Hi there, I'm Luna.
I'm a bit like an AI, except instead of making pictures of people with 16 fingers, I can help you find the perfect course and uni.
Would you like some help in your search?
Leeds is the third largest city in the UK, but it doesn’t feel like it – the friendliness of the local people, plus the fact that students from all three universities tend to all live in the same area give the impression of a tight knit community.
From the urban jungle that is Hyde Park to the lush meadows of Boddington and a lot (and we mean a lot) of bars in between, there really is something for everyone who’s looking to study in Leeds. Here’s a list of the top ten things to check out.
1) Hyde Park Picture House
I
mage via flickr.com
Good for: Film lovers and first dates.
What is it: One of the oldest cinemas in the country. Built in 1914, it’s survived two world wars, decades of urban development, and countless students on nights out.
Why should you go: Hyde Park Picture House calls itself the cosiest cinema in Leeds, and we’re inclined to agree. A hot spot for young lovers, many a romance has blossomed in the back row, but even if you go alone you’ll fall for the charming period interiors and surprisingly agreeable prices.
2) Brudenell Social Club
Good for: Live bands, cheap drinks and meeting up after uni.
What is it: A music venue situated in the heart of Hyde Park, one of Leeds’ most popular student areas.
Why should you go: What appears from the outside to be an unwelcoming, slightly run-down building is actually a lively, comfy bar with some very appealing drinks prices. Furthermore, it’s an important part of Leeds’ healthy live music scene – Kaiser Chiefs and Franz Ferdinand have played secret gigs here, and some of the best local and international talent has also graced the stage. It’s a great place to meet up in the day time too, particularly if you want to nab one of the brilliant pool tables.
3) Call Lane
Image via flickr.com
Good for: An eclectic mix of restaurants, swanky cocktail bars and heaving nightclubs.
What is it: One of Leeds’ premier destinations for after dark entertainment, with a great array of top class restaurants, bars and clubs.
Why should you go: Call Lane is where you’ll find some of the best cuisine Leeds has to offer, and you’ll be perfectly placed to follow it up with a sumptuous cocktail in one of the surrounding upmarket drinking establishments. Whether you’re looking for live music, a romantic dinner for two or just somewhere to dance the night away, Call Lane has it all.
4) The Otley Run
Good for: Drinking, drinking and more drinking.
What is it: One of the most famous, fun, and outrageous pub crawls in England (and possibly the world).
Why should you go: First off, it’s a fantastic way to discover some of Leeds’ most vibrant areas. Starting off in Headingly, you’ll work your way through Hyde Park, past the University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan before finally ending up just north of the city centre, having visited 20 pubs along the way.
There’s usually an Otley Run within the first week or so of term, so it’s a fantastic way to make friends and break the ice with your new course mates. Dressing up is heavily encouraged, but if you forget, you’ll pass no fewer than three fancy dress shops along the way, so you can construct a costume as you go, (making things even more fun).
5) Tribe Records
Good for: Records, clothing and art supplies.
What is it: One of the last remaining independent record shops in the city, which has been at the centre of the Leeds music scene for almost 20 years.
Why should you go: If you want to know what’s going on in Leeds, Tribe Records is a hub for all the major events, and sells tickets for most of them too. If you’re a fan of electronic music you’ll find a wide array of records for sale on the top floor, while downstairs you can stock up on art supplies like pens and spray paint, and browse a collection of exclusive street wear designed by independent artists from around the city.
6.) Roundhay Park
Image via flickr.com
Good for: Scenic walks, summer picnics and tropical adventures.
What is it: A vast and beautiful park containing a number of attractions, which is only a 20 minute bus ride from the city centre.
Why should you go: If your course, lectures, or the general hustle and bustle of the UK’s third largest city are getting on top of you, Roundhay Park is the perfect retreat. Covering three square miles of Leeds’ glorious countryside, the park features beautiful gardens, an open air swimming pool, impressive lakes and fountains, and its ‘Pièce de résistance’ - Tropical World.
7.) 24 hour Sainsbury's Local
Good for: Late night snacks, booze and banter.
What is it: A twenty four hour supermarket situated conveniently near Hyde Park, to cater for any of your late night / early morning needs.
Why should you go: If you decide you need a late night beverage, snack, ice cream, kinder egg or pretty much anything else you would expect to find in a Sainsbury's, this is a god send. Your night out need never end with an array of beers, wines, spirits and just about any alcoholic beverage imaginable available 24/7. Plus, a choice of ready cooked hot and cold snacks means you won’t need to resort to a dodgy kebab to satisfy those late night grease cravings.
8.) University of Leeds Students' Union
Image via wikimedia.org
Good for: Eating, shopping socialising – anything goes.
What is it: A well equipped student union which holds regular live music and club nights, as well as providing an arena for bonding, boozing, lunching, shopping and even getting the occasional bit of uni work done.
Why should you go: Leeds students' union is one of the biggest and best in the country, and a fantastic place to meet up and do work, or just kick back and socialise. It includes a huge beer garden / terrace which is great in the summer, a vast canteen and also a tasty snack bar. It houses three nightclubs and two bars which play host to some of the biggest music events in the North. On top of all of that there’s a theatre, food shop, in-house radio station and great games area.
9.) The Restaurant Bar & Grill
Good for: Good food and a relaxing drink in a prime Leeds location.
What is it: Exactly what it says on the tin — a restaurant, bar and grill.
Why should you go: Restaurant Bar & Grill is slap bang in the middle of the city, right outside Leeds train station. It’s open all year round, but the large outdoor seating area makes it ideal for enjoying anything from a cold drink to a three course meal while soaking up the sunshine in the summer months. Keep an eye out for the special offers they run throughout the year and you could grab a real bargain to help you enjoy fine dining on a student budget.
10.) Pop Boutique
Image via flickr.com
Good for: Vintage and alternative clothing.
What is it: A treasure trove of quirky fashion finds from across the ages.
Why should you go: If you enjoy shopping for vintage clothes in interesting environs, Pop Boutique is the place for you. Inside this artfully decorated shop you’ll find both men’s and women’s wear collections, with an emphasis on vibrant colours and one off garments. Downstairs in the 60’s ‘summer of love’ inspired basement there’s a collection of eye catching accessories from across the years, making Pop Boutique a one stop shop for all your vintage fashion needs.
Key info about Leeds
Leeds was once one of the major contributors to the Industrial Revolution, but it’s now much more metropolitan, and is home to large numbers of law and accountancy firms, so it’s the ideal place to study either subject, though the many local unis offer courses across a huge range of departments.
And you won't be short of universities to choose from in Leeds. It's home to the following institutions:
- Leeds Arts University
- Leeds College of Music
- Leeds City College
- Leeds Beckett University
- Leeds Trinity University
- University of Leeds
NEXT:
