Leeds is internationally recognised as one of the UK’s best university cities. It has a student population of over 200,000, and the city can boast a number of student institutions: University of Leeds, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds College of Art, Leeds College of Music and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, meaning Leeds has a sizeable student population representing numerous different interests and backgrounds.

Finding the best place to live for students

Traditionally, Headingley, Hyde Park and Woodhouse clearly have the largest student population but over the years students have spread to other parts of Leeds, primarily Burley with expanding numbers living in Horsforth, Holbeck, Kirkstall and Armley. But what do these places offer for students? After all, this is where you will be spending the majority of your time as a student. What are the pros; the hidden cons?

Below, we give you the low down on some of these areas:

Headingley

Headingley has long been a popular choice with students and has a strong community feel, a number of local shops and a diverse range of properties for students to choose from. There are also – as you’d expect – a great number of bars, pubs and restaurants.

The Headingley Campus of Leeds Metropolitan University is located in Far Headingley and the area is conveniently located for both universities and Leeds City Centre being well served with frequent bus services and an accessible train route into Leeds and beyond. For those wishing to travel home from University by car the M62, M6 and M1 are all within easy reach.

Housing costs, however, are significantly higher than average with prices generally in the region of £65-£75 per person per week. Headingley has its own shopping centre, the Arndale Centre, which incorporates Somerfield’s, Superdrug, Greggs, Costa Coffee, KFC and a Post Office. It is well served for supermarkets, ranging from Netto to Sainsburys and even a Waitrose. As mentioned, there are a huge selection of great bars, pubs and restaurants to choose from in Headingley, particular favourites being The Box and The Original Oak.

For the sporty amongst you, Headingley is a real sporting hub. Headingley Stadium is home to Yorkshire Cricket Club, Leeds Rhinos Rugby League and Leeds Carnegie Rugby Union. Whilst it is undoubtedly the most popular destination for students, this does bring with it some drawbacks and the biggest complaints against the area is that it is prone to burglary and littering – both categories being above the city-wide average.

Hyde Park

Close by to Headingley is Hyde Park, another ideal location for students due to its close proximity to both universities and all student amenities. The park itself is popular with students and local residents alike and for the more energetic types there’s also a skate park and football pitches nearby.

Hyde Park Corner offers a diverse range of shops, bars, restaurants and cafes and is only a five minute walk from Headingley. The area is situated between the University of Leeds campus and Headingley and is also a traditional area of housing for students; it consists mainly of old, through terraced and back-to-back housing with prices typically around the £55-£65 per person per week range.

Hyde Park has a small selection of shops including newsagents, convenience stores in addition to a number of takeaways, pubs and cafés . There are also a number of supermarkets, including specialist international stores. Hyde Park is also home to the historic Picture House, which has been showing films and stage performances for over a century.

Burley

Burley is very popular with students and has an excellent range of properties including terraced housing, flats and a number of new developments. Located just a few minutes from both the hustle and bustle of Leeds City Centre and Headingley, Burley also benefits from being close to the Cardigan Fields Complex where a Vue cinema, restaurants, bowling alley and Virgin Active gym can be found. There is also a large Morrisons supermarket – one of the more popular supermarket haunts for students – nearby.

Burley is only a 15 minute walk from Leeds City Centre and is ideally located for regular bus routes to and from the Universities as well as being on the main train route into Leeds. The housing is in a mix of older terraced housing, residential semi-detached housing and council estates, with rental prices averaging out at £55-£65 per person per week.

Woodhouse

Woodhouse is situated adjacent to Little London and the University of Leeds campus. It is separated from Hyde Park by Woodhouse Moor. Woodhouse and Woodhouse Ridge are the other long-standing areas of housing for students. Woodhouse is served by a number of pubs and eating places and is close to the cafes, shops and pubs on Hyde Park Corner.

Woodhouse Ridge offers an attractive green route to Headingley. The Universities and the city centre are in walking distance, approximately ten minutes away, making the area a particularly attractive destination as the city centre continues to grow and develop.

It has a mix of mainly older terraced and back-to-back housing and social housing bordering Little London. Woodhouse is rapidly becoming the choice for those who want to live close to Leeds centre. With Leeds University and Leeds Metropolitan University only minutes away, it is ideal for students. With student accommodation that is cheaper than areas such as Headingley and Hyde Park, Woodhouse is a great choice for those on a budget.

