You’ll know before you move into your student lets in Leeds check-in for your first Leeds Freshers Week, that this city is famed for its iconic festivals. Music is big in Leeds – we mean really big. As a student you’ll be pulled into so many different musical directions with each of your new friends wanting to try different venues and clubs, but after a bit of time, you’ll find your own favourite haunts and be bowled over by this northern powerhouse’s music scene.

Whether led by small community groups, or taking the form of a huge international event, the city’s dedication to culture and accessibility is something you’ll fall in love with while living here. Leeds Waterfront Festival is connected by 4 miles of the city’s waterways and The Leeds Light Night Festival is a breathtaking spectacle of dancing lights and parades that residents turn out for in force.

Leeds Festival is the climax of Leeds’ annual events calendar and is beloved by music fans across the UK and beyond. Taking place in August every year, it plays partner to the Reading festival and attracts some of the biggest names in music. Thousands of artists have performed at the festival including no short supply of local bands and headliners alike, Kings of Leon, Foo Fighters, Muse and Eminem just to name a few!

Mint Festival is UK dance music festival in our northern city. Each September Mint Festival welcomes an enviable line-up of dance music gems that spans across house, techno and more to the hip city. Returning once again in 2023, Mint Festival is promising to take things to an even higher level.

Another festival Leeds is home to is Slam Dunk North, which usually takes place end of May at Temple Newsam. If you’re into rock, pop-punk, emo and alternative music, this is the place and event for you!

Music maestros from across the globe don’t just come for the Leeds Festival once a year, the First Direct Arena and O2 Academy pull in big names and huge crowds for an unparalleled concert experience. And the Summer Concert Series in Millennium Square draws visitors from across the country every summer, come rain or shine.

The booming independent scene competes fiercely with the popularity of the big concert halls; they offer very friendly discounts to Leeds students to keep this buzzing scene going throughout the year. Gigs at the Brudenell Social Club or The Wardrobe are an absolute must for any student in town. The good news? These venues aren’t far from our private student accommodation in Leeds at all!

But Leeds’ cultural scene doesn’t end at music; the recently refurbished Leeds Art Gallery and the more contemporary Tetley Art Gallery, are equal beacons for art enthusiasts and anyone seeking an afternoon of escapism or inspiration. The amazing collections of twentieth century works and contemporary art will have you hooked and provide a great alternative to usual student venues. Plus, it’s just a short journey out of the city to reach the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, a perfect way to spend a day in Spring looking at magnificent works outdoors, with a great café and gift shop to match.

What’s the best night out you can remember? A night out in Leeds may well surpass that. A city known for its emerging independent music scene, scores of bars, bottomless brunches, mouth-watering restaurants, and festivals. The possibilities are almost endless – and all within walking distance of the Foundry, our private student accommodation in Leeds.

Immersing yourself in Leeds’ LGBT+ community is your guarantee for a great party night and you will be making shapes on the dance floor until the early hours.

Looking for somewhere a bit special, maybe with a date night in mind? Leeds’ Call Lane is home to an amalgamation of rooftop bars and restaurants that offer stunning views, alongside a delectable selection of food and drinks. For a little sophistication try Angelica, The Adelphi and Roland’s, you’ll fall in love with the relaxed atmosphere and adventurous choice of beverages on offer.

The nightlife in Leeds, albeit an immense selection of bars and pubs, offers places to make your own in small gatherings or large crowds. Huge artists from across the world take to the stage at the First Direct Arena, and the Brudenell Social Club is a much-loved grassroots venue that students flock to. Plus Leeds Playhouse, sees some of the best UK theatre pass through its doors, and is a huge supporter of nurturing home-grown talent.

For those lazy evenings that turned into epic nights out, take a stroll down Call Lane, Merrion Street or Greek Street, which offer no shortage of music, moods and venues to cover all tastes.

After a dose of funk and New York-inspired jazz? Upstairs at Smokestack promises an otherworldly experience, and one that you’ll be telling your friends about for weeks to come.

Leeds offers an almost dizzying amount of entertainment and caters to students, regardless of their mood. Comedy is big business in this town, and is often in the line-up at the Town Hall, First Direct Arena and the HiFi Club. Keep an eye out for student deals and with a bit of luck, you could bag yourself a memorable night out with entertainment and drinks thrown in for under twenty quid.

After a bit of action, romance or drama? The beautiful Hyde Park Picture House and independent Cottage Road Cinema will quickly become firm favourites. Plus, the uber cool Hyde Park Book Club supports artists from around the county in a quirky disused petrol station, transformed into a buzzy artistic hub.

Here are some top recommendations with places offering student discount close to our student flats in Leeds!

Bar Soba – Sign up to their Student Membership and between Sunday and Thursday get 40% off Food, 20% off Drinks, Free Venue Hire and Exclusive Invites

The Wardrobe – A fabulous venue for all things social, The Wardrobe hold regular themed bottomless brunch events, Comedy Acts, Music Acts, Arts Performances and more, definitely a venue to visit at least once while you’re here!

