Student.com currently lists more than 50 student properties in this very diverse and multicultural city in the county of Leicestershire. If you want to study and live in one of the oldest cities in England, Student.com is a great way to find your ideal home in this student-friendly city.

We have made it as easy as possible for you to book your preferred student residence with our intuitive search filters and mapping tool. With the search filters you can find a particular type of accommodation in the price range you’re looking for and with the map function you can find properties that are in the part of the city you’re interested in, whether that is right next to your university or in the city centre.

All of the properties listed on Student.com are managed by trusted landlords. If you need additional information, contact us and we’ll be happy to assist you. You can either give us a call, or talk to us on live chat, at the bottom right corner of this page.

Leicester at a glance

Leicester is a city famous for its diversity. Today it’s a bustling multicultural hub with a long history of welcoming and accepting immigrants from all over the world. This is why it consists of a huge number of diverse communities, beliefs and languages.

To see evidence of the sheer measure of Leicester’s diversity, look no further than Narborough Road – the commercial heart of the city. The mile-long stretch of over 200 shops, bars, cafes and restaurants is basically a world in one street with a united nations of shopkeepers. In fact, it’s officially called the most diverse street in the UK.

Leicester is also known for its rich history and green surroundings. The Leicester Castle and the award-winning King Richard III visitor centre, built following the incredible 2012 discovery and 2013 DNA testing of King Richard III's remains, encapsulates the history of the city.

Leicester is also a city that likes to celebrate. There is something grand happening most days of the year, so students and visitors are spoiled for choice, especially during the warmth of the summer.

Great festivals year-round

The Leicester Comedy Festival is one of Europe's largest and England's longest-running comedy festivals. It draws big names as well as fresh talent for 19 days in February when some 800 shows take place in more than 60 different venues.

The summer heats up in August with the dynamic Caribbean Carnival, the UK’s second largest carnival after the Notting Hill Carnival in London. This annual event attracts thousands of visitors and brings vibrancy and colour to the city with a display of fabulous costumes and boundless energy.

The Belgrave Mela also takes place in August and celebrates all things India with food, music and dancing.

If you’re a lover of classical music then you’ll enjoy the International Music Festival in September that brings world-class musicians to the grand setting of the Victorian Gallery at the Leicester Museum & Art Gallery.

Thanks to the city’s large Indian population, Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, is a big event in Leicester. Diwali Day celebrations in October provide magical illuminations in the city with a stunning light and fireworks display.

Bars and nightlife

Whatever your taste, Leicester’s bustling nightlife has something for everyone. There’s a thriving music scene throughout the city with major venues such as the O2 Academy and De Montfort Hall, often bringing in international acts.

There are also intimate venues such as The Musician, Firebug and Y Theatre hosting nationally touring bands and the best of Leicester’s music scene.

The city also has a wide variety of bars, whether you want somewhere quiet to go for a drink or a place that will let you dance the night away. Many clubs and bars hold student-only nights with special student prices.

Sightseeing in Leicester

There are all sorts of tourist attractions in Leicester. The sweeping Curve Theatre based in the cultural quarter in Leicester city centre is known for its outrageous contemporary architecture.

If you’re fascinated with the world of space and astronomy, the National Space Centre is a must-see. It was recently voted the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year and houses the largest planetarium in the UK.

Leicester student life

Leicester is a student city. Not only because of its racially diverse and multicultural 35,000-strong student population, but also for its welcoming hospitality and its lively and vibrant social scene.

Leicester has most of what a student could want in a city and thanks to that, student life in Leicester is far more than just studying. It can also be full of fun and meeting people from several different cultures and races.

The city’s cosmopolitan makeup and love for celebrations mean that you’ll always have something interesting to preoccupy you in your spare time. And you can do so without emptying your pockets.

TotallyMoney ranks Leicester as the fourth cheapest city for living costs for students in the UK. The FinTech analysis company assessed eight cost of living factors including hall rent, gym membership and the price of a pint to rank cities.

