A new study has named Coventry as the best UK city for recent graduates, offering strong job opportunities, affordable living, and attractive salaries. The study, conducted by QR Code Generator, ranks cities based on key factors such as rental costs, entry-level job listings, and the availability of local amenities.
The research provides valuable insight for university graduates uncertain about where to begin their post-degree careers. By examining average salaries, rent for one-bedroom flats, and lifestyle costs, the study aims to help graduates identify cities offering the best opportunities for career development and financial stability.
Coventry claimed the top spot with an overall score of 68.23 out of 100. Graduates in the city can expect an average yearly salary of £32,855, while monthly rent for a one-bedroom flat is relatively affordable at £606. Living costs for a single person are estimated at £765 per month.
The top ten best UK cities for university graduates
| City | Number of entry-level Indeed listings | Average Rent Cost (1 or 0-bed listing) | Average Yearly Salary (£) | Estimated Monthly Costs per person | Total Score (Out of 100) | Rank |
| Coventry | 28 | £606.17 | 53.£32,855 | £765.10 | 68.23 | 1 |
| Gloucester | 28 | £727.00 | £28,904 | £812.50 | 55.31 | 2 |
| Stoke-on-Trent | 31 | £572.73 | £28,765 | £812.50 | 55.12 | 3 |
| Leicester | 167 | £715.41 | £28,463 | £812.50 | 54.09 | 4 |
| Birmingham | 125 | £890.33 | £32,778 | £766.30 | 53.22 | 5 |
| Portsmouth | 29 | £764.95 | £32.093 | £812.50 | 48.63 | 6 |
| Derby | 29 | £764.95 | £26,602 | £812.50 | 48.29 | 7 |
| Bradford | 17 | £669.76 | £27,803 | £812.50 | 48.14 | 8 |
| Lancaster | 13 | £855.55 | £26,226 | £812.50 | 47.32 | 9 |
| Hull | 29 | £593.51 | £27,388 | £812.50 | 45.52 | 10 |
Gloucester ranks second with a score of 55.31. Although the average salary is lower at £28,904, rental prices are higher, with a one-bedroom flat costing around £727 per month. Monthly living expenses are estimated at £812.
In third place is Stoke-on-Trent, which scored 55.12 out of 100. Graduates here earn an average salary of £28,765, with rent costs for a one-bedroom flat averaging £523. Total monthly costs, including living expenses, are estimated at £812.
Leicester, coming in fourth with a score of 54.09, offers an average annual salary of £28,463. Rent for a one-bedroom flat averages £715, while monthly costs for living are estimated at £812.
Birmingham rounds out the top five, with an overall score of 53.22. The city offers a competitive salary of £32,778 per year, though rent is higher, with one-bedroom flats costing around £890 per month. Living expenses for a single person are estimated at £766.
The study also highlights the 10 best cities for graduates, including Portsmouth, Derby, and Bradford, each offering a balance of salaries, rent costs, and living expenses.
Portsmouth, ranking sixth, has a yearly average salary of £32,093, with monthly rent for a one-bedroom flat at £764. Derby, in seventh place, has a slightly lower salary of £26,602, but rental costs are similarly affordable. Bradford ranks eighth, with a salary of £27,803 and rent at £669.
At the bottom of the rankings, Oxford scored the lowest, with a final score of just 26.94 out of 100. High rent prices and relatively fewer entry-level job opportunities contributed to its position.
Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator, said: “This study offers practical guidance for graduates who are making key decisions about where to start their careers. Evaluating factors like rental costs and job availability, graduates can make better-informed decisions on where to establish themselves.”
The findings come as many recent graduates face uncertainty in navigating the transition from university to professional life, making the right location an essential factor in achieving early career success.
