Leicester student life – UCAS city guides

Discover what life is like in Leicester as a student. A culturally rich city with a buzzing student scene, Leicester offers a blend of heritage, diversity, and modern living.

Leicester at a glance

Leicester is a diverse and welcoming city in the East Midlands, known for its rich history, multicultural communities, and strong student presence. Home to both the University of Leicester and De Montfort University, the city thrives on student energy. Leicester offers a fantastic mix of affordable living, great food, and vibrant culture. It's one of the oldest cities in England and was recently made famous for the rediscovery of King Richard III’s remains. Leicester provides a safe, budget-friendly, and exciting place to study.

[Leicester] has loads of green spaces and friendly people, that made me feel at home. The city is really culturally diverse, hosting the largest Diwali outside of India, and has great connections to London, Nottingham, and Birmingham, so there is certainly a lot to do. The National Space Centre is a must visit at some point! (Second year student, University of Leicester)

Train station

Leicester – direct service to London takes just over an hour

Student population

Over 35,000 students study in Leicester

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Nadeline

University of Northampton

Bsc Accounting & Finance

Hi! My name is Nadeline and I’m from Indonesia. Aside from being an Accounting & Finance student, I love to dance and have been a part of the UON Dance Team since last year. I also enjoy taking a walk in the outdoors, going to museums, and shopping! I look forward to helping new students as a Unibuddy Ambassador, so feel free to ask me anything!

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Pranav

University of Northampton

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

I am from India, the land of culture and diversity and I love trying new things, I have a background in Economics with a minor in Business, I'm now pursuing MBA Finance and plan to gain valuable work experience in the UK.

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Juliet

University of Northampton

Msc Project Management (Placement Route)

As a project management master's student, I plan to access the free career support platforms provided by the university to enable me to make good grades, increase my employability skills and enhance my career opportunities in the UK. I am passionate about social impact. Becoming a UON Changemaker Level 3 professional, Student Union Committee member and a Unibuddy Ambassador has allowed me to interact with different people from different cultures, understand cultures, corporate social responsibility, sustainability and gain career opportunities. It feels good to experience a welcoming community that promotes inclusion and diversity and appreciates projects that achieve the UN Goals.

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Katy

University of Northampton

Ba Business Management

Hi, my name is Katy and I’m studying business management specialising in Human Resources. In the future I look to be working as a managing director. I have travelled all over the UK for work purposes and love the atmosphere of Northampton - although I’ll always have my northern roots! I’ve worked at the university in a variety of roles and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with prospective students.

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Jacqui

University of Northampton

Bsc Psychology

I am 50 years of age, originally from Glasgow in Scotland and left school in 1989, with 8 O' Grades (GCSE’s) and 5 Higher (A Levels). Desperate for a new adventure and to start working and earning, I applied for a job in Television Production in London. I successfully worked for an independent company in Soho, initially as a Production Runner, progressing finally to Production Manager. I returned to Glasgow for a year, to work for BBC Scotland as Production Manager, before taking time out to travel in 1999. I travelled throughout Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and America for 2 years. On return, I moved to Brighton, East Sussex where I worked for American Express, a lifestyle magazine called Venus, and as a volunteer for the Brighton Unemployed Family project, between 2001 and 2012. Brighton is where I met my husband and went on to have two children, a girl, and a boy. Ava who is now 15 years old and Lochlan who is 13. 8 years ago, my Husbands job transferred to their other site near Leamington, bringing the family to the midlands. We now live in the village of Weedon, a half-hour drive, west of Northampton. Since living in Weedon I have completed 7 years working in primary education. I began working in Special Needs as a 1:1 and in my 5th year at Weedon Primary, I completed an HLTA course through Northampton University, qualifying me to teach years 1 to 6 in primary school. I have trained in Autism, Attachment Disorder, Dyslexia, Speech, and language among others. I ran nurture groups and introduced a kinaesthetic approach to a lot of my teaching, after researching its efficacy in primary schools. During my school career, I have been fascinated by how children learn. Some by doing, others by seeing. I have come to love the continual questions from children and the challenge and adventure of not always knowing the answers. Throughout my working life, I have loved interacting with people, obsessing over human behaviour and how the mind works and influences decisions. My favourite literature often tackles aspects of psychology and I find it an extremely exciting and alluring subject. Throughout the lockdown period, it became apparent that I was not fully satisfied with my career and felt I was ready to learn and take on a new challenge. My initial thought was to go into Educational Psychology but with more investigation, I decided it was time to move away from education and start something new. My next thought was counselling, which I am still very much keen on exploring and could see a possible future career. As a volunteer in Brighton Unemployed Centre Family Project, I assisted low-income families and homeless people, realising my ability to listen sensitively and offer solace. Completing a course for the British College of Journalism a few years ago, I gained skills in reporting and analysing as well as fuelling my curiosity in psychology. I wrote articles on social, biological, and cognitive psychology. From a piece on music and memory to another on psychology in pain management. Having completed a year of the single honours psychology course I now feel the career direction I want to go into is counselling psychology. I have recently secured a part-time job locally with the group of Northampton psychiatric hospitals (NHFT) and ideally, would love to complete my master's within the NHS but if not I will probably stay at the University of Northampton to complete my master's in counselling.

