Where it ranks in the Unifresher Rankings 2027, what it’s really like to study there, and what halls and living costs look like.
Leicester is a mid-sized research university with a compact main campus about a mile south of the city centre, right next to Victoria Park. Most first years live either close to campus or in the leafy suburb of Oadby, a few miles south-east, where many halls are in grand old houses.
With around 19,000 students, it's big enough for plenty of choice without feeling overwhelming. Leicester is a diverse, affordable city with good food, especially along the Golden Mile. The university has world-famous claims to fame too: DNA fingerprinting was invented here, and its researchers identified Richard III.
Known for
The University of Leicester is 61st out of 124 UK universities in the Unifresher Rankings 2027, with an overall score of 48.6, above the UK median of 48.5. Our rankings are built around the student experience, combining employability, freshers experience, happiness, nightlife, sustainability, inclusion, innovation and societies. That means big research names don’t automatically top the table. See how we score universities.
Marker shows the UK median across all ranked universities.
| Rank | University | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | University of Essex | 48.8 |
| 60 | University for the Creative Arts | 48.7 |
| 61 | University of Leicester | 48.6 |
| 62 | University of Dundee | 48.5 |
| 63 | University of York | 48.5 |
Each award ranks all 124 universities on one part of student life. Click through for the full table.
36th of 124 · Nightlife Score 56.4
37th of 124 · Value Score 55.5
40th of 124 · Social Score 55.3
43rd of 124 · Balance Score 46.2
44th of 124 · Freshers Score 59.5
50th of 124 · Innovation Score 58.4
51st of 124 · Societies Score 52.9
54th of 124 · Affordability Score 57.5
61st of 124 · Wellbeing Score 51.6
70th of 124 · Employability Score 29.6
70th of 124 · Inclusion Score 54.9
72nd of 124 · Sustainability Score 47.6
73rd of 122 · Careers Score 28.9
75th of 124 · Safety Score 39.5
81st of 123 · Happiness Score 42.8
Leicester as a student city
Ranked 34th of 72 UK university cities in our Best University Cities 2027 ranking, with a score of 53.7.
The University of Leicester appears in 39 of our subject league tables. Here’s where it places in each, best first.
| Subject | Rank | Table size | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroscience | 6th | of 26 | 77 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 18th | of 66 | 104 |
| Pharmacy | 9th | of 32 | 84 |
| Optometry | 4th | of 13 | 47 |
| Chemistry | 14th | of 44 | 103 |
| Environmental Science | 16th | of 47 | 104 |
| Radiography | 10th | of 29 | 72 |
| Human Resource Management | 20th | of 58 | 119 |
| Software Engineering | 20th | of 58 | 121 |
| Medicine | 11th | of 30 | 73 |
| Subject | Rank | Table size | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapy | 18th | of 49 | 107 |
| Cyber Security | 22nd | of 58 | 121 |
| Biochemistry | 23rd | of 60 | 113 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 31st | of 77 | 136 |
| Computer Science | 43rd | of 102 | 150 |
| Engineering (General) | 13th | of 30 | 68 |
| Media and Communication | 35th | of 79 | 132 |
| Law | 43rd | of 97 | 128 |
| History | 34th | of 76 | 120 |
| Film Production | 39th | of 87 | 146 |
| Psychology | 49th | of 108 | 136 |
| Criminology | 43rd | of 94 | 135 |
| Geography | 29th | of 63 | 116 |
| Archaeology | 13th | of 28 | 78 |
| International Relations | 33rd | of 71 | 113 |
| Business and Management | 53rd | of 114 | 146 |
| Geology | 10th | of 21 | 50 |
| Politics | 38th | of 78 | 116 |
| Marketing | 43rd | of 88 | 121 |
| Physics | 22nd | of 45 | 93 |
| Mathematics | 30th | of 61 | 100 |
| Aerospace Engineering 2026 table | 15th | of 30 | 70 |
| Zoology | 19th | of 37 | 80 |
| Electrical Engineering | 36th | of 67 | 101 |
| Economics | 46th | of 85 | 111 |
| Sociology | 48th | of 86 | 119 |
| Biology | 29th | of 51 | 79 |
| Journalism | 37th | of 59 | 84 |
| Actuarial Science | 10th | of 14 | 35 |
Subject tables compare universities on graduate earnings, student satisfaction, teaching quality and academic support. Scores aren’t comparable between subjects.
Leicester Union, in the Percy Gee Building in the middle of campus, runs clubs, societies, bars, events and advice. Student media includes Galaxy Radio and the Leicester Student Magazine. Victoria Park sits right next to campus. The city centre has bars, clubs and gig venues, and Leicester is known for its food, especially the Golden Mile. Students in Oadby halls have their own community and take the bus into campus and town.
University halls cost £74–£278 per week (2026/27, 42-week contracts, bills included; from £74 for a shared twin room, £90 for the cheapest single, up to £278 for a one-bedroom flat at Freemen's Common) (2026/27 prices).
