42 top student influencers for UK universities to partner with

UK universities can’t rely on glossy brochures to win students anymore. Today’s applicants, especially young people, want authentic voices, not scripted campaigns.

Student influencers deliver exactly that. Through influencer marketing, they share the student experience in ways marketing teams can’t. Their real-life study tips, day-in-the-life vlogs and unfiltered Reels capture the everyday reality of student life to build credibility with both current and prospective students.

Here are the top student voices shaping conversations about UK campus life and tips on how to work with them.

Why student influencers are a powerful asset for UK universities

Student influencers bridge the gap between polished institutional messaging and the lived reality of university life. Their voices carry weight because they feel relatable and grounded in actual student experiences.

This is extremely helpful for recruitment. Student influencers shape how prospective students imagine themselves at a university by showing the spirit, pressures and daily life that slick marketing can’t capture.

They also give current students a sense of belonging through real stories that reflect university life. This strengthens retention and builds community on campus.

The real power of student influencers lies in peer-to-peer credibility. According to Sprout Social’s The State of Influencer Marketing Report, 53% of social users want influencers who share their values, and 47% want authenticity. Student influencers deliver both, driving higher engagement.

Smaller influencers often deepen that impact because their audiences feel more like communities than fanbases. Micro and nano voices often build trust better than big celebrity names—even if those VIPs are alumni.

UK student influencers on TikTok

As the go-to network for Gen Zers, TikTok is a natural home for higher education influencers.

These student content creators use day-in-the-life vlogs, study tips and funny, relatable videos to capture the university experience and drive engagement.

1. @conversationswithruby—47.3k followers

Ruby Cline, a Cambridge student in Human, Social and Political Sciences, runs @conversationswithruby.

(Source: TikTok)

Her TikToks mix personal reflections, politics, mental health and the realities of student life.

2. @annakatieee—43.5k followers

Anna Katie (@annakatieee) shares the everyday rhythms of student life through funny, authentic videos.

(Source: TikTok)

Her feed features candid takes on her daily routines, budget-living tips and university fashion inspiration.

3. @medikurd—12.7k followers

@medikurd is a medical student at King’s College London.

(Source: TikTok)

He blends cultural storytelling with student-focused lifestyle content, highlighting his experiences around identity, community and daily medical student life.

4. @iz.henderson—116.9k followers

Iz Henderson (@iz.henderson) produces vibrant TikToks that capture fashion, lifestyle and day-in-the-life student content.

(Source: TikTok)

With over 100,000 followers, her mix of engaging trends and authentic storytelling gives prospective and current students a realistic glimpse into university life.

5. @nobodythatyk—22.1k followers

@nobodythatyk creates relatable TikToks that lean into the ups and downs of student life.

(Source: TikTok)

Her content ranges from witty takes on studying to honest reflections on university challenges and navigating cultural differences.

6. @k_a_r_e_n130—27.6k followers

Karen (@k_a_r_e_n130), a Chinese student at King’s College London, shares daily vlogs capturing the realities of studying abroad.

(Source: TikTok)

From day-in-the-life routines to balancing entrepreneurship with student responsibilities, her content offers an inside look at both London life and the international student experience.

7. @einfachmads—64.8k followers

Mads (@einfachmads) is a German student at university in London who mixes day-in-the-life content with fashion, beauty and thrifting.

(Source: TikTok)

Her TikToks showcase student life in the city, mixing study sessions with the best spots for affordable shopping.

8. @amz.face—87.7k followers

Amz (@amz.face) brings London student life to TikTok with room tours, shopping hauls and honest reviews of places to eat and events to attend.

(Source: TikTok)

Her mix of humour, relatable student trends and campus lifestyle clips makes her a go-to voice for engaging student content.

9. @cleaasdiary—60.8k followers

Clea (@cleaasdiary), a student at the University of Edinburgh, documents the highs and lows of student life.

(Source: TikTok)

Her TikToks cover moving away from family, campus routines, outfit inspo and downtime with friends.

10. @beateozola15—11.3k followers

Beate Ozola (@beateozola15) shares vlogs about adjusting to university as a first-year student.

(Source: TikTok)

From inside the classroom to casual campus experiences, her content mixes authentic perspectives with student giveaways.

11. @lifeofaanjali—25.4k followers

Anjali (@lifeofaanjali) creates content packed with tips, advice and relatable humour about university life.

(Source: TikTok)

Her videos span study motivation, student struggles and aspirational life goals.

12. @livvy.massey—8k followers

Livvy Massey (@livvy.massey) produces TikToks that mix uni advice with fun lifestyle content.

(Source: TikTok)

Her content spans get-ready-with-me routines, exam prep guidance and comedic takes on student struggles, using an approach that’s both supportive and entertaining.