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Best places for students to live in Leeds

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Unfortunately, revision is pretty much a necessity for every student at university. However, don’t despair, as Leeds is the perfect city to provide a few much needed distractions. When you’ve just about had it with revision, follow these tips to help restore your sanity.

Aqua Preena

What better way to take your mind off revision than to get your feet nibbled by hundreds of tiny fish? Once you get over the initial shock, the experience is almost relaxing. It’s sociable, strange and amusing all at the same time, and if you’re still not persuaded, a free glass of wine is included in the ticket price.

Yo Sushi

While we’re on the subject of fish, why not take a trip to Yo Sushi in Harvey Nics. The novelty of visiting the Victoria Quarter never wears thin, and picking from the delicious array of fishy treats offers a nice change from the cereal and takeaway diet that most students get accustomed to during revision time.

Poverty Aid

If you’re looking for a revision break with a conscience, this is the place to visit. This vast charity shop can be found on Cardigan road, and holds a huge collection of seemingly obscure and unrelated items that are ideal for any student looking to do up their house on the cheap.

The Ship

This pub is great for those of you who want a brief escape from the buzz of student life. This is a real pub, with real food and real ale, and offers a refreshing alternative to the sticky-floored student pubs that swamp Headingley.

Bagel Nash

Sometimes all you need is a good bagel to put you in the revision mood, and luckily, this place is full of them. There are a few stores throughout Leeds, but the one hidden behind Starbucks in the city-centre is a personal favourite. There’s loads of choice, and the service is speedy so if you just need a quick half an hour away from the books, this is the place to visit. They also offer a 10% discount if you flash your student card.

Opposite

This café really is in the prime location for Leeds uni students who want a quick coffee fix without the walk. It’s just opposite the Parkinson building (the clues in the name) and is the perfect place to meet your mates for a bit of a breather. They serve a fine Chai Latte, and also some pretty exciting sweet treats for those of you in need of an energy boost.

Leeds City Museum

A museum I hear you cry? That’s no revision break! This place however continues to surprise, and they often have some really interesting exhibitions that far surpass the usual Greek clay pots you expect to find in most museums. Put down the books and take a trip down memory lane to the Spice Girls exhibition. There’s even a karaoke set, which is great if you need to let off some steam.

Rose & Co

Go on; treat yourself to something gorgeous from this unique little shop in the Victoria Quarter. The apothecary specialises in beautiful soaps that you will never want to use and there’s also a cool selection of retro dresses and underwear if you pop downstairs. What better way to celebrate a productive morning of revision than to invest in a cake-shaped soap? Just the smell of this place is enough to transport you to a place free of revision-related woes.

HiFi club

If you’ve decided to slow down your social life during revision time, this calm and collected club is the place to visit for a guilt-free night out. The Sunday Joint has been a firm favourite of students for over 15 years, and plays host to a number of live jazz and funk bands that you don’t need to be steaming drunk to enjoy. Luckily, there’s always that option too.

From museums to feet-nibbling fish, this guide is the perfect way to help get you through those last few weeks of revision and exam stress. Although student life can be tough, just be thankful that you chose to study in a city that offers plenty of distractions!

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Things to do in Leeds for Students

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Academia isn’t the only thing to explore during your time at university in Leeds. There’s so much on offer for students that it can take time to uncover the hidden gems that can be found all over our favourite city. Here are just a few things that are not to be missed!

Murton Bakery

Planted on a quiet corner of Cardigan road, this bakery looks like its come straight out of Sweeney Todd. But remembering to never judge a book by its cover, this really is a must visit. The family-run business puts Greggs to shame, and sells the cheapest and tastiest cakes for miles around. Get over the tatty exterior and treat yourself to a chocolate brownie as soon as you get the chance.

Samuel Taylor

The first stop for all your future fancy dress needs (and being a student at Leeds, there’s going to be a fair few of them.) This traditional little shop is nestled in the heart of Leeds city centre, and sells all sorts of haberdashery from buttons and sequins to zips and fabric. The staff really know what they’re talking about, which is a tell tale sign that students planning Otley runs have flocked there for years.