Viaduct Showbar – in the heart of Freedom Quarter is the Number 1 venue for Drag Cabaret, Live Entertainment & DJ’s 7 days a week.

Roxy Ball Room – (15% student discount) Here you can just have a drink or make a whole night of it and add karaoke, ping pong, air hockey, pool or bowling to your drinks and if you’re hungry grab a bite to eat – available across three great locations.

Revolution Bars (25% Discount) – If you are part of a club or society you can also sign up for 40% off of food, 2-4-1 cocktails and exclusive discounted drinks – cannot be used Saturdays after 9pm)

The Otley Run – not just one pub but 15. The Otley Run starts in Headingley and finishes in Leeds City Centre! The crawl starts at Woodies in Headingley and involves 1 drink in each pub finishing in Dry Dock. This pub crawl is normally completed in fancy dress so make sure to bring your best outfits!

You’ll also find lots of bars and clubs for all music tastes down Call Lane – one of the liveliest streets in Leeds!

Outside of London, you’d be hard pushed to find many shopping experiences superior to a day out in Leeds. Stacked with variety, and easy on the student purse, the city is famed for its devotion to independent boutiques, high fashion labels and high street staples. Just 10 minutes from our private student accommodation in Leeds, The Foundry, the city centre is abuzz with shopping centres and arcades, so you’re guaranteed to bag yourself a bargain or find that perfect outfit for your next big night out.

Let’s start big, and in Leeds there’s no bigger retail centre than Trinity Leeds; a monumental shopping wonderland entombed in a spectacular glass dome and spread across three floors. Opened in 2013, with 120 shops, bars and restaurants on offer, seven days a week, here you’ll find all the high street names you could want, and for many, the Trinity is one-stop shop which you could devote hours to, or even days!

If you’re looking for a more refined experience of high-end brands and top fashion, head to the Victoria Leeds, which sees the Victoria Quarter and the stylish Victoria Gate combine to form a shopping mecca which boasts the likes of Harvey Nicholls, the largest John Lewis outside of London, and over 85 stunning boutiques.

Shopping in Leeds isn’t just a great experience, many of the shops are housed in beautiful arcades, adding an authentic and special quality to any shopping trip. Queens Arcade, Thornton’s Arcade, Grand Arcade and the stunning Victoria Quarter are all steeped in history and play host to a wide selection of designer brands, including Louis Vuitton and Vivienne Westwood. Not every shop fits into a student budget, but most cater for students with in store discounts and offer dedicated student shopping days, so keep your eye out for a bargain.

Central Arcade is a particular student favourite, with its choice of vintage stores and independent brands, while Thornton Arcade its alternatives, including music and comic book shops. As well as clothes, the arcades are great destinations for craft and gift stores, which will come in especially handy for many students when Mother’s Day creeps up on them.

Grade I listed Kirkgate Market, where Michael Marks, of Marks and Spencer, famously first descended from, is a journey of textiles and loose-leaf tea, with smatterings of international street food and hundreds of other independent stall holders.

The Corn Exchange is a hotpot of innovation and creativity, and a perfect place to channel artistic energy to escape the hustle and bustle of the outside world for an hour.

If you find yourself in town shopping, stopping for an energising bite and a beer is an absolute must. The Trinity Kitchen is a completely unique concept, that sees six new street food vans rotate every eight weeks, so visitors are treated to a smorgasbord of cuisines from across the world. Loved by locals and students alike, the variety and novelty are an utter delight, and perfectly situated in the Trinity Leeds amongst a vast selection of shops, so taking the weight off your feet has never been easier.

If you have a love of sport, or are committed to a healthier lifestyle, Leeds is a fantastic place to start your health journey. From Headingley, hosting the very first Rugby League Challenge Cup final in 1897, to Leeds United Football Club and universities’ dedication to the growth of sport and recreation, students in Leeds have a fantastic history of hard work and success to draw upon. Whether in person at the stadium or from the telly in our student lets in Leeds, you’ll be able to cheer on your favourite local teams all year round!

Leeds United are a staple in the English Championship League since 1999 and have had spells in the Premier League, but have seen many successes, and a few losses, over the years since their inception in 1919. Lovingly known as The Peacocks to their fans, the team draw in huge crowds to their Elland Road stadium and inspire great devotion from thousands of locals.

If rugby is more your sport, the famous Headingley Stadium plays host to both Rugby League and Rugby Union; the Leeds Rhinos are one of the most successful rugby league clubs in the UK (with the men’s team winning 11 championships – and 3 World Club Challenge cups). Or, if cricket is more your thing Leeds is the home of the Yorkshire Carnegie cricket team. You can also watch The Ashes and, if you only like cricket in small doses, you can watch The Hundred which always has a great atmosphere.

