A new ranking has revealed which university cities are harbouring the unhealthiest students, with Oxford named the nation’s October flu hotspot, according to Vegetology.
The findings are based on which cities report the highest increase in Google searches related to flu symptoms, remedies, advice and preventatives each October, compared to the start of term – with nationwide searches rising by more than a third (34%) each year.
Terms analysed covered general advice like ‘how to get rid of flu’, ‘how long does flu last’ and ‘freshers’ flu symptoms’, and solutions like ‘book flu jab’ and ‘flu remedies’.
In Oxford, university students increased their demand for flu-related advice and services by an average of two-fifths (46%) each October compared to the month before.
This is the biggest rise in searches of any university city, with the most significant increase occurring in 2021 when demand jumped by almost two-thirds (63%) once flu season hit. This surge in interest is also more than a third higher (35%) than the national average rise.
Demand is expected to be even higher this year, given the recent focus on identifying and combatting meningitis in universities – with the latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency showing that 1 in 8 new students are unprotected against the flu-like infection.
It’s crucial that university students protect themselves this flu season, as the number of undergraduates attending the University of Oxford last year made up 7.8% of the city’s population – meaning seasonal diseases like ‘freshers’ flu’ can quickly circulate and spread.
In fact, the annual winter flu programme in Oxfordshire was brought forward last month for the most at-risk residents in an attempt to alleviate the impact of infectious diseases.
Following behind Oxford as the city with the second unhealthiest students is York, which has seen flu-related searches increase by an average of 43% in October each year.
Reducing the spread of flu should also be a key concern in the city, as it’s home to two universities, and the 19,700 undergraduates reported attending both last year equates to 4.9% of the local population, carrying an increased risk of new colds and bugs circulating.
Bath is rounding out the top three worst cities for student health this month, with flu-related searches also increasing by an average of 43% throughout October each year.
With two universities, Bath’s student population equals an even higher proportion of the local population (10%), meaning at least 1 in 10 residents are at risk of contracting freshers’ flu.
The ten university cities with the unhealthiest students
| Rank | University City | Average October Increase in Searches |
| 1 | Oxford | 45.8% |
| 2 | York | 42.8% |
| 3 | Bath | 42.8% |
| 4 | Bristol | 41.4% |
| 5 | Derry | 41.1% |
| 6 | Cambridge | 41.0% |
| 7 | Southampton | 40.7% |
| 8 | Belfast | 40.4% |
| 9 | Wakefield | 40.2% |
| 10 | Lincoln | 39.9% |
On the other end of the scale, the university city that has seen the smallest rise in searches each year is Exeter, with a 22% increase, followed by Blackburn, with 24%.
Other cities with the healthiest students are Winchester (with searches increasing by 24% each October), Wrexham (searches up 25%), Canterbury (up 25%), and Preston (up 26%).
The ten university cities with the healthiest students
| Rank | University City | Average October Increase in Searches |
| 1 | Exeter | 22.0% |
| 2 | Blackburn | 23.6% |
| 3 | Winchester | 23.9% |
| 4 | Wrexham | 25.0% |
| 5 | Canterbury | 25.2% |
| 6 | Preston | 25.7% |
| 7 | St Albans | 26.0% |
| 8 | Inverness | 26.3% |
| 9 | Blackpool | 27.3% |
| 10 | Nottingham | 28.4% |
This means that no city sees flu-related searches rise by less than a fifth each October, even despite some cities reporting a decline in interest over the same period in previous years.
The biggest monthly drop in searches was reported in St Albans in 2020, as interest in flu-related advice and services declined by 14% between September and October. However, this drop in demand was likely due to lockdown restrictions being reinstated across the UK.
Given the increase in demand for advice and services to help tackle winter illnesses consistently rises nationwide month-on-month, it’s key that students prioritise their health.
Wellness expert and founder of supplement brand Vegetology, Chris Smith, comments on the findings: “Students can and should take steps to protect themselves against flu this year, as it can quickly spread in crowded environments like lectures, bars, and university halls.
“The most effective way to protect yourself against flu is to ensure you’re up to date with your vaccinations and that you practice good hygiene like washing your hands, using hand sanitiser and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth when you’re out and about.
“It’s also crucial to seek medical advice if you’re struggling with a persistent cold or flu or if your symptoms rapidly worsen. Tell-tale signs that there’s something more serious going on include wheezing, chest pain, vomiting, disorientation, or a high fever. It’s always better to seek a professional opinion and be told that you’re fine than it is to end up severely unwell.”