Hyde Park Picture House

This picture-perfect cinema has a band of followers already, but it deserves a mention just for its charm. What perhaps is lesser known is that the 1920s cinema now offers the popular ‘Orange Wednesday’ discount to make ticket prices even cheaper than usual. Don’t waste your time with the larger cinemas, the Hyde Park Picture House oozes character, and lives up to its claim as being the cosiest in Leeds.

LS6 Café

This kooky café has two main selling points: chicken fajitas and eggs benedict. Both dishes are difficult to beat, and the place has such a cool vibe that there’s no reason to even try. Although the staff aren’t always entirely on the ball, the place is extremely laid back and the walls are full of interesting curios that will keep every customer well and truly entertained. There is also a good selection of board games to play while you wait.

Retro Boutique

This vintage and second-hand shop is the perfect way to spend any money that’s burning a hole in your pocket. It’s full of unusual curiosities, from Star Wars memorabilia to wacky clothes to antique mirrors and furniture. You can also get really cheap deals, and everything is a one off so you won’t need to worry about having the same stuff as your friends.

Hidden Café, Leeds University Union

This hidden gem opened recently, but has already made its mark as a popular student refuge at times of essay-related stress. The cupcakes doused in glitter are always a winner and make this café worth a visit. They also sell a selection of freshly made smoothies that are the perfect cure for that tequila-induced headache.

Leeds Kirkgate Market

Perhaps not hidden, but most students really don’t make the most of what the local markets have to offer. The biggest tip is to head there as soon as it’s acceptable to whip out the disposable BBQ, as the butchers offer competitively priced meat platters that will hardly dent your wallet. Fruit and veg also look surprisingly real in comparison to most of the stuff you find in the supermarkets. It’s the place to head to if you need electrical bits, cheap clothes, or any tailoring done.

Shaky Jakes

Don’t let this place slip under your radar during your time at Leeds. Forget the bog standard strawberry, chocolate or vanilla, Shaky Jakes specialise in the more unusual flavours, with the likes of Jam Tart, Curly Wurly and Carrot Cake milkshakes making it onto their menu. The options are endless, which just means you’ll have to visit many, many times, just to make sure you’ve found the perfect treat.

Whether you’re in your first or third year, don’t let these hidden gems remain undiscovered. Make time to ditch the books occasionally and explore everything that this vibrant and eclectic city has to offer.

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Hidden gems in Leeds for students

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Just arrived in Leeds all set for first time student life? Everything feeling new? Well, welcome to Leeds, and rest assured that you’ve picked absolutely the right place to spend the next three or four years studying. With the University of Leeds, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds College of Art, Leeds College of Music, the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, and, besides these, a fair number of colleges of FE, technology and the like, Leeds has a hefty student population representing a wide mix of interests, from the fine and performing arts to the intricacies of mathematics and science.

Leeds voted best UK University destination

This vast number of students in Leeds, not surprisingly, means that the city has plenty to offer young people on a budget, with a superabundance of pubs, clubs, bars, gigs, cinemas, restaurants, cafes, shops, and other entertainments and necessities – with all of these often competing to offer the best deal. So it’s no surprise really that Leeds was voted the Best UK University Destination in a survey carried out by The Independent newspaper.

Leeds student nightlife

Your first introduction to the pubs of Leeds may well be the famous Otley Run, which is a lively and varied pub crawl taking you all the way from Far Headingley to the city centre via a fine collection of watering holes both traditional and modern.

A fair number of the student societies organise this as a freshers’ night out – often in fancy dress, so watch out for bunches of inebriated Romans, animals, monsters, pirates, and the like making their way along the Otley Road come Freshers’ Week.

Live music venues for students

Good for live music is the alternative and independent live music venue The Cockpit on Swinegate, its location under the railway arches giving the place a distinctly cavernous feel. For pub music there are some good nights to be had at The Library, on Woodhouse Lane close to Leeds Uni, and also the nearby Packhorse. There is also plenty of live music going on at both Leeds University Union and Leeds Met Students’ Union which both attract their share of big names and up-and-coming bands.

Leeds has a whole load of places to go clubbing including Mission near the Dark Arches, and Halo which is in an old church building close to Leeds Uni. Additionally the two university unions have lots of good events of their own including club nights, special parties, headphone discos, and other stuff.