City universities share similar passions for sports, and both Leeds Beckett University and the University of Leeds invest huge resources into improving the sporting facilities they offer and supporting their students to achieve more. Team Beckett heads up a huge offering of sports and lifestyle activities, as well as supporting and subsidising a junior sports academy.

The University of Leeds is home to the gryphons; a community of sporting students that make up over 60 sports clubs. Becoming a gryphon unlocks a host of opportunities to develop performance, leadership skills and become part of an active, and social society.

Sport in Leeds is not just limited to being part of a club or society, the city has a wealth of open spaces perfect to indulge in running, cycling or a friendly game of cricket with friends. Roundhay Park is the jewel in the city’s crown, and one of the biggest and most popular city parks in Europe. The vast lake, walking trails and wildlife make it a relaxing and re-energising day out, not to mention the food festivals, market and annual fireworks displays, which add a bit of vitality to such a multi-use space.

And not to mention the breathtaking Yorkshire Dales, just a short bus ride from our private student accommodation in Leeds. Stretch your legs outside of the busy city, explore the amazing scenery and stop off at one of the many welcoming local pubs dotted along the way.

There are three big universities in Leeds, all within easy walking and commuting distance of The Foundry, our uni accommodation in Leeds. Leeds Beckett University and the University of Leeds are an easy 10-minute stroll from The Foundry; Leeds Trinity University is located a few miles outside of Leeds city centre but there are great transport links to the campus are on The Foundry’s doorstep.

With almost 60,000 students descending on this vibrant northern city every year, Leeds attracts students from around the world with its rich cultural history, depth of job opportunities for students after their degree is in the bag, and its buzzing social scene.

Leeds Beckett University has an almost 200-year history, beginning with the Leeds Mechanics Institute in 1824. This well-regarded institution has grown immensely since that time, and now welcomes 28,000 students to campus every year from almost 100 countries. Situated in the city centre, known for being the biggest financial district outside of London, Leeds Beckett prides itself on its innovation, enterprise, global reach, and impression on the local community. Choosing Leeds Beckett is choosing an amazing student experience that goes far beyond lectures and last-minute deadlines; you’ll become part of a student community rich in opportunity, choice and joined by thousands of your peers, some of whom will no doubt become friends for life.

A member of the acclaimed Russell Group of universities, The University of Leeds was named University of the Year 2017 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017. This hard-fought reputation for excellence in higher education is mirrored by an amazing on-campus student experience that is recognised and appreciated across the UK.

The student’s union has over 300 clubs and societies on offer, so students are spoilt for choice when it comes to expanding their extracurricular activities. As a student at the University of Leeds, you’ll have access to their state-of-the-art fitness complex The Edge; it’s an emporium of sporting facilities that will have you spoilt for choice – the 25-metre swimming pool, multiple sports courts, huge climbing wall and high-spec gym, helping you burn off some steam and keep your body active after long essay-writing stints in the library.

Leeds is a city that offers students the best start to their adult life – and our student flats in Leeds are in the middle of it all! Yes, the nightlife is amazing, but the student experience has grown well beyond a rowdy freshers week and a few bar crawls; the opportunities that Leeds universities provide, whether academic or social, makes this city a top contender for thousands of students across the world.

VITAL PLACES FOR STUDENTS IN LEEDS

We understand that moving away from home for university and settling in your student flat in Leeds is sometimes a challenge. So, to make it a little easier, we want to give you all the information you may need for your time with us. Here are 7 handy things you may need whilst you are living in Leeds for University:

1. Nearby Doctors – Leeds Student Medical Centre to which everyone can register – remember to sign up to a doctor’s surgery as soon as you arrive in the city as you never know when you may need one.
2. Nearby Dentist – Headingley Medical Centre is open to NHS and private patients – remember to sign up for a dentist as soon as you arrive in the city as you never know when you may need one.
3. Sexual Health Clinic – The Merrion Centre is a 20-minute walk from Foundry and is there for you to talk about any aspect of your sexual health, call 0113 3920333 for an appointment (Mondays only).
4. Local Food Bank – Visit Leeds Beckett University site or Leeds University site for all the latest information on your local food banks – We know that the cost of living continues to increase, so whatever your reason for needing a meal, you are welcome to join them. Some people go for the food.  Some people go for the company.  No matter your background, you’ll be greeted warmly by their friendly volunteers.
5. Local Church – North Church which is a 5-minute walk from The Foundry.
6. Local Mental Health Services – Burmantofts Health Centre, for non-emergencies. Not to be used for Urgent Cases – always call 111 or 999 if you require immediate assistance. You can self-refer online or call here: 0113 843 438. If they cannot help you, they can refer you to a different service who can.
7. Local Hospital – Leeds General Infirmary is located within a 5-minute drive of The Foundry and a 15-minute walk and is home to the A&E department for emergencies – if your condition isn’t life-threatening then we would advise to call 111 and they will advise of the best treatment centre to attend.