

What Influences Our Decision to Stay or Move?


While each person has a different set of circumstances unique to them, it is more than likely that certain factors or opportunities drive their decision on whether to stay or move.

Family is a major reason in the graduate decision-making process, certainly demonstrating that home is where the heart is. 36% of people said that being closer to people like parents, grandparents and siblings was a main influencing factor.

However, the future certainly plays a part with many looking at the availability of jobs, graduate schemes and internships (27%) and factors such as cost of living, with house and rent prices (24%) high on the agenda too.

Almost a quarter (24%) also said that a relationship they were in or seeing at the time was an influence.

Each city has its own merits, atmosphere, lifestyle and appeal, but considering alumni and graduates’ opinions as well can help offer useful insight.

While some people are risk-takers and like to take a leap of faith, it’s always worthwhile checking out your area of interest and study, researching each city and making sure it is the right fit for you.

But for now, it looks like Scotland is the place to be for grads!

NEXT STEPS:

- Still deciding where to study? Read our city guides for help.

- Know where in the UK you want to study? Search for unis in that area.

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