Exeter’s nightlife ranked among UK’s best for 2026

Exeter has been ranked among the UK’s top student nightlife destinations for 2026, placing 12th overall in a new national study analysing the best places for undergraduates to be after 9pm.

Researchers at the University of Melbourne Online examined 55 major university areas across the UK, assessing how well each delivers a well-rounded night out. 

The study looked beyond major metropolitan centres to include historic cities, coastal towns and student-focused communities.

Each location was scored across four weighted categories: affordability (30 per cent), places to go (30 per cent), safety (10 per cent) and what researchers described as “The Vibe Check” (30 per cent). 

In total, 12 separate metrics were analysed using data from sources including Numbeo, Expatistan, Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, TripAdvisor, the Office for National Statistics, HESA, TikTok and Google Trends.

Exeter secured a total score of 37.38, placing it just outside the national top 10 but ahead of many larger cities.

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On affordability, the city produced mixed results. 

The average price of a pint was recorded at £5.50, ranking 42nd out of 55 areas, while cocktails were the most expensive in the study at £12.00, placing Exeter 55th. Taxi fares were mid-table at £1.60, ranking 31st.

However, Exeter performed strongly when it came to late-night food, with the average fast-food combo costing £6.50 – the second cheapest in the country.

The city’s strongest results came in nightlife infrastructure and student presence. Exeter ranked 10th nationally for bars and pubs per 10,000 residents (10.96), 10th for nightclubs (0.94 per 10,000) and 10th again for live music venues (1.57 per 10,000). 

It also placed 9th for late-night food venues open past 11pm, with 5.87 per 10,000 people.

Student density was another key factor in the rankings. 

Exeter recorded 2,365 students per 10,000 residents, placing it 10th in the UK and contributing to what researchers describe as a strong term-time social atmosphere.

On safety, Exeter ranked 14th with a walking-alone-at-night index score of 54.17, suggesting relatively solid perceptions of safety compared with many other university areas.

In terms of online and social media buzz, Exeter ranked 13th for TikTok nightlife hashtags per 10,000 people, while Google search demand for “night out in Exeter” placed it 23rd.

Researchers noted that while Exeter may not generate the same level of digital hype as some larger cities, it performs consistently across venues, student presence and late-night options.

At the top of the national rankings, St Andrews took first place with a total score of 74.58, followed by Aberystwyth in second and Durham in third. Cambridge and Leeds completed the top five.

At the bottom of the table, Birmingham ranked 55th overall, followed by Southampton, Reading, Middlesbrough and Northampton.

The study suggests Exeter offers a balanced nightlife scene, combining strong venue density and student population with relatively affordable late-night food – even if drink prices are among the highest in the rankings.