Student guide to Leicester

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Known for being a diverse and multicultural city, Leicester has a lot to offer students. With two unis to choose from, you’ll have plenty of choice when it comes to subjects, but there are a lot of other questions you’ll have about your potential uni city. From the transport connections to accommodation, cost of living and what exactly students can get up to in our student guide to the city.

Student activities in Leicester
Nightlife in Leicester
Student accommodation in Leicester
Transport in Leicester
Student costs in Leicester
Universities in Leicester

Student activities in Leicester

If you’re looking for things to keep busy with in Leicester, you might want to check out some of the museums in the city, like the National Space Centre and Leicester Museum and Art Gallery. There’s also a lot of history on offer in Leicester’s parks, from the ruined abbey in Abbey Park to the old home of Lady Jane Grey in Bradgate Park.

If history isn’t for you, maybe you’d be interested in catching a game at Leicester City’s home ground King Power Stadium or if rugby’s more your thing head on down to Welford Road to see the Tigers in action.

There’s also plenty of shopping opportunities in Leicester, from the market to the Highcross Shopping Centre to the Lanes, with lots of quirky and independent stores.

Read our list of the top 10 things to do for students in Leicester.

Nightlife in Leicester

The nightlife in Leicester is varied, with lots of pubs, bars and clubs to choose from. Popular clubs with students include Mosh and Republic. If you’re looking to sit and relax with a pint, then pubs such as Firebug or The Loaded Dog are popular with students.

If it’s cocktails you’re after, then we’d recommend checking out some of the bars on offer in the city. 33 Cank Street is a super instagrammable bar known for its gin selection. If you’re brave, visit the Gadabout and have a drink in their basement (it’s almost definitely haunted!).

Student accommodation in Leicester

Student accommodation is cheaper in Leicester than in many other cities, with accommodation prices starting from £95 a week at De Montfort University and £66 a week at the University of Leicester. The unis in Leicester only offer self-catered accommodation, so there are no catered or meal plan options for students, though there are outlets on both campuses serving food.

The cheapest accommodation options can be found outside of the city centre, or further away from the uni campuses and typically have a shared bathroom, while the more expensive ones are often on-campus and offer en-suite facilities.

If you’re not living in university accommodation, then you’ll be looking at privately rented properties. Prices for a room in a shared house can range from around £75 per week to £190 per week. You’ll likely also have to budget for bills on top of your rent if you’re living in private accommodation.

Transport in Leicester

As it’s centrally located in the country, Leicester is well-connected to other major UK cities. Birmingham is the closest major city, and train tickets to Birmingham start at £8 for a one way ticket. To save money on rail trips, you can purchase a 16-25 Rail Card for £30, which entitles you to 1/3 off your train fare.

There’s also a bus network around the city, offering affordable and regular transport between the city and the suburbs. However, the city centre itself is fairly compact, meaning you’ll have the option to walk or bike around most of the time.

Student costs in Leicester

Student living in Leicester is fairly affordable compared to other UK cities, particularly those in the south of England. Aside from your rent and tuition fees, you’ll want to budget for the following monthly expenses:

£200 on groceries and hygiene products
£25 for laundry facilities (if you need to use a laundrette)
£50 for utilities (if your rent isn’t inclusive)

You’ll also want to be aware of the following average costs associated with typical student social activities:

£3 for a pint
£14 for a meal in an inexpensive restaurant
£5 for entry to clubs

Read our detailed breakdown of the cost of living in Leicester for students.

Universities in Leicester

If you’re studying in Leicester, you’ll have the choice between two unis, the University of Leicester and De Montfort University.

The University of Leicester ranked 29th overall in the UK according to Complete University Guide’s 2023 league tables, and is known for its high quality research output.

De Montfort University places a high focus on diversity and empowerment within its work, and fosters an inclusive campus atmosphere. Their courses are designed with employability in mind, and their career service DMU Works offers guaranteed work experience opportunities.

If you’ve read all our student guides to Leicester and you’re still not sure whether it’s for you, why not look at attending an open day at the University of Leicester or De Montfort University?

On the other hand, if all your questions are answered and you’ve decided Leicester is for you, start searching for courses in Leicester now.

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Student guide to Leicester

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