University of Sheffield students rank fourth in ketamine use among Russell Group universities

University of Sheffield students are among the top users of ketamine in the Russell Group, ranking fourth in a new survey by The Tab.

The survey, which collected responses from nearly 6,000 students across the UK, revealed that ketamine is one of the fastest-growing recreational drugs among students.

Nationally, the data found that around 19 per cent of UK university students have tried it, with 22 per cent admitting to regular use.

Each university was assigned a “ket score,” factoring in how many students use the drug, how often they use it, and the university’s total student population.

While the University of Manchester topped the chart with a score of 2.13 – surprising no one given its reputation for wild parties, and as it also recently ranked highest in a recent weed consumption survey. Sheffield followed closely behind Leeds and Bristol, with a ket score of 1.81.

Sheffield’s position highlights yet another drug-related trend dominated by northern universities – Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool all feature in the top five. This continues to reflect the party-heavy reputations of these cities.

At the other end of the spectrum, universities like Warwick (0.48) and Cambridge (0.55) scored the lowest, proving that their students are either too busy with essays or simply prefer tamer nights out.

The full Russell Group ranking by ket score:

1. Manchester – 2.13

2. Bristol – 1.87

3. Leeds – 1.86

4. Sheffield – 1.81

5. Liverpool – 1.75

6. UCL – 1.58

7. Newcastle – 1.56

8. Birmingham – 1.38

9. Imperial – 1.25

10. Nottingham – 1.20

11. Cardiff – 0.92

12. Durham – 0.84

13. Exeter – 0.76

=14. Glasgow – 0.67

=14. Edinburgh – 0.67

15. Cambridge – 0.55

16. York – 0.52

17. Warwick – 0.48