Is the University of Leicester good?

Choosing the right University for you can be a daunting task, especially with such varied options. Whether you want green spaces, a metropolitan feel or a smaller town vibe, there is a Uni for everyone. Leicester has a healthy mix of it all, along with its own unique personality. Whilst not a bustling city like Manchester, Leicester has much to offer in the way of student life. I’ve been studying at the University of Leicester for the past two years. Here’s what it’s really like: the good, the bad and everything in between. If you’re wondering whether UoL is a good Uni, keep reading!

Choosing Leicester

I had done more research and knew substantially more about Lancaster when I finally made my decision to choose Leicester, so I was sort of going into it all blind. But looking back now, I wouldn’t hesitate to choose Leicester all over again.

It is only 1 hour away from home for me, something I only came to appreciate on cold winter days where all I wanted was my Mum’s special soup. It is also just an hour from London, which has turned out to be a huge advantage for me, especially being a Law student. Most of the top legal opportunities and events are based in London, so being able to get there so easily has opened doors I didn’t even know to look for when I was applying.

To be honest, I didn’t know Leicester was this well connected when I chose it.  I had no idea it was on the same train line as so many of my family and friends in Sheffield, Derby and London. It’s something I only discovered after settling in, and it’s made everything from job prospects to weekend visits so much easier.

And as for the social life – my sister was right. Leicester has such a vibrant and welcoming student community. From day one, I felt at home here, and I’ve met people who I know for sure are going to be at my wedding! That side of university life, which I initially overlooked in favour of league tables and rankings, ended up mattering just as much, if not more.

I didn’t have all of this figured out when I applied, but I feel so lucky that it’s worked out the way it has. Choosing Leicester ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Why I chose the University of Leicester

For me, when making my final choice for Uni, it came down to the University of Leicester vs. Lancaster University. I always knew I wanted to go to a prestigious University for Law, and both unis fit the bill. But somewhere in Year 13 I realised there was much more to picking your university than academic prestige.

I was initially totally sold on Lancaster, what with it being a top 10 Uni, even going as far as to attend their Open days and Offer Holder Days. But it was my sister who changed my mind. She advised me that Lancaster didn’t seem that great a fit for me in terms of social life – and that I would have a much better experience at Leicester. This ended up being crucial to my decision and swung it entirely over to Leicester.

Campus life

Leicester’s campus is a mix of old and new – with modern buildings like the polished David Wilson Library alongside more traditional architecture like the Fielding Johnson Law Building.

Not all campus buildings are winners in the looks department though. The David Attenborough Building, for example, is nicknamed ‘the cheese grater building’ by students because of its… unique design! It’s not the prettiest, but the mix of modern and traditional architecture balances it out nicely.

The campus also has plenty of green spaces scattered around, perfect for relaxing when the weather’s good. Right on the campus’ doorstep is Victoria Park, which is honestly one of the best spots in the city. It’s a spacious park that’s perfect for a peaceful stroll between lectures, a sunny picnic with friends or just a breath of fresh air away from the buzz of campus. Plus, it’s a great gateway into the city centre and down London Road.

While the campus looks quite compact on the map, some walks between buildings can feel longer than expected. This applies especially to the route from the Sir Bob Burgess Lecture Theatre down to the George Davies Medical School. This is because it includes a sizeable hill that many students dread having to climb in between lectures. So, if you have back-to-back lectures/tutorials, it’s worth factoring in extra time to get around without rushing.

The UoL’s Students’ Union

The Students’ Union is a real highlight of campus life. It offers a great range of food options. My personal favourite is Astrovan for its loaded fries and Pearls bubble tea for a quick treat after a long day in lectures.

Something that is totally unique to UoL is the fact we have the city’s O2 Academy as part of our SU. The Wednesday nights out with different themes each week are a legendary staple of Leicester’s student social scene.

During the day, the SU is just as lively, with regular running events like careers events, poster fairs and vintage clothing markets. It’s also home to plenty of useful facilities like study spaces, lounging areas with cooking facilities with common areas that really help bring the student community together.

Accommodation at the University of Leicester

When it comes to accommodation, Leicester has some of the cheapest halls in the country. The 2 main options are: the City and the Village.

City accommodation is right next to campus, which means easy access to lectures and campus facilities. On the other hand, the Village is a quieter, leafy suburb about 20 minutes away by bus. It was home to the Uni’s original scholars and has a rich history compared to the City. However, the commute can be far from smooth. From personal experience and friends’ time in the Village, the bus service can be unreliable. This in turn can make daily travel a bit frustrating at times.

City accommodation can be hit or miss. I stayed in some of the cheaper halls in the City. The conditions were quite disappointing, I would have moved if given the chance. If students can afford to spend a bit more, particularly in newer builds like Freeman’s, the quality of living is noticeably better.

So, is the University of Leicester good? Absolutely! It’s not perfect, but what Uni is? Life at UoL has much to offer, from a diverse student community and vibrant campus life to green spaces, a lively Students’ Union and accommodation that suits different budgets.

I didn’t know much about the Uni or the city when I moved to Leicester. But now, it feels like a second home to me. Choosing the University of Leicester has been one of the best decisions I have made in my life!