Manchester named among England’s brainiest cities, according to new study

The research, carried out by  BrainManager, a website that tests IQ through various quizzes online, examined a range of factors that reflect both formal education and intellectual curiosity. Looking at 60 of England’s largest towns and cities, the study considered the percentage of residents with degrees, GCSE attainment, vocational and Level 3 qualification rates, and access to public libraries. But it didn’t stop there – it also explored how eager people are to learn outside the classroom, using data on Google searches related to online reading and the number of public lectures and academic events held per 10,000 people.

By analysing these eight metrics and assigning each a weighted value based on its educational significance, BrainManager created an overall score to rank England’s largest towns and cities.

Manchester takes 14th place in the rankings with an overall score of 44.65, placing it firmly among England’s more intellectually engaged cities. It performs particularly well in higher education; nearly 30% of residents hold a degree, landing it in 10th place for that metric. Manchester also shines in Level 3 qualifications, with a standout 77.3%, the third-highest in the country. Its commitment to digital learning is also clear, ranking fifth for Google searches related to online reading.

However, Manchester’s strengths in post-secondary learning aren’t quite mirrored in its school-age performance. It ranks 33rd for GCSE attainment, suggesting room for improvement at secondary level. Vocational qualification rates are also fairly average, and while the city benefits from 24 public libraries and a solid 7.24% of schools rated 'Outstanding', it surprisingly falls short when it comes to in-person learning opportunities—ranking in the bottom seven nationally for public lectures and academic events.

Topping the list is Oxford (1st), which lives up to its reputation with the highest proportion of degree holders and the most academic events per capita, making it the undeniable intellectual capital of England. Reading (2nd) follows closely behind, thanks to its strong GCSE and Level 3 qualification rates and a population that clearly enjoys learning online. In third place, Slough stands out not for its universities, but for its impressive vocational qualification rate and a thriving calendar of academic events. Brighton and Hove (4th) holds its own with high degree rates and GCSE performance, while London (5th) shows off its educational infrastructure, boasting the most libraries and a strong presence of outstanding schools, though it lags in public lectures.

In sixth, York combines tradition with solid academic results, including a standout GCSE performance. Wokingham (7th) quietly impresses with some of the best qualification rates in the country despite only having a single public library. Stafford (8th) may not have the highest exam scores, but its exceptional rate of ‘Outstanding’ schools and high public event numbers help it climb the ranks. Southend-on-Sea (9th) leads the nation in GCSE attainment and maintains strong academic engagement overall. Finally, Bournemouth rounds out the top 10, balancing good school performance with a quieter academic events scene, proving you don’t need a university town label to be among England’s brainiest cities.

On the flip side, Blackpool, Doncaster, Sunderland, Barnsley, and Hull ranked in the bottom 5.

List of the top 15 smartest cities in the  study: