As their thoughts turn to starting a new life in a different town or city, a new survey has placed Sunderland as the destination of choice.

Locallife.co.uk has revealed the best and worst university regions – whatever a student is looking for.

Oxford and Cambridge universities may top the academic rankings – but as ideal new homes for students, it appears they fall far short.

That's not the case in Sunderland which, according to the survey, is in the top 10 when it comes to catering for students' cultural, study and culinary needs.

The city has one museum, theatre, library, bookshop, off-licence or takeaway for every 106 students – the tenth best ratio in the country.

Bradford finished in top spot in the university league rankings. The city has a library, takeaway or other student essential for every 34 students.

Bolton finished in second place, with a business or organisation providing study guides, opera or chips for every 58 students.

Tony Martin, chairman of locallife.co.uk, said: "Sunderland's university might not be the first name to spring to mind when it comes to academic prowess, but the city itself is an undergraduate utopia.

As well as a cheaper cost of living, the city offers the ultimate student experience, catering for the full range of student needs – be it hitting the books, cultural enlightenment, or simply vodka and kebabs."

He adds: "Sunderland's excellent performance in the university league table is even more proof – if any was needed – of just how far off the mark the recent Policy Exchange report is."

The controversial think-tank report, published last week, claimed Wearsiders should give up on their city and move down south.
Its publication was met with derision and was slammed by locals as "rubbish" and "insulting".



Top 10 university locations

1 Bradford
2 Bolton
3 Huddersfield
4 Stoke
5 Bournemouth
6 Leicester
7 Belfast
8 Brighton
9 Norwich
10 Sunderland