61% of Students Blame City Noise for Their Moods, New Survey Finds

Introduction

Did you know that 61% of students believe their mood is affected by the noise in their cities? 

Studying late into the night or trying to catch up on sleep for an early lecture is easier said than done. New data reveals that 56.4% of students are regularly woken up by noise, and nearly a third (31.9%) say it directly affects their ability to study. With university stress already high, your postcode could be making it worse.

Studying in the city might come with an exciting social life, but at what cost? While some locations rank among the best student cities for studying, others are among the loudest student cities in the UK and Ireland, making it harder to get a good night’s sleep.

To help students find the right environment to thrive in, aparto has commissioned an exclusive survey to create the Student City Noise Index, ranking university cities across the UK by how loud (or blissfully quiet) they really are.

The index ranks UK and Irish university cities based on:

1. Noise complaints per capita - via FOI requests to local councils
2. Nightlife density - number of pubs/clubs per 1,000 students (according to TripAdvisor)
3. Student population size - via HESA stats
4. Student sentiment (optional) - survey results on perceived noise/study disruption

Each factor will be weighted and combined to create a score out of 100.

Rankings Table: Top 10 Loudest and Quietest Cities

Using a mix of local authority noise complaints, nightlife venues per 1,000 students, and a national survey of 1,000 students, we ranked the top 10 student cities by overall noise levels.

To Study, or to Socialise, That is the Question.

It’s worth mentioning that all of these cities are popular contenders when it comes to choosing which area you want to study in. There’s a lot to consider, and it’s all down to personal preference. While London, Leeds and Liverpool top the leaderboard for their range of nightlife and non-drinking experiences, 

London

London’s vibrant atmosphere is undeniable, with its rich culture, endless entertainment, and diverse communities making it an exciting place to study and live. While the city’s noise can sometimes be challenging, especially around nightlife and busy streets, many students find the energy inspiring rather than distracting. One student remarked, “It’s a big city, so it’s common. Not too much, only a few times a week, especially weekends.” Quiet pockets exist for those who seek peace, and the city’s unmatched opportunities often outweigh any noise concerns. For those ready to embrace the lively pace, London offers an unforgettable student experience.

Leeds

Leeds offers a lively atmosphere, especially during weekends and events, making it a popular choice for students who enjoy a social nightlife. While noise can be louder in the city centre and near nightlife venues, many students appreciate the vibrant energy. Some note that daytime tends to be quieter, with occasional noise from construction or children playing. One student shared, “Leeds can have a lot of noise when there are events on, but I tend to go out anyway, so it doesn’t bother me much.” For those seeking peace, quieter areas like Headingley offer a good balance between city life and calm. Overall, Leeds combines excitement with manageable noise levels for student living.

Manchester

Manchester offers a lively student experience with bustling nightlife and plenty of energy, especially on weekends. While some noise from nightlife, roadworks, and sirens is noticeable, particularly near Victoria Station, many students adapt well and even find the background buzz helps them focus. As one student shared, “It can be fun and exciting over weekends—it’s great for social life. However, studies may be slightly affected.” Quieter streets and private accommodations nearby provide peaceful alternatives for those seeking calm.

Oxford

Oxford is known for its generally low noise levels, making it a peaceful place to study and live. Most students agree that the noise is minimal and spread out, especially in residential areas. As one student noted, “It really all depends on how close you are to the centre or nightlife. The outskirts can be quite quiet.” This balance allows students to enjoy both vibrant city life when desired and quiet, calm spaces for focused study, making Oxford a well-rounded choice for student living. Student accommodation, like The Spireworks, supports this balance by providing dedicated study rooms designed to cut out distractions, so even if you're in a livelier part of town, you can still concentrate and stay productive.

Cambridge

Cambridge offers a great city atmosphere with a lively student community. While some noise is expected, especially around train stations and during busy daytime hours, most find the noise levels manageable. One student said, “Noise can fluctuate; mornings are noisier due to proximity to the train station, morning commuters, and school students.” While some wish for quieter nights to help with sleep and concentration, overall, Cambridge strikes a good balance between vibrant city life and peaceful moments, making it an appealing choice for students. Student accommodations in Cambridge, like The Cam Foundry, enhance this balance by offering exciting events and social spaces to connect with others, alongside quiet study areas that make it easier to focus and cut out the noise.

