Moving to Leeds as a student

All of the universities offer a place in university halls of residence for first year students, which makes the transition from home a bit more straightforward. There are a number of factors to take into account when making your accommodation choice, as facilities, price and location vary quite a lot. Some halls provide catering whilst in others you'll have a shared kitchen and make your own food. And, whilst one person might be fine with shared bathroom facilities, another will have an en suite as a must. Whichever you go for, it's a great way of meeting people and making friends.

Check on the university website for details, but you'll find that accommodation in the city centre is likely to be pricier than further out of town. Most of the universities have some student accommodation either on campus or in the city centre. Headingley, Kirkstall and Burley are popular spots a little further out, whilst Leeds Trinity students tend to stay on campus in Horsforth. And the terms of the contract might vary as well - the shorter ones will help you save on costs, but longer ones allow you to stay around that bit longer.

Whatever your decision, send your application sooner rather than later to be sure of getting the right room!

For most students, staying in university residences isn't an option after the first year. Private halls are an equivalent kind of accommodation, except they're run by private companies. In Leeds, as with many other cities, private halls are becoming much more widely available. They often have flats - with around five bedrooms - and a shared kitchen and living room. Many also offer individual studio flats. As with university halls, all of your bills tend to be included, which means not having to worry about heating or WIFI, or how to make sure all of your housemates contribute to costs equally. They will be more expensive than a privately rented student house, but are likely to be more comfortable. Also, some might not need a deposit, and you might be able to rent for a whole year rather than just the academic year.

One of the most well-known of the private halls in Leeds is Sky Plaza, not just the tallest building in Leeds but the second-tallest student accommodation building in the world.

This is a choice many students make in their second or third years, usually moving to a shared rented house with friends or other students. By this time in your uni life, you'll probably have a pretty good idea about the city, and will know that Headingley, Woodhouse and Hyde Park are popular areas for student homes.

• Headingley is handy for both Leeds University and Leeds Beckett, and just one stop from Leeds Trinity on the train. You'll have your choice of independent shops, cafés and bars, and there's even a monthly farmer's market.
• Hyde Park is closer to Leeds University, and just a few minutes by train from the city centre. The Hyde Park Picture House is a much-loved community institution, and you've also got the nearby Woodhouse Park for relaxation.

Don't rule out other options, though: students are increasingly looking to a wider outskirts of the city, with Armley and Beeston offering competitive rental prices. Check out Unipol for an overview; they also provide links to reputable letting agents and landlords, so you won't get ripped off.

Most places will have their own centres for shopping, and pubs to visit if you don't feel like the trip to the city centre. Think about your transport options: is it important to be near a train station, or will buses give you more flexibility? Student areas tend to be vibrant, but also noisy: are you craving some peace and quiet instead? Inner city neighbourhoods with diverse ethnic populations will offer alternative options for food and culture, such as Chapeltown's annual West Indian Carnival.

Train:

Leeds railway station is one of the busiest in the UK, and has the largest number of platforms outside of London. So wherever you need to get to, you'll have no trouble getting there by rail. For shorter journeys, Burley Park, Headingley and Horsforth - all popular student areas - are easily accessible by train, and a reasonably-priced option if you get a 16-24 railcard.

Bus:

There's a great network of bus routes around the city, and you can also get out into the countryside for days out. Day passes are less than a fiver, and there are also monthly options. Or grab a Student Rolling Month ticket, which renews automatically and could save you up to £150 a year. Leeds University Union even has a £1 Night Bus: sign up in the foyer, and you'll be taken right to your door. The driver waits to see you go inside.

For trips further away, coaches can provide a budget option for adventures; National Express and Megabus both operate services from the city.

One of the benefits of living in a student city is the varied and affordable nightlife. One of the fun parts of that is finding your own favourite events, especially when no-one else has heard of them!

In the meantime, here are some of our recommendations.

Big nights out:

The legendary clubs Mission and Tunnel may sadly be no more, thanks to the pandemic, but it'll be exciting to see what comes along to replace them. In the meantime, why not check out Pryzm for Fix Fridays and Lyfe Code Saturdays, both with three options - the main Stage, Curve and Disco rooms.

For big name bands just a short walk from the city centre, you've got the First Direct arena, voted the Best New Venue in the World at its opening in 2014. The O2 Academy, housed in an historic Grade II building originally known as the Coliseum, is also a destination for major bands and DJs. The Belgrave Music Hall, one of the main venues for the city's Live at Leeds festival, is an independent venue serving up music, art, film and food across three floors and a breath-taking rooftop terrace. You'll find gigs on offer here from both emerging local bands and big-time names.

Getting out into the countryside is excellent for de-stressing and recharging of batteries. Luckily, there's a whole host of great places to visit within easy reach.

Roundhay Park is one of the largest city parks in Europe, covering 700 acres and including woodland, lakes and specialist gardens. It's easy to reach by bus, and you can use a day rider ticket. Added attractions include Tropical World, where you can experience the landscape of different habitats, including jungle, desert and aquatic environments. The top draw for many is the family of meerkats!

Kirkstall Abbey, one of the best-preserved Cistercian Monasteries in the country, makes for an atmospheric day out with loads of Gothic photo ops. The nearby Abbey House Museum recreates the feel of Victorian Leeds: you can wander around the houses, shops and inn, and even join in with dressing up.

The Meanwood Valley Trail, stretching seven miles from Woodhouse Moor to Golden Acre Park, is perfect for cycling, running and walking, and will take you through the Meanwood Valley Local Nature Reserve.

Closer to home, don't forget to visit the Royal Armouries Museum, which houses the United Kingdom's national collection of arms and armour and is the country's oldest museum.