I'm currently a second year student at the University of Leeds and I 100% recommend it!!
COMPUTING FACILITIES
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I would say that one of the strengths of Leeds University is its number of computer clusters. It has absolutely loads! There are 29 clusters currently ... Read review
Advantages: Great friendly city, cheap living, good reputation, excellent computer facilities Disadvantages: Traffic, not particularly cheap union
...student at the University of Leeds and I 100% recommend it!!
COMPUTING FACILITIES
****************************
I would say that one of the strengths of Leeds University is its number of computer clusters. It has absolutely loads! There are 29 clusters currently provided by ISS (the university's computer network people) with over 1600 computers between them. I am currently sat in a rather large cluster with many, many ... ...their unions. The one at Leeds is the largest one I have seen. It has pretty much everything you could want.
Every year, they update the union at least a little bit, and add new facilities, so if you read my review in a year or so, it might have changed.
Right now, there is the "Essentials" shop, where you can buy practically anything you need, from apples to chocolate bars to newspapers and magazines to ... more
I'm currently a second year student at the University of Leeds and I 100% recommend it!!
COMPUTING FACILITIES **************************** I would say that one of the strengths of Leeds University is its number of computer clusters. It has absolutely loads! There are 29 clusters currently provided by ISS (the university's computer network people) with over 1600 computers between them. I am currently sat in a rather large cluster with many, many computers free. ISS also provide screens telling you where computers are free, if the cluster of your first choice is full; so you can pretty much always find a computer if you want one!
ISS also offer quite extensive wireless coverage over the campus. This means you can take your own laptop into uni and connect to the Internet via the university network. One of the main wireless areas, the Parkinson Building (the main entrance to the uni) is open into the evening and at weekends, so if you're waiting for the Internet to be connected at home, or you just don't have it, it's a good backup connection! You simply log on using your username and password. It couldn't be much more convenient, really.
On the computers there is pretty much all the software you need to do your coursework. There is a "Departmental Software" folder on the desktop when you log in, so you can access all of the software you need from any ISS computer. You can also buy some of the software from ISS at very reasonable rates, as your copy is often covered by their licence. I bought a copy of "Maple 10" for £10 which retails from $125 for a student edition.
In addition to ISS-run computers, many departments operate their own computers. For example, in the School of Chemistry, there is a quiet work area with several computers just for Chemistry students. Some of the Chemistry labs also have dedicated Chemistry computers. Also, the School of Computing (and this shouldn't come as a surprise, really!) operate their own computer labs which are open until late, with different kinds of operating systems and everything a computery student needs, just for their students.
LIBRARY FACILITIES *********************** There are two main libraries on campus: the Brotherton Library and the Edward Boyle Library. Some departments offer their own specialist libraries on top of this. The Brotherton Library is mainly for artsy subjects while the Edward Boyle Library is mainly for sciency subjects. In addition, there are libraries at the other campuses, but I've never been there, so I can't comment on the facilities.
The libraries stock several copies of the recommended texts for every module, ridiculous amounts of other books (for further reading and researching), DVDs (supposed to be for language, theatre and English students... but there are some good ones in there, and I just use it like a video rental shop... but for free!), CDs, videos, journals (good for researching!) and lots of things I'm sure I haven't yet discovered!
Searching for what you want isn't very difficult at all, as you have library catalogue searching facilities on dedicated computers in every library and online. Your library record can also be accessed online, so you can see when you need to return your books and also renew them online.
EDUCATION FACILITIES *************************** There are loaaaaaads of lecture theatres. The main place for lectures to take place is the Roger Stevens Building. It's basically a pretty huge building with lecture theatres stacked upon lecture theatres. Unusual architechture, but if you want to see it as nice, just think 60s futuristic. The buildings around the Roger Stevens building reflect this style of architecture, but it almost transports you to another world. There are lecture theatres in individual departments, too, such as in Engineering, Chemistry, Textiles and others. In general, they're pretty comfortable and optimise your lecture experience!
There are also classrooms for maths and many seminar rooms for seminars.
I can only comment on the other facilities specifically for my course. The labs I work in have recently been refurbished and there is everything you need in them. I feel quite privileged to use them.
THE CAMPUS **************** The university is based on quite a large campus, with everything together. One half of the campus (the Parkinson Building end) is quite old in style, all with a white stone facade and beautiful columns, inside and out. The buildings really are quite stunning. As you go further into the campus, there are lovely red brick buildings and arches, including the Student Union. One half is as I described above: 60s futuristic. The remaining (I know it's more than 1 now!) is just normal looking old streets that have been taken over by the university, the houses being accommodation or offices. It really is a lovely campus! I recommend exploring.
THE UNION ************* Where do I start on the union? When I went on open days to other universities, I got tours of their unions. The one at Leeds is the largest one I have seen. It has pretty much everything you could want.
