Oxford is the UK’s freshers’ flu hotspot, according to new research.

The study, conducted by claims.co.uk, analysed Google Keyword Planner data on more than 2,400 cold and flu-related terms for each UK city from 2021 to 2023.

To find out which were more impacted by freshers’ flu, only the average monthly searches for September and October were taken into consideration.

Oxford came top with 9,580 average searches from September and October 2021 to 2023, followed by Exeter with 8,342 average searches over the same period.

In third place was Cambridge 8,181 searches. With 7,935 searchs, Reading was fourth on the list, followed by Leeds with 7,893 searches.

weeks of the academic term.

A spokesperson for claims.co.uk said: “With summer coming to an end, the days becoming chillier and school starting again, illnesses are bound to make an unwelcome return.

"While this happens every year, it is amplified in both large and small university hubs, as high numbers of students converge on their campuses all at once, making it almost impossible to avoid catching a cold or the flu.

“The data highlights the cities where the infamous freshers' flu is most prevalent, and it's no coincidence that the top 10 are all well-known university cities. It’s advisable for both parents and students to be extra cautious, to be prepared for anything by packing warmer clothes, and to ensure that medicines are readily available at all times.”