A student's guide to Leicester

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When choosing where to study, we understand the location is just as important as the university. What you learn in books is just the start, so when you’re not busy learning, you’ll be busy living student life. Shopping and socialising in a safe place, soaking up art and culture, enjoying high-profile sports, or taking a break from the city in beautiful countryside locations – Leicester has everything you’re looking for and more. 92% of students said they would recommend DMU to a friend and ranked us 25th best university in the UK [Uni Compare rankings 2024].

We’re a campus-based uni situated in the city centre, with the hub of activity in Leicester right on your doorstep – and we’re one of the few unis in the UK where you’re getting the best of both worlds. Leicester has been named the sixth most vibrant city in the UK, putting it ahead of the likes of Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Leeds (Top Cities Vibrancy Report, 2023), as well as the best city in the East Midlands to live and work (Good Growth for Cities Index, 2023). Our award-winning campus offers a safe space to live and study with convenient access to accommodation, shopping, nightlife and all that’s on offer in the city centre.

Leicester offers everything you expect from a city and more – all on your doorstep. Not only are there great shops, bars and restaurants just a short distance from campus, Leicester is a great place to be a student, with the latest Student Living Index (compiled by NatWest) ranking Leicester in the top ten ‘most affordable student cities’, based on the cost to students of food, rent and fun.

A photo of a male student in front of a flip board

Leicester is an excellent place to find work, with DMU being named one of Britain’s top 10 universities for supporting student and graduate start-ups for the third year running. You can get a helping hand to kickstart your career with the Leicester 1000 initiative that connects graduates with highly skilled jobs through DMU’s employer network in the city. Plus, our award-winning Careers Team (Employability Team of the Year, TargetJobs 2024) is here to open doors for you and to help you find your dream career (DMU was ranked 16th best in the UK for our focus on employability by Uni Compare)

Leicester is rich in culture and famed for diversity, making it feel like the world is on your doorstep. The city is home to one of the biggest celebrations of Diwali outside of India. It’s an inclusive city with a long history of welcoming a variety of ethnic communities and religious faiths. Eating out in Leicester can feel like travelling the globe with bars and restaurants influenced by tastes from all over the world, plus a huge selection of coffee shops and lunch spots, from independent cafes to your favourite restaurant chains.

A photo of The Lanes in Leicester city centre

Leicester is the third most ‘progressive’ city in the UK, according to Bankrate UK, which ranked cities on how they addressed issues including recycling and the gender pay gap while promoting positive change.

A photo of a Leicester City Football Club supporter

Whatever sport you follow, you'll be spoiled for choice in Leicester – one of the great sporting capitals of England. We are home to Premier League and FA Cup winners Leicester City; rugby union's Leicester Tigers, who hold a record-breaking 11 championship titles; one of the UK’s most successful women’s hockey teams at Leicester City Hockey Club; basketball team Leicester Riders, who have won 6 BBL Championships; and Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

Arts and culture are renowned across the city, including the biggest comedy festival in the country – the annual Leicester Comedy Festival; live performances at Curve theatre; the latest blockbusters and independent movies at the Phoenix or Showcase cinemas; King Richard III Visitor Centre; National Space Centre; and colourful street art by GraffWerk.

Leicester’s central location means easy connections to UK cities such as Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield, and London is only an hour away by train. There’s easy access to airports for both national and international travel too.

What makes us special?

Don’t just take our word for it, our students and independent organisations have awarded us several accolades. Students voted us into the top 30 best UK universities [25th in Uni Compare rankings and 27th in WhatUni Student Choice Awards], we’re in the top 10 for sustainability and, demonstrating our inclusivity, we’re the first university to achieve a silver Race Equality Charter award.

Hear from students who made Leicester their home

Kadafi’s friends, tutors and societies became a new family who pushed him to succeed at every turn

DMU graduate Aminata tells us how Leicester shaped her future

DMU graduate Léonie discusses how she coped with moving from Guernsey in the Channel Islands to Leicester.

Join Alice as she lists some of the best activities and venues Leicester has to offer

Leicester

Find your new home

What makes us special?

Hear from students who made Leicester their home

Offers and discounts for students