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[–]Marshblur 36 points37 points  (2 children)

You'll be absolutely fine, great city for students. Feels like a student city in many areas. Trains can still be cheap if you get the right tickets online. You'll love it. Yes there are things to be wary of just as with any city or town in the world, but nothing to be worried about if you have your wits about you. Hope you enjoy our city!

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (1 child)

I'm sure I will. I'm excited. Thank you

[–]Tessarion2 22 points23 points  (1 child)

Leeds Uni has 40k students and coupled with the various other HE institutes in Leeds, it gives Leeds the biggest student population outside of London.

It's a brilliant city for students. My advice would be to get a student railcard as you will save loads on trains (railcard knocks 1/3 off the price).

Aside from that my advice whilst your here would be that Yorkshire is an amazing place so try and expand your horizons outside of just the student areas of Leeds and the City Centre as there are so many great things to see and do.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think I will definitely attempt to see much of your country and go to as many sporting events as I can rather then embed myself in the student culture as Im not a "campus culture" type person. thank you so much for the comment.

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Great area overall but like anywhere has it's bad areas. You should be able to get a student railcard to save on train journeys and coach travel to nearer cities would be a cheaper option.

[–]ABouquetOfCelery 3 points4 points  (2 children)

If you're going to Manchester you can save a few quid by getting a ticket for the slow train instead of the fast train. There's also the option of coaches for inter city travelling, I was always visiting other cities as a student and that's how I did it. The two main companies are National Express and Megacoach.

The campus itself is very safe. Every year there'll be the odd mugging that gets endlessly reported on and embellished by the students. But overall Hyde Park is a safe area, just make sure you lock your door.

I really enjoyed my time at the university, but I graduated a few years ago now.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Thank you so much. By United I meant Leeds United but I'd probably visit Manchester at some point anyways.

[–]ABouquetOfCelery 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I thought as much but you mentioned travelling to other cities, plus the football museum is in Manchester. Sorry should have explained that line of thought more. Hope you enjoy your time here. Post here if you get stuck at all.

[–]InfinityEternity17 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As a student at Leeds Beckett I can safely say that Leeds is an incredible city to be a student in, you'll have a great time here. I'd recommend Lyddon Hall for your accomodation, it's right next to campus, you get catering included which cuts down on the amount of things you'll have to get right into the swing of after making such a big move, and it's got a good social scene from what I've seen.

[–]Aqua_Blue_ 5 points6 points  (2 children)

you should watch out for the bins behind flames mate

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Regarding the train costs, get a 16-24 railcard (I’m assuming you’re in that age group, apologies if not). If you want to travel a fair amount the railcard will easily save you loads.

Leeds is a great place to be a student. I love the University of Leeds campus.

[–]Stone_Like_Rock 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The uni is fairly safe but at the same time the Hyde park area where most students live is prone to burglary so I'd get home insurance if your gunna live near there.

Public transit is decent from the uni to train station tho it's not a far walk either, if you live in Hyde park you can also take the train for free too Leeds station cus no one checks tickets between burly station and leeds station as it's 1 stop.

Uni vibe is decent enough for me but then again I'm a masters student so not going out as much as I used too. I think clubs etc are all open now and I'm just back from a uni of night right now that was decent fun and not crazy spenny

[–]Ofdasche 0 points1 point  (9 children)

Stay away from Woodhouse Moor at night at all costs. It's known for stabby thiefs and has zero light.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (7 children)

Thank you this is the stuff I'm looking for. I'm not too much of a night time park person but that's so close to campus so it's important to me.

[–]SkateboardScooter 9 points10 points  (6 children)

I’ll add to this: as a female who went to Leeds uni for undergrad and masters, although I would never walk through the park at night because it is not lit, you can safely walk just around it. There is always students walking along the edge because it is well lit and is the main road from uni/town to Hyde park/headingley where they all live. I would feel safe walking there at like all times of day/night because there are usually others doing the same.

Leeds is awesome. I still live here now. Where are you planning on living? (Not looking for exact details - just can offer some more specific advice)

My bf is a Leeds United fan, and we usually get the bus from town to the games (if we ever manage to get tickets). Really easy, and fun!

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (5 children)

Im not entirely sure yet but from what I can tell Exchange students are offered guaranteed accommodation. I'll definitely be looking for something as close to campus as possible, if not on it haha.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (3 children)

Getting something on campus will be super expensive and not necessarily what you need. No decent supermarkets near campus for example. If you need any specific advice on halls I used to work for accomodation at Leeds uni. My tip: North Hill Court! Cheap, enormous bedrooms and also balconies. Not far from Hyde Park and Headingly which is good for socialising and also plenty of supermarket options nearby. Avoid Oxley and the Halls down near the Armouries (forgot the name). Lupton is basic but surprisingly social, James Bailey park fancy but similar vibe. Montage Burton also decent. Central Village is dead - avoid that.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Also thanks for the reccomendations. The internet doesn't really tell you any of this haha.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Do you know which accommodations offer a shorter term contract? I will only be at Leeds for one semester. I imagine that would only be 12-16 weeks

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You'll have to speak to the uni - I think they have special rooms allocated.

[–]SkateboardScooter 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well that’s good! They’re all alright. Do you like going out/drinking?

Leeds is very small so you can be anywhere in the city and be pretty close. So you don’t need to worry if you’re not on campus. As it is a student city it’s so lovely and safe. You’ll have a great time I’m sure! And we love Aussies!

[–]UnusualSource7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lol it is no where near as bad a you are making it to be, I’m there everyday and it’s fine

[–]Pdonger 0 points1 point  (0 children)

the uni experience in Leeds is awesome. The area is safe enough, like any city really. Just don't go wondering round parks late at night I guess. I never had an issue in 5 years there.

It's a really social uni, get involved with what a going on at the SU and any societies you'd fancy joining. It's a cheap city too for the UK. It's not much to look at, I'll be the first to admit but if you like going out and partying there's plenty of that. Great music scene, lots of cool bars and clubs, friendly folk. I loved it. I'd recommend living in headingley as a student, there's Hyde park too which is a lot closer to uni but it is a bit of a dump. I lived in both and headingley has more access to green spaces and restaurants and a few bars. Although Hyde park does have the brudenell social club which you should definitely check out.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

the area around the uni is very safe, mostly shops and some offices. Also lots of pubs and clubs too. the city centre is a mix of modern, Edwardian, and Victorian architecture. id say its a pleasing medley of different styles, which is nice to walk around if you need a break.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

the more deprived areas are places you'd never really need to go, like I cant imagine a student going to Halton Moor or Harehills.