These are the Russell Group uni cities with the biggest IKEA stores, ranked

All universities have a unique selling point, or USP. It could be their sports facilities, or their nightlife, or their academics. These USPs have been scrutinised and ranked by student over the years and have undoubtedly become their most famous asset. 

However, what these companies consistently fail to acknowledge when compiling their World University Rankings is how accessible Swedish meatballs are in each university city. Cambridge and Oxford definitely wouldn’t dominate if unis were ranked on the size of their IKEA.

With A-Level Results Day having just passed, many students are about to embark on their academic futures and move away from home, meaning a trip to IKEA is ESSENTIAL. We all remember that pre-uni trip where we bought a load of random things that we have never used, mine being a spaghetti scoop that my mum insisted would come in handy. I haven’t touched it once. 

So, to save you the hassle, here are the Russell Group unis ranked on the size of their local IKEA.  

10. Leeds – 26,000 square metres

@grannylanehome

I was devastated. #ikea #ikealeeds #yorkshire #sendgoodthoughts

♬ use this sound with fails – Funny Memes

Leeds University is known for its amazing clubbing scene and for being extremely popular amongst South West Londoners who fancy themselves as fake Northerners. The city of Leeds is also home to an IKEA sized at 26,000 square meters – but make sure they have meatballs when you visit. 

9. Nottingham – 27,000 square metres

Notts students can relax – there’s an IKEA store in Giltbrook to fulfil your flatpack dreams. It might not be the biggest in the country, but beggars can’t be choosers.

8. Manchester – 27,000 square metres

@pheebslfashion

come to ikea with me and mum to shop for my new Manchester apartment 🏡🫶🏼 #ikea #ikeahaul #fyp #foryoupage #cometoikeawithme

♬ original sound – Stan 🙂

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It would be a bit weird if Manchester didn’t have an IKEA, but it’s surprisingly small considering the huge student population up there.

7. Edinburgh – 27,000 square metres

Although Edinburgh beats both Nottingham and Manchester in the Times Higher Education’s UK university rankings, being fifth, whilst Manchester is eighth and Nottingham is 16th, they all have an IKEA measuring exactly 27,000 square metres. 

Whilst all three of these cities are culturally and geographically quite different, they all have one thing in common: An IKEA that exceeds the size of the home of the Danish Royal family. So, if you’re currently looking for a DIY make up table or a cheap lint roller, one of these unis might be the place for you.

6. Warwick – 28,000 square metres

IKEA Coventry WAS approximately 28,000 square metres – and everyone basically knows that Warwick and Cov are the same. But unfortunately for Warwick students, it’s actually permanently closed. Consider this an ode to the iconic Cov IKEA.

5. Cardiff – 28,200 square metres

Bearing in mind there’s only one IKEA in the whole of Wales, it’s surprising to see that it only ranked at seventh of the Russell Group unis with biggest IKEA stores.

4. Bristol – 28,600 square metres

Bristol is cool for a number of reasons, not just because it has an IKEA said to spread across 28,600 square metres. But it certainly helps.

3. Glasgow – 29,300 square metres

With Glasgow being the largest city in Scotland, it’s not surprising that it has a bigger IKEA than Edinburgh.

2. Southampton – 34,000 square metres

Whilst, according to Times Higher Education, Southampton is the 11th best uni in the UK, it ranks slightly higher out of the prestigious Russell Group unis with biggest IKEA stores. 

1. London – 40,0000 square metres

@retailintrigued

The UK’s largest IKEA is its Wembley store! Have you ever visited? #ikea #london #retail #shopping #EndlessJourney

♬ Build The Flatpack (At IKEA) – IKEA

With the IKEA in Greenwich being an immense 32,000 square metres and Wembley dominating at 40,0000 square metres, if you’re a fan building your own furniture, big blue bags or even just strolling around a Swedish furniture shop, then London is the place for you. London is home to five Russell Group unis, these being Imperial, LSE, UCL, King’s and Queen Mary, and they all rank first in this highly prestigious list.

So, if you are lucky enough to be at one of the top IKEA universities, I congratulate you. However, if you’re a Year 12 and looking to apply to university next academic year, please don’t use this list as your only deciding factor (even if you really really love the meatballs).

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