With universities returning this week, hundreds of thousands of students are on the move. The towns and cities they've chosen to study in will shape their experience and these students will, in turn, play a defining role in shaping those places too.

Our Population Clusters tool, powered by 2021 Census data, reveals where students (and other groups) are most concentrated within places, offering insights into how neighbourhoods function and evolve.

These clusters highlight more than just where people live:

🏠 Demand for housing
🚍 Pressure on transport and local services
🌆 The character and atmosphere of communities

Students don’t just study, they fuel local economies, sustain knowledge hubs, and bring energy, innovation, and cultural vibrancy to the places they call home.

Here’s a snapshot of student clusters across four major university cities 👇