Looking to go to university in North West England but not sure what life could be like there? This guide will tell you everything you need to know!
Updated: 16 Mar 2025
North West England is a favourite among uni students in the UK. It has several major towns like Manchester and Liverpool that offer city living with a strong local identity which can be experienced through the local music, art, and sporting scenes.
North West England stretches along the west coast from north Wales up to the border of Scotland. There are three national parks within the region, including the entire Lake District, an absolutely beautiful landscape and the most visited park in the country.
The region is home to thirteen universities, including some of the best in the UK. If you’re thinking about making an application to one of these institutions, then read our guide to find out more. We break down various aspects of life up north, and show you how to get the best out of your time there.
One of the major advantages of living in North West England is the density of student-friendly activities which you will encounter. There will be a whole world of events and activities organised by your university designed specifically for students, to encourage social mingling and introduce you to your new surroundings.
The students’ union will likely organise meet-and-greet sessions, workshops, quiz nights, subject-specific activities and club events to get things started, so get involved early on. Joining a club or society is a great way to get yourself out there. Usually there can be as many as a hundred to choose from, so challenge yourself and try something new.
Beyond your university, the cities will provide yet more environments for you to explore at your leisure. North West England has plenty of cities and towns where you will find a wide range of things to do. The region has a proud industrial history, and there are many museums and heritage sites which you can visit to get a deeper appreciation of the area in which you live.
You’ll have a diversity of local and international cuisines to sample, as well as a great selection of traditional pubs, trendy modern bars and late-night clubs - many of which run regular student nights. Live music, theatre and performances are also available, so be sure to check out your local venues for what’s coming up.
NEXT: See more reasons to study in North West England in our handy guide
North West England is a superb place for a night out. It has built a cultural influence very much of its own over the years, through musical movements such as Northern Soul, Britpop and the underground rave scene of the 1990s. It is an epicentre for talent and innovation, and as a student in the region you will be ideally placed to take advantage of it.
Liverpool and Manchester are the two major centres, however there are also great nights to be found in lesser-known spots such as Preston, Chester, and Bolton. In each of these smaller towns, there is a decent choice of evening entertainment and the average cost of a pint is still less than £4.
Preston and Bolton are the most cost-effective places to eat out, with an inexpensive meal coming around £10 per person on average, and a three-course meal for two people priced at just £40. It’s easy to see why students love to live here, since with a cost-of-living like this, you can afford to go out more often.
During your first year at uni, you may choose to live in one of your university’s halls of residence buildings. There are normally a few options available, including self-catered single rooms with either shared bathroom or ensuite facilities, studio apartments available at a slightly higher price, and in some cases, catered accommodation options.
Prices vary between unis, but typically you’ll expect to pay between £120 to £200 per week for a single, self-catered room, which is usually arranged in a shared apartment with communal kitchen and living room spaces. As a quick comparison, Manchester Metropolitan University has a range of rooms priced between £130 and £210, while the University of Liverpool ranges between £150 and £230.
If you’d prefer to find private accommodation from the local rental market, then you’re in luck. With a relatively high student population, North West England has a thriving market for student housing and if you give yourself a bit of time to shop around, you’ll usually be able to find something which suits your budget and preferences.
Bolton has the lowest price for a studio apartment in the city centre, at just £550 per month, and if you’re sharing with friends a three-bedroom apartment costs less than £1,000 per month which works out at less than £350 each!
Chester is the most expensive, with average prices of £1,060 for a one-bedroom and £2,100 for a three-bedroom apartment. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay between £600 and £850 across the region for a studio flat, or £350 to £550 per person for a shared apartment.
Transport is a daily expense worth considering in the North West. If you think you’ll be using the bus or train service regularly then it’s probably worth looking into getting a monthly travel pass. These can save you quite a bit of cash when compared to buying a single journey each time and reduce the hassle significantly. With your student status you can save a further 1/3 of the price with a 16-25 RailCard, too.
Monthly passes in North West England are typically priced between £45 and £75, with Chester offering the most affordable option at just £45.50. When you apply your student discount, it comes down to £1 per day. Not bad at all!
Groceries are another daily expense and, overall, prices across the region are lower than in the south of the UK, especially London. Lancaster has the lowest cost-of-living in this regard, and if you can find wholesale supermarkets or large street markets then you can save some cash by bulk-buying items or visiting at the end of the day to pick up some bargains.
NEXT: Read more about the cost of living as a student in North West England
For many, North West England is synonymous with the Lake District National Park. England’s only mountain range and one of the greatest natural landscapes the country has to offer. Whether you visit for a day trip or a week-long camping excursion, it’s hard not to be blown away by this area.
North West England boasts thirteen major universities, offering a wide selection of degree options and levels of study.
There are four institutions in Liverpool alone, and the city is a hotbed of talent and educational heritage, not to mention a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Each of these institutions offer the experience of living in Liverpool with a differing portfolio of courses. If you love the city but can’t decide which uni is the best match, then you can book an open day and visit each of the campuses to see for yourself. Sometimes there’s just no substitute for being there in person, and you’ll be able to chat with staff and current students for first-hand insights.