Discover the best universities, events, and experiences that make Leicester the perfect city for students
Leicester is home to two prestigious institutions offering exceptional education and student experiences.
The University of Leicester is consistently ranked in the UK top 25 — a research-intensive institution with a global reputation for science, medicine, and criminology, and a remarkable track record of discoveries that have changed the world. Leicester's students discover that their city has far more to offer than they expected.
Leicester is ranked in the UK top 25 and is internationally renowned for transformative research. DNA fingerprinting was invented here by Professor Alec Jeffreys. Richard III was rediscovered by a Leicester team. Physics and astronomy, genetics, criminology, and medicine are particular strengths. Students work alongside research-active staff whose work genuinely changes the world.
Leicester is one of England's most diverse and culturally rich cities — celebrated for its extraordinary food scene, the Golden Mile, the Richard III Visitor Centre, and a cultural life that surprises students every year. London is under an hour by direct East Midlands Railway train. Nottingham is 30 minutes. Birmingham is 45 minutes. The Peak District is easily accessible.
Leicester is consistently ranked among the UK's most ethnically and culturally diverse cities — and the University reflects that. With 20,000+ students from over 120 countries, the international community is genuinely remarkable. The Students' Union is active and welcoming. Both universities share the city, creating a combined student population of over 40,000 and a lively dual-university city culture.
Leicester is one of the UK's most affordable major student cities — significantly cheaper than London while offering London in under an hour. Rent averages £450–£650/month. Both universities offer bursaries and scholarships. Leicester's extraordinary food scene — particularly on the Golden Mile — offers some of the best-value dining of any UK student city. The university's joint scholarship offer with DMU adds further value.
De Montfort University is a TEF Silver institution consistently rated among the UK's most innovative universities — with outstanding programmes in law, business, creative arts, engineering, and health, and a city-centre campus right at the heart of Leicester's vibrant student life.
DMU holds TEF Silver and is consistently rated among the UK's most innovative universities. Particularly strong in law, fashion, game art and design, nursing, and engineering. DMU's law school is one of the UK's most respected, and its creative arts programmes have outstanding industry reputations. Strong placement programmes and industry partnerships are built into most courses from the outset.
DMU's campus sits right in Leicester city centre — steps from the city's extraordinary food scene, nightlife, and cultural attractions. London is under an hour by direct East Midlands Railway train. Nottingham is 30 minutes. Birmingham is 45 minutes. DMU's central location gives students immediate access to everything Leicester has to offer, including the best curry houses in England outside London.
With 25,000+ students from over 130 countries, DMU has a genuinely diverse and international student community. Leicester's status as one of the UK's most multicultural cities makes it an extraordinary environment for students from all backgrounds. Both universities share the city, creating a combined student population of over 40,000 and a vibrant dual-university city culture with something for everyone.
Leicester is one of the most affordable major student cities in England — and DMU's competitive tuition fees make it outstanding value. Rent averages £430–£620/month — among the lowest of any major English university city. DMU offers strong bursaries and hardship support. Leicester's food scene is legendary and exceptional value. London is under an hour away for wider opportunities.
Discover the best areas to live based on your budget, lifestyle and university.
The most popular student area in Leicester — a leafy, Victorian neighbourhood adjacent to the University of Leicester's campus with a brilliant independent café, bar, and restaurant scene on Queens Road. Very popular with UoL students who want to be close to campus with a genuine community feel. Among the most sought-after locations for second and third years from both universities.
A beautiful, slightly more upmarket area bordering Victoria Park — popular with students at both universities who want a quieter, residential atmosphere and access to some of Leicester's finest Victorian architecture. Victoria Park itself is excellent for outdoor socialising, and the area has great access to both campuses. Popular with postgrads and students wanting a more grown-up feel.
The central choice for DMU students — De Montfort's campus is right in the city centre, and Highfields borders both universities. Great access to Leicester's nightlife, the Curve theatre, shopping, and the train station for the under-1-hour London service. Highfields is also one of Leicester's most culturally diverse and vibrant areas, with excellent food at very affordable prices.
Quieter, more affordable residential areas south-east of the city — popular with students looking for lower rents and a calmer atmosphere. Good bus links to both campuses and the city centre. Evington Road has a brilliant and authentic South Asian food scene that's among the best in the Midlands. A solid practical choice for students who want value without being too far from everything.
Everything you need to know about student accommodation in Leicester.
