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With 10 unis to choose from across the region, there’s plenty of courses and opportunities on offer in Yorkshire and the Humber. If you’re eyeing up one or more of the unis here but aren’t quite sure what the region has to offer, we’re here for you. The region is known for its beauty, both in its architecture and in its landscape. There’s also a lot for students, from vibrant nightlife to all the top high street stores to arts and culture. If you’re still not sure, here are our top 16 reasons to study in Yorkshire and the Humber.
1. Excellent educational opportunities
With ten unis, thousands of undergraduate courses and two unis ranked in the top 20 (Complete University Guide 2024), there’s a huge range of opportunities in Yorkshire and the Humber. At the unis here you’ll find modern libraries, state of the art labs and teaching facilities and a wide range of study spaces ranging from cafes to group study rooms to silent individual study.
2. Beautiful architecture
Much of the architecture found around cities and towns in the Yorkshire and Humber region is from the Victorian period, though there are buildings (or at least the ruins of buildings) dating back at least as far as the Middle Ages. The area boasts lots of beautiful churches and cathedrals, notably York Minster and Leeds Minster.
3. Student-friendly nightlife
Thanks to the large student population across the region, you’ll find a student-friendly nightlife scene. Clubs offer plenty of student nights throughout the week, and there are lots of bars frequented by students. Most of the unis in the region have bars run by the Student Union, where you’re guaranteed to find drinks at reasonable prices as well as plenty of other students to socialise with.
4. Stunning beaches
There are miles and miles of beaches in Yorkshire and the Humber, and plenty of seaside towns to check out. Popular beaches in the area are Filey, Scarborough, Whitby and Bridlington. Whitby is famous thanks to its gothic abbey, which inspired Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’, and you’ll find a lot of vampire and Dracula related attractions in the town.
5. Low cost of living
In the north of England, you can expect to find lower accommodation prices than in the south. While the cost of living will vary depending on what type of accommodation you’re after and where exactly you’re living, you’ll find rent prices here are lower than in the South East or South West, and significantly lower than London.
6. Cultural attractions
Across the region there’s a wide range of museums, art galleries and tours to keep you busy. From general collections such as Leeds Art Gallery and the Yorkshire Museum to more specialised attractions including the National Railway Museum, JORVIK Viking Centre and the Dracula Experience, there’s something for everyone.
7. Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors
Living in Yorkshire and the Humber, you’ll have access to two huge National Parks. Walk along some of the miles of picturesque footpaths, have a picnic and maybe explore some of the historic buildings located within the National Parks. These are ideal if you’re a fan of the outdoors, and it’s a great antidote to the bustling student life you’ll find in the region’s cities.
8. Brontë sisters
Haworth in West Yorkshire was once home to the Brontë family. The three Brontë sisters – Emily, Anne and Charlotte – were known for their novels and poetry. The village has lots of charming independent shops and cafes to explore, as well as the Brontë Parsonage, the family’s historic home which has been transformed into a museum celebrating the works of the three sisters.
9. Oldest sweet shop in England
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, not only is Pateley Bridge in Harrogate home to the oldest sweet shop in England, but it’s also the oldest sweet shop in the world. The shop has been continuously trading since 1827, and offers the traditional sweet shop experience. Think huge jars full of pear drops and bonbons and you’ve about got the idea.
10. Sports
You’ll find a wide range of professional sport played across the region, and also lots of opportunities to get involved and join a team yourself. Famous teams that call the region home include Leeds United and Sheffield United as well as Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Leeds Rhinos.
11. Transport connections
Around the local area, you’ll find bus services offering connections between cities and the nearby towns and villages. There are also several rail stations throughout the city, offering a range of destinations including London, Edinburgh and Manchester. The region also offers international travel, with ferries leaving from Hull for Rotterdam and Zeebrugge, while Leeds Bradford Airport has a range of international destinations.
12. Friendly locals
Northerners are known for being chatty, welcoming and just overall nice. If you’re not sure which direction you’re meant to be walking in, you can feel confident asking a local passer-by for help. The friendly atmosphere in the region’s towns and cities will help you settle in quickly, which means you can jump right into the student experience.
13. Yorkshire puddings
A delicious addition to the Sunday Roast, Yorkshire puddings are of course named after the region. Made with batter and then poured into oil-filled tins and baked in the oven, they’re greasy, filling and downright amazing. You can even find places in York offering Yorkshire pudding wraps. Yes, that’s right, a huge Yorkshire pudding, flattened into a wrap and filled with all the classic ingredients of a Sunday Roast. Yum!
14. York is famous for its hauntings
Supposedly, York is the most haunted city in Europe. We’re not sure who decides that, or how it’s measured, but if we’re going by the sheer number of ghostly attractions, York does seem to come out on top. There are plenty of tours offered around the city to some of the most haunted spots, and you can also check out the York Dungeon if you’re looking for a fright.
15. Fizzy drinks were invented in Leeds
Over 250 years ago, Joseph Priestley is thought to have accidentally created carbonated water in a brewery in Leeds. It wasn’t until four years later that mass production began, with a first factory set up in Manchester. While the first factory may have been in the North West, it’s Leeds you have to thank for all your favourite soft drinks.
16. Sheffield has its own walk of fame
If you’ve ever fancied a trip to Hollywood to see the Walk of Fame, we’ve got a great option that’s more friendly on the wallet – the Sheffield Walk of Fame. Located outside Sheffield Town Hall is Sheffield Legends. Much like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the path features plaques with celebrity’s names on them. Unlike the Hollywood Walk of Fame, everyone who has a plaque here is connected somehow to Sheffield.
Outstanding education opportunities, loads of history, great nightlife and culture – what more could a student ask for? Yorkshire and the Humber is a region with plenty to offer students, and we’re sure you’ll have a great time studying here. With two top 20 UK unis (the University of Sheffield and the University of York) according to Complete University Guide’s 2024 league tables, and thousands of undergraduate courses on offer from the 10 unis across the region, you’ll be sure to find something that suits you.
If you’re still not convinced, why not check out some of our city guides to Yorkshire and the Humber to learn more about the cities you could be studying in?