Every year, they update the union at least a little bit, and add new facilities, so if you read my review in a year or so, it might have changed.
Right now, there is the "Essentials" shop, where you can buy practically anything you need, from apples to chocolate bars to newspapers and magazines to lab coats to pencils to hoodies (and much more!). Next door to Essentials is its smaller sister, "Extras+". Extras+ is open far longer than Essentials and has things like sandwiches, sweets, cigarettes and wine. Another fantastic union shop is "CATS", which apparently comes from "Cards and Tickets", which describes what it sells! It has a very wide range of greetings cards and sweet handcrafted-style gifts like jewellery and photo frames. It's a really lovely shop to just have a look around, really! The newest addition to the union's shops is "Hiccup". Hiccup sells designer brand fashion and accessories. Again, another nice shop to have a look around. Finally, there's "Union Books". Apparently it's the only union-run bookshop in the country. It stocks all the recommended books for your course and more. There's also a second-hand section, where you can sell on your books or buy second-hand ones at knocked down prices.
In addition to the union-run shops, there's the Orange shop (for mobiles, not oranges), STA Travel, Endsleigh Insurance, Oxfam, AKB Laptop Hire, Ozone Hairdressers, University Vision (opticians) and Media Services (for past exam papers and printing of things).
There are several eateries in the union, my favourite being MJs. At MJs you can get fairtrade (and non-fairtrade) drinks and food at reasonable prices. £1 for a large (and scrummy!) hot chocolate... not bad, eh? Their hot meat rolls are divine. Another place to eat is the Refectory. They provide pretty nice cafeteria-style hot meals at not so bad prices. The Refectory is also used for larger concerts, and they're quite regular, so it's worth keeping an eye out for who's coming soon.
You can also eat at Mine during the day, which doubles up as a venue for small, intimate gigs and at The Old Bar, which is the union's pub with a really nice atmosphere. The Old Bar run pub quizzes and suchlike.
The Terrace is a nice place to go during the day, and at night, for a drink (not necessarily alcoholic - they do smoothies and fairtrade coffee and hot chocolate) and a game of pool.
The main club in the union is Stylus. It's a 1000 capacity venue and holds events such as the award-winning Fruity, Brighton Beach and The Wendy House. I'm pretty sure there will be a night in Stylus for people of all tastes in music.
Apart from places where you can spend your money, there are services that the union offers to students for free. JobLink is the union's job centre, where you can find student-friendly jobs and advice. There's also the Student Advice Centre, where you can get advice on pretty much anything. The lovely people at the Student Advice Centre can also act as your representative if you have disputes, for example, with your landlord. The union's "ARC" (Activites and Resource Centre) provides information and support on what the union has to offer.
The only criticism I have of the union is the prices. They are not for profit, but the prices aren't any cheaper (or more expensive) than you'd expect elsewhere. The profit they make is put back into the union providing the services it offers and for keeping it lovely. For this reason, I tend not to shop in the union.
SOCIETIES ************* Following on nicely from the union is the union's societies. There are a great many societies and sports societies: 210 in all! There's something there for everyone. In particular, I joined the Gliding Club. Every weekend they take a group of members to a local gliding club and you can learn how to fly a glider. To join, it's £15 (at the start of the year, afterwards it's £20) and then you can go as often as time and the weather allows! All you have to pay for after you join is the cost of the flights, which isn't much. I have friends who are in many societies, such as ballroom dancing, the union's TV station and scuba diving.
ACCOMMODATION ********************* Leeds University offers first years a guaranteed place in university accommodation, as long as you return your form before a certain date. This means that clearing entrants don't have a guaranteed place. I got my place through clearing, but I still got a place in uni accommodation in my first year, so I reckon chances are still pretty good.
In my first year, I lived in catered Bodington Hall. Apart from the distance (5 miles), I can't particularly fault it. The rooms were a reasonable size - I had a normal sized room, but there are a couple which are much bigger in each house, and yet they pay the same, so good luck if you're going for Bodington catered.
My room also had a sink, which is useful (for brushing your teeth, washing your face, filling your kettle, etc) but no en suite. From my experience, I don't believe an en suite is necessary. In a typical bathroom, there are 3 showers and 2 toilets. I sometimes had to wait a second for a toilet, but never for a shower. The only complaint I had about the showers was that they weren't so powerful, but you get used to it. The bathroom is cleaned regularly - I never noticed it being dirty, and your bedroom once a week, which is handy! I had to share my bathroom with 5 other girls, but some had to share between 8. There's a bathroom on each floor, on each wing.
On each floor, on each wing (so... per bathroom) there is a small kitchen. It's mainly there for preparing snacks for dinner on Sundays and lunch during the week. Ours got so disgusting that I would avoid going in there. This is because a girl I shared it refused to eat the provided meals and cooked pasta every day, and left it in a tip. The cleaner was good, though, and it was sparkling 2 mornings a week, after she'd cleaned it and before the pasta lover had got pasta sauce all over it.