Getting around Leicester is cheap and easy

Leicester’s excellent public transport system makes it easy for visitors and students to explore Leicester and the surrounding areas as well as head further afield. You can get unlimited transport on local buses by buying a Flexi Day Ticket for £5. If you buy a pass for the whole term or academic year, you’ll get a student discount and the price per day will be a lot cheaper.

If you want to explore the UK further, direct trains to London St Pancras take just over an hour.

Universities in Leicester

Leicester has two main universities. These are the University of Leicester and De Montfort University, both of which are major higher education providers in the United Kingdom. Loughborough University in the nearby town of Loughborough is about 30 minutes away by car.

The expansion of the universities has led to thousands of students from around the world studying in Leicester, particularly from East Asia. Leicester ranks 94th in the world in the 2023 QS Best Student Cities ranking thanks to the wide diversity of its student population.

University of Leicester

The University of Leicester was originally founded in 1921 as the Leicestershire and Rutland University College. It gained full university status in 1957 and today more than 15,000 students study there. It was ranked as the 279th best university in the world in the 2023 QS World University Rankings.

De Montfort University

De Montfort University (DMU) can trace its origins back to 1870 and the founding of the Leicester School of Art. It gained university status in 1992 and at the same time it got its current name. It is ranked as one of the 1,000 best universities in the world according to the 2023 QS World University Rankings.

Frequently asked questions about student accommodation in Leicester

How do I apply for student housing on Student.com?

Applying for student accommodation in Leicester through Student.com is easy! Use our intuitive search filters to find student accommodation that suits your budget. If you prefer to find student residences close to your campus, you can use our mapping tool to find accommodation in the exact area of the city you like.

After you’ve selected your preferred student housing, click on ‘View rooms’ to go to the property page. There you’ll need to choose the room type you’d like to live in. After choosing your preferred room, click ‘Enquire’ or ‘Book Now.’ One of our booking consultants will shortly give you a call to answer any questions you may have and take you through the next steps in the booking process once you’re ready to make a booking.

A contract will then be prepared for you to sign. There’ll be no additional costs outside of your rent and deposit, as Student.com does not charge you a fee.

Do you list studio accommodation for students?

Yes, we list self-contained studio properties among our offering. In fact, there are three different accommodation options you can choose from in Leicester.

If you’re looking for a studio, go for the option called Entire Place. This option will give you complete privacy in a fully self-contained studio where you will have your own bedroom, bathroom and cooking facilities. No need to share with anyone, so this option is perfect if you love your peace and quiet.

Alternatively you can also share some or all of your living space. If you’re looking to share, choose either a Shared Room, where you’ll live in the same bedroom with at least one other person, or a Private Room, where you’ll stay in your own private bedroom. Depending on the property, your bathroom might be either private or shared in the Private Room option, while in a Shared Room you’ll also share a bathroom with others. In both of these two property types, you’ll be sharing other living facilities like a lounge area and a kitchen with other tenants.

Are the properties fully furnished?

The properties we list are usually rented fully furnished, so you likely won’t have to bring or buy your own furniture or appliances. Make sure to check this on the property page or with your booking consultant though, as a few properties in Leicester are rented unfurnished.

Are bills included in the rent?

Bills are usually included in your rent, so you won’t have to pay anything extra on top of it. Make sure you check to see if this is the case with the property you choose however, as different properties have different policies.

Can I see the property before I move in?

Many of the properties we list in Leicester have an excellent array of photos, videos and even virtual tours on the property pages, so even if you can’t see the property before moving in, you’ll be able to get a good idea of what the property will look like.

However, if you can get to Leicester before your move-in date and would like to see the property for yourself, this can be arranged as well. Just contact us and one of our booking consultants will set up a viewing for you.

Do I have to pay a deposit?

Yes, you’ll have to pay a deposit to secure your booking. Your booking consultant will give you more information about paying the deposit.