As a student, making your loan stretch out across the whole semester can be quite tricky. You’re in a new city living with your best mates and the temptation to spend big on the next night out or takeaway is never too far away. For many students, the city where they choose to study has a special place in their hearts and might seem perfect. But is it necessarily the best value place to be?

Research done by Liberty Living compared the 20 largest university cities in the UK, ranking them across a number of different student necessities, these include the price of a burger and a pint at the student union, annual gym membership, the number of budget supermarkets and charity shops, and the cost of two cinema tickets. This research has helped to reveal the top ten places you should consider going to university if you want to make that loan last.

10. Wolverhampton
The cheapest burger and pint, and second cheapest annual gym membership has earned Wolverhampton the first spot in the top 10. Despite being able to buy a burger and a pint for just £5.50, and annual gym membership for a mere £100, it has been let down by its lack of budget supermarkets and charity shops.

Charity shops: 2
Budget supermarkets: 9
Annual gym membership: £100
Price of a burger and a pint: £5.50
Cost of two cinema tickets: £22

9. Birmingham
Just ahead of its nearest neighbour, Birmingham has plenty to offer bargain-hunting students with its range of charity shops and budget supermarkets. It might offer cheap entertainment and low-cost cinema tickets, but it’s one of the more expensive cities for those looking to keep fit in the gym. This has earned the UK’s second largest city ninth spot on the list.

Charity shops: 12
Budget supermarkets: 8
Annual gym membership: £205
Price of a burger and a pint: £6.95
Cost of two cinema tickets: £17

8. Newcastle
The famous party town of Newcastle is well-known for its nightlife and those dangerous trebles bars, but it’s fallen behind some of its Northern rivals when it comes to tackling university on a budget. The jewel of the North East boasts a number of charity shops and budget supermarkets and also offers a good average price for cinema tickets and a burger and a pint, but without ranking too high for each category, Newcastle doesn’t have enough to earn a higher position than eighth.

Charity shops: 13
Budget supermarkets: 8
Annual gym membership: £189
Price of a burger and a pint £7.75
Cost of two cinema tickets: £18

7. Leeds
Yorkshire’s biggest city is one of the most popular student towns in the country. With the recent introduction of the Victoria Quarter shopping centre and Channel 4 announcing an imminent move here, Leeds is becoming a rising power in the north. Eleven budget supermarkets are keeping the price of the weekly shop down for students across the three universities, but pricier gym memberships and cinema tickets means Leeds will have to settle for seventh place.

Charity shops: 13
Budget supermarkets: 11
Annual gym membership: £187
Price of a burger and a pint: £7.25
Cost of two cinema tickets: £20

6. Liverpool
Boasting a rich musical and cultural history, Liverpool has everything a student could want. The Merseyside city has plenty to offer at great value. Along with attractions such as the fantastic Tate Liverpool – which is free to visit – and a vibrant nightlife, Liverpool has a range of charity shops and budget supermarkets, it also boasts one of the cheapest ‘burger and a pint’ deals in the UK, perfect for hangover recovery.

Charity shops: 11
Budget supermarkets: 9
Annual gym membership: £140
Price of a burger and a pint: £6.95
Cost of two cinema tickets: £21

5. Sheffield
The Steel City is a haven for charity shoppers and those looking for cheap entertainment, helping it beat its Yorkshire rivals and earn fifth place on the list. With 19 charity shops, irresistibly cheap food and cinema tickets (two for just £15!), Sheffield makes the ideal student city. Annual gym membership is relatively expensive, but even still it only works out as under £20 a month, so Sheffield is well worthy of a spot in the top five.

Charity shops: 19
Budget supermarkets: 7
Annual gym membership: £235
Price of a burger and a pint: £7.75
Cost of two cinema tickets £15

4. Glasgow
Scotland’s second city is a student town through and through, with over 130,000 students reaping the benefits of a city packed full of history and culture. Glasgow has consistently good prices for all your student needs, get fit for just £125 a year, and enjoy a burger and a pint at the local student union for just £7.50. With 12 charity shops and 13 budget supermarkets, those of you looking to save a few pennies on your shopping will be spoilt for choice. The cinema might make for a more expensive date when compared to some of the UK’s other major university towns, but we feel Glasgow has done enough to claim fourth.

Charity shops: 12
Budget supermarkets: 11
Annual gym membership: £125
Price of a burger and a pint: £7.50
Cost of two cinema tickets: £21

 
3. Manchester
Northern Powerhouse Manchester, and its array of charity shops takes bronze. The city has the joint highest number of budget supermarkets in the UK, so it’s guaranteed your nearest Aldi or Lidl aren’t too far away. It’s not a bad city to study if you’re a sports fan, with Old Trafford and the Etihad showcasing the finest from the Premier League and Manchester Arena playing host to huge boxing events such as Warrington vs Frampton, named ‘fight of the year’ by many pundits. It’s not just sports in Manchester, you’ll also find a vibrant nightlife with plenty of bars to choose from. Manchester is well deserving of its spot in the top three, missing out on the top two thanks to its slightly pricey £8.50 burger and pint.

Charity shops: 12
Budget supermarkets: 13
Annual gym membership: £120
Price of a burger and pint: £8.50
Cost of two cinema tickets: £17

2. Coventry
This might be a surprise entry to a lot of people, but Coventry, our furthest city south takes second spot. With 19 charity shops, it’s ideal for those of you looking for vintage fashion. It’s also the most central city in England so wherever you’ve come from, it won’t be too far home. Offering great value across the board for student needs, with eight budget supermarkets, a gym membership for just £140 and two cinema tickets setting you back just £17, Coventry is well deserving of second.

Charity shops: 19
Budget supermarkets: 13
Annual gym membership: £140
Price of a burger and pint: £8.25
Cost of two cinema tickets: £17

1. Edinburgh
All the cities making up the top 10 are truly great university cities, and if you’re studying there then you’re doing things right. But there is one clear winner, Edinburgh proves to be the king of the north! Rich in history and known for its cultural events such as the annual Fringe Festival, Edinburgh already makes a great student town. When it comes down to student necessities it pretty much wins in every category. It has 20 charity shops and 13 budget supermarkets, more than any other city. You’ll find cheap gym memberships and a burger and pint for just £7.75. Its only drawback is that a trip to the cinema costs slightly more than in some other places, but for the sake of a few quid we felt Edinburgh deserved to be crowned the best budget city in the UK.

Charity shops: 20
Budget supermarkets: 13
Annual gym membership: £120
Price of a burger and pint: £7.75
Cost of two cinema tickets: £21

There it is, the list of the top ten budget university cities in the UK. It seems the north dominates with the only city falling below the North/South border being Coventry. Most cities have a few secrets, and you all probably know tricks to cut the costs and squeeze a few extra nights out of your loan, but if you’re studying in one of these places you’re already at an advantage!