13. @cleo_.xx—10.6k followers

Cleo (@cleo_.xx) shares warm, candid vlogs that show cooking tutorials and honest reflections on student experiences.

(Source: TikTok)

Her content combines everyday advice with open conversations, giving followers a relatable look at university life and the challenges that shape it.

14. @kwegyltn—16.9k followers

@kwegltn creates comedic POVs that capture the realities of student living.

(Source: TikTok)

From late-night study sessions and procrastination spirals to the chaos of shared housing, his content resonates through humour and relatability.

15. @cham13—29.2k followers

Sham (@csham13) documents his student journey through daily vlogs.

(Source: TikTok)

His TikToks highlight topics like home cooking and class routines as well as reviews of local spots around campus.

UK student influencers on Instagram

Instagram is a hub for UK student influencers, where Reels, Stories and posts capture the real student experience.

Covering topics like freshers’ week, study tips, fashion and daily life, these UK student influencer examples share relatable, engaging content that young people trust.

16. @woody_cook—119k followers

Woody Cook (@woody_cook), a student at Bristol, shares the lively side of university life. His Instagram captures nights out, house parties and time with friends.

(Source: Instagram)

As a DJ, he blends music and student culture, offering followers a raw, entertaining look at Bristol’s student scene.

17. @racheltongng—16.8k followers

Rachel Tong (@racheltongng), a Durham University student, posts engaging social content about UK higher education.

(Source: Instagram)

Rachel offers practical advice, highlighting Durham’s best activities and ranking universities on safety and student experience.

18. @alicekxtee—19.6k followers

Alice (@alicekxtee) uses humour to show the realities of student life. Her skits and POVs cover everything from freshers’ week to cooking on a budget.

(Source: Instagram)

With vlogs and uni survival tips, she makes the everyday student journey feel reassuringly relatable.

19. @heybara—33.2k followers

Bara (@heybara), a student at the University of Glasgow, shares her life studying abroad. Her feed includes room tours, motivational posts, city guides and daily vlogs.

(Source: Instagram)

Her authentic storytelling helps international students picture what life in Glasgow is really like.

20. @studywlolo—5k followers

Lolo (@studywlolo) offers practical hacks and resources for navigating university.

(Source: Instagram)

By featuring tools that help students stay productive and POVs about common challenges, her account simplifies everyday student struggles.

21. @sturdythoughtss—34.6k followers

@sturdythoughtss makes student advice both informative and entertaining.

(Source: Instagram)

His content ranges from networking tips and flatmate survival advice to witty POVs about campus life.

22. @hit_the_tuan—20.7k followers

Tuan (@hit_the_tuan) shares funny, detailed POVs about student realities, including pulling all-nighters and the intensity of exams.

(Source: Instagram)

As a South African and Turkish student, she gives a diverse, relatable perspective on what university life ‌truly looks like in the UK.

23. @noraballler—21.1k followers

Nora (@noraballler), a psychology student, combines fashion, lifestyle and motivation.

(Source: Instagram)

Her Instagram content mixes study routines, daily inspiration and style ideas, creating a multifaceted account that offers both encouragement and practical lifestyle tips.

24. @tom_powellll—362k followers

Tom Powell (@tom_powellll) documents Cambridge life with humour and charm. His content features parties, games, daily routines and skits with his friends and boyfriend.

(Source: Instagram)

With a mix of relatable and entertaining posts, he gives followers a vibrant look into the unique experience of students at Cambridge University.

25. @sravanisinha—12.5k followers

Sravani Sinha (@sravanisinha), a clinical psychology student at the University of Plymouth, shares her international student experience.

(Source: Instagram)

Her content blends academic life with healthy lifestyle routines, including gym sessions and meal prep, offering motivation for balancing studies and wellbeing.

26. @cambridgram—31.7k followers

Run by Marika Niihori, @cambridgram chronicles her PhD journey at Cambridge. Her posts highlight graduation prep, everyday academic life and things to do in Cambridge and across the UK.

(Source: Instagram)

She provides a personal yet informative glimpse into the realities of postgraduate study.

27. @bethany__gl—9k followers

Bethany (@bethany__gl) shares the perspective of a mature student who’s also a parent. Her Instagram covers balancing childcare with studies, managing budgets and tackling daily routines.

(Source: Instagram)

Her voice adds diversity to the student influencer space, showing that university life isn’t one-size-fits-all.

28. @pcfgstudy—38.1k followers

@pcfgstudy documents an inspiring academic turnaround, illustrating how she went from failing maths to pursuing chemical engineering.

(Source: Instagram)

Her posts mix motivational study tips with funny POVs, encouraging other students to persist through setbacks.

29. @oxforddatagirl—33.4k followers

Oxford Data Girl (@oxforddatagirl), a German student in Oxford studying social data science, shares candid insights into Oxford life.

