A student's guide to Leicester

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 want life. Shopping and socialising in a safe place, soaking up art and culture, revelling in high-profile sports, or enjoying a bit of respite from the city in beautiful countryside locations – Leicester has everything you’re looking for and more.

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 fourth most vibrant city in the UK, putting it ahead of the likes of Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds and London (Top Cities Vibrancy Report, 2022), as well as the best city in the East Midlands to live and work (Good Growth for Cities Index, 2022). 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 and has been named among the country’s start-up hotspots (Capital on Tap), with DMU named one of Britain’s top 10 universities for the most student and graduate start-ups. Our award-winning careers support and employability service, DMU Works, is here to open doors for you and to help you find your dream career. DMU students can get a helping hand to kick-start their careers as part of the Leicester1000 initiative, which connects graduates with highly skilled jobs offered by DMU’s employer network in the city.

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, centred on the city’s Golden Mile, named by the vast number of traditional Indian jewellery shops, boutiques and restaurants. It’s an inclusive city with a long history of welcoming a variety of ethnic communities and religious faiths.

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

Leicester is a true sporting city. Home to FA Cup-winning Premier League football club Leicester City, ten-time rugby union champions Leicester Tigers, one of the UK’s most successful women’s hockey clubs, basketball side Leicester Riders and Leicestershire County Cricket Club – all partners of DMU – sports fans will be spoiled for choice.

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.

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

A big city on your doorstep

A city for your career

A city rich in cultural diversity

A city always moving forwards

A city for sport lovers

A city to enjoy the arts

A city with links

Hear from students who made Leicester their home

I found a new home: Kadafi's story

Swapping London for Leicester

How to cope with the big move

Top things to do in Leicester

Offers and discounts for students