Secure your student accommodation using these four steps the year before moving in.
Start researching areas and viewing properties for next year. Get a feel for the market before competition heats up.
Peak house hunting season — the best properties go fast. View, decide, and secure your place early!
Last chance to secure places and sign contracts. Don't leave it any later — good options will be gone.
Finalise details, arrange deposits, and prepare to move in. Summer admin sorted before the new year starts.
The best websites and resources for finding student housing in Leicester— from official university portals to local letting agents.
Our in-depth review of the top local letting agencies in Leicester — rated for responsiveness, value, and student experience.
The official UoL accommodation portal — covering university-managed halls and private sector guidance for returning students in Clarendon Park, Stoneygate, and Victoria Park.
Visit siteOfficial housing support for DMU students — covering city-centre halls and private sector listings near DMU's campus in Highfields, City Centre, and Clarendon Park.
Visit siteThe University of Leicester Students' Union housing advice service — vetted landlord listings, tenancy guides, and support for students searching for houses in Clarendon Park, Stoneygate, and surrounding areas.
Visit siteReputable nationwide student accommodation site with Leicester listings — great for finding shared houses in Clarendon Park, Stoneygate, Highfields, and Evington near both universities.
Visit siteStudent property search across Leicester with hundreds of listings. Filter by area, price, and bedrooms to compare Clarendon Park, Stoneygate, Highfields, Evington, and Knighton.
Visit siteSearch private rentals and shared houses across Leicester. Great for comparing prices across all student areas — from sought-after Clarendon Park to the most affordable options in Evington and Knighton.
Visit siteFind individual rooms in shared houses across Leicester — ideal for joining an existing household near either campus in Clarendon Park, Highfields, Stoneygate, or Evington.
Visit sitePurpose-built student accommodation in Leicester city centre — modern en-suite rooms and studios within easy walking distance of both UoL and DMU campuses.
Visit siteGet a realistic estimate of living costs in Leicester with our interactive calculator
From the best student nights out to walking routes around the town, get to know Leicester with our range of guides written by local students.
Whether your child is considering studying in Leicester or already enrolled, this guide covers costs, safety, accommodation, and what life is really like as a student in one of England's most underrated, diverse, and genuinely affordable university cities.
Both universities guarantee or strongly support first-year students with on-campus or managed accommodation. From second year, most students move to shared houses — particularly in Clarendon Park and Stoneygate for UoL students, and in Highfields and the city centre for DMU students. The private rental market in Leicester starts earlier than many students expect; searching from November is advised. Evington and Knighton offer solid affordable alternatives if Clarendon Park fills up.
Leicester is one of England's most genuinely affordable student cities — significantly cheaper than London, Bristol, or Brighton, while sitting under an hour from London by direct train. Typical monthly costs run £900–£1,100 including rent, food, transport, and social life. Rent averages £400–£650/month — among the lowest for any major English university city. Both universities offer bursaries and scholarships for eligible students.
Leicester has two distinct and complementary universities. The University of Leicester is ranked in the UK top 25 — internationally renowned for medicine, law, genetics, and criminology, and the birthplace of DNA fingerprinting. De Montfort University (TEF Silver) is rated among the UK's most innovative — with outstanding programmes in law, fashion, game art, nursing, and engineering. Both offer joint scholarship opportunities for eligible students.
University of Leicester parent guide →Both universities provide counselling, mental health advisors, financial hardship funds, disability services, and academic support. Leicester's compact, walkable dual-university city creates a rich peer support network — with over 45,000 students sharing one of England's most diverse and welcoming cities. Both students' unions are active and well-regarded, and Leicester's famously warm and multicultural community makes settling in straightforward for students from any background.
UoL student support →Parents are warmly welcomed at both Leicester university open days. Tour the University of Leicester's Victorian campus and meet research-active staff from your child's department. At DMU, explore the city-centre campus, creative facilities, and meet academics from law, fashion, game design, and health. Both universities hold joint scholarship events and are happy to answer detailed questions about fees, welfare, bursaries, and graduate outcomes.
University of Leicester open days →The Richard III Visitor Centre, Leicester Cathedral, and the vibrant New Walk museum are all in the city centre. The Golden Mile on Belgrave Road is one of England's finest food destinations — outstanding Indian and South Asian cuisine at very affordable prices. The Curve theatre hosts West End-standard productions. Nottingham is 30 minutes; Birmingham 45 minutes; London under an hour for bigger city experiences and weekend trips.
