Leeds is a city in Yorkshire and the Humber which is home to four universities and more than 70,000 students, who all get to enjoy the city’s thriving multicultural atmosphere and excellent food, music, shopping and sport.
Updated: 15 Apr 2025
Outside of university there’s loads to do in Leeds. There are some great green spaces for relaxing between lectures, and many students head to Roundhay Park for a cheap day out with friends. Just 20 minutes by bus from the centre, this park has stunning gardens, lakes, fountains, an open air swimming pool and the indoor wildlife park Tropical World.
The city has an excellent shopping scene with something for everyone. If you’re a music fan then be sure to check out Tribe Records, one of the last independent record stores in Leeds. As well as records, it also sells tickets for all the best music events in town, as well as a downstairs floor full of streetwear and art supplies. Leeds is also home to one of the country’s only 24-hour Sainsbury’s Local, so no matter what time of day or night you get peckish you’ll have somewhere to go.
NEXT: Check out our guide for more things to do in Leeds
Leeds is well known for legendary nights out, with a huge variety of bars, pubs and clubs to suit all tastes. Call Lane is many students' first point of call, as it’s home to a mixture of restaurants, cocktail bars and nightclubs.
The University of Leeds has an epic students’ union and many agree it’s one of the best in the country. It has three nightclubs, two bars, a canteen, beer garden and snack bar, and hosts loads of club nights and live music, as well as events like pub quizzes and balls.
Lastly, we have to mention the Otley Run. This is one of the most famous and outrageous pub crawls in the world, and is a right of passage for students at all unis in Leeds. You’ll visit 20 pubs along the route with a drink in each. Fancy dress is highly encouraged!
The large student population in Leeds has created a demand for low cost housing and a variety of options. The amount you’ll spend depends on the type of accommodation you go for.
You could stay in university halls of residence, a great option with a social atmosphere for your first year as a student. There are over 20 housing locations for the University of Leeds, with weekly prices ranging from £98 to £254. The cheaper accommodation will likely be a self-catered, single room with shared bathroom. If you want additional options like an en-suite or catered meals you’ll be paying at the higher end of the scale.
Renting privately is also an option for students in Leeds. Despite its size, rental costs are generally more affordable than other big cities like London, Manchester or elsewhere in Southern England. Renting a bedroom in a shared house in the city centre might cost about £600, although the further out of the centre you look the cheaper it will be. If you rent privately you’ll also need to budget for WiFi and utility bills – this might be an extra £70-80 a month on top of your rent.
Many students choose to get around Leeds by bike, and the city has plenty of bike lanes and cycle-safe routes. If you’re at Leeds Beckett University you can hire a bike for about £50 per academic year, or there are a number of second hand bike shops around to buy your own. Leeds has a good bus network with a single fare costing £2 and a monthly pass costing £80. Taxis in Leeds are more affordable than other big cities – a trip will cost you about half the price of the same length journey in London.
There are a number of train stations in local areas around Leeds, but the main one is Leeds Train Station in the city centre. Here you can catch direct trains to other major UK cities, including London in under two and a half hours. Other easy cities to access by train from Leeds are Sheffield, Manchester and Edinburgh. It’s a good idea to buy a 16-25 Railcard, as this gives you a third off your train fares for just £30 for the year.
To get even further afield, Leeds Bradford Airport is a 50 minute bus ride away from the city centre. The airport offers direct flights across the UK and Europe.
Leeds is more affordable than other major cities like London and Manchester. On top of your tuition fees we’d recommend budgeting for about £800 each month, although this might be more or less depending on your lifestyle.
As Leeds is such a big city, you’ll find a wide variety of food stores, independent vendors and local markets, including budget shops like Lidl and Aldi. You can expect to pay £1.30 for a loaf of bread, £1.57 for a kilogram of rice, £2.59 for a dozen eggs and 99p for a kilogram of potatoes. There are plenty of ways to grab a bargain though, from street markets to discount-finding apps. Too Good To Go (https://www.toogoodtogo.com/en-gb) is an app that was first launched in Leeds and helps minimise food waste in the city by offering leftover food at low prices.
There are plenty of ways to socialise and have fun in Leeds on a budget. The city’s nightlife caters to the huge number of students here by offering a range of nights with low entry prices and drinks deals. An inexpensive restaurant meal will cost about £15, but there are lots of cafes and takeaways where you can pick up food for less. If you’re a sports fan, you won’t be stuck for things to do as the city holds loads of sporting matches and events. Whether you’re into rugby, football, cricket or another sport, it can get expensive so keep an eye out for student tickets.
You’ll also need to keep some money aside for potential course costs. This might be books, printing credits or other materials. There will be lots of free clubs and societies to join at your university, although they might involve additional spending on trips, socials or equipment, so make sure you budget for this too.
NEXT: Check out our guide to the cost of living as a student in Leeds
The University of Leeds is a well-respected institution ranked at number 23 in the Complete University Guide’s 2025 league tables. It’s one of the most popular unis in the country and also one of the biggest, with a population of more than 38,000 students. It’s a member of the research-intensive Russell Group, and is globally renowned for teaching excellence and impactful research.
Leeds Beckett University has recently had £200m of investment, particularly in high tech sports and music facilities. The uni prides itself on being relevant and contemporary, and has strong links with business to enrich courses. Many courses also offer work placements to improve graduate employability.
Leeds Trinity University is a small uni with a friendly community. Smaller class sizes mean more one-to-one time with lecturers and a personable teaching experience. The uni is known for its graduate employability, as every undergraduate course includes a professional work placement.
Leeds Arts University is the only specialist arts uni in Northern England. As a student here you’ll be immersed in a creative atmosphere from day one, where you’re taught by tutors who are practising artists, filmmakers, writers and designers.
If you’re interested in one of the universities in Leeds it’s a good idea to book onto an open day and visit in person. In the meantime, take a look at 11 more reasons to study in Leeds.