UniHomes guide to
Leeds
Uni Life in Leeds
Student life in Leeds is greatly varied. As the largest city
in Yorkshire, it is easily one of the most exciting spots in the North of
England for students. When it comes to student life in Leeds, there’s always
something fun to do, whether you're into sports, music, shopping, academia, or
theatre. This city boasts the world’s first M&S and spectacular landmarks,
such as Kirkstall
Abbey and the Corn Exchange
shopping centre.
The city is home to two large universities, Leeds
Beckett University and the University
of Leeds, as well as several smaller universities (including Leeds
Trinity, Leeds Art University and the Northern School of Contemporary
Dance). Given the city's vibrant student community, student living in Leeds is
incredibly varied, catering to all personalities and budgets.
Key reasons to study in Leeds
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1Shopping heaven
Living in Leeds for students often involves a trip to Trinity Leeds, Victoria Quarter, or The Light, where you can find an abundance of shops, whatever you could want or need. While there are endless clothes shops for those wanting to change up their look, there are also plenty of cinemas for film lovers and game bars for more competitive types. Don’t forget to check out the world’s first M&S in Kirkgate Market and the festive stalls at Christmas!
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2A student-oriented city
With over 70,000 students in the city, Leeds has a significant student population to cater to and is, therefore, very student-oriented. Both campuses are centrally located, featuring fantastic facilities like huge libraries, a state-of-the-art sports centre, and the Student Union, full of bars and shops offering student discounts. Further afield, Woodhouse and Headingley are trendy student areas with affordable rents and plenty of cafés to study in.
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3Exciting nightlife
This student guide to Leeds wouldn’t be complete without giving a nod towards the nightlife. Bars like Headrow House, the Belgrave Music Hall, Jake's and Brooklyn's add to the fantastic atmosphere. The city is also full of incredible music venues like the Brudenell Social Club and the O2 Academy (built into an old church), and is home to the Otley Run (something you should do at least once while you're in this city!). Simply put, student living in Leeds is one of the most vibrant options in the North!
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4Varied cuisine
Kirkgate Market boasts hundreds of dedicated pop-up food stalls. We recommend taking a trip to the Yorkshire Pudding Wrap Company for a northern delicacy or Bánh & Mee Vietnamese Street Kitchen for traditional family recipes. Vegans will love the plant-based burgers at Fat Annie’s. Stepping outside of the market, MyThai is a top pick for anyone fancying a noodle dish, and you can even deliver online. Casa Leeds also has a vibrant menu, featuring authentic Colombian plates. There’s something for everyone!
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5A rich sporting history
Leeds is steeped in sporting history. Known in particular for being a rugby city, the Leeds Rhinos are one of the most successful rugby clubs in the country and often play in Headingley. In addition, Leeds United are a world-famous football team, and both main universities have fantastic sporting facilities, further enriching life in Leeds as a student.
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6Everything you need in one place
As one of the north of England's biggest cities, Leeds has everything you need. Whether it's affordable student accommodation or excellent transportation links and cycle lanes across town, the City of the White Rose has you covered. If you do, however, want to venture further afield, there are direct trains to all the major hotspots, such as Manchester and London.
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Universities in Leeds
University of Leeds
One of the largest and most prestigious higher education institutions in the UK, the University of Leeds also has one of the country's highest enrolment rates. A classic redbrick and Russell Group university, the uni is ranked with the top 150 higher education universities in the world. You'll find Leeds University campus up in the north side of Leeds' city centre, just between a Leeds General Hospital and the popular student area of Woodhouse.
Leeds Beckett University
Leeds Beckett university is split across two campuses, one in the city centre and one in the suburb of Headingley. It is notable for its excellent sporting department, the Carnegie School of Sport, which is ranked the fifth best sporting education university department in the UK.
Leeds Beckett Headingley
The Leeds Beckett Headingley campus is located a short distance out of the city centre and is easily accessible on foot or bus. The James Graham Building is home to 6 lecture theatres, and the Great Hall holds up to 300 people for events and exhibitions. The surrounding suburb of Headingley is full of shops, bars and eateries - perfect for some fun after a lecture or study session.
Leeds Trinity University (Horsforth Campus)
Leeds Trinity's main campus, Horsforth is around 30 minutes from Leeds' biggest student area Headingley by bus, and around 45 minutes from the city centre and LTU's central campus. Horsforth is naturally a popular area for accommodation among LTU students who want to be based near main campus.
Student Life in Leeds
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Frequently Asked Questions
As you can see from our Leeds student guide on this page, student life here can be as vibrant and exciting as you want it to be. There are plenty of different fun things to explore here, whether you like your coffee, booze, nature spots, films, or anything else!
There are plenty of reasons why Leeds is a student-friendly city. It comes with affordable housing, nature, and nightclubs to suit all music tastes, helping you let your hair down after a week of lectures!