Leicester Uni

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DS didn't get his predicted grades for his first choice uni or his insurance, TBH a bit shock to us all as had consistently had A/Bs the whole way through mocks. He's decided on Leicester to do Sociology and Criminology - I know nothing about the Uni / area and have read many mixed reviews on the uni. He really liked them when he spoke to them and the SEN made time to speak to him too and we were actually really impressed with both of the people we spoke to. I do actually think a smaller uni would suit him but I am just a bit worried as it's a real unknown for us. If it makes any difference he's from London so really wanted something that was diverse.

Any insights would be great -thanks so much.

I went to Leicester 25 years ago. I had a great time and definitely suited a smaller campus university (although it's a city campus and the halls are elsewhere). It has a good reputation but does have a bit of an image problem : it's not Russell group but it is redbrick. The uni wasn't that diverse when I was there but I think it is much more now. The city was very diverse, I think about 30% BEM when I was there and definitely higher now. Diwali was amazing - we used to watch the fireworks from the roof of our flat in the third year. And you could eat really good asian food. I did study sociology in the first year as part of another social science degree and found it really interesting.

Thank you, this is really helpful.

Has anyone else got any experience at Leicester? TY

DC1 went to 3 separate unis (Bachelors, Diploma and Masters) and Leicester was their preferred one out of the three.

It's not "fashionable" nor "Russell Group" (which means sod all to anyone really) but it's a good strong redbrick and I'd be more than happy if my DC was going there.

Parking for graduation will be an absolute pig, though.

@JustPlumCrow inane ramblings have been reported.

DD1 just graduated had a great time there - they do have a good disablities service.

Don't know about that department/faculty - they've just has big re-organisation for some departments - got rid of coures - not much confidence in leadership from staff and students at moment.

Accomdation was pretty good for her and cheaper than other cities - cheaper than where next child went.

It's not great for youngest potential subject area - lots of disprution and low confidence and course may get cut later.

So it depends really - uni really good and geat city but some courses/departments not having a great time at moment.

This is all really useful - thanks so much. He's doing Sociology so I am assuming that's an established course.

Not sure what meant by this. DD1 course was a long establish univeristy subject and one Leicester well known for they were re-organised into larger facility but effect on her was minimal. Youngest looking main stream science subject just that department is just not doing well at Leciester.

I've no idea what they have done or plan to do with Sociology department if anything but he spoken to someone from the department and they seem positive I'd say that was a good sign.

The were in news while ago cutting their langauge and film courses.
BBC:University to cut film and modern languages courses

I have seen a lot of their courses in clearing this year and I suspect some of that down to negative publicty due to changes - but if department looks soild I'd say go for it as Leciester university is a geat place.

I visited it with dd, with quite low expectations to be honest - but it ended up my favourite! I really liked that it was quite a small campus, it felt much less overwhelming than some others, and its in a really nice leafy area by a lovely park. Leicester is also one of the more diverse cities we looked at . I tried to convince dd of its benefits but she didnt, in the end, think the course there was right for her. I'd have been more than happy if she'd chosen it.

I went to Leicester uni about 20 years ago for my post grad, stayed after to work in the department.
I can't say much about student life/night life because I'm far too old now to know anything and the clubs I used to love closed in covid!
The campus is small and contained. The main accommodation is a 5 walk away - Freeman's common halls have all been built in the last few years, there's a multi story car park on site. There's also older halls in Oadby which is a 10 min bus ride away.
2nd and 3rd year students tend to live in Clarendon Park, which is about 10min walk away. which is a mix of family homes and student houses. All terraces, narrow roads, on-street parking. Great community. It's thought of as a nice area. Queens Road runs through the middle of Clarendon park, lots of bars, restaurants, independent shops. Nice vibe.
Victoria Park is right next to the uni, lovely green space, but don't walk through it at night.
Local supermarket is morrisons, 5 min walk. Cinema just next door
It's about 15 min walk to the train station. Town is about a 25 min walk. Leicester as a city is incredibly diverse, and the uni represents that. Food is fantastic, the best curries you'll get! Amol sweet centre's (on Welford Road) aloo gobi and samosas are perfect! Good Turkish and Chinese food too. Love the culture - divali, caribbean carnival, events in vicky park in the summer

Very diverse Uni, lots of international students. City centre grim, be careful. Lots of recent stabbings/ machete attacks, one a couple of weeks ago very close to the Uni. Likely no worse than other big cities but I notice more as I live and work in the city.

I work there (not in your son's intended department) and live close by. I'd encourage my kids to study there. The uni is incredibly diverse, there's a whole load of good brand new accommodation just off campus (there's still the "village" on the outskirts of the city by the botanical gardens). There's also a new multi storey car park near to campus and in graduation weeks uni staff are asked to work at home if possible or park elsewhere). The review/ restructure/ round of cuts is now finished. Those depts affected are not recruiting new students. Sociology not affected at all.
Leicester is not a rich city but it is diverse, friendly and relatively cheap.

I think it's a great place to do a sociology degree and know people that teach there, they are enthusiastic and invested in the students, and it's got a diverse and lively city life, and is centrally located so students can also travel easily. I'd rather my child went somewhere where they get a good vibe, good engagement from the staff and was slightly cheaper, it's also well-ranked by the latest Sunday Times ranking- about 25th out of nearly 150 in the UK, so it's not a lower tier university by any means.

My DD did a BA in American Studies there, she’s 27 now. Loved it, got a 1st and some great friends.

It’s a lovely university! RIP the paternoster in the Attenborough Building.

I did my PhD there after an Oxford BA and MSt so it was very different but I liked it a lot. The shops on campus, the library, etc, all really convenient.

Hi OP - we can see that you're getting plenty of advice already but do let us know if you'd like us to move this thread to our Higher Education topic.

@JoMumsnet - that would be great. Thank you

I went to Leicester. Loved it. Recently went back for a work thing and thought how much the town had developed for the better.

Thank you everyone, I am feeling so much better after reading all of these comments. Also been doing some reading on their Sociology department and ranks really well.