Campus vs city: Which type of university is right for you? | TopUniversities
Home Where to study Europe United Kingdom Campus vs city: Which type of university is right for you?

Campus vs city: Which type of university is right for you?

User Image
By Aisha Khan Updated Dec 19, 2023
6,800 Views

Save

Share

Table of contents

Table of contents

open-arrow close-arrow
 
University of Cambridge
Find out what it's like to study in the UK

<p paraeid="{ebe136bc-910f-4366-b2d4-dfcab4445b59}{226}" paraid="1301701364">With most degrees taking a few years to complete, it’s important to consider where you’ll be spending the bulk of your time during your studies. If going to university means you’re imagining a vibrant city life with plenty of variety around you, it’s possible you might not be well suited to a campus university, and vice versa.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{ebe136bc-910f-4366-b2d4-dfcab4445b59}{254}" paraid="1151760664">As home to a wide variety of both campus and city universities, we’ve taken a look at UK institutions to help you decide which type of environment is ideal for you.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{cb24e2ef-d4dc-4caf-9982-b43e658e21b3}{26}" paraid="755888201">Before we dive in, it’s worth clearing up what both types of university mean, particularly in a UK context:&nbsp;</p>

<ul role="list">
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="0" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335551671&quot;:0,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{cb24e2ef-d4dc-4caf-9982-b43e658e21b3}{44}" paraid="411046292">Campus: All university-owned buildings and facilities such as lecture halls, libraries, bars, gyms and student residences are located in the same area. Despite its meaning, campus universities can still be based in a city, such as the <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-birmingham" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">University of Birmingham.</a> Some universities may have more than one campus, but campus buildings are generally closed off to the general public and are only open to student and staff.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="0" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335551671&quot;:0,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{cb24e2ef-d4dc-4caf-9982-b43e658e21b3}{115}" paraid="1717993185">City: Although universities in a city will still have a variety of facilities, buildings are spread over a larger distance, and will usually be located in a particular area of a city rather than a closed campus that is only accessible for students and staff.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</li>
</ul>

Reasons to choose a campus university 

<p><strong>Convenience is important to you </strong></p>

<p><strong><img alt="Swansea University" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="64fc18c4-a986-4167-9bf8-b002d6629e35" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Swansea%20University%20re-size.jpg"></strong></p>

<p paraeid="{cb24e2ef-d4dc-4caf-9982-b43e658e21b3}{173}" paraid="1495558412"><em>Image credit: Swansea University</em></p>

<p paraeid="{cb24e2ef-d4dc-4caf-9982-b43e658e21b3}{173}" paraid="1495558412">A huge advantage of going to a campus university is that you have everything on your doorstep, meaning you won’t need to take public transport or walk far to get from one lecture to the next.  </p>

<p paraeid="{cb24e2ef-d4dc-4caf-9982-b43e658e21b3}{185}" paraid="1433708173">We’d recommend researching which campus universities have high-quality facilities and services so that you have the best experience possible. According to a 2022 survey by <a href="https://www.studentcrowd.com/page/best-universities-for-campus-and-facilities-2022" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">StudentCrowd</a> that used over 15,000 student reviews to rank UK universities on their campuses and facilities, the University of Reading took the top spot. With facilities such as an extensive library that has over one million volumes and 130 hectares of parkland, it’s easy to why the university topped this year’s list.  </p>