Cinemas in Leeds

There is no shortage of cinemas in Leeds: as well as the modern multiplexes at The Light and Kirkstall Road, there is the beautiful Hyde Park Picture House which offers some of the best art house cinema, as well as doing a nice student discount, and the Cottage Road Cinema in Headingley which has been on the go since 1912, and offers a mix of old classics as well as more recent movies.

Student friendly restaurants and cafes

A lot of students tend to live in and around the Headingley area of Leeds, and this in itself has so much going on you scarcely need to step outside it. As well as all the traditional Otley Run pubs, you also have Arcadia, located in the Arndale Centre, which has earned a good reputation for its real ale. Headingley has loads of good places to eat on a budget, and you can take your pick of Indian, Chinese, Greek, and Italian food, as well as English staple pub fare, and vegetarian options.

Of course a good way to make the budget go further is to do some home cooking of your own, and in terms of where to shop a personal favourite of mine is Maumoniat’s on Brudenell Grove which is brilliant with its wide international range of ingredients, as well as some of the most reasonably priced herbs and spices in the whole of West Yorkshire.

But, heading back to the city centre – Millennium Square is a great place to hang out, with more pubs, bars and eateries than you can shake a set of lecture notes at, as well as a big screen to watch the latest sporting and cultural events. If you are with a group of people who can’t decide what genre of food to eat, then a winning choice is Spice Quarter who does a rolling buffet of Chinese, Indian, Thai and Italian food – enough there to please anyone.

Budget shopping in Leeds

Leeds is brilliant for shopping, as well as for just wandering around and having a coffee: as well as the sparkle of beautiful arcades, you have some places where you can pick up serious bargains. There are some excellent charity shops in Leeds city centre – on New Market Street you have the British Heart Foundation and the RSPCA shop, as well as Best Vintage selling second hand clothing and accessories.

Another popular vintage store is Blue Rinse on Call Lane with its fantastic retro range of clothing. A brilliant place to find reasonably priced food, clothes, textiles and household goods is Leeds Kirkgate Market which is between Vicar Lane and the bus station, and comprises both an indoor and outdoor market.

The outdoor bit is especially good for its fruit and veg, and the indoor market has a complete “street” dedicated to butchers where you can get some real value-for-money beef, lamb, chicken, and other meats, that will make for some good cheap meals.

Explore Yorkshire

Leeds has all the good things about a big city, and yet it has the sense of space that you get with being close to the Yorkshire Dales – so if you feel like a break from the excitement of urban life, (or indeed a break from lectures and books), you can always head off for a day out in the green fields and fresh air.

There are regular trains from Leeds City Railway Station out to beautiful places like Ilkley, and from there you can get the bus to Malham, with its beautiful limestone features. With all this variety it’s no wonder that Leeds is regarded as one of the best places to study, and new students, whatever their tastes, can look forward to a great student experience in Leeds.

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Read our guide to Leeds for ideas on the best places to visit, stay and eat in the city.

Tips for students living in Leeds

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Students living in or near the Hyde Park area have access to many local amenities which means that a trip to the city centre isn’t always necessary. Hyde Park boasts its own pubs, a cinema, shops and most notably the many friendly cafés; and all this right on your doorstep. So whether you’re after a hangover busting fry up or an afternoon coffee and slice of cake with your mates, here are five of the best.

Café Du Bien

With their slogan “A Little Taste of Heaven” Café Du Bien is located centrally on Queens Road, near the Hyde Park Picture House; one of the newest additions, having only been open for six months. It’s a decent size and offers a cosy Mediterranean style atmosphere, with plush indoor seating and outside decking that will be used in the summer.

The menu reflects their Mediterranean influence with tapas, sharing platters, cous cous and tagine but they also serve more traditional student grub: hot and cold sandwiches for around £3, and a full English breakfast with tea or coffee for just £3.95. Coupled with coffees from £1.50 and a choice of fruit smoothies and home made desserts, this new little cafe is worth a visit.

Coffee Mania

Located on Brudenell Road in the row of shops including Sainsbury’s Local, Coffee Mania is another new addition and their ethos is “fresh coffee, fresh food”. There is just one table outside but inside there is plenty of room and seating at tables; its decor in neutral brown leathers, beige and orange walls makes it feels new and modern, and definitely student friendly.

Their menu ranges from jacket potatoes and home-cooked pasta to sandwiches, paninis and waffles for dessert and of course a choice of coffees. Prices range from £2-3 for food and drinks and all food is available to take away which is great for students grabbing lunch on the way to lectures.

