Leeds University > Reviews > A Degree In Life

Author's product rating:   

IT Facilities	Excellent
Libraries	Excellent
Societies/Clubs	Reasonable
Accommodation	Good
Nightlife	Excellent

Advantages:	friendly, cheap, good facilities
Disadvantages:	crime

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I've just 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 very nicely and nearly make you want to go to lecures. The university has about a million libraries, the ones that I go in all seem to be well stocked and I haven't needed to buy a book yet. They are open for ages (7 am - midnight), so you'll always be able to find out that vital bit of information, and then write it all up as certain computer clusters are open 24 hours, well I know where I'll be on a Friday night then. The campus itself is rather big and daunting when you first arrive. The first thing that you see is the massive Parkinson building complete with clock tower and loads of steps up to it. This can 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 at the longest bar in England, then wondering why you're falling asleep in your 5 o'clock lecture. There is also a good selection of shops in the union to pick up bargain books and all things work like, but I'm not too sure how you get to them. Loads of food outlets are also crammed in, though I would reccomend the bakers opposite the Parkinson building for a truly tasty pasty.

The university is actually located about 1/2 a mile to the North west of the city centre. There are loads of buses going from the city past the uni to the students homeland of Headingley and Hyde park. These run all night so it's never too far home from a night out in the city centre, and they'll be plenty of those.

My other reviews have covered the nightlife in Leeds quite well so I won't go into detail, you'll have to read the others, but I'll just say there's always loads going on and if you want to find out what just stand in front of the union for about 2 seconds at midday and you'll soon have so many flyers you'll need a horse to carry them home for you. Another good way of finding out what's about is the society and club fair in freshers week, where everyone will be trying to get you to sign up for something, though most of them just end up with you getting pissed. Oh what a shame. There is also a free weekly newspaper available from the union which will contain much out of date information and useless news stories, but you may occasionally find something of interest in there.

Most of Leeds's 25,000 students live in the Headingley and Hyde park areas of Leeds, this is where most of the university halls are situated and where most people choose to rent a house in their second year. There is quite a lot to do in this area, with loads of pubs to spend many an evening playing giant jenga in, or maybe lie about in the park on a hot summers day pretending to revise. The actual area is quite dirty and rundown, there is a lot of crime but this is to be expected in an area full of students computers, stereos, tv's and so on. It's usually best to think about this when choosing your house, but I'd of thought you'd already know that. I would reccomend living in halls in the first year as you get to meet loads of people other than people of your course, and can lead to many good friendships. I stayed in Clarence dock halls in my first year, the opposite end of town to the uni and everyone else, but it was close to the town centre and I had a wicked time and met many smashing people.

So, in conclusion to this study into a student lifestyle in Leeds, I would say that it's a great place to study. The city is great, a lot nicer than I though it was going to be, the nightlife is ace, the people are friendly, living is cheap (we're up north, wahey!) and I've been told that a degree from Leeds is rather well respected, which is a bonus. Seriously though, I think Leeds uni is a great place to study and I'm thoroughly happy with my choice.