Leicester is consistently considered a safe, friendly, and welcoming city for students. The main student areas — Clarendon Park, Stoneygate, Highfields, and Victoria Park — are all well-established, well-lit, and community-oriented. Both universities have active welfare and security services, and Leicester's famously diverse and inclusive character means students from all backgrounds feel at home quickly. As with any UK city, normal sensible awareness applies, but Leicester has a genuinely community-focused feel that students remark upon regularly.
Typical monthly costs range from £900–£1,100 including rent, food, transport, and social life — making Leicester one of the most affordable major university cities in England, with London under an hour away. Rent averages £400–£650/month for a room in a shared house. Both universities offer bursaries and scholarships. Leicester's food scene — particularly the Golden Mile — is extraordinary value, and both campuses are walkable from most student areas, keeping transport costs very low.
Both universities provide comprehensive counselling, mental health advisors, financial hardship funds, and academic support. The University of Leicester Students' Union and DMU Students' Union both run active welfare and advice services. Leicester's compact dual-university city creates an unusually strong peer support network for a city of its size — and the city's warm, multicultural community tends to make students feel quickly supported and included regardless of background.
Leicester is one of the most accessible university cities in England for parent visits. London St Pancras is under an hour by direct East Midlands Railway — with frequent services throughout the day. Nottingham is 30 minutes. Birmingham is 45 minutes. When you visit, Leicester rewards it: the Richard III Visitor Centre, the Golden Mile's exceptional restaurants, Victoria Park, and the Curve theatre are all genuinely excellent. The city is compact, walkable, and very easy to navigate.
Both Leicester universities welcome parents at open days — tour the campuses, meet academic and welfare staff, and get honest answers about student life, fees, bursaries, graduate outcomes, and the joint scholarship opportunities available in one of England's most affordable and underrated university cities.
Everything you need to know about student life in Leicester.
Leicester is one of the most affordable major university cities in England — significantly cheaper than London, Bristol, or Brighton, while sitting under an hour from London by direct train. Total monthly costs typically run £900–£1,100 covering rent, food, transport, and social life. Rent averages £400–£650/month for a shared house — among the lowest of any English university city. Transport costs are very low since both campuses are walkable from most student areas. Leicester's extraordinary food scene, particularly the Golden Mile, offers some of the best-value eating anywhere in the UK.
Leicester is consistently considered a safe, friendly, and welcoming city for students. The main student areas — Clarendon Park, Stoneygate, Victoria Park, and Highfields — are all well-established, community-oriented, and well-lit. Both universities have active welfare and security services. Leicester's famously diverse and inclusive character means students from all backgrounds tend to feel at home quickly. The city's strong community identity — genuinely one of England's most multicultural cities — creates an atmosphere that is notably welcoming to newcomers.
Leicester has a lively student nightlife scene that reflects its dual-university population of 45,000+. The city centre has clubs, bars, and late-night venues across Granby Street, the Cultural Quarter, and the Highcross area. The Curve theatre and Phoenix cinema offer great cultural alternatives. Both students' unions run regular club nights and events throughout the year. For bigger nights out, Nottingham is just 30 minutes away — with one of the UK's most celebrated nightlife scenes — and Birmingham is 45 minutes.
First-year accommodation is guaranteed or strongly supported by both universities — no private searching needed. For private housing from second year, start looking in November or December. The best houses in Clarendon Park — Leicester's most popular student area — fill by January. Form your house group before the end of first term, start viewings in November, and aim to sign by January. Stoneygate and Victoria Park fill slightly later. Evington and Knighton remain available longer and offer the best value for students who start searching later.
University halls typically cost £450–£750/month including bills. Shared houses in Clarendon Park and Stoneygate average £450–£600/month per person excluding bills. More affordable options in Evington and Knighton run £380–£500/month. Purpose-built private student accommodation in the city centre runs £550–£800/month with bills usually included. Leicester is consistently one of the cheapest places to rent as a student in England — making it genuinely outstanding value, especially given London being under an hour away.
Clarendon Park is the most popular — leafy Victorian streets on UoL's doorstep, with the brilliant independent café and bar scene on Queens Road, and a strong student community feel. Stoneygate and Victoria Park suit students who want a quieter, more residential atmosphere with beautiful architecture — popular with postgrads from both universities. The City Centre and Highfields are ideal for DMU students — walkable to campus, close to nightlife and the train station. Evington and Knighton offer the most affordable housing with good bus links to both campuses.