Popinas

You can find this throwback to traditional greasy-spoon cafés further up Brudenell Road, towards Woodhouse Moor; but Popina’s is clean and friendly and a hit with students and locals alike. Often bustling with students getting their hangover cured by a full English or breakfast bap, there is plenty of seating, benches and tables, both inside and outside.

It’s great value for money at just £3.50 for a small breakfast; but if you feel up for the challenge they serve a mega-breakfast and even keep a scoreboard between Boys Vs Girls. They also serve main meals and salads, plenty of choice in honest good food with no fuss.

Oranaise Café

Found at Hyde Park Corner (1 The Crescent) is Oranaise Café, a Moroccan inspired Café lounge by day and transformed into a restaurant by night. There is very limited outside seating but large and beautifully decorated inside with plenty of comfortable cushions to relax on and a window seat for people watching.

Their breakfast and lunch menu is varied, reasonably priced and good quality; continental breakfast is available for around £3 and they offer a variety of sandwiches and fresh homemade soup of the day. Their coffees and cakes are deliciously tempting, and they have smoothies and iced frappes too. Their current evening offer of a three course Moroccan cuisine meal for £9.99 Monday to Thursday is a great value treat for students, bringing a little culture to your weeknights.

Coconut Shack

A hidden gem amongst the Hyde Park terraces, the Coconut Shack Café is a charming little place located on Welton Road, right next to Brudenell Primary School. Although small inside, there is comfortable sofa seating for around twelve people, and there are a couple of tables outside; it has a bright ocean blue decor and even its own palm tree and parrot; but manages to be understated about its tropical influence.

The menu is full of traditional café food from hot baguettes (£2.75 with your choice of filling), breakfast sandwiches, jacket potatoes and a range of ice cream milkshakes. All food can be eaten in or taken away; the Coconut Shack is a great little place for a summer ice cream or smoothie.

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Cafes in Leeds Hyde Park for students

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So, you’ve spent the day basking in the numerous attractions the city has to offer: you’ve shopped ‘til you dropped; educated yourself at the Art Gallery or Leeds City Museum; or maybe just dressed up like a superhero and gotten absolutely blind drunk participating in the Otley Run.

What to do now with the evening stretching ahead of you like a glistening ribbon of promise? Well, if the Otley Run hasn’t already taken care of that by hospitalising you, you could do a lot worse than inject a little culture into your life and check out what’s on at the excellent theatres of Leeds.

West Yorkshire Playhouse

Opened in 1990, the Playhouse has established a great reputation in a reasonably short period. It consists of two theatres seating 750 and 350, a bright, modern bar and various other rehearsal spaces and conference facilities – the theatres and bar are clearly the most important of these if you’re anything like the average punter (in this case, me), however.

The performance areas are large enough to create a vibrant, buzzing atmosphere but small enough that you really get a sense of intimacy with the performance, and the acoustics of the rooms are excellent provided there isn’t someone behind you who has discovered a recent compulsion to eat sweets that come in plastic wrappers.

Many moons ago, when I was an MA student at Leeds University, there was a brilliant midweek deal of £5 tickets for under 25s, so ask at the box office whether this is still available. Their autumn/winter programme is well worth a look and includes Dracula, Dial M for Murder, Clive James in the Evening, The Secret Garden and (everyone loves a Christmas pantomime, don’t they?) Cinderella.

The Grand Theatre and Opera House

The Grand first opened in 1878, closed in 2005 for extensive refurbishments and reopened in 2006. It is a stunning building, with all the frills and furbelows of great Victoriana. Inside there is a distinctly Gothic feel, which only adds to the general theatricality of the place. Foreign language performances always make me feel more intelligent than I actually am, and The Grand is the home of Opera North and the place to go for that sort of thing.

The décor lends itself beautifully to this genre, although it has also seen its fair share of comedy, dance, drama and musicals. The West Yorkshire Playhouse may be an exemplary model of a modern performance area, but for me you can’t beat the sense of grandeur and excitement engendered by a really stunning historical theatre.

The Grand has this in spades. Look out for Jules Massenet’s Werther this month, and if you really don’t think you can stand to sit through a Christmas pantomime but want to get that warm, fuzzy seasonal feeling then don’t miss A Christmas Carol from 1st December.