Hatfield

Hatfield is generally a peaceful place to live, with most students reporting minimal noise. While it stays quiet for the most part, some note occasional louder nights due to local nightlife. Overall, the noise levels are moderate and rarely disruptive, making Hatfield a calm and manageable environment for students.

Coventry

Coventry offers a lively atmosphere that’s generally well-balanced, allowing students to enjoy city life without feeling overwhelmed by noise. While everyday sounds like sirens and occasional busking are common, they’re usually manageable. Some residents note noise from ongoing construction and false fire alarms, but these tend to be temporary. Although there are areas with more disruptive sounds, many find Coventry calm enough for study and living. Overall, Coventry provides an energetic yet reasonably peaceful environment for students.

Conclusion

Where you study doesn’t just shape your academic experience. It shapes your sleep, stress levels, and day-to-day well-being. With more than half of students struggling to sleep, and a third seeing academic impacts, it’s clear that noise is more than a background nuisance. It’s a key part of student life. Whether you’re drawn to the electric buzz of Manchester or the calm of Cambridge, make sure your university soundtrack suits your rhythm.

At aparto, our student accommodations are designed to support every preference, with quiet zones, wellbeing-first layouts, and vibrant communal areas for social connection and silent study alike.

Survey Results

Q1: Are you a current university student or have you been in the last two years?

All of our respondents are either current students (making up 65.5% of participants) or have been students in the last 2 years (making up 34.5% of the participants).

Q2: Which city are you currently in/did you study in?

We found that most of our respondents (360 out of the 1,000 surveyed) lived in London.

Q3: How long have you lived/studied in this city?

The majority of students had lived in their current city for over two years.

Q4: How noisy is your local area?

Only a handful of students thought their local area was quiet, and almost 50% said their city was mixed between quiet and noisy.

Q5: How noisy do you find your university campus during the day?

73.5% of students found their university campus to be between moderately noisy and extremely noisy during the day.

Q6: At what time of day do you notice the most noise in your city?

The majority of students (44%) noticed that the noise in their city peaks between 5 pm and 10 pm.

Q7: Does noise in your city affect your mood?

61% of respondents agreed that the noise of the city affects their mood.

Q8: Does noise in your city affect your studies?

Only 36.5% of students stated that noise in their city does not affect their studies.

Q9: How often do you notice loud noise (e.g., traffic, sirens, nightlife, construction) in your city?

A shocking 6.1% of respondents either rarely or never notice loud noises in their city.

Q10: What type of noise do you feel is the most disruptive in your area?

The most popular type of noise that disrupts the respondents is traffic, closely followed by nightlife.

Q11: Do you feel like the noise in your area disturbs your sleep?

Unfortunately, 56.4% of students do wake up either sometimes or frequently during the night due to the noise in their area, which disturbs their sleep.

Q12: What type of accommodation do you live in?

Just under a quarter of students (24.1%) live in university halls, with the majority of students living in a shared flat or house. After selecting the “Other” option, students claimed to be living in their own apartments or with a partner.

Q13: How would you rate the noise inside your accommodation?

50.7% of students would rate the noise inside their accommodation either mostly or very quiet, while 49.3% answered that it was either sometimes, often, or very noisy—almost an even split! 

Q14: How often are there city-wide events (e.g., nightlife, sports, festivals) that affect noise levels?

The majority of students we surveyed noted that there are often city-wide events that affect noise level, with over 50% stating it was either monthly or more frequent.

Q15: Compared to other cities you’ve visited or lived in, how loud is your current city?

Slightly over 33% of students believed their city is louder than other cities they’ve lived in, while 34.4% thought it was about the same.

Q16: Would you consider the current city you’re studying in to be popular for its nightlife?

Almost 80% of respondents considered their city to be popular for its nightlife.

Q17: Would you recommend your city to students seeking a quieter study environment?

Less than a quarter of students would recommend the city where they study to students seeking a quieter study environment. 

Q18: Are there any other thoughts or feelings you’d like to share about the noise in your area? (Optional)

At the end of our survey, we gave the students the option to add some additional comments. While the majority decided not to comment, there was a real mixed bag from those who did. Some students claimed that it “can be frustrating at times”, others noted that “it’s not difficult to adapt to”. Some students even went as far as admitting that the “noise can be soothing”.

Methodology

In collaboration with Pollfish, we conducted research which surveyed 1,000 students living in the UK. The survey was completed by people who identify as men, women and non-binary from across the country to ensure unbiased results.