Best cities for English-speaking students
You can study in English almost anywhere in Europe — but daily life in English is another matter. These 20 cities score highest on English-friendliness: how far English gets you in shops, offices and social life.
| City | Country | English-friendly | English-taught | Universities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheffield | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 331 | 2 |
| Liverpool | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 394 | 2 |
| Nottingham | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 626 | 2 |
| Aberdeen | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 494 | 2 |
| Leicester | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 349 | 2 |
| Birmingham | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 570 | 3 |
| Canterbury | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 316 | 2 |
| Manchester | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 596 | 2 |
| Amsterdam | Netherlands | 10/10 | 222 | 3 |
| Glasgow | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 1,264 | 3 |
| Cardiff | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 423 | 2 |
| Coventry | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 554 | 2 |
| Edinburgh | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 619 | 4 |
| Cambridge | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 518 | 2 |
| Leeds | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 511 | 2 |
| London | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 2,845 | 19 |
| Brighton | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 334 | 2 |
| Dublin | Ireland | 10/10 | 1,229 | 5 |
| Bristol | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 418 | 2 |
| Oxford | United Kingdom | 10/10 | 568 | 2 |
Ranked by the City Life Index English-friendliness score (0–10). The English-taught column counts catalogue-tagged programmes at the city's universities; a dash means the country's catalogue doesn't tag language.
Frequently asked questions
- Where in Europe can I live speaking only English?
- Sheffield, Liverpool and Nottingham score 10/10 or close on English-friendliness — daily life works in English, not just lectures.
Last updated 2026-08-13.