The Carriageworks at Millennium Square

The Carriageworks is the newcomer to Leeds’ Theatre scene, and is conveniently located in the new Electric Press Development on Millennium Square: perfect for both pre- and post-performance drinks. Run by Leeds City Council, the Carriageworks is home to the Leeds Civic Arts Guild, an umbrella group of performing societies that gives local people a chance to use the facilities themselves.

What I particularly like about this venue is that you can go there and see a startling variety of performances at vastly differing levels: last year I saw a group of belly dancers who were every size, shape and age under the sun but who were clearly having the best time dancing to an appreciative crowd. It was hilarious, but never in a mocking way. You will always find something fresh, exciting and often unexpected at the Carriageworks – it’s a real ‘diamond in the rough’ type of place.

So there you have it. An incomprehensive but pleasingly pithy overview of the great theatres of the city: go and check them out for yourselves, you won’t regret it and it’ll probably be more rewarding than waking up in an unknown room with a banging headache, wondering who nicked your Superman cape last night.

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Student guide to Leeds theatres

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Living the student life is as much about about learning to adjust to living away from home and living on a strict budget as it is about studying. Alongside partying, sleeping and (obviously) studying, eating is a top priority for students, so here are a few budget-friendly hot spots worth a visit.

The Library

Only a stone’s throw away from the Parkinson building, The Library pub is a favourite amongst students. Yes, partially because of the cheap drinks, but also because their menu offers some great-tasting, high-quality meals at very student-friendly prices, including a selection of gourmet burgers. I would particularly recommend taking a look at their all-day breakfast menu, which offers everything from a full English to a modest beans on toast.

Wokon Noodle

This is an ideal place to catch both a quick lunch and a relaxed dinner. If you like an all-round experience, Wokon Noodle is just for you. The open-plan layout means that the kitchen and chefs are in full view, so you can watch your food being made as the mouth-watering smells and the sound of noodles crackling ‘woks’ up your appetite (see what I did there?). I guess this deserves to be called fast food as, despite being made fresh, the food arrives very promptly. However, unlike the more well-known fast food restaurants, your food will not arrive swimming in grease. This is certainly a healthier option.

Trio Bar and Grill

The Arc is a popular drinking spot for students in Headingley, particularly frequented during the infamous ‘Otley Run’ pub crawl. However, during the day (when most of us are still in bed!) the upper level is transformed into a modern restaurant. With fresh lighting and impressive decor, the restaurant provides an ideal spot for an informal lunch in an impressive setting. The menu ranges from salads and pasta to various grills, all at very reasonable prices. This place is proof that there’s no need to break the bank to ‘do lunch’ in style.

Akmal’s Tandoori Bistro

Tucked away in a corner of Hyde Park lies this hidden gem. From a distance, the restaurant can be seen glowing through the trees, enticing in hungry students with its delicious-smelling curry dishes and ‘bring your own booze’ policy. Not only will they provide glasses, so that you don’t have to taint the sophisticated atmosphere by drinking from a can, but they also have a bar of their own in case you run out. The staff go out of their way to keep you happy, and service is quick and efficient. Most importantly, the food is well presented and fresh and, at such reasonable prices, there shouldn’t be any anguish over splitting the bill at the end.

No1 Oriental Buffet

For those with a large appetite and a small budget, buffets are ideal and No1 Oriental Buffet is easily the most student-friendly of those in Leeds. There are two price levels, the cheaper lunch menu and the Saturday grand buffet; however, even with the cheaper option you get a more than ample selection to pick from. As well as main dishes, starters and desserts are laid out over two large tables, inviting all who enter to get as much out of their money as possible.

For this reason, this is an ideal spot for group meals, especially at the start of the year when everyone is still getting to know one another; the staff are wise enough to step back and let you get on with getting your fill once you have been seated, so it is a lot less formal than restaurants with table service. What makes this buffet restaurant better than its competitors is the menu. As well as the classic choices such as deep-fried vegetables and chow mein, it also offers char-sui buns and dim sum for a more authentic meal.

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Best restaurants in Leeds for students

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Your big sister lost her phone. Your cousin was sick before he’d even started drinking. Your uncle earned an unattractive nickname that stuck with him for his entire university career. There’s always an intimidating Freshers’ Week story to be told that leaves you, frankly, none the wiser. As the time is now upon you to experience that magic, a tasty preview of the best hits of the Leeds freshers week is available for your scrutiny and enjoyment.