No — Leicester is a compact, very walkable city and most students live within 15–20 minutes' walk of at least one campus. UoL and DMU are unusually close together, so students from either university can reach both city areas easily on foot. Arriva buses provide good coverage for students in Evington, Knighton, and further suburbs. A car is completely unnecessary for daily student life and parking in the city centre is expensive. A Leicester bus pass is a smarter investment for students who live slightly further out.
Leicester is exceptionally well-connected by East Midlands Railway. London St Pancras is under an hour by direct train — with very frequent services throughout the day. Nottingham is around 30 minutes. Birmingham New Street is around 45 minutes. Sheffield is under an hour. With a 16–25 Railcard, fares drop significantly — London day trips become genuinely affordable. National Express coaches provide budget options. The Peak District is also easily reachable for weekend walking and outdoor trips.
Within Leicester, Arriva buses provide city-wide coverage — useful for students in Evington, Knighton, and areas further from the two campuses. Most students near Clarendon Park, Stoneygate, or the city centre walk to campus. Leicester Railway Station is centrally located, with very frequent East Midlands Railway services to London, Nottingham, Birmingham, and Sheffield. The city is compact enough that cycling is also very practical — Leicester has reasonably good cycling infrastructure for a Midlands city.
Yes — your NUS/TOTUM card gets discounts across Leicester's shops, restaurants, and venues. A 16–25 Railcard saves a third on East Midlands Railway fares including the London service. Both students' unions run subsidised events and excellent-value bars. The Golden Mile's Indian and South Asian restaurants offer some of the UK's best eating for very little money. The Richard III Visitor Centre, New Walk Museum, and Leicester Cathedral are free or very low-cost. London's free museums and attractions are under an hour away.
Leicester has a solid part-time job market — hospitality and retail work in the city centre, campus roles through both universities' careers services, and opportunities in Leicester's significant manufacturing, logistics, and retail sectors. Both universities have active careers services with part-time job boards. Notably, London is under an hour away — opening up a significantly wider range of internship and part-time opportunities for students willing to commute occasionally for the right role.
Leicester is genuinely rich in culture and food. The Richard III Visitor Centre is one of England's best museums. The Curve theatre hosts West End-standard productions. The Phoenix cinema and arts centre has an excellent programme. Victoria Park is wonderful for outdoor socialising. The Golden Mile is a world-class food destination. Nottingham's arts and nightlife scene is 30 minutes away. The Peak District is under an hour for hiking and outdoor adventure. And London — with every cultural experience imaginable — is under an hour by direct train.
For the right student, Leicester is one of England's most underrated choices. It combines a UK top 25 research university and an innovative modern university with one of England's most affordable, diverse, and genuinely welcoming cities — and puts London under an hour away. Students who choose Leicester often say the city surprised them more than anything else: the food scene, the warmth of the city, the diversity, and the extraordinary value all consistently exceed expectations. It's a city that rewards anyone who looks beyond the surface.
The University of Leicester is ranked in the UK top 25 and is internationally renowned for transformative research — DNA fingerprinting was invented here by Professor Alec Jeffreys, and the Richard III discovery was a Leicester team project. Particular strengths in genetics, criminology, medicine, physics and astronomy, law, and history. De Montfort University (TEF Silver) is consistently rated among the UK's most innovative — with particular strength in law, fashion, game art and design, nursing, and engineering. Both universities offer a joint scholarship programme for eligible students.
Yes — both are strong in their respective fields. The University of Leicester's top 25 UK ranking and global research reputation reflect genuinely world-class academic standards, particularly in science and medicine. Graduate employment rates are consistently high. De Montfort's TEF Silver and multiple "most innovative university" rankings validate its career-focused, industry-linked approach — particularly in law, fashion, and creative programmes. Both universities' combined 45,000+ student community creates a rich and vibrant dual-university city culture that benefits students at either institution.
Entry requirements differ significantly between the two universities. The University of Leicester is selective — most courses require BBB–AAA at A-Level, with Medicine among the most competitive. Genetics, criminology, law, and astronomy are popular and require strong grades. De Montfort is more accessible — most courses require BCC–ABB, with creative programmes assessed partly on portfolio. Both universities hold open days where departmental admissions teams give direct guidance. A joint scholarship offer is available for eligible graduates wishing to continue studying at either institution.