On weekdays, breakfast and an evening meal is provided. On Saturdays it's brunch and an evening meal and on Sundays it's just lunch. The quality of the food isn't bad, especially saying what you pay, and the times that it's served aren't bad either. I learnt in the 3rd term the value of actually going to breakfast - I always got to uni on time if I did.
At Bodington, there is a connection to the university network in your room at no extra charge, and you pay no bills apart from your rent. It's a pretty easy start to living away from home.
The distance is really the only major problem. It takes about 30 minutes to get into uni with medium traffic. In the rush hours, the road to uni is jam-packed and it can take longer. The only good thing is the bus lane, which skips you past most of the traffic in the morning, but it's only on the way to uni, not back, and it's only for part of the time. There are plenty of buses, but when you want one, there never is one, and when you don't, there are loads. I've had to wait about 30 minutes for a bus on occasions, and in the mornings there are often large queues for the bus, but usually it was ok. The main advice I can give is allow LOADS of time (at least an hour) to get in for exams to avoid stress.
The only other accommodation I've visited is Leodis. It's self-catered and just been built. It's quite nice really. All the rooms (that I've seen) are en suite with their own shower, toilet and sink and not badly sized. There is a lift (which I've been told occasionally breaks down) in every building. The shared kitchens are reasonably sized with two fridge-freezers. Just hope your flatmates wash up!
It's usual for students to move into private accommodation in their 2nd and 3rd (and 4th) years. In Leeds there is quite a surplus of student accommodation, so you can afford to be picky. I personally pay £52.50 per week on rent (plus bills), to share a 1 bedroom flat with my boyfriend, this year. This is actually slightly lower than the "average" rent, but what you would expect to pay on rent in the 2nd year and beyond wouldn't be more than about £10 per week above this unless you want something really special.
There are many private landlords in Leeds, but the best are approved by Unipol. Unipol are an organisation associated with Leeds and Leeds Met Universities to provide affordable and quality housing for students. They offer some accommodation themselves, but mainly they advertise accommodation from other landlords that hold up the Unipol Code of Standards. If you get a house or flat through Unipol, you know that you're probably not going to get hassle from your landlord.
COST OF LIVING ******************* I've heard many times that Leeds is (at least one of) the cheapest student city. I have to agree! Last year I paid £100 per week for Bodington Hall catered. On top of this, I had to buy a bus pass (about £250 to get them for the whole year) and lunch (about £8 per week). I'm sure at other universities it would be more expensive.
Now... this year! I have already said that I pay £52.50 per week on rent. Taking into account EVERYTHING, I spend about £70 per week. That's absolutely everything (but not tuition fees). Sure, I don't live a particularly thrifty lifestyle and I don't go out clubbing every week, but I don't live in complete poverty, I eat well and have occasional luxuries. If you watch your pennies, you can live easily on less than £100 per week.
SHOPPING ************* Leeds city centre is renouned for its shopping. There really are LOADS of shops (compared to my home town). I believe all of the major high street names can be found somewhere in Leeds.
NIGHTLIFE ************* Before I came to Leeds, I wasn't aware of how fantastic it is for its nightlife. There are countless clubs, bars and pubs and if that's not for you (or even if it is!) there are cinemas and bowling alleys. Oceana is a particularly good and large club, offering many different themed rooms all in 1 club. The best part, in my opinion, is the large "ballroom" with chandeliers and things, which is basically a very very large dancefloor. Other rooms include the "New York" disco with a flashing coloured square dancefloor (I don't know how else to describe it!) and this Swiss lodge style room where you can have a sit down to rest your feet. Take advantage of free memberships to the clubs - it will save you money when you get in. Just give them a fake email address when you sign up, unless you want email from them.
QUALITY OF EDUCATION ***************************** I'm sure that the next most important thing to you, after the nightlife, is the quality of the education. I'm pretty satisfied with mine! My lecturers are very helpful (though the degree of helpfulness varies) and offer support outside lectures. I have tutorials to do every week, and I meet up with an appropriate tutor in a group to discuss it. I find them very useful.
EQUALITY ************ The university has a dedicated equality unit, so if you're disabled or from an ethic minority, you're catered for. I don't believe there is any part of the university that a person in a wheelchair could not access, as there are ramps to get into the buildings and lifts everywhere. They take special measures to ensure there is no discrimination, so there's nothing to worry about.
In general, the university has an excellent reputation, and I don't think you'll come away disappointed from the University of Leeds!
Advantages: Excellent Atmosphere Disadvantages: Too many students and not enough facilities
...current second year student at Leeds University i thought i would share my opinions and experiences of this university with you.
