With its five prestigious universities, vibrant nightlife, promising job prospects, and affordable northern English prices, Leeds stands out as an ideal city for students. Leeds offers a dynamic living environment as Yorkshire’s largest city and the UK’s fastest-growing economy. Housing approximately 48,000 students, 25% of whom are international, Leeds provides a rich, diverse cultural experience for students. This guide aims to explore the cost of living for students in Leeds, covering essential aspects like student accommodation Leeds, tuition, food, entertainment, transport, and other essential expenses, helping you make an informed choice about your future.
Student Accommodation Leeds
Choosing the right student accommodation in Leeds is the first step towards an ideal university experience. Leeds offers a low cost of living, making it a more affordable choice compared to other cities in the North of England. In fact, overall house prices in Leeds are 16.98% cheaper than in London. uhomes.com’s student accommodation in Leeds are strategically located in three main areas:
- The southeast side of the university is near the city centre, which is an excellent location that is convenient for travelling and living.
- The southwest side of the university has a concentration of student flats in all price ranges.
- The north side of the University is close to the University, offers good value for money, and offers limited travelling and shopping.
Our student flats in Leeds are designed to cater to different preferences and budgets. Each flat includes water and electricity, allowing students to choose the most suitable option for their needs. For those who prefer privacy, we offer Studio or One-bedroom room types at an average weekly rate of £300. For students who enjoy socializing, our En-suite room type is a great choice, with an average weekly rate of £190. And for those on a tighter budget, our Non-En-suite room type offers the most affordable option, with a weekly rate of £150.You can book the best student accommodation in Leeds with uhomes.com.
Tuition
Tuition fees are one of the most significant costs of studying abroad, and they are much more expensive for international students than for local students. Tuition fees in Leeds vary significantly from university to university and programme to programme. They are listed below for three universities. If you want to know the tuition fees for your specialism, you can search for them on the university’s website.
University of Leeds tuition fees for international students are £14,850 – £17,500 per annum. Leeds Beckett University tuition fees for international students are £13,950 – £14,750 per annum. The University of Law, Leeds, tuition fees for international students average £16,700 per annum.
Food
Food expenses are also an essential part of studying abroad and vary from person to person, being much cheaper if you cook for yourself and more expensive if you eat out regularly. There are many low-cost supermarkets in Leeds, such as Tesco Express and Aldi, making buying what you need easy. A kilo of fresh carrots is £0.60, 1 gallon of milk is £4.13, 12 eggs are £2.60, and on average, students spend around £40-£50 per week on food.
If you’re a foodie and think your cost of living is adequate enough to allow you to eat out at university, then you’ll be spoilt for choice in many parts of Leeds. Leeds has a superb selection of food grades, from £10-13 per meal in a normal restaurant to much more expensive in a fine dining establishment, depending on your choices!
Transportation
Leeds is a very compact city with many areas within walking distance or a short journey by public transport. The first daily ticket costs around £4.30, unlimited student travel tickets are available. If you use public transport regularly, you can save money by buying a weekly or monthly pass; rolling tickets cost around £35 per month, £155 for a term or £340 for a year. If you like cycling, Leeds also has a bike-sharing scheme called ‘Leeds Bikes’ where you can hire a bike for just £1 a day.
In addition, many universities offer transport services for students. For example, the University of Leeds provides a £1 night bus service that runs approximately every 30 minutes from 7 pm to 1 am during term time, taking students from the SU to their front door. Familiarise yourself with the university’s public services, and you could save a fortune!
Entertainment
Living in Leeds offers various entertainment options catering to diverse tastes and preferences. From trendy bars and epic club nights to a wide range of sporting and cultural activities, there is always something to suit your mood, whether you’re looking to unwind after a challenging exam or celebrate during the holidays.
For movie enthusiasts, cinema tickets typically cost around £10 each, while sports fans can rent tennis courts for £17 an hour. Beyond paid activities, Leeds boasts numerous free entertainment opportunities, such as visits to its decadent array of museums and the vibrant Leeds Light Night in October, a spectacular event showcasing mesmerizing light installations and performances. On average, students in Leeds can expect to spend between £50-80 per month on entertainment.