(Source: Instagram)

From get-ready-with-me videos to comparisons with other universities, her content combines lifestyle and academic perspectives with practical advice.

UK student influencers on YouTube

YouTube is where UK influencers build deeper connections, sharing vlogs, study tips, day-in-the-life videos and other long-form content about student life.

30. Holly Bennett—104k subscribers

Holly Bennett shares vlogs that mix study advice with lifestyle content.

(Source: YouTube)

Her YouTube channel blends practical student tips with personal routines and everyday student life insights.

31. Eeshaan Ghanekar—1.28k subscribers

Eeshaan Ghanekar’s channel gives an inside look at life as a student at medical school.

(Source: YouTube)

By creating clear, helpful videos covering paperwork tips and studying FAQs, Eeshaan demystifies student experiences for those considering the medical path.

32. Praise—11.3k subscribers

Praise uses her YouTube channel to share advice, study tips and routines.

(Source: YouTube)

Her content ranges from choosing the right school to vlogs of daily student life, giving prospective students a friendly, peer-driven perspective on navigating university decisions and experiences.

33. Esther Lee—220k subscribers

Esther Lee creates highly engaging long-form content that captures student life in London.

(Source: YouTube)

Her channel mixes lifestyle vlogs, study tips and fashion inspiration, building a strong community with relatable storytelling.

34. Heidi Phillips—12.8k subscribers

Heidi Phillips films day-in-the-life vlogs that balance student routines with broader lifestyle content.

(Source: YouTube)

From preparing for exams to passing her driving test, her videos showcase the everyday mix of responsibilities and milestones that shape young student life.

35. Mia Olivia—14.2k subscribers

Mia Olivia combines her life as a student with her experience as an elite gymnast.

(Source: YouTube)

Her YouTube channel features room and dorm tours, daily routines and personal vlogs, offering a unique take on balance, discipline and student life.

36. Amelia Raines—13.3k subscribers

Amelia Raines documents her student journey with lifestyle vlogs that focus on preparation and self-care.

(Source: YouTube)

Her videos highlight packing tips, room decor, healthy routines and beauty advice, helping students create a tidy, balanced and enjoyable university experience.

37. Louisa Traynor—2.23k subscribers

Louisa Traynor, a University of Leeds student, shares an unfiltered view of student living.

(Source: YouTube)

From house parties and events to outfit inspiration and daily routines, her content offers a fun, candid snapshot of what UK university life really looks like.

38. Laicee Ella—2.63k subscribers

Laicee Ella’s channel blends her new student life with fashion and travel content.

(Source: YouTube)

She offers room tours and glimpses into university routines, but her main focus is lifestyle inspiration and fashion.

39. Emily Lilburn—83.7k subscribers

Emily Lilburn posts daily diaries of her student life, focusing on wellbeing.

(Source: YouTube)

Her videos provide tips on avoiding burnout, maintaining mental health and balancing heavy workloads.

40. Emma Louise—315k subscribers

Emma Louise runs one of the largest student-focused YouTube channels in the UK.

(Source: YouTube)

Her videos cover everything from accommodation and making friends to day-in-the-life vlogs.

41. Rowan Emily—11.9k subscribers

As a Warwick University student, Rowan Emily provides a personal look into how she prepares for university.

(Source: YouTube)

Her channel includes advice on moving in and out, productivity tips, self-care routines and relaxation strategies.

42. Jasmine Elizabeth—21.4k subscribers

Law student Jasmine Elizabeth shares productivity vlogs and study-focused content.

(Source: YouTube)

Her videos range from room tours and essential supplies to daily routines, offering practical advice for succeeding in demanding academic environments.

How to identify the right student influencers

The best student influencer programs start with finding partners who reflect your university’s values and resonate with the audiences you want to reach. The right fit can strengthen recruitment, retention and student engagement.

Sprout’s Influencer Marketing platform lets you see exactly who an influencer’s audience is, how their content performs and what kind of stories they tell, all in one dashboard. This helps you make decisions guided by real data, taking the guesswork out of influencer discovery.

Here’s how to use Sprout to find student influencers.

Set your selection criteria

Choosing the right student influencers begins with defining what matters most to your institution. Here’s what to focus on.

• Relevance: Seek out influencers who align with your university’s brand voice and the real student experience. Sprout research shows that social users want influencers whose values mirror their own. Our influencer marketing platform lets you gauge alignment by reviewing each influencer’s tone of voice, content themes and engagement.

• Reach and engagement: A student with 10k followers and a strong engagement rate will often outperform a larger account with a disengaged audience. Look beyond raw follower counts and dig into post interactions, comment quality and how consistently their audience shows up.
• Audience makeup: Sprout lets you view demographic insights, such as location, age and interests, to confirm whether an influencer’s community reflects your target student prospects.

With everything in one dashboard—engagement history, demographics and content examples—Sprout makes it easy to compare, vet and select the right student influencers without hours of manual work.