Leeds is now the most popular choice for undergraduates and has the largest number of undergraduate applications in the UK. With over 23,000 undergraduates alone, Leeds is an excellent place to study.
When deciding on which university to attend I had certain things I was looking for and so I thought I’d write this opinion ... ...such as Henry price.
Leeds has areas near the university (hyde park, headingly) which are the main student areas, and this is sometimes a problem as in the holidays whole streets of houses will be empty and are often burgled! Where i and the majority of other students rent our houses is not a very nice area, the style of housing is old terrace houses with backstreets which are always full of rubbish! (although now we have been provided with wheelie ...
kazzle 16.05.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Leeds University
Advantages: Reputation, quality of facilities,sports and nightlife Disadvantages: Expensive accommodation
...have been a student at Leeds University for 5 years now, and have experienced it both as an undergraduate and as a postgraduate student. So, I should have a good feel for the place by now!! I took my degree in Geophysics in the Earth Sciences Department, and then stayed on to do a PhD working on volcanic earthquakes.
Leeds University is one of the old red brick Universities, which received investment from the local textile industry to help it expand ... ...you access to all the Leeds sports facilities for either a reduced fee or for free. I have ususally made my money back within a month. The university has a 2 sports centres, the main Sports Centre and the Cromer Terrace Gym. It also owns playing fields to the north of the city, at Weetwood. This is some of what you get for your £30:
Weetwood Playing Fields: Sports clubs use these playing fields to practice and hold matchs. They are free to use.
...
chachaqueen 06.09.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Leeds University
Advantages: friendly, cheap, good facilities Disadvantages: crime
...finished my second year at Leeds uni so it must be about time to share my experiences with you, my adoring public, well maybe. I'm currently studying energy engineering, don't bother asking what it is as I don't really know myself, maybe I should sort that out soon... Anyway, my building is probably the worst on campus, being rather dark and cold, but most of the others, especially the newer ones such as the health science building are all decorated ... ...be viewed from all over Leeds as it is on a hill, and is the first glimpse you get of the uni as you drive in along the M62. The rest of the university is centred around the students union, which has just had a multi-million pound extension and refurbishment, adding some more bars, shops and a club big enough for touring bands to play at. This is in addition to the Old bar which is remaining in the basement, where many an afternoon can be spent marvelling ...
Jeff81 29.11.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Leeds University
Advantages: A fantastic, fun place to be Disadvantages: You have to leave when you finish your course!
...opinion on the University of Leeds for a while so I thought I would share mine with you.
I began my study at Leeds in October 1990 (yes, that long ago!) but I'm sure it hasn't changed much and I would imagine it's only changed for the better. When we arrived (I was lucky enough to have a friend from school on the same course) we quickly found our accomodation began to get acclimatised after being welcomed and given lots of information on what lay ... ...- something every night in Leeds and also the surrounding area (Bradford, Sheffield, Halifax) if you don't mind travelling now and again. There are loads of pubs around the university, some specifically catering for students, if it's just a drink you are after.
Shopping... well that was fantastic too (have you guessed I loved it yet?), I only wish there had been Harvey Nick's in the early nineties... perhaps it's just as well that there wasn't!
...
angelwds 14.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Leeds University
Advantages: Shopping, Drinking and Partying Hard Disadvantages: Crime, Expensive and Traffic
I've been studying in Leeds for almost 2 years now, doing a degree in Medical Sciences. Leeds, the City
Leeds has the best of everything, great restaurants, bars, clubs and shops! The cheapest nights are the ones us students enjoy the most, so here’s a quick list of a few of the cheapest bars and clubs in Leeds:
- The Dry Dock - a bar that’s in a canal barge in the middle of a dual carriageway! It’s a yellow card pub, just opposite the MET and ... ...The Fenton - situated between Leeds Uni and Leeds MET on the main road, this pub is excellent mid-week. If you go in the day they do fab food which is cheap and cheerful and the drinks aren't over-priced either! It’s just a nice little pub, great for daytime lunching.
Courtyard - a bar/club which is best avoided at weekends due to the drinks being extortionate!!!! However, on Tuesday nights, it’s just a couple of quid to get in and drinks offers ...
splatwoman 19.03.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Leeds University
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I'm not sure what university you've been to but it's not the Leeds Met that im at!
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Advantages: Superb Sport Facilities, Amazing NIght life and amazing friends Disadvantages: End of my uni life!
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There are two campuses, roughly 3 miles apart. The one in the city centre is right near the 'proper' university and handles lots of courses. The one in Headingley is for computing, sports and some others like business. Its a lovely setting, with the computing building being a converted farmhouse where Oscar Wilde stayed, and lush green lawns and trees everywhere. Unfortunately the course I am on and the lecturers let the side down. For starters, we are never told anything which goes on. I'll give ...
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