First-year accommodation guarantee
The university says: "As a new first year student, you are guaranteed an offer of University-managed accommodation if you apply before 1 September in the year that you start your degree." That applies whether you hold an unconditional, conditional firm or (once accepted) insurance or Clearing offer. Conditional-firm applicants can apply when applications open, and the room offer is processed once their place becomes unconditional. Students staying for one semester only must apply by 1 September for Semester One or by mid-December for Semester Two.
| Hall | Area | Rooms | From | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shirley House | The Village (Oadby) | twin, single with washbasin, en-suite and studios | £74/wk | Character building in the middle of The Village. A twin room is £74 a week (£3,108 for 42 weeks), singles with a washbasin from £119, studios £177. |
| Beaumont Lodges | The Village (Oadby) | single (shared bathroom) | £90/wk | The cheapest single rooms: £90 a week for a small single (£3,780 a year), up to £128. About 20 minutes by bus to campus. |
| Nixon Court Blocks A to E | The City (1km from campus) | single with washbasin and en-suite | £102/wk | The cheapest option within walking distance of campus (5 minutes), near Clarendon Park. Note that the page still shows 2025/26 prices: £102 with a washbasin, £153 en-suite. |
| Gilbert Murray Houses | The Village (Oadby) | single and single with washbasin (shared bathroom), one-bedroom flats | £113/wk | Three converted houses close to the Roger Bettles Sports Centre. Singles are £113–£128 a week, one-bedroom flats £208. |
| The Coppice | The Village (Oadby) | single with washbasin, en-suite, studios and one-bedroom flats | £135/wk | Wide range of room types, from £135 a week (washbasin) through en-suites from £160 to one-bedroom flats at £200. |
| Knighton Court | The Village (Oadby) | en-suite and studios | £168/wk | Newly refurbished self-catered en-suites near The Village Hub, £168–£176 a week, studios £189. |
| The Pavilions | The Village (Oadby) | en-suite and one-bedroom flats | £170/wk | 16 modern buildings housing just under 600 students on Manor Road, with kitchens shared by about 5 people. En-suite £170 a week (£7,140 a year). |
| Freemen's Common | The City (next to campus) | shared-bathroom singles, en-suite, studios and one-bedroom flats | £170/wk | New neighbourhood a 5-minute walk from campus, with a Co-op, café/bar and cinema suite. Townhouse singles from £170 a week, en-suites £224–£234, up to £278 for a one-bedroom flat. |
Prices are the university’s published weekly starting prices and can change. Always check the official accommodation site before applying.
Leicester's classic student area, next to campus and Victoria Park, with terraced houses, cafés and bars on Queens Road.
A leafy suburb a few miles south-east, home to many first-year halls. Quieter and greener.
Lots of private student blocks, close to nightlife and the station, with a walk or bus to campus.
Top tip
Apply online with your 9-digit University of Leicester ID (not your UCAS number) before 1 September to be guaranteed a room. You can list up to six room type/location combinations, such as 'The Pavilions – Single Ensuite'. The Village in Oadby is cheaper and comes with a free shuttle bus pass, while The City halls are a short walk from campus. When you accept your offer you pay £250 up front, which comes off your final rent instalment. For later years, the university recommends Sulets, the largest student lettings agent in Leicester.
Leicester is one of the cheaper places to study. University halls cost from £74 a week for a twin room or about £90–£140 for a single with a shared bathroom, and en-suites in The Village start at around £157–£170. Every hall price includes bills, Wi-Fi and basic contents insurance. Students in The Village get a free shuttle bus pass to campus. The university doesn't publish a full living-costs breakdown for undergraduates.
Getting around
The main campus is about a mile south of the city centre, so many students walk or cycle. Buses link campus with the city centre, Clarendon Park and the Oadby halls. Leicester railway station is in the city centre, with fast trains to London St Pancras.
Weighing up your options? Here’s how nearby universities compare in the Unifresher Rankings 2027.
The University of Leicester is 61st out of 124 UK universities in the Unifresher Rankings 2027, with an overall score of 48.6. Its strongest results are for nightlife (36th), value for money (37th), social life (40th).
The main campus is about a mile south of Leicester city centre, next to Victoria Park. Many first-year halls are in Oadby, a leafy suburb a few miles south-east, with others close to campus.
Genetic fingerprinting was invented here by Sir Alec Jeffreys in 1984. The university also helped find and identify the remains of King Richard III in 2012, and it's well known for space research, including Space Park Leicester.
No. Leicester isn't a member of the Russell Group, but it is a research university, with a long record in areas like genetics, space science and archaeology.
First years usually live in university halls near campus or in Oadby. After first year, Clarendon Park, right next to campus, is the classic student area, and the city centre has lots of private student blocks.
It's diverse, compact and relatively affordable, with a lively food scene and plenty of bars and venues. It's smaller and more relaxed than the biggest student cities, but there's a lot going on.
HESA data for 2024/25 puts it at 18,990 students, including 14,675 undergraduates, so it's a mid-sized university.
About this guide. Rankings data comes from the Unifresher Rankings 2027 (methodology). Facts, hall prices and costs come from the university and official sources listed below. Last updated 23 October 2026.
