A study by IT trade association CompTIA looked at the IT employment opportunities in more than 200 different towns and cities across the country.

It took into account multiple elements that form the basis of a good IT career, including opportunities for progression, over demand for IT skills and quality and cost of living. The study concluded that while London is often regarded as the go-to option for IT, it is by no means the best choice in the UK when it comes to IT careers, coming in at fifth place.

Manchester got the top spot due to its wide range of opportunities for career progression due to the large selection of jobs on offer, and the low cost of living, which translates into a superior quality of life compared to the UK capital.

Bristol came in second due to having the best year-on-year job opportunity growth in the UK, while Leeds came in third due to low living costs and a projected increase in the number of tech-related jobs over the next few years.

The UK Tech Town Index shows the breadth and depth of opportunity in the UK. No longer are IT jobs concentrated in traditional pockets like London,” said Nancy Hammervik, executive vice president, industry relations at CompTIA. More and more opportunities are being presented across the region to ensure anyone can pursue their dream career in technology without geographical or economical restrictions.

The top ten cities for IT careers in the UK according to CompTIA are:

1.Manchester
2.Bristol
3.Leeds
4.Birmingham
5.London
6.Cambridge
7.Edinburgh
8.Bath
9.Basingstoke
10.Reading

With Bristol and Bath being commutable from Wiltshire this is great news for the area and for those considering options for careers in IT.

To read the full and original article visit Verdict’s website.