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STUDY FINDS LINCOLN TO BE THE CHEAPEST UNIVERSITY CITY
Published by Gbaf News
Posted on July 28, 2017
7 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Global Banking and Finance Review
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Published by Gbaf News
Posted on July 28, 2017
7 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
New research from Marbles.Com has found that in the top 50 Universities (according to thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk), Lincoln provides students with the most affordable overall experience. Students either starting or returning to university in September can view how their institution ranks across 8 different metrics here.
In 2017, attendees of Lancaster University are shown to have access to the cheapest pints (£2.80), while in Belfast, Queen’s students save the most money on taxis (£0.78 per km). The study carried out by Marbles.com also examined other factors rent prices, gym memberships and even the price of a kebab.
When compared to a similar study in 2016, many universities moved up and down the rankings as northern institutions fared better on the whole than their southern, and specifically London-based, counterparts.
Outside the top 5 there were a few shake-ups in the standings with both Newcastle and Aston rising at least 10 places to break into the top 10 for 2017. Former league-leaders Keele fell 10 places, possibly due to 28% rise in pint prices and £376 added onto the average yearly rent for students.
Much like 2016, Marbles.com’s research this year did not reflect well in institutions in London. In the bottom 10 places, 9 were Universities based in the capital compared to those north of Coventry, which make up 90% of the top 10.
Exorbitant rent prices of up to £232 a week (Kings College, London) are staggering when compared to cities like Edinburgh who scored best with a £102 weekly average.
Conclusion
The infographic gives the reader a clear view of some of the costs attached to university life and how that looks comparatively in different areas of the UK. While universities like Cardiff and Southampton appear to resist trends, Marbles.com’s results show a glaring disparity between north and south.
Methodology
In order to determine where each University would rank, Marbles.com have used a weighted index to provide a score for each individual metric and then an overall index. The metrics include:
The static infographic Marbles.com produced has all 50 Universities according to thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk along the side of a map of the UK which positions each institute with a number demonstrating their rank. Below the map is a table that breaks down how each university performed across each metric and any change in position from the previous year.
Data on accommodation and gym prices has been gathered from individual university websites. Other living data has been sourced from Numbeo, which is the world’s largest database for cost of living.
Each university has been given a score out of 90. Each amenity is ranked out of 10 with the exception of accommodation, which is ranked out of 20 giving it a weighted index. Each location is then ranked from 1st to 50th based on its total score.
New research from Marbles.Com has found that in the top 50 Universities (according to thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk), Lincoln provides students with the most affordable overall experience. Students either starting or returning to university in September can view how their institution ranks across 8 different metrics here.
In 2017, attendees of Lancaster University are shown to have access to the cheapest pints (£2.80), while in Belfast, Queen’s students save the most money on taxis (£0.78 per km). The study carried out by Marbles.com also examined other factors rent prices, gym memberships and even the price of a kebab.
When compared to a similar study in 2016, many universities moved up and down the rankings as northern institutions fared better on the whole than their southern, and specifically London-based, counterparts.
Outside the top 5 there were a few shake-ups in the standings with both Newcastle and Aston rising at least 10 places to break into the top 10 for 2017. Former league-leaders Keele fell 10 places, possibly due to 28% rise in pint prices and £376 added onto the average yearly rent for students.
Much like 2016, Marbles.com’s research this year did not reflect well in institutions in London. In the bottom 10 places, 9 were Universities based in the capital compared to those north of Coventry, which make up 90% of the top 10.
Exorbitant rent prices of up to £232 a week (Kings College, London) are staggering when compared to cities like Edinburgh who scored best with a £102 weekly average.
Conclusion
The infographic gives the reader a clear view of some of the costs attached to university life and how that looks comparatively in different areas of the UK. While universities like Cardiff and Southampton appear to resist trends, Marbles.com’s results show a glaring disparity between north and south.
Methodology
In order to determine where each University would rank, Marbles.com have used a weighted index to provide a score for each individual metric and then an overall index. The metrics include:
The static infographic Marbles.com produced has all 50 Universities according to thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk along the side of a map of the UK which positions each institute with a number demonstrating their rank. Below the map is a table that breaks down how each university performed across each metric and any change in position from the previous year.
Data on accommodation and gym prices has been gathered from individual university websites. Other living data has been sourced from Numbeo, which is the world’s largest database for cost of living.
Each university has been given a score out of 90. Each amenity is ranked out of 10 with the exception of accommodation, which is ranked out of 20 giving it a weighted index. Each location is then ranked from 1st to 50th based on its total score.
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