Known as the 'Knightsbridge of the North,' Leeds is one of the major cities in the UK but it’s a lot cheaper to live in compared to its southern counterparts.

If you're thinking about attending university in Leeds and are in search of student accommodation, Student.com will help you snatch a great bargain on one of the many student properties in the city.

We offer dozens of student apartments in Leeds. If you need help with choosing or additional information, don’t hesitate to give us a call, or message us on live chat. We’re always happy to help!

Get to know Leeds

Yorkshire's largest city is a thriving metropolis with the fastest-growing economy in England that’s also surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK.

A thriving nightlife, great food, well-known universities, a huge student population, great job prospects and reasonable prices make Leeds a great city to spend your university years in.

Geographically it's a smaller city than the likes of Manchester and Liverpool but it's known for being 'the biggest small city you'll ever visit' with a population of about 800,000 in the metropolitan area. And with students making up nearly a quarter of that, you’ll be interacting with like-minded people during your stay. You’ll also love being around the locals who are known for their friendliness.

There’s plenty to look forward to. Leeds is a super vibrant city with plenty to see and do so there’ll be loads to keep you entertained. There are lots of events and festivals to attend and it's situated in the heart of Yorkshire.

Culture

Renowned for music, art, entertainment, sport, architecture, film and television, Leeds is a centre of Yorkshire's contemporary culture. The city was bidding to become the 2023 European Capital of Culture before the plan had to be abandoned because of Brexit.

Employment opportunities in Leeds

Many students turn to a part-time job for money at some point during their university years, and who wouldn’t want a job straight out of college. If you’re one of them, it's unlikely you'll be stuck for work after you’ve completed your studies in Leeds. The city’s £65 billion economy is among the biggest in the UK outside of London and is predicted to grow strongly in the future as well.

Student life in Leeds

Leeds is renowned for providing a top night out without prohibitive costs, which is a dream come true for students. Indulging in Leeds's vibrant social scene or enjoying its fantastic food, drink and events scene won't leave you skint. And there’s a lot to do with the extra money you’ll be saving.

Leeds has great nightlife

One of Leeds' main tourist selling points is its exceptional nightlife. From trendy bars to epic club nights and fancy dress bar crawls, the city has a huge range of nightlife options dotted around the city centre. So you’ll have plenty of chances to let off some steam after those stressful school days and exams.

There’s something to suit everyone’s tastes, whether you want to have fun with your peers on Fruity Fridays at Leeds University's Student Union, fancy a posh cocktail or two on Greek Street, or some craft beer and rock music in the Northern Quarter.

For music lovers, there’s PRYZM in the city centre which has loads of different rooms that play all the chart hits. If you’re looking for more alternative music, cool underground clubs like Wire or HiFi play indie, retro and soul music.

Clubs like Cargo Leeds are ideal for those into dance music while rock music lovers can head to The Dry Dock or The Cockpit. There’s even a lively nightlife scene in Lower Briggate for the LGBTQ community with Viaduct Show Bar, Queens Court and Bar Fibre.

For a more chilled night out, there’s a host of trendy cocktail bars and low-key clubs on Call Lane and Merrion Street that offer daily two-for-one deals such as Jake's Bar & Still Room, Call Lane Social, MOJO and Verve.

However, no Leeds student experience is complete without an Otley Run. The famous pub crawl takes in around 16 pubs, starting at the far end of Headingley and, if you make it so far, finishing around The Dry Dock near the city centre.

Universities in Leeds

There are several universities in and around the city of Leeds. Here you can find some key information about five of them.

University of Leeds

The city's most popular university typically appears in the top 15 of the main UK university league tables. It’s one of the 18 research-intensive Russell Group universities and also one of the best universities in the whole world. In the 2023 QS World University Rankings, the University of Leeds was ranked 86th.

Leeds Beckett University

Formerly known as Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds Beckett University is the city's second-biggest university with over 10,000 undergraduate students and around 5,000 postgraduate students. It has great student satisfaction rates. It’s rated a 5-star university by QS.

Leeds Trinity University

This little-known university has an impressive ethos – it's the first university to incorporate work placements as part of every degree. With less than 5,000 undergraduate students, it’s on the small side but has an impressive 95% employment rate. This is primarily so because every student who graduates from Leeds Trinity University has at least three months of professional work experience under their belt.

Leeds Arts University

After being granted university status in 2017, the former Leeds College of Art was renamed Leeds Arts University. It’s one of a few specialist arts universities in the UK, offering degrees in subjects like Fashion Design, Photography, Fine Art and Animation. One of the smallest universities in the country, Leeds Arts University has spawned famous alumni including contemporary artist Damien Hirst and famous sculptor Henry Moore.

Leeds College of Music

One of the 11 music conservatories in the UK, Leeds College of Music now has degree-awarding power after it was given its Higher Education status in 2018.

Frequently asked questions about student housing in Leeds

How do I apply for a student property on Student.com?

Applying for student accommodation with Student.com is very simple. After finding your preferred student accommodation, go to the property page by clicking on ‘View rooms’.

On the property page you’ll need to choose your preferred room type. You can then request to lock it in for the dates you need by clicking ‘Book Now.’ If you still have some questions, you can click on ‘Enquire’.

In both cases, you’ll be asked to leave your contact details and one of our booking consultants will soon call you and take you through the next steps of the booking process, or answer any questions you may still have.

What are the different room types you offer?

We currently offer two different types of student rooms in Leeds.

Our Private Rooms offer a private bedroom for each tenant. Depending on the property, the bathroom might be shared or private. Other facilities are shared with tenants from other rooms.

The Entire Place offers a self-contained studio property where the bedroom and all other facilities are just for you. Typically this includes a bathroom and a small kitchenette for cooking meals.

How do I pay my rent?

The rent is paid directly to the landlord. You don’t have to pay Student.com.

Is it safe to rent private student accommodation instead of living in student halls?

Yes! The private student accommodation we offer is all from trusted providers. To ensure that all the student apartments we feature are high-quality and safe we carefully vet all the landlords we list. Many private student accommodation buildings also have many safety features like controlled-access gates and on-site security.

Can I see the property before I move in?

Many of the properties we list have a very good selection of photos and videos on the property pages, so you will be able to get a good idea of what your new home will look like even if you won’t be able to see it for yourself.

If you’d still prefer to see the place with your own eyes before moving in, and can get to Leeds before your move-in date, our booking consultants are happy to arrange that. Just give us a call and we’ll set up a viewing for you.