You’re a Leeds University student, congrats! Welcome to a city that never sleeps. With so much to do, so many people to meet and a degree to get stuck into, get ready for a busy few years. You’ll be doing your weekly shop in Hyde Park, spending your summer evenings at The Original Oak and enjoying weekend walks around Leeds City Market. The Leeds University lifestyle will keep you entertained all year long.

Before you get stuck in, you might want to think about a student bank account. The NatWest Student account* comes with an offer of £50 cash and four year tastecard membership – giving you 2-4-1 or 50% off food deals at participating UK restaurants and takeaways. To apply for a NatWest Student account – visit natwest.com/students.
*Student account eligibility criteria apply. Apply online only. Offer Terms and Conditions apply. £50 cash is a limited time offer until 5th November 2021. Offer can be withdrawn at any time.

Moving to a new city can be overwhelming. It can be hard to know what the best places are for housing, food, nights out and meeting new people. We’ve compiled an in-depth city guide, curated by Leeds students themselves to save you the hassle. Scroll down to read more.

The best places to live

Hyde Park

Price: £££       Noise level: ||||       Supermarkets: Sainsbury’s Local, Abu Bakr, Co-op

If you’ve heard of Leeds uni, you’ve probably heard of Hyde Park. It’s the social hub for uni students with loads of parties, socials and meet ups – this is something to be aware of if you’re looking for a more quiet area. Hyde Park is also only a ten minute walk from the uni.

Headingley

Price: ££       Noise level: |||       Supermarkets: Sainsbury’s, Wilko, Big Asda near by

Headingley is a more residential area so it’s good for students looking for a quieter spot, however, it’s still very social with its mix of Uni of Leeds and Leeds Beckett students. It’s also only a 20 minute walk from Leeds Uni.

Woodhouse

Price: ££       Noise level: ||       Supermarkets: Ten minute walk from Sainsbury’s and Abu Bakr

Woodhouse is the closest location to uni being only a five minute walk away. Although it’s not a particularly student-filled area, it’s very close to Hyde Park so you get all the social side without the noise. You’re also in walking distance from the shops and restaurants in Hyde Park.

Wanting to keep your budget in check? The NatWest Student account* comes with an offer of £50 cash and four year tastecard membership – giving you 2-4-1 or 50% off food deals at participating UK restaurants and takeaways. For more info and to apply, visit natwest.com/students

Food spots

Close to uni:

Bakery 164 opposite the Parkinson Building – their pastries are delicious

Rustica on Blenheim Terrace – tastecard offer available

The Greasy Pig on Headingley Lane

LS6 on Headingley Lane – there’s always a queue but it’s worth the wait

Line Thai Oriental on Great George Street – tastecard offer available 

Popina’s on Brudenell Road

Akmal’s in Hyde Park – a student favourite for Indian curries

Humpit in the Union and the Corn Exchange

Worth the journey:

MEATliquor in Leeds Trinity – they often have lunch deals so this is a good, cheaper option

Dough Boys in The Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen on Cross Belgrave Street

FireLake at Radisson Blu Leeds Hotel – a great place to treat your parents to and there’s a tastecard offer available 

The Patty Smith’s Burger Co. in The Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen on Cross Belgrave Street

Bundobust on Mill Hill – their craft beer is a must try

Leeds Trinity Kitchen in town

Distrikt on Duncan Street – tastecard offer available

Are you a big foodie? With a NatWest Student Account*, you get the offer of £50 cash and a four year tastecard membership – giving you 2-4-1 or 50% off food deals at participating UK restaurants and takeaways. For more info, click here to visit natwest.com/students.

Where to grab a drink

The Library Pub on Woodhouse Lane – a big favourite among Leeds students

Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen on Cross Belgrave Street – their trays of chips are famous

Hyde Park Book Club on Headingley Lane

Neon Cactus on Call Lane – the perfect place for tacos, tequila and great cocktails

Nation of Shopkeepers on Cookridge Street

The Original Oak on Otley Road – they have a huge beer garden so this is great for summer evenings

The Pack Horse on Woodhouse Lane

Manahatta on Merrion Street – enjoy 2-4-1 cocktails in this New York style bar

TJ’s on Woodhouse Street

Night out spots 

Fruity

Location: Leeds University Union       When: Friday       Music: RnB, Classics, Pop, Cheese

Mixtape Project

Location: Hifi       When: Tuesday       Music: RnB, Hip Hop

Mischief

Location: Warehouse       When: Wednesday       Music: Cheese, Pop

Quids In

Location: Pryzm       When: Monday       Music: RnB, Hip Hop, House, Pop

Cirque du Soul

Location: Beaver Works       When: Monday       Music: RnB, Hip Hop, House, Jungle, Reggae, Dubstep

Mint Mondays

Location: Mint Warehouse       When: Monday       Music: House

Mission Thursday

Location: Mission       When: Thursday       Music: Cheese, RnB, Hip Hop, House

Thinking of setting up a Student account? You could save on your late-night takeaways with a NatWest Student account* as it comes with an offer of £50 cash and a four year tastecard membership – giving you 2-4-1 or 50% off food deals at participating UK restaurants and takeaways. For more info, click here to visit natwest.com/students.

Sticky Feet

Location: Warehouse       When: Various events throughout the year      Music: Funk, Hip Hop, RnB

HighRise

Location: Beaver Works       When: Monthly       Music: Dubstep, House, DnB, Bashment, Dancehall

Transport

Taxis: Uber, Arrow Cars, Blueline Taxis

Walking: Leeds is a very walkable city – most places are no more than 20 minutes away

Bus services: If you have a student ID, the bus only costs £1.20 between campus and the main residential areas

Leeds students’ top tricks and tips

“Make sure you bring lots of warm clothes. Leeds is very cold in the winter and the heating in student houses isn’t great”

“Avoid walking through Hyde Park at night – it can be quite dodgy”

“Do your shops on a Sunday, there’s always loads of stuff reduced (especially in Morrisons)”

“A pair of ear plugs won’t go amiss if you’re living in Hyde Park. It can be noisy”

“Halloween is celebrated from September to December so get ready”

“Pack an eye mask too – the night life in Leeds will mean you need as much sleep as you can get”

“If you want to do a night out, do it in Beaver Works. It’s so fun!”

Make the most of the city. With a NatWest Student account* you receive an offer of £50 cash and four year tastecard membership – giving you 2-4-1 or 50% off food deals at participating UK restaurants and takeaways, cheaper cinema tickets and more. For more info, click here to visit natwest.com/students.

Your mini bucket list for the city

• Try the stone-baked pizza van at Brudenell Social Club

• Do the Otley Run – it’s a 16 venue pub crawl through Leeds and a bit of a tradition

• Go to the Christmas Market in Millennium Square

• Explore Leeds City Market and enjoy the range of food, drink, clothes and jewellery stands

• When the sun’s shining, make sure you go to Burley in Wharfedale

• Watch Leeds Beckett vs. Leeds Uni in the Varsity match

• Go to Tropical World in Roundhay Park

• Go to the Leeds Ball – it’s the biggest end-of-year event

• Plan a BBQ with your mates in Hyde Park

• Get a pastry from 164 and eat it on the Parkinson steps

• Go to the top of the carpark on Woodhouse Lane and watch the sunrise

• Swim in the Roger Stevens pond – this is also a bit of a tradition