University guide 2018: best unis for freshers, clubbing and nightlife

It's A-level results day which means that many 18 year olds in the UK will be flying the nest next month to their chosen university.

If you're wondering which cities boast the best nightlife ahead of Freshers Week, then fortunately Which? has done the research for you.

The consumer watchdog asked more than 8,000 undergrads to rank the pubs, clubs and music venues in the places where they study for its 2017 University Student Survey.

It'll probably come as no surprise that the north continues to dominate the ranking in the nightlife stakes, with Newcastle universities holding on to the top spot once again.

Scroll down for the 21 universities in the UK with the best nightlife, according to Which?.

Newcastle University and Northumbria University

Newcastle is famed for its nightlife and its universities were once again ranked highest by this measure in the watchdog's ranking.

"I'd take them to a few trebles bars – [it’s] free entry and three trebles for a fiver. Then we could go to a club nearby – you can walk everywhere in the city centre – and we'd probably go to Quids In at Illegitimate. It's cheap, highly populated with students and a great time," one survey respondent told Which?.

University of Birmingham

Birmingham is home to good shopping and some huge music venues. According to respondents of the survey, students should head to Broad Street for the buzzing club scene.

University of Bristol

Bristol is famed for its thriving music and street art scene, but students surveyed by Which? also praised the city for its cider culture.

Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University (UWIC)

The Welsh capital has a venue for every taste, according to respondents of the survey, with lots of cheap options for the cash-strapped student.

University of Dundee

Dundee was one of four Scottish universities ranked highest for nightlife in the UK.

"Dundee is particularly cheap compared to Edinburgh or Glasgow. There's a good range of places such as Liquid [and] Underground for your typical nightclub night out. Buskers [and] Fat Sams often have live band nights, [and] Reading Rooms have [trance and techno] DJ events," a respondent told Which?.

Three Glaswegian universities – University of Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Strathclyde – were also ranked highly for their pubs, clubs and music venues.

University of Leeds

Leeds boasts a large student population and thriving nightlife that caters to many tastes. Mint Club is a popular venue for techno and house music while the Brudenell Social Club is known for its live music.

University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University

Liverpool is home to plentiful record stores and a lively craft beer scene. According to the Which? report, students recommend the Cavern Club or Concert Square for clubbing and music.

University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester's clubbing scene is legendary and it's also home to the UK's largest LQBTQ community outside London.

"London’s nightlife LGBT scene is now going underground, but the LGBT scene in Manchester is thriving," a respondent told Which?.

Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham boasts some huge multi-floor music venues like Rock City, but if you fancy something a little more intimate you should head to the "hidden" cocktail bars nestled in the backstreets of Hockley, according to NTU.

Royal Veterinary College, London

RVC was one of two London institutions to make the list, while London is one of the most expensive places to study in the UK, students apparently find a cheap night out at Zoo bar on Wednesdays, when entry is free, according to the report.

University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University

Students wanting to dance the night away in Sheffield should head to Plug, Corporation or to the bars and clubs around Division Street and West Street, according to the university.

University of Sussex

With a good selection of pubs, clubs and restaurants, students at the University of Sussex rank the local nightlife highly. While prices aren't cheap in Brighton, the beach and shopping presumably make up for it.