Leeds is a city in West Yorkshire in England. The city has evolved from a near-derelict mill town to a vision of the 21st-century urban city where you can witness sky-scraping office blocks, renovated Victorian shopping arcades and glass-and-steel waterfront residential complexes.
Leeds, England:
Today, Leeds is one of the fastest-growing economies in the UK and it is the symbol of the rediscovered northern self-confidence. Over a decade and a half, the city has become a major employment center and has witnessed the fastest rate of growth in the private sector jobs as compared to any other UK city. The city is ranked as a Gamma World City and considered as a cultural, financial and commercial heart of the West Yorkshire Urban Area. Leeds is home to the four universities and also known to have the 4th largest student population and the 4th largest urban economy in the country.
Important Facts you must know about the City Leeds, England, UK-
Other than London, the railway station in Leeds is the third busiest one and the Leeds airport is the 9th busiest in terms of passenger numbers in England.
Higher Education in Leeds
Leeds is home to four renowned universities which includes the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds Trinity University and the University of Law. The city is home to a large number of student’s population and also voted as the Best UK University Destination by a survey conducted by The Independent newspaper.
Accommodation
The city is known to be one of the best university destinations, so you can find right living environment and accommodation as per your need and budget. There are options of catered as well as self-catered accommodations. One can choose to stay in halls of residences or en-suite flats as per his/her lifestyle and budget. The cost of these accommodations varies from £83 – £183.
The students are required to pay £200 as a deposit towards university accommodation.
The students who want to stay off-campus can seek help from the student union office and choose accommodation as per the requirement. There are a number of sites also there to help the students to find the right accommodation but it is always advisable to seek advice from the seniors and staff before renting out an accommodation.
Cost of Living
Other than the tuition fees, students need to take certain costs into account while charting out the budget to study abroad. We have given here the average cost one has to bear while staying in Leeds for common utilities and basic amenities.
Cost of Living per Week
| Expenditure | Amount per week |
| Rent | £90+ |
| Food | £20 – £30 |
| If you buy lunch on campus | £10 – £20 |
| Energy bills, converted from monthly question in survey | £4 – £7 |
| Recreation | £10 – £20 |
| Toiletries | Under £10 |
| Approximate total | £134-£177+ |
Travel and Transport
Leeds is located in the heart of the United Kingdom and easily accessible via road, rail and by air. The train’s frequency is high and you can easily reach to any important city like London within around 2 hours. The city is well connected via national highways and crossroads.
Leeds Bradford Airport is around 8 miles from the Leeds city center and 7 miles from the Bradford. It is one of the most growing and busiest airports of the country. Many domestic, as well as the international flights, make it easy for the commuters to visit the city in no time.
For getting around the city one can use the efficient public transport, cycling & walking facilities. Students can get various discounts public transport travel passes and at other travel options like student bike hire scheme, car sharing etc.
Part-Time Jobs
As it is a university city, the competition to get a suitable part-time job as per one’s skills is tough but not impossible. One can check out the university’s portal which posts about the various openings available at the campus and also looks out for the openings to assists at the various offices, restaurants, bars and café.
One needs to follow the rules of the visa and can work for the particular number of working hours allowed as per visa norms.
Food and Shopping
Leeds is known for sophisticated fine dine restaurants, quirky cafes, and the street food. It is a must-visit destination for a foodie. Restaurants in the city specialize in making special occasions unique and memorable.
For shopping one can visit the local market or the various retail outlets in the city centre. One can find latest of fashion and as per his/her choice and budget.
Entertainment
Leeds is also known to be one of the hotspots in the UK for night-life. There are a large number of pubs, bars, restaurants, nightclubs as well as a large number of venues for live music shows. It has something to please all.
Leeds has a large number of ‘super-clubs’ and also there is a section of independent clubs like Club Mission and Mint Club, which are consistently graded as one of the world’s best clubs by DJ Magazine. The Two other Leeds clubs namely The Warehouse & the Garage also featured in the Top 100 Clubs list from 2013.
Climate
The city experiences an oceanic climate which is typical of the UK weather. The weather is influenced by the Atlantic and the Pennines. The summers are here mild with moderate rainfall and the winters are chilly, cloudy and also sometimes face snow and frost. Spring and autumn season are mild. July being the warmest month experiences a mean temperature of 16 °C and January is the coldest month with a mean temperature of 3 °C. One can rarely witness harsh weather where the temperature soars to 30 °C or dips to – 10 °C.
