Leeds Vs Sheffield University: Choosing your uni

If you’re set on studying in Yorkshire, you might be split between 2 of Yorkshire’s biggest cities: Leeds and Sheffield.

You might be wondering which city has the edge when it comes to the ultimate uni experience. Both are diverse, vibrant cities full of nightlife and events, with several universities to choose from. But which is best?

Ultimately, that’ll come down to what’s important to you and which city feels like a better fit. Here’s a breakdown of some important factors to help you make your decision.

Night Life

If you’re a fan of partying and can’t wait for Freshers’ week, then nightlife might be the deciding factor. However, which city has the best nightlife very much depends on who you ask.

Leeds is bigger than Sheffield, with legendary nightlife, weekly student nights, and cheap drinks deals. The University of Leeds' main club night is called Fruity. With 3 rooms playing different music, Fruity makes a fantastic Friday night out for the whole house. Not to be left out, Leeds Beckett has its own Friday club night called Fuel.

Meanwhile, the city centre has over 50 different bars and clubs for you to choose from. Whatever your music taste, Leeds is sure to have a night out for you.

Sheffield is smaller and probably does have fewer bars and clubs to choose from. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a disappointing night out. The University of Sheffield’s student union has awesome drinks deals, a night out for every music taste, and has been voted the best student union in the UK (for the second year in a row!).

There’s also the trendy West Street and Division Street area with several streets of bars and clubs. This is home to the famous West Street Live, with its massive range of ridiculously cheap drink deals and regular live music.

City

It’s also important to think about the overall vibe of the city. You’re going to be living there for 3 years after all. The city’s size, green spaces, and what it’s famous for might all factor into your final decision.

Leeds is the biggest city in Yorkshire (and the third biggest in the UK), so this might be perfect for you if you're looking for a bustling city experience. Sheffield is smaller with more of a big-town feel. The city centre is compact and easy to walk around, so it's great if you're worried about navigating a hectic big city.

When it comes to green spaces, Sheffield takes the win. Sheffield is known for being one of the UK’s greenest cities, with 61% of it being green space. It’s home to loads of woodland, parks, and gardens. Plus, the Peak District is only a 20-minute drive away and easy to get to using public transport!

Of course, Leeds isn’t completely devoid of greenery. Leeds has plenty of scenic parks to connect with nature and enjoy peaceful green space. Roundhay Park is one of the most popular options, which covers over 700 acres of parkland, woodland, and lakes.

Leeds is most famous for its reputation as a city of live music. Live music is the driving force behind its vibrant arts and culture scene. From big names playing at First Direct Arena to indie gigs at ​​Belgrave, Leeds has a music scene for everyone. There are also its famous festivals, Leeds Festival and Live at Leeds.

Meanwhile, Sheffield is known as the Outdoor City and has one of the largest communities of climbers in the UK. If you’re a fan of climbing or bouldering, then Sheffield has plenty of options. There are 5 different climbing gyms to choose from, or if you prefer to climb outdoors, the Peak District has hundreds of challenging gritstone routes and stunning views. Whether you’re an experienced climber or want to start, Sheffield is the perfect place.

Universities

Both Sheffield and Leeds have several universities with different entry requirements. Choosing between them will depend on your predicted grades and which university course you prefer.

The University of Sheffield and the University of Leeds are well-ranked in the League tables and are part of the Russell Group of universities. They have similar entry requirements, with many courses needing a minimum of AAB. The University of Leeds is ranked slightly higher than Sheffield (number 86 compared to 96 in the QS World University 2023).

However, the University of Sheffield is ranked higher than Leeds in a few specific subject areas, such as social studies, political science, and psychology. So, it’s always important to check the ranking of your particular course and the university as a whole.

Sheffield Hallam and Leeds Beckett are similar universities with similar entry requirements (many courses need 112 UCAS points or BBC). However, Sheffield Hallam is ranked higher in the league tables than Leeds Beckett.

Leeds is also home to several other universities, including Leeds Trinity University, Leeds Arts University, and Leeds Conservatoire.

Although league tables and rankings can be a helpful way to see how a university is performing academically or in other areas like student satisfaction, this shouldn't be the only thing you look at.

When making your decision try to visit both cities and your potential universities. When you visit, see if you like the feel and layout of the campus, check out the student union, and look at the university accommodation. Can you see yourself living there? If the answer is yes, you may have finally decided.

How UniHomes can help

After deciding and being accepted by your dream university, it's time to start thinking about accommodation.

At UniHomes, we have hundreds of amazing student properties in both Sheffield and Leeds. From huge 8-bedroom houses, you can share with all your friends to cosy studio flats in the middle of the city, we have something perfect for you. Best of all, all our properties come with all bills included to keep things as stress-free as possible.

Check out a full range of student properties to find your dream student home today. 

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