The city of Leicester has been ranked fifth in a league table showing the most affordable places in the UK to be a student.
The landmark Clocktower in Leicester city centre
The home of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) climbed up four places compared to last year’s table and can claim to have the cheapest travel pass out of any university town in the UK at £29, compared to nearby university cities such as Nottingham and Coventry whose travel prices hover around the £50-a-month mark.
Leicester was also competitive when it comes to taxi fares, cinema tickets, dining out for two and the price of a pint.
In order to determine where each University city would rank, credit card website Marbles.com used a weighted index to provide a score for individual categories as well as an overall score.
The categories covered the average weekly rent, cost of a travel pass, gym membership, cinema tickets, a pint of beer, the cost of a kebab, price of a meal out for two and a taxi ride.
Just like last year, however, DMU offers even cheaper options than the average costs attributed to Leicester by the league table of 50 cities.
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The view towards St Peter's Square at Highcross Shopping Centre
Weekly rents at DMU halls start at £99, which includes utility bills, internet and contents insurance, while the university’s QEII Leisure Centre, which includes gym, pool and sports hall, offers memberships to students for less than £15 a month.
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Our partnership with the Phoenix arts centre also means students can enjoy a night at the movies for just £6.50.
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Value for money is just one of the many attractions that Leicester offers its students.
“We’re a city that loves cycling and walking, that’s proud of its 2,000 year history and that offers a thriving city centre with all the attractions you’d expect.
“Leicester is a great place to visit and a wonderful city to study and live in.”
Curve Theatre and Athena in Leicester's Cultural Quarter
Thomas Cross, from Marbles.com, said: “Leicester’s jump from ninth place in 2016 into the top five this year reflects on how the city really caters for its students. The city has benefited from very low student rent and the lowest transport costs out of all 50 university towns.”
Leicester's reputation as one of the best cities in which to live and work was backed up by research published in April this year.
The 2016 Good Growth for Cities Index ranks Leicester among the top 10 English cities, ahead of London and Brighton, as well as Midlands neighbours Nottingham, Birmingham and Derby.
Leicester (DMU) is known for its history, culture and diversity, with the discovery of Richard III and Leicester City Football Club's 5,000-1 Premier League victory making news around the globe.
Posted on Wednesday 12 July 2017