<table aria-rowcount="12" border="1" data-tablelook="1184" data-tablestyle="MsoTableGrid"><tbody><tr aria-rowindex="1" role="row"><td colspan="3" data-celllook="0" role="rowheader">
<p paraeid="{cb24e2ef-d4dc-4caf-9982-b43e658e21b3}{208}" paraid="682236268">Top 10 UK universities for campus and facilities, according to StudentCrowd </p>
</td>
</tr><tr aria-rowindex="2" role="row"><td data-celllook="0" role="rowheader">
<p paraeid="{cb24e2ef-d4dc-4caf-9982-b43e658e21b3}{228}" paraid="1809882365">Rank </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{cb24e2ef-d4dc-4caf-9982-b43e658e21b3}{236}" paraid="586382154">QSWUR rank </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{cb24e2ef-d4dc-4caf-9982-b43e658e21b3}{248}" paraid="1909298836">University </p>
</td>
</tr><tr aria-rowindex="3" role="row"><td data-celllook="0" role="rowheader">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{3}" paraid="967512952">1 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{11}" paraid="1930865036">229 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{19}" paraid="1198743702"><a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-reading" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">University of Reading</a> </p>
</td>
</tr><tr aria-rowindex="4" role="row"><td data-celllook="0" role="rowheader">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{30}" paraid="490303082">2 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{38}" paraid="1062052125">2 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{46}" paraid="539668416"><a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-cambridge" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">University of Cambridge</a> </p>
</td>
</tr><tr aria-rowindex="5" role="row"><td data-celllook="0" role="rowheader">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{57}" paraid="2060595379">3 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{65}" paraid="1822636413">=96 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{73}" paraid="1289834750"><a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-st-andrews" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">University of St Andrews</a> </p>
</td>
</tr><tr aria-rowindex="6" role="row"><td data-celllook="0" role="rowheader">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{84}" paraid="1896690471">4 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{92}" paraid="577784574">=96 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{100}" paraid="1224324207"><a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-sheffield" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">University of Sheffield</a> </p>
</td>
</tr><tr aria-rowindex="7" role="row"><td data-celllook="0" role="rowheader">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{111}" paraid="1230996274">5 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{119}" paraid="1882775575">28 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{127}" paraid="1358546117"><a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-manchester" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">University of Manchester</a> </p>
</td>
</tr><tr aria-rowindex="8" role="row"><td data-celllook="0" role="rowheader">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{138}" paraid="2072393251">6 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{146}" paraid="1725420793">91 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{154}" paraid="17973973"><a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-birmingham" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">University of Birmingham</a>  </p>
</td>
</tr><tr aria-rowindex="9" role="row"><td data-celllook="0" role="rowheader">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{167}" paraid="563497856">7 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{175}" paraid="500905461">=256 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{183}" paraid="2108802119"><a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/loughborough-university" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Loughborough University</a> </p>
</td>
</tr><tr aria-rowindex="10" role="row"><td data-celllook="0" role="rowheader">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{194}" paraid="316662195">8 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{202}" paraid="836916662">601-650 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{210}" paraid="1392442908"><a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/bangor-university" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Bangor University</a> </p>
</td>
</tr><tr aria-rowindex="11" role="row"><td data-celllook="0" role="rowheader">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{221}" paraid="1840810540">9 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{229}" paraid="1536793425">81 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{237}" paraid="786975352"><a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-glasgow" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">University of Glasgow</a> </p>
</td>
</tr><tr aria-rowindex="12" role="row"><td data-celllook="0" role="rowheader">
<p paraeid="{29f9e3f3-9de7-474e-83cc-9db1f11557dc}{248}" paraid="1138661133">10 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{428dd8e9-3420-42fc-8513-c016a628d92f}{1}" paraid="1297456824">801-1000 </p>
</td>
<td data-celllook="0">
<p paraeid="{428dd8e9-3420-42fc-8513-c016a628d92f}{9}" paraid="1756815422"><a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-greenwich" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">University of Greenwich</a>  </p>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p><strong>You want to be part of a community</strong> </p>

<p paraeid="{428dd8e9-3420-42fc-8513-c016a628d92f}{35}" paraid="1966965556">Whilst going to a campus university means you’ll have everything in one place, you’ll also have everyone around you too. So, if getting to see and meet many of your fellow students on a regular basis is important to you, a campus university could be ideal That’s not to say students at city universities can’t find their own community of friends but having everyone together in one place naturally creates a sociable environment.  </p>

<p paraeid="{428dd8e9-3420-42fc-8513-c016a628d92f}{115}" paraid="1043368433"><strong>A ‘hustle and bustle’ environment doesn’t sound appealing to you</strong> </p>

<p paraeid="{428dd8e9-3420-42fc-8513-c016a628d92f}{123}" paraid="2020925441">As some campus universities aren’t based in cities or large towns, it’s important to ask yourself what type of atmosphere you can see yourself thriving in. Even though you may be further away from a town centre, the upside is that you can enjoy some quiet time.  </p>

Reasons to choose a city university 

<p><strong>You like having a variety of amenities and attractions </strong></p>

<p><strong><img alt="Chinatown, London" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fbcb41f1-f520-4bb8-b1b6-0c2d0ae3724e" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Chinatown%20London%20re-size.jpg"></strong></p>

<p paraeid="{428dd8e9-3420-42fc-8513-c016a628d92f}{177}" paraid="1792918046">Not enjoying the coffee on campus? That won’t be a problem if you’re studying in a city, where you can explore as many cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs as you wish. Whether that means trying a variety of cuisine in <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/qs-best-student-cities/london" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">London</a>’s Chinatown or <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/qs-best-student-cities/manchester" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Manchester</a>’s famous Curry Mile, you’ll have the option to find your local favourites.  </p>

<p paraeid="{428dd8e9-3420-42fc-8513-c016a628d92f}{211}" paraid="610104609">In bigger cities, there’s definitely no shortage of things to do, especially if you’re looking for an enriching cultural experience. Nhi Nguyen, an Erasmus student from France, studying business at the <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-edinburgh" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">University of Edinburgh</a> said: “In terms of cultural attractions, there is no doubt that Edinburgh is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. The Scots are cheeky, friendly and funny!  </p>