Monday 19 September

With Leeds having one of the largest campuses in the UK, it’s definitely a good idea to take advantage of the Leeds University Union-run tour. With tours starting a 9.30 and available every half hour throughout the week, it’s a perfect way to get to know both the university and your fellow freshers.

Leeds Met will be kicking off the week with their neon carnival foam party, with presenter Reggie Yates DJing the night amongst an array of circus performers and, well, foam. Church-turned-club Halo also offers a cheap start to the partying week with a £1 entry before midnight to Monday Night Mass. Don’t worry, it’s freshers’ week – a little bit of immorality never did anyone any harm.

Tuesday 20 September

For a more unexpected turn of freshers’ week events, hypnotist and comic Hugh Lennon returns to Leeds once more to mesmerise his audience with his sell-out Edinburgh Fringe Show. For £3.50, expect tricks and other intellectual feats that make you wonder how you got a place at university.

For later-night events, Leeds University Union will be hosting club night Dance Like Your Dad, complete with stellar retro tunes to bring out your worst moves to. If you fancy some alternative old age fun, head down to The Faversham for Moustache Tuesdays. With a host of rock and pop crowd pleasers to boot, it’s always worth joining their Facebook page and adding your name to their wall for the £2 cheaplist.

Wednesday 21 September

And so the freshers’ fairs begin! Leeds and Leeds Met (at their Headingley campus) will be offering you the chance to stock up on free sweets, pens that don’t work and a myriad of interesting stickers. An array of societies will fill the hall for the rest of the week, inspiring you to climb a mountain and be part of a drum collective, all while being a successful interpretive dancer, so don’t forget your cash to join up to the most interesting groups.

On the night, prepare to re-experience the joys of starched shirts and ill-fitting footwear for Leeds University Union’s School Disco, complete with cheesy tunes to boot. If you’re in need of a change of scenery, head to The Cockpit to see electropop sensations Metronomy on their latest tour.

Thursday 22 September

For the early risers, a Leeds University Union-run trip to Kirkgate Market at 9.45am offers a nice outdoor excursion as well as the chance to grab a bargain. For fashion victims and vintage lovers alike, the Leeds Met Vintage Fair is unmissable. Clothing and accessories will be available to purchase, as well as the opportunity for a vintage makeover and a posh tea party. The luxurious china will make your supermarket-bought mugs pale in comparison.

For a good night out, a trip to Wire nightclub for some indie hits and the perfect opportunity to practise your air guitar. The silent headphone disco at Leeds University Union is always a freshers’ favourite and offers up rave paint, geek glasses and rave gear for the taking.

Friday 23 September

In order for you to get to know your new home, Leeds University Union will host sightseeing tours at 1.00pm, 2.00pm and 3.00pm, which presents the perfect opportunity to get to know the heart of Yorkshire. The Leeds Met freshers’ fair will relocate to City campus, offering you a second chance to get the best out of free fresher gifts.

The union rivalry kicks off tonight as Leeds’ and Leeds Met’s veteran university club nights Fruity and F*U*E*L taken over their respective unions. Get your tickets early, because for both universities this is one union event not to miss.

Saturday 24 September

For the ultimate clubbing experience, the first part of the Wax: On and Metropolis trilogy is coming to Leeds University Union with the best in dub step, electronic and dance music, complete with a Nero and Annie Mac DJ set and the ultimate 5am late-night finish. Leeds Met will be hosting a circus-themed freshers’ ball complete with music from Agrro Santos and Nick Grimshaw. If neither event floats your boat, Propaganda at 02 Academy will be hosting their hugely popular indie night. Be safe on the indoor bouncy castle!

Sunday 25 September

Come on guys, this is the day of rest. Do you even have any money left to spend? Even so, Leeds being the nightlife hub it is, there is still a night out on offer. If you are a risqué sort of individual and fancy a rather decrepit first lecture, then there’s always some good Motown classics played at the Sunday Joint at HiFi. But that information didn’t come from me.

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Leeds student freshers’ week events guide

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Moving to university opens up an opportunity to recreate yourself, but re-branding your wardrobe isn’t always quite so simple. Although Leeds does have an endless list of ideal shopping spots, for most students the choices are somewhat restricted by a lack of funding.

