The third largest city in the UK, Leeds boasts a bustling population of around 700,000 people and is situated in the heart of Yorkshire. The city offers students a variety of educational opportunities with three notable universities – the University of Leeds, Leeds Trinity University and Leeds Beckett University – in addition to satellite campuses from other universities located nearby. Leeds is also renowned for its affordability and excellent transport links, making it one of the most desirable destinations for students. The city's nightlife is also unbeatable with plenty of pubs, bars and clubs to explore. With so much culture, entertainment and nightlife on offer, there’s loads of reasons to study here. Here are our top 11 reasons to study in Leeds.
1. Great educational opportunities
Both the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University have a large student population, meaning you’ll be surrounded by loads of other students. The unis in Leeds offer courses in a wide range of subjects from law and social sciences to education, humanities and languages.
2. Cost-effective living
The north of England is known for being more affordable than cities in the south, so you might find your student loan goes a bit further. Leeds has a variety of student accommodation on offer to suit a range of budgets, and you'll find the average cost of things like a pint are lower than many other major UK cities.
3. Link to famous faces
Celebrities including Mel B, Marco Pierre White and Nicola Adams all have strong connections to the city. You’ll regularly be visiting places these famous faces are likely to have spent time in, which is pretty cool.
4. Excellent transport links
You'll find plenty of local bus routes to help you get around the city and the nearby area. For travelling further afield, you'll be close to Leeds Bradford airport for the more distant destinations and you’ll find train connections to several other major UK cities including London, Sheffield and Edinburgh.
5. Numerous museums, theatres and galleries
Among others, you’ll find the Leeds City Museum, Leeds Art Gallery, the Thackray Museum of Medication and Leeds Grand Theatre. These attractions cover a range of different interests, so there’s something for everyone. These are the perfect way to pass an afternoon with your mates, or even as a location for a date, so there's no reason not to check them out.
6. Impressive nightlife
There's loads of places to go for a night out, from bars and restaurants to pubs and clubs. Some of the popular student haunts include Mook, Strawberry Fields Café and Bar (known as Strawbs) and Cargo.
7. Sports facilities
The sports facilities on offer include football stadiums and an Olympic-sized pool, so you'll be able to get involved in a variety of sports. The local football team Leeds United play in the Premier League and there’s plenty of opportunities to catch a game during your time in the city.
8. Abundance of green spaces
Green spaces on offer near and in the city include Harewood Park, Roundhill Park and Temple Newsam Park. The parks around Leeds are perfect for a cheap day out with your friends, or just for stretching your legs after a long week of lectures, seminars and workshops.
9. Multitude of festivals
Festivals on offer include Slam Dunk Festival and Reading and Leeds festival as well as cultural activities like Leeds International Film Festival and Yorkshire Food & Drink Weekender Festival. The range of festivals on offer means you’ll have plenty of chances to check some of them out.
10. Employment and work experience opportunities
Leeds is the home to headquarters of several globally renowned businesses including Jet2, Asda and First Direct. These companies might offer internships or work experience to students looking to gain practical skills outside the classroom environment. As well as these big names, there are plenty of smaller local businesses around offering similar opportunities to students.
11. Friendly locals
Leeds is a super welcoming place to be thanks to the locals. Finding a uni town you feel safe and welcomed in is important, so having friendly locals and a large student population will help you to feel right at home from the moment you arrive.
All three of Leeds’ unis offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, with the University of Leeds being particularly well-respected for its research output. The University of Leeds carries out cutting-edge research in social sciences, mathematics, engineering and medicine, bringing world-class results to multiple disciplines. Meanwhile, Leeds Beckett University has strong links to the creative and cultural sectors, which makes it an attractive option for those passionate about arts, media and design. With its own campus located close to downtown Leeds, students have access to many attractions from vibrant nightlife to cultural events. Leeds Trinity University is located slightly further out the city in the town of Horsforth and offers a range of courses across the humanities and social sciences. Despite Horsforth’s relatively small size, it has a lot of nightlife to offer students, so you won’t be missing out.
Leeds is a city brimming with student activities that offer exciting and memorable experiences. From exploring the vibrant nightlife in some of the best pubs, bars, and clubs in town, to taking part in arts and cultural events such as the Leeds International Film Festival or celebrating Lunar New Year, there’s something for everyone. The variety of sports facilities including football stadiums, tennis courts, netball courts and an Olympic pool complex mean you can get involved in watching as well as playing sport. And if you’re looking for the great outdoors, there are plenty of parks for weekend getaways or picnics with friends. With so much on offer in Leeds, why not make it your destination for student life?
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