Key Summary
FAQs
Which UK universities are the safest to apply to?
According to 2026 crime data, Falmouth University tops the list as the safest, followed by the University of St Andrews and the University of Chester. Durham University, the University of Winchester and Kingston University also rank highly.
How was the safest universities list worked out?
The ranking uses Numbeo's crime index data for each university's city or town, taken as of January 2026, ranked from lowest crime rate to highest. It reflects the wider area around each university rather than campus security specifically.
Why does Falmouth rank as the safest university location?
Falmouth benefits from a small-town, coastal setting where students make up a large share of the local population, which tends to support lower crime rates and a strong sense of community. Reported concerns around drug dealing, vandalism and theft are all rated low compared with the national student average.
Are Russell Group universities generally considered safe?
Many are, since several sit in towns and cities with lower crime rates than major metropolitan areas. Durham University is a good example, benefiting from its collegiate system, smaller population and visible university security presence.
What crimes are most common for students in the UK?
Non-violent offences like theft, burglary and bike theft are the most common issues students encounter, particularly in busy student areas and shared housing. These tend to spike around the start of term when new students are moving in and less familiar with their surroundings.
Do bigger cities automatically mean higher crime risk for students?
Not always, but university cities with denser populations and busier nightlife areas do tend to report higher crime rates than smaller towns. That said, universities like Kingston and Surrey show that it's possible to be close to a major city like London while still benefiting from lower crime rates in the immediate student area.
How can students stay safe while at university?
Choose secure accommodation, lock doors and windows consistently, and avoid poorly lit routes home late at night. Registering valuables, using your university's safety app if it has one, and staying aware of local safety advice from your university and local police all help too.
Should safety be a major factor when choosing a university?
It's worth weighing up alongside course quality, cost of living and social life, rather than being the only deciding factor. If moving to a big city feels daunting, a smaller, lower-crime university town can offer a gentler transition into independent living without necessarily compromising on course quality or student experience.
Sources
City-level crime index data from Numbeo's 2026 crime rankings.
When choosing a university, safety is just as important as league tables, nightlife, and accommodation costs. While headlines often focus on crime in major student cities, new data for 2026 reveals that many UK universities are located in exceptionally low-crime areas, offering students peace of mind alongside a great student experience.
Using official crime statistics from student neighbourhoods, we’ve ranked the safest universities in the UK for 2026, based on Numbeo’s latest crime indexes. These figures reflect crime in the surrounding areas, giving a useful indication of what student life is like day to day.
For contrast, check out our list of the most dangerous UK universities by crime rate.
How did we compile the list?
We used Numbeo to collect the latest crime data (as of Jan 2026) for each of the universities’ cities. We then ranked the cities in order of lowest crime rate to find the top 10 safest cities and universities.
These rankings are based on university location, not campus safety itself — but they do reflect the wider risks students might face living in urban centres. To compare, check out our guide to the UK universities with the happiest students for a more holistic view of student life.
The top 10 safest university cities in the UK in 2026
Below are the safest cities along with their safety index (ranked out of 100; the higher the better!)
- Falmouth (82.9)
- St Andrews (79.42)
- Chester (78.44)
- Hertfordshire (78.31)
- Durham (77.96)
- Winchester (77.5)
- Kingston upon Thames (74.81)
- Guildford (74.79)
- Lincoln (74.71)
- Norwich (73.94)
So Falmouth comes out on top as the safest university city in the UK for 2026. Crime rates here are notably low, particularly for violent and property-related offences. This is likely influenced by its smaller population, strong community presence, and the fact that students make up a large proportion of residents. Reported concerns around drug dealing, vandalism, and theft are all rated as low compared with national student averages.
Close behind is St Andrews, which ranks second safest overall. Despite having a lively student population, the town benefits from consistently low crime levels and minimal concerns around serious offences. Worries related to physical attacks or harassment are reported as very low, contributing to its reputation as a secure and welcoming place to study.
Meanwhile, Chester also performs strongly in the 2026 data. Students here report low levels of concern around being insulted, targeted, or experiencing property crime. While it offers the amenities of a historic city, Chester maintains a safer environment than many larger student hubs, making it an appealing option for safety-conscious students.
