Internationalisation is a cross-cutting theme in the strategic plans of many universities, and an increased international profile is a core goal for many cities. At the same time, even the leaders of some of Europe's most avowedly outward-facing, 'global' universities have begun to prioritise relations with their city counterparts in recent years. It makes sense, then, that urban universities are working with city administrations to align their international activity--but what form does this take, and does joint activity represent collaboration on areas of mutual convenience, or a broader understanding of internationalisation, place, and university-city relationships? This forum presents findings on how urban universities are increasingly framing their internationalisation activity through the lens of their city, based on interviews with 18 university officials and 7 city officials in Amsterdam (the Netherlands), Dublin (Ireland), Glasgow (Scotland) and Hannover (Germany). Two parallel narratives help explain this shift: (1) a renewed acceptance of the importance of the local environment for university success in attracting staff and students; and (2) the growing influence of cities as international actors. These findings are drawn from a study examining the wider internationalisation activity of universities and cities commissioned by the British Council, the UK's organisation for international cultural and educational opportunities, which has announced a strategic focus on cities, and their interplay with their cultural and educational institutions.