Not so long ago, we took a look at Government STI reporting, but - as we approach a new year and a new life at University for many of the nation’s young adults, there was one statistic we felt was worth taking a closer look at - if you live (or get laid) in a student hotspot, you’re 22% more likely to catch an STI than in the rest of the country.
Filtering our risk index by the best student cities according to StudentCrowd shows that the average index score in the top 12 university locations is 62 out of 100 - representing an increase of more than a fifth on the average of 51 in England.
| City/Town | Population | Syphilis* | Gonorrhoea* | Chlamydia* | Genital Warts* | Genital Herpes* | Index Score (out of 100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Islington | 319,143 | 58 | 724 | 1780 | 117 | 131 | 94 |
| 2. Archway | 215,667 | 50 | 397 | 1739 | 79 | 82 | 90 |
| 3. Blackpool | 239,409 | 26 | 210 | 2383 | 62 | 97 | 89 |
| 4. City of Westminster | 247,614 | 125 | 749 | 1400 | 135 | 122 | 88 |
| 5. Manchester | 395,515 | 35 | 276 | 2594 | 59 | 54 | 84 |
| 6. Nottingham | 729,977 | 16 | 290 | 2287 | 60 | 73 | 83 |
| 7. Liverpool | 864,122 | 14 | 302 | 2719 | 50 | 91 | 81 |
| 8. Croydon | 173,314 | 28 | 229 | 2152 | 53 | 65 | 80 |
| 9/10. Leeds | 455,123 | 13 | 188 | 2344 | 54 | 45 | 68 |
| 9/10. Newcastle-Upon-Tyne | 192,382 | 21 | 210 | 1410 | 48 | 68 | 68 |
| England Average | 18 | 166 | 1564 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
*cases per 100,000 people
London has the highest prevalence of STIs
Of these top 12 locations, London has the highest risk of catching an STI with an index score of 90 out of 100, while Manchester and Nottingham are not far behind with 84 and 83 out of 100 respectively.
Newcastle, one of just two Uni hotspots scoring full points for nightlife in the StudentCrowd rankings comes in with an index score of 68 - a 33% jump on the national average, while the other top nightlife city, Liverpool, scores 81 out of 100 - almost 59% above the national average.
Leeds, England’s #1 student city according to those same standings, may lack Newcastle’s nightlife, but still carries the same STI risk, also scoring 68.
Birmingham is the safest area in England for sexually active students
At the other end of the scale are students in Birmingham, who benefit from the lowest risk score of any of England’s university cities (32 out of 100) – 37% lower than the national average, with England’s lowest prevalence of genital warts (26 cases per 100,000 of the population), and some of the lowest rates of genital herpes and chlamydia (20 cases and 989 cases per 100,000 respectively).
York, the 19th best place for students comes in 11th for STI risk at 35 out of 100, and Sheffield, 9th on the list of best UK student cities, finishes 10th for STI risk with an index score of 37.
Why are STI rates higher in university cities?
The jokes almost write themselves, but the higher risk isn’t just a statistical quirk – it reflects several aspects of how student life is often organised, but also how those students impact the places they live. University cities tend to have:
Larger concentrations of young adults
University cities, as a result of being a draw for young people, will often have a lower median population age (an average of 33.46 in the top five English cities versus a UK average of 42.49) with young people often remaining in these areas post graduation. This means that these cities tend to have larger populations in the most sexually active age groups.
Busy nightlife and social opportunities
While alcohol intake in younger generations has been declining, it can’t be overlooked that a city’s nightlife, and consequent increase in the opportunity for casual encounters, is likely to play a part in increased transmission of STIs, and all five of the top University cities for students ranked at least four stars for nightlife.
Shared living environments
According to data from Here! Student Living, 7 in 10 students are living in HMOs - such as halls and house shares - and often without parental oversight for the first time in their lives - this is not a mix that always leads to placing the most importance on health advice.
Better access to sexual health clinics
One of the more positive aspects of such statistics, however, is that with a larger percentage of a local population being sexually active, there tends to come greater access and greater willingness to seek sexual health testing. This means more people get tested – and more cases are picked up in the data.
So, before any politicians looks to pass comment on inferred promiscuity, it may actually be - at least in part - greater understanding of and care for sexual health that contributes to such statistics (they might also want to consider that The City of Westminster has the highest rates in England for syphilis, gonorrhoea and genital warts).
| University Area | Risk Index Score (out of 100) | Median Age | Student Crowd Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leeds | 68 | 35.3 | 1 |
| Liverpool | 81 | 34.8 | 4 |
| Birmingham | 32 | 32.6 | 5 |
| Newcastle | 68 | 32.3 | 7 |
| Southampton | 56 | 32.3 | 8 |
In short, these figures don’t quite tell the full story (statistics seldom do) and it’s likely that these numbers are the result of a mix of lifestyle and awareness. However, students do tend to explore their independence, including sexually, more - and that makes safe sex and regular testing even more important.
Practical tips for staying safe at Uni
Sexual health isn’t about avoiding risk altogether – it’s about managing it sensibly. Here are some easy ways to protect yourself:
- Use a condom every time: whether for vaginal, anal, or oral sex - there is no shortage of specialist prophylactics available, meaning excuses regarding size, comfort or sensitivity are null and void - you can browse our extensive range of condoms here to find the right fit and feel.
- Add lubricant: friction is among the top reasons for condom breakage, so using lube in combination with protection will make sex both sager and more comfortable - and there are plenty to choose from.
- Get tested regularly: at least once a year, or before sex with a new partner, whichever is more often. Most university cities have walk-in sexual health clinics, but you can also order discreet STI testing kits online.
- Talk to partners: open communication about protection and testing is part of a healthy sex life and such conversations shouldn’t be uncomfortable or combative - and if they are, you should always view this as a red flag.
Final thoughts
University is a time of discovery and freedom, and sex is and always has been a part of that for many students. Higher STI rates in student cities don’t mean that students should feel anxious – they’re simply a reminder to look after yourself.
By using protection, getting tested, staying informed (and keeping in touch with your favourite safe sex retailer), you can enjoy a confident, positive sex life at uni and beyond.