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Fatemah

University of Northampton

Bsc Occupational Therapy

Jambo/Hello! my name is Fatemah, an aspiring occupational therapist from Mombasa, Kenya. I am in my second year of university and eager to see where this path takes me. Whether its pursuing my passions or serving as a part time ambassador, i am fully committed to embracing new experiences and opportunities. I look forward to connecting with you all :)

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Browse through the universities and colleges in Leicester to find one that suits you.

Universities and colleges in Leicester

City highlights

Leicester’s highlights include the impressive Leicester Cathedral and the King Richard III Visitor Centre, which tells the story of the king’s life and his remarkable rediscovery. The Curve Theatre in the Cultural Quarter is a must for fans of drama and musicals, and the Highcross Shopping Centre offers everything from high-street brands to dining spots.

Don’t miss the Diwali celebrations—Leicester hosts one of the biggest Diwali festivals outside of India, with lights, music, and fireworks lighting up the Golden Mile.

King Richard III: The royal remains were excavated from Leicester Council car park, 500 years after his death.

Student life in Leicester

Local gems, tips, and things to do, as recommended by students.

Low on cash

The New Walk Museum is free. There are loads of sections, like stuffed animals, fossils, dinosaurs, renaissance paintings, and even a Picasso room. (Second year student, De Montfort University)

When family visit

The National Space Centre is in Leicester, and not too far from the city centre. It's great for younger kids. (De Montfort University student)

Sunday chilling

Victoria Park and Abbey Park, plus many walks along the river. Drive a bit further out to Bradgate Park, for an amazing mountain view. (Third year student, University of Leicester)

Feeling cultural

The King Richard III museum is cool if you’re interested in history! (Second year student, University of Leicester)

Transport tips

Leicester is very walkable, especially around the city centre and university campuses. Public transport is managed by Arriva and First Bus, offering extensive bus routes across the city. Leicester train station connects you to London in just over an hour, as well as to Birmingham, Nottingham, and Sheffield. Students can benefit from bus passes like the Arriva Student Saver for discounted travel, and the 16–25 Railcard is a must for saving on train journeys.

Accommodation

Leicester is known for affordable student living, with accommodation options close to campus in areas like Clarendon Park, Knighton, and the city centre. Both universities offer a range of halls and private sector listings.

The cost of living is lower than many other UK cities, with budget supermarkets and local markets helping students save.

Leicester is considered a safe city, but it’s still important to follow common-sense safety advice—lock your doors, be aware when out late, and use apps like SafeZone offered by local universities.

Accommodation advice

International student information

Discover everything you need to know as an international students planning to come to the UK.

Whether you're coming for the first time, returning for postgraduate, or are still waiting to make a decision, our international pages can help you prepare as best you can for life in the UK.

International advice

Where to eat

Leicester is a paradise for food lovers, with a thriving culinary scene that reflects its global population. Head to the Golden Mile for some of the UK’s best Indian food, with restaurants like Bobby’s and Herb offering delicious vegetarian options. For something quick and comforting, try Grounded Kitchen for Korean-inspired rice bowls or Bru Coffee & Gelato for indulgent desserts and study-friendly vibes. The Leicester Market is also a great place to pick up fresh produce on a budget.

What to visit

When you’re not studying, explore Leicester’s rich culture. Visit the New Walk Museum for everything from dinosaurs to Egyptian mummies, or take a stroll through Abbey Park, a riverside green space perfect for picnics. Leicester Museum and Art Gallery offers free admission and rotating exhibitions. The National Space Centre is a must-see with immersive exhibits and a huge planetarium—perfect for science fans and curious minds alike.

Leicester nightlife

Second year student, University of Leicester

The University of Leicester has its own student club nights in the O2 on campus – popular with first years. It's definitely worth venturing into the city, to clubs like Club Republic and Mosh. These tend to have more varied music, and also hold student nights. There are also lots of nice bars and pubs in the city.

Living in Leicester

Second year student, University of Leicester

Clarendon Park – really friendly area, lots of students and young families. Great shops and restaurants on Queens Road, and Victoria Park is right next to Clarendon. Only [a] ten-minute walk across the park to campus, and maybe a 40-minute walk or 15-minute cycle into town. Would definitely live here again.

On your doorstep

Leicester is surrounded by beautiful countryside and great day trip options. Take a train to Market Harborough for a quiet town experience or visit Bradgate Park for deer spotting and long walks. You’re also close to the National Forest and Rutland Water for outdoor adventures. Bigger cities like Birmingham and Nottingham are less than an hour away by train, and London is just over an hour if you’re looking for a capital city escape.

Basic safety

It’s important to adhere to basic safety practices when studying and living in any city. Being aware of your surroundings is always wise, especially in busy and populated areas.

Some basic advice from the Metropolitan Police will help to ensure you stay as free from crime as possible:

Keep your valuables hidden and don’t carry large amount of cash.
Beware of scams, such as street hustlers, unlicensed taxis, and non-official sellers.
Keep your belongings, shopping, and luggage close to you at all times.
Don’t leave your drinks unattended or accept them from strangers.
Travel as a group and always make sure you tell your friends you got home safely, and vice versa.
Double check all taxis have a visible and valid licence before using them.

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