The latest and most luxurious private student accommodation in Leeds opened its doors in September 2022.

Whether it is to kit out your new student pad when you move in, to update your wardrobe, or to simply do the grocery shopping, you will find the perfect place to shop in this city. Leeds city centre has lots of big name brands and major retail stores standing alongside independent boutiques and family run businesses, offering shoppers a fantastic variety of goods and prices.

Leeds as a city has an impressive number of shopping centres, all offering a unique combination of stores and shopping experiences. The most popular shopping trips typically include the cities major shopping centres like The Springs, Trinity Leeds, Victoria Gate and The Merrion Centre, all of whom have stores for every occasion.

Other retail hotspots include Queens Arcade, the Grand Arcade and Central Arcade. These shopping malls are smaller in size, giving the shopping experience a more personal feel. Here you can browse independent and vintage labels in a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere.

One great place to shop in Leeds is at Kirkgate Market. Located at the heart of the city centre, this indoor market is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. Open Monday to Saturday, this shopper’s paradise is home to some of Leeds most extravagant vendors, and extremely competitive prices. Locals set up stalls at Kirkgate Market and sell locally grown fruit and vegetables, as well as fresh meat and fish. There are also fashion, flowers and jewelry stalls, homeware, DIY and even electrical goods for sale, making this a one-stop-shop for all the needs in Leeds.

Leeds is West Yorkshire's largest city and has one of the UK's largest student populations. Home to five different universities, this city has become fantastically vibrant and diverse, and could be the perfect place for you.

The University of Leeds is well known for its academic success. As well as being a member of the Russell Group of universities, The University of Leeds was also ranked in the world's top 100 universities for 2021 by QS and has won numerous awards and titles over the years for its achievements in student development. With seven faculties split into specific schools and institutions, students in their hundreds of thousands have enjoyed, and thrived whilst studying at The University of Leeds.

After gaining its university status in 1992, Leeds Beckett University now plays an integral role to the community in the city, and the region. Located in England's second largest financial district, after London, this university is passionate about enterprise, student success and having a strong local impact. With 14 different research centres, 11 academic schools and a diverse range of students from across the globe, Leeds Beckett has become an extremely popular choice for thousands.

Leeds is also home to Leeds Trinity University. This establishment officially gained its university status in 2012, making it relatively modern - however the campus itself has been educating students since 1966. Now equipped with specialist sports science laboratories, fantastic fitness facilities and gymnasium, three camera TV studios and apple mac suites, it is no surprise this institution is such a popular choice. The Guardian University Guide 2020 placed Leeds Trinity in the top 25 UK Universities for course satisfaction and teaching.

There are also specialist universities in Leeds. The University of Law is a for-profit private university that has nine campuses across the UK, including one in Leeds, as well as an international center in Hong Kong. Formerly known as The College of Law, it is the UK's largest law school and specialises in professional development and legal training and is widely respected for its achievements within the legal educational field.

In 2017 Leeds College of Art also gained its university status and became Leeds Art University. Today it operates as a specialist higher education institution to the arts, offering undergraduate courses in animation, fashion, fine art, graphic design and photography - to name a few. Leeds Art University was the first of its kind in the North of England and is home to two city centre campuses and thousands of creative students.

Due to its extremely large student population, Leeds has hundreds of restaurants, cafes and eateries that are student budget friendly. In this city you don't have to compromise quality for cost, and you are certainly not limited in terms of menu options. No matter what dietary requirements you may have, or what cuisine you may be in the mood for, Leeds has the answer.

As well as being home to tons of big name chain restaurants and fast food outlets, Leeds city centre is also home to Trinity Kitchen, an eatery quite unlike any other. This vibrant, lively food court space rotates its vendors every few months, each operating out of street food style vans and kiosks, offering different dishes and various cuisines. With each rotation discover a new favourite, all at competitive prices!

Assembly Underground is another must visit venue in Leeds. This unique bar and restaurant is situated in the basement of an iconic building on George Street, and has become widely recognised as one of the cities not so hidden gems. Celebrated for its variety of craft ales and gins, and its deliciously diverse street food inspired menu, Assembly Underground makes the perfect spot for students eating out.

If it's an afternoon treat you’re after, take a trip to the Grand Arcade and visit Just Grand!, one of Leeds’ quaintest vintage tearooms. Enjoy a slice of freshly baked cake and a hot cup of freshly brewed Yorkshire Tea, in true British tradition.

Leeds also has great takeaway and delivery services, with most central restaurants participating in either JustEat, UberEats or Deliveroo offers. With a wide variety of cuisines and dishes to choose from, your taste buds can travel the globe, all from the comfort of your own room. 

One of the great things about Leeds is its extensive choices when it comes to leisure activities and outlets. One great way to bond with flat mates and neighbours is by entering as a team into one of the various pub quiz nights, or visiting board game cafes, crazy golf courses or escape room experiences - all of which are available at your fingertips in Leeds city centre.

One great way to get to know the city is by taking one of the guided walking tours across Leeds city centre, from historical, cultural and factual tours to essentially supervised pub crawls where guests sample many different types of ale, there is something here to interest everyone. The Leeds Food Tours are extremely popular, and guide guests around the city's best independent eateries, trying their signature dishes and unleashing newly discovered flavour pallets.

There are also bowling alleys, arcade centres, cinemas and rock climbing walls to keep your evenings entertained, and to make it even better most of these venues are very reasonably priced and offer special student discounts or membership schemes.

Or, if you just want to get away from the busy city and stresses of modern life, why not take a trip to one of the city’s beautifully historic landmarks. Kirkstall Abbey, Harewood House and Bramham Park all have gorgeous grounds that also serve as the perfect place to relax and unwind in the sunshine. If it’s idyllic outdoor spaces you love, be sure to visit the ducklings at Golden Acre Park or take a picnic down to Horsforth Hall Park for the afternoon.

Much like most student cities, Leeds has a schedule packed with unmissable events. From religious celebrations, to traditional markets, food festivals and charity fundraisers organised in partnership with the local councils - there is an event for everyone.

In Leeds it is well known that it is not just that major theatres and city centre venues that put on a good show. There are a number of local venues that welcome up and coming comedians, performers and musicians - with their often student orientated material - to their stages each month, and with very competitive ticket pricing, these events have proven to be a hit with the younger community in Leeds.

Every year in winter, fantastic celebrations are held for Diawli, Bonfire Night and Christmas, each event bringing together hundreds of locals to watch beautiful displays of lights and colour. All three events welcome crowds of locals to celebrate the festivities with hot food and drink from independent stalls, whilst they enjoy the glistening gold decorations, fantastic firework displays and charming lights switch on, brightening up the entire street.

Then, to kick off the new year in the right way, local pub favourite and live music venue The Brudenell Social Club hosts the Brew-Dunell Beer Festival in January. This celebration and taste testing event allows its guests to try new and vintage craft ales, discover new flavours and stomach new strengths, all whilst enjoying live music and sampling savory snacks.

One of the most popular events in this city's social calendar is Leeds Festival. Held every summer in Bramham Park, this music festival attracts thousands of fans from across the globe to join together and party in true festival style. With international names gracing the stage year after year, this festival has gained an incredible reputation amongst students as a great way to celebrate the end of term. Will you join them next year?