However. Leeds, being the considerate city that it is, offers a range of shops for those with double-knotted purse strings. Aside from the massive Primark which is, needless to say, student-friendly, here are a few less well-known places for the bargain hunters out there.

Charity Shops

There are a few charity shops dotted around Leeds, all supporting numerous charities, and they are ideal if you are willing to set aside a little time to browse the rails. To name a few, Scope (The Headrow), Oxfam (Otley Road) and Poverty Aid (Cardigan Road) are great places to do some guilt free shopping.

In fact, you can feel good about your spending as the profits go towards deserving causes. These places are goldmines for those who like to look individual, as a lot of items sold are no longer available elsewhere, and if you’re lucky you may even find some real vintage gems. Some even sell second-hand furniture, which is great if you’ve just moved into your first empty student house.

Kirkgate Market

Kirkgate Market is at the bottom of town and boasts a repertoire of over 800 traders. Not only can you pick up fresh fruit and veg and quality meat for dinner, but you can also get a new outfit for Friday night and a new toilet seat (to replace the one you broke last Friday night) all in the same place.

As the student year draws to an end and your student loan is running out, Kirkgate Market is a great place for window shopping. The hustle and bustle of the busy shoppers and the jolly traders creates an amazing atmosphere that is a pleasure to be a part of.

The Vintage Fair

Every year Leeds is graced by the arrival of the Vintage Fair. Usually held in Leeds University’s Student Union, the fair is an opportunity for anyone to pick up some amazing one-off items. These can range from baskets full of old watch faces to winter coats and 50s dresses, with prices that are just as diverse.

Although there are tons of bargains on the rails, there are also collectable items worth a little more than the change from your sandwich. The Vintage Fair will be coming to Leeds’ Student Union in late September and throughout the year, with dates to be confirmed.

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If you find yourself weary after a hard day’s lectures at one of the fine universities in Leeds and you’d like to relax over a pint, then, whichever university you’re studying at, you’ll find a number of pubs nearby. Close to the Leeds Met Uni city site, and just down the road from Leeds General Infirmary, is a nice trio of pubs.

Pubs near to Leeds Met

Side by side on Great George Street you have the traditional Victoria Hotel, with its fine interior and good selection of ales and lagers, and O’Neill’s, the Irish pub that does good Guinness as well as other draught beers and pub food. Nearby on the same street is Carpe Diem, which offers free live music, an emo atmosphere, and an American-style menu. On the other side of the Leeds Met Uni city site is the much-acclaimed Dry Dock, great for its alternative scene and music, and with drinks to suit a tight budget.

Pubs near to Leeds Uni

At the University of Leeds on site you’ve got The Old Bar, which is one of those university bars that does a good impression of being a pub, but if you really feel the need to get off site then there are some decent pubs nearby.

Out on Woodhouse Lane you have The Fenton, which is friendly and fairly quiet. It has a pool table, a juke box and cheapish food, and there is a room upstairs for gigs.

With a bit of a scruffy, alternative feel, the Fenton does not get packed out with students, despite being right next to the uni, making it a good escape. Further up Woodhouse Lane and opposite the Engineering end of the uni is the Eldon, a real-ale-serving traditional pub which tends to get a fair number of students and uni staff in, making the place busy in term-time and quieter in the holidays.

Nearby too you have the Packhorse, with a decidedly more local clientele, a tatty but charming atmosphere, and a pool table. There’s a good range of hand-pulled beers, which tends to bring in the serious drinkers who love a good pint. They do pub food, and there are often gigs on upstairs.

Headingley a favourite with students

Even further up Woodhouse Lane is The Library, which is very much a student hangout with reasonably priced beer, food and gigs. Despite being a little out of town, in Far Headingley, there is no shortage of good pubs in the vicinity of the Leeds Met Uni Beckett Park campus. One of the best has to be Woodies Ale House, which takes its beer seriously, and gets a good mix of students and locals.

Great choice of student-friendly pubs

Going back towards town you have The Three Horseshoes, with real ales, good lagers, Sky TV, and space to drink al fresco if you want. Further on is The New Inn, with darts, pool, budget food, and a small beer garden. So if you like to chill in a pub after a long day at the uni, there’s plenty of choice in Leeds.

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Good Leeds pubs and bars for students

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