Read more on the safest cities for students here.
Safest universities 2026
- Falmouth University
- University of St Andrews
- University of Chester
- University of Hertfordshire
- Durham University
- University of Winchester
- Kingston University
- University of Surrey
- University of Lincoln & Bishop Grosseteste Univeresity
- University of East Anglia & Norwich University of the Arts
1. Falmouth University
Taking the top spot as the safest university area in the UK for 2026, Falmouth University benefits from its coastal location and small-town feel. Crime rates here are significantly lower than the national student average, with very low levels of violent crime and robbery. Students often describe Falmouth as relaxed, community-focused, and ideal for those wanting a quieter university experience. The university claims to have a zero tolerance policy towards violence, harassment or discrimination.
Coupled with Cornwall’s laid back vibes, Falmouth University is a great option for students worried about moving away from home to a big city.
2. University of St Andrews
Scotland’s oldest university also ranks as one of the safest. St Andrews combines a close-knit student population with low crime levels and strong community engagement. The town’s size and student-heavy demographic contribute to a safer environment, particularly compared with large cities.
3. University of Chester
The University of Chester places third for 2026, offering students a historic city with consistently low crime rates. While it still has nightlife and a busy city centre, incidents in student areas remain well below the UK average, making it a popular option for safety-conscious students.
4. University of Hertfordshire
Despite being close to London, the University of Hertfordshire benefits from suburban surroundings and well-planned student accommodation zones. Crime levels are notably lower than in central London universities, with most incidents limited to minor theft rather than violent offences.
5. Durham University
Durham University continues to rank highly for safety. The city’s collegiate system, smaller population, and strong university security presence help keep crime levels low. Durham offers a balance of city amenities without the higher risks associated with major metropolitan areas
6. University of Winchester
Winchester’s reputation as a quiet and historic city is reflected in its crime data. Students at the University of Winchester benefit from low levels of violent crime and burglary, making it one of the safest environments for student living in 2026.
7. Kingston University
Kingston University is one of the safest London-adjacent universities on the list. While Kingston has busy shopping and nightlife areas, crime rates in student neighbourhoods remain lower than many other parts of Greater London.
8. University of Surrey
Located in Guildford, the University of Surrey benefits from a commuter-town atmosphere and well-managed student housing areas. Crime levels remain moderate to low, with fewer incidents of robbery and violent crime than larger urban universities.
9. University of Lincoln and Bishop Grosseteste University
In joint ninth place are the two Lincoln-based universities.
The University of Lincoln places ninth, offering students a growing city that still maintains relatively low crime rates. While student numbers have increased in recent years, reported incidents remain below the national average.
Sharing the same city score as the University of Lincoln, Bishop Grosseteste University rounds out the top ten. Its smaller campus and close community feel contribute to a safer student experience.
10. University of East Anglia and Norwich University of the Arts
Both Norwich University of the Arts and the University of East Anglia (UEA) feature among the safest university cities in the UK for 2026, sharing an identical crime rate of 26.06. What makes Norwich stand out isn’t just its relative safety on paper, but the quality of life and sense of community that come with studying there.
Norwich combines the best of city living with the friendliness of a smaller urban centre. Its historic streets and vibrant cultural scene make it a popular place for students, yet it manages to avoid many of the high-crime challenges seen in larger cities. Both UEA and Norwich University of the Arts benefit from clearly defined student zones, well-lit public spaces, and proactive local policing, all of which contribute to lower levels of theft, robbery, and violent incidents.
Students in Norwich often speak highly of the supportive campus environments and active neighbourhood watch initiatives that help keep local streets safe. Being a hub for the arts, media, and education also fosters a strong civic culture — residents and students alike take pride in their community, which helps deter antisocial behaviour.
Perhaps most reassuringly, Norwich’s crime profile shows that worries about violent crime or harassment remain below national averages, with most reported issues tied to minor property offences rather than serious incidents. This makes Norwich a compelling choice for students who want both a lively social life and a secure place to live and study.
So there’s our list of the safest universities in the UK. Now why not check out which are the most dangerous!?