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Wales Online
04-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Wales Online
Wales' best universities for social and campus life ranked by students
Wales' best universities for social and campus life ranked by students Academic work is important but not the only part of life at university. Students have ranked the best places to study in terms of campus life, nightspots, bars, sports, and clubs Students in Cardiff having fun at the annual Varsity 2025 sports event Students have ranked the best universities based on local nightlife, bars, societies, and campus culture. One Welsh university has made it into the top 10. Cardiff University takes the crown as the best in Wales for student life and was ranked sixth in the UK. The student life rankings assess universities across multiple categories about student life beyond academic work including community atmosphere. All reviews are validated using verification systems to maintain authenticity with universities requiring a minimum of 10 verified reviews to qualify for inclusion. Uni Compare has released its 2026 university student life rankings based on 28,430 verified student reviews across 209 universities. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Newcastle University is in the top number one place for student life out of the 100 universities on the list followed by Nottingham Trent and Liverpool John Moores. Unicompare looked at campus culture, social experiences, and student satisfaction beyond academic performance. Since the platform started it has gathered 151,805 reviews and ratings, creating what it says is one of the UK's largest student-led review databases focused solely on the university experience. Article continues below Not all Welsh universities are on the list as the rankings only include universities that have reached the table's threshold of submitted student reviews. Oxford University languishes at 84th on the list of 100 and Cambridge comes 64th on the list. Top 10 Universities With The Best Student Life 2026 Rank Rank Change University Student Social Score Recommended Percentage 1 +2 Newcastle University 4.48 100% 2 – Nottingham Trent University 4.42 98% 3 +1 Liverpool John Moores University 4.38 97% 4 -3 University of Liverpool 4.34 99% 5 +5 University of Leeds 4.3 94% 6 – Cardiff University 4.28 98% 7 +20 Leeds Beckett University 4.25 99% 8 +37 University of Bristol 4.23 94% 9 -4 University of Nottingham 4.23 95% 10 +2 Middlesex University 4.21 96% Top Welsh universities With The Best Student Life 2026 (with UK rank in brackets) 1. Cardiff ( 6) 2. Cardiff Metropolitan University (13) 3. Bangor University (31) University (39) 5. Aberystwyth University (53) 6. Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (55) 7. University of South Wales (86) Article continues below The full list of 100 universities ranked can be seen here.
Wales Online
19-06-2025
- Wales Online
The best and worst universities for accommodation ranked by students
The best and worst universities for accommodation ranked by students Bangor was top in Wales at 12th - but one Welsh university ranked 95th Student accommodation in Bangor has been ranked the best in Wales (Image: Bangor University ) The best universities for accommodation have been ranked from student reviews. With students paying an average £139 to £341 a week and far more in London it's a major consideration when applying or preparing to go to university. Last week Cardiff University Vice Chancellor Professor Wendy Larner told a Senedd committee the number one reason students give for not choosing her institution is accommodation. On the latest Uni Compare rankings, out this week, Cardiff comes 95th out of 100 universities compared on accommodation and no Welsh university was in the top 10. Bangor takes the crown for best university accommodation in Wales and 12th out of 100 in the UK. Bangor is followed by Cardiff Met and Swansea comes third. Uni Compare based the rankings on what is says are 28,430 verified student reviews. Rankings were based on considerations such ash modern facilities, good locations, and strong campus communities. The reviews listing is based on reviews of student halls and off-site accommodation. Here we look at how UK universities for student accommodation in 2026, according to Uni Compare's latest student-led review rankings. Article continues below Best university for accommodation in Wales Figures have the UK rank and comparison to last year in brackets. Wrexham is not included in the list Bangor (12 = +17 places) Cardiff Metropolitan (28= +8 places) Swansea University (33 = -6 places) Aberystwyth (52= +16 places) University of Wales Trinity St David (55 =+39 places) University of South Wales (69 +17 places) Royal; Welsh College of Music and Drama (79=+54 places) Cardiff (95 = -43 places) UK's Top 10 Universities For Accommodation 2026 according to Uni Compare Edge Hill University Liverpool John Moores University Newcastle University University of Liverrpool; University of Lincoln Middlesex University University of Derby University of Salford University of Sheffield University of Surrey Uni Compare said: "The 2026 rankings represent the culmination of 28,430 verified student reviews and ratings collected across 209 universities. "Since the platform's inception, Uni Compare has amassed 151,805 reviews and ratings, creating one of the UK's largest student-led review databases focused solely on the university experience. "Uni Compare's methodology combines student feedback collected through their website and mobile app with verification processes, including CAPTCHA checks and IP monitoring to maintain authenticity. Article continues below "The platform uses a hybrid scoring system that weighs both average ratings and review volume, giving greater statistical reliability to institutions with larger sample sizes." The full listing can be seen here.