<p paraeid="{428dd8e9-3420-42fc-8513-c016a628d92f}{244}" paraid="1662895027">“I've made new friends with whom I shared my best undergrad memories, such as hiking in the Highlands and watching football in a pub. I’ve very much enjoyed the artsy vibes of the city.” </p>

<p paraeid="{428dd8e9-3420-42fc-8513-c016a628d92f}{252}" paraid="2081607648"><strong>You prefer a bigger social scene </strong></p>

<p paraeid="{0699a357-a969-49b5-9d31-3df19c622bed}{3}" paraid="2131802913">One of the best aspects of studying in a city is being able to meet and make friends from other universities, as well as people from all walks of life. With cities such as <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/qs-best-student-cities/sheffield" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Sheffield</a> and <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/qs-best-student-cities/liverpool" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Liverpool</a> each boasting a student population of over 50,000, you’re bound to make strong friendships that last well beyond your university years. </p>

<p paraeid="{0699a357-a969-49b5-9d31-3df19c622bed}{41}" paraid="462412966"><strong>You’re keen on finding internship or employment opportunities</strong> </p>

<p paraeid="{0699a357-a969-49b5-9d31-3df19c622bed}{41}" paraid="462412966"><img alt="Google headquarters in London" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="57e51249-1939-4ece-8916-0a92a9c0de35" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Google%20london%20re-size.jpg"></p>

<p paraeid="{0699a357-a969-49b5-9d31-3df19c622bed}{41}" paraid="462412966">Although it’s not impossible to find a job or internship at a campus university, big cities can provide a greater diversity of opportunities, especially in high-profile companies. As an example, London ranks fourth for employer activity in the <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/city-rankings/2023" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2023</a>, with many international organisations based in the city, such as Amazon, Google and Unilever.  </p>

So, campus or city? 

<p paraeid="{0699a357-a969-49b5-9d31-3df19c622bed}{97}" paraid="1823982590">All things considered, online research can’t replace an in-person visit so we’d encourage taking advantage of open days and speaking to current students to help you find your home-away-from-home. While both types of settings present their own pros and cons, it’s essential that your personal preferences guide your final decision.  </p>

Testimonials

Caryn Callista

"I formed such great bonds with my teammates and our mentor, it was an absolute pleasure collaborating with such remarkable individuals"

Read my story

Caryn CallistaChinese University of Hong Kong student, Future17 participant

Bangladesh India
Tanika Duivenvoorden

“It’s exciting to work alongside experts in the field, where I get to learn and contribute to technologies that could help reshape the future.”

Read my story

Tanika DuivenvoordenUniversity of Queensland student, Future17 participant

Bangladesh India
Nidhi Mohan Kamal

"Canada offers a high quality of life and student experience, known for its peace, safety, and stunning natural beauty, especially in Vancouver"

Read my story

Nidhi Mohan KamalMBA student, UBC Sauder School of Business

Bangladesh India
Abhinav Singh Bhal

"CUHK’s MBA programme provided me with the stepping stone into a larger sports Asian market wherein I could leverage the large alumni network to make the right connections for relevant discussions and learning."

Read my story

Abhinav Singh BhalChinese University of Hong Kong graduate

Bangladesh India
student cities
study abroad
UK
  • Andrew Couzens
  • Ella Hufft

saved this article

  • Andrew Couzens
  • Ella Hufft

saved this article

Aisha image
Written by
Aisha Khan

Aisha is Content Editor for TopUniversities.com and TopMBA.com, creating and publishing a wide range of articles for an international student audience. A native Londoner, Aisha graduated from the London School of Economics with a degree in Philosophy and has previously worked in the civil service. 

Recommended Articles Last year

View All
Article Image

Top universities in the Arab…

Discover more about the top 10 universities in the Arab region this year, based on the QS World University Rankings: Arab Region.

Keshala image
Article Image

Top MBA programmes in the wo…

Thinking about an MBA? Explore some of the top MBA programmes around the world and see what makes each one stand out.

Keshala image
Article Image

Top five study destinations…

Where could your studies take you after Nepal? Explore five popular destinations for Nepalese students and what each has to offer for your studies, career, and life abroad.

Keshala image

About QS TopUniversities.com

TopUniversities.com is QS's trusted student decision platform, built on QS's globally recognised higher education expertise. It brings together the QS World University Rankings, the QS World University Rankings by Subject, trusted university insights and data, information provided by universities, career insights, scholarships, QS Events and QS TopUniversities Apply to help prospective students make higher education decisions with confidence.

QS Career Match is a part of QS TopUniversities.com, helping students connect their career ambitions with the subjects and universities that can help them get there.