Find niche and micro-influencers

While it’s tempting to focus on big names, research shows that smaller creators often drive higher trust and stronger peer-to-peer influence.

Micro-influencers and niche student voices are especially powerful because they feel relatable and genuine. Their communities see them as friends, not celebrity influencers, meaning their recommendations carry more weight.

Sprout’s advanced filters make it simple to discover these voices. For example, if you’re recruiting international students, filter for creators posting about study abroad life in specific UK cities. Refining searches by niche, location or engagement rate helps surface high-potential influencers you might otherwise overlook.

By combining clear selection criteria with Sprout’s data-rich profiles and filtering tools, universities can confidently identify student influencers who truly fit their brand. This makes it easier to attract new students while keeping current ones engaged and connected.

Navigating UK compliance requirements for student influencer content

It doesn’t matter whether you’re an educational establishment or a huge enterprise. In the UK, your influencer campaigns need to align with the regulations set out by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The ASA enforces the CAP Code, which ensures that ads are “legal, decent, honest and truthful.” The CMA enforces consumer protection law, holding both influencers and universities accountable if posts mislead audiences. If you pay, gift products to or otherwise incentivise an influencer, the influencer must declare it.

Transparent social media governance is more than a box-ticking exercise. Clear disclosure builds trust and protects your institution from reputational or legal issues caused by misleading campaigns. For full guidance, see the ASA and CMA documentation.

Disclosure best practices for student influencers

Here are a few tips on how to keep influencer campaigns compliant and authentic:

• Use clear tags such as “#ad” or “Paid partnership” at the start of captions or videos.
• Avoid vague wording like “spon” or “thanks to [brand]” that tends to confuse audiences.
• Ensure disclosures are visible without clicking “see more.”
• Follow the same rules for gifts and freebies, not just paid posts.
• Keep disclosures consistent across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and other networks.

How to measure influencer marketing impact and prove ROI

To show the ROI of your influencer campaigns, you need to connect influencer activity to recruitment, engagement and retention goals.

Influencer marketing platforms like Sprout Social help measure direct impact and present results in ways leaders understand. Here’s how.

Define success metrics

Before you can measure impact, you need to define what success looks like for your university. This gives you direction on what data to look at and what it means in terms of progress.

Start by setting clear KPIs:

• Recruitment: Track reach and click-throughs on application or programme pages.
• Engagement: Measure likes, comments and shares to see how content resonates with prospective and current students.
• Retention: Use sentiment analysis and community interactions to assess belonging and satisfaction.

These metrics show whether your student influencer campaigns are simply creating buzz or genuinely helping you reach your institutional goals.

Track campaign performance

Sprout helps you monitor performance at two levels: influencer and campaign.

The influencer level shows engagement rates, reach and audience response for each student creator. This lets you compare performance side by side and see who drives the most meaningful interactions.

At the campaign level, Sprout rolls those results into one view, revealing total reach, overall engagement, sentiment and clicks across all student influencers. This illustrates how well the campaign is performing as a whole.

Sprout’s exportable, presentation-ready reports make it simple to share insights with admissions, marketing or senior leadership, enabling data-driven decision-making.

Benchmark for context

Measuring campaign performance in isolation only tells half the story. Sprout provides industry-specific benchmarks, including influencer performance norms for the UK higher education sector.

Comparing your results against these standards reveals whether a 6% engagement rate is average or exceptional and where there’s room to improve.

By tying influencer metrics to strategic KPIs and contextualising those results, universities can prove ROI and build stronger cases for future investment.

Harness student voices for authentic impact

Student influencers offer something universities can’t manufacture: peer-to-peer trust.

When you align influencer campaigns with your brand values and manage them using the right tools, your influencers can help boost recruitment, strengthen retention and build a lasting community.

Sprout’s Influencer Marketing platform helps you find qualified student voices, track outcomes and prove impact. Book a customised demo to start building authentic, results-driven student influencer programs.

FAQs about student influencers

What is a student influencer?

A student influencer is a university student who builds a following on social media by sharing their real experiences, from studying and student housing to uni fashion, daily routines and course advice.

How can I find top student influencers in the UK?

To find top UK student influencers, search manually on social media platforms or use Sprout’s Influencer Marketing platform to filter by location, niche and engagement rate. This ensures you find voices that reflect your university’s values and target audience.

Are student influencers effective for recruitment?

Yes. Prospective students trust peers more than polished ads because they value authenticity and relatability. In a sense, student influencers provide real-world credibility that shapes how future applicants imagine campus life.

What’s the typical cost of working with student influencers?

Influencer rates vary by follower size and platform. Many nano- and micro-influencers (1k–50k followers) have modest fees or accept free products or experiences, which larger accounts may charge more for. Remember, smaller creators often drive stronger engagement at lower cost.