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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not be able to decide between Leeds or Liverpool

54 replies

Northerngal123 · 28/05/2022 21:10

I’m mainly posting in here for traffic! Normally just a browser on this site.

I’m going to go to university in September and have to make my choice before the 7th of June. I really can’t decide between Liverpool or Leeds as my firm choice. Realistically I am doing well in my A level exams and will probably be able to get into both so can choose either to firm.

I’ve just come back from Leeds today after visiting Liverpool last week and my initial feelings of love for Liverpool were conflicted by me loving Leeds too and realising how good the city is.

I’m from Manchester and am going to be studying English literature. Both unis are good for English lit and I’ve been to both open days and liked them equally. The courses are similar with varied options and mandatory early English and Renaissance literature for both so I’d be happy going to either Uni based on that.

my real thing I’m going to narrow it down to now is if I want to spend 3 years in Leeds or Liverpool! It would be really interesting to get advice from people who have lived in either city or have experience of both about what they prefer and why. Or if your dc have tried to decide between either of these unis and what they ended up going with.

I have a good instinct gut feeling about both of them but I’d hate to firm Leeds for instance just because it’s slightly higher for English but then do well (AAB instead of Liverpool’s ABB) and not be able to get to Liverpool and regret it.

I mean I asked my dad who came with me to both what he preferred and he said he ‘felt happier in Liverpool and just loved it for some reason’, which I also felt, but then I felt like that in Leeds too and loved the shopping and there was so much going on, like in Manchester.

OP posts:
Testina · 28/05/2022 23:00

When in doubt, and both are good options, choose the cheapest.

SingingSands · 28/05/2022 23:05

We live in Leeds and my DD is going to Liverpool. We've done two visits (one general open day and one for applicants to her course) and she loved it. I thought Liverpool had a real buzz about it.

littlelovely · 28/05/2022 23:08

Leeds! I did English Lit there and loved it. Great city, excellent course.

DH did English Lit at Liverpool and loved it too, so votes would be split in our house!

BrioNotBiro · 28/05/2022 23:09

If all other things are equal, toss a coin and if you get the 'wrong' answer, you know where to go!

JayAlfredPrufrock · 28/05/2022 23:13

Liverpool

Namechangedforspooky · 28/05/2022 23:18

I love Liverpool and visit every few weeks due to family. I particularly love the beaches and sunsets although that may not be high on your priority list as a student!
Both are great places to be a student. You won’t go far wrong!

SagittariusDwarf · 28/05/2022 23:24

Leeds! I went to Leeds Uni and loved it. Liverpool was my second choice!

Cleopatra05 · 28/05/2022 23:28

I went to Leeds 20 years ago. I loved it so much that I never left! I now live and work here, have had my children here so my vote would be Leeds.

Crikeyalmighty · 28/05/2022 23:35

I know both cities well and like both - but I think Liverpool has the edge- certainly culturally - I actually prefer it to Manchester .

MrsAvocet · 28/05/2022 23:37

I'd go to Leeds.
But then I'd probably go to more or less anywhere in the world rather than live in Liverpool. I really don't get the love for the place at all. I lived there for a while and still have family in the area and think the best thing in Liverpool is the eastbound carriageway of the M62.

MrsJBaptiste · 28/05/2022 23:40

We're from Leeds and DS has applied to Liverpool for Uni. He can't wait to go there as Leeds is such a small city. Having seen both, I'd say Liverpool every time.

awonderfuladventure · 29/05/2022 00:13

I've lived in both cities. Liverpool would probably get my vote as a student. Leeds is a great city too though. You will have a great time in either city am sure.

TrickorTreacle · 29/05/2022 03:08

Liverpool lost to Real Madrid tonight :-P

NotBabiesForLong · 29/05/2022 04:55

Both great cities with great vibe.

Recently, Leeds has had very little flexibility if you miss a grade on results day is this is important to you? Liverpool is cheaper cost of living.

Check which uni, for your course, has lost most time to strikes and delayed marking, as this might be your deciding factor. Some around the UK have lost a lot of teaching to industrial action and others hardly any at all.

Flaxmeadow · 29/05/2022 05:10

MrsJBaptiste · 28/05/2022 23:40

We're from Leeds and DS has applied to Liverpool for Uni. He can't wait to go there as Leeds is such a small city. Having seen both, I'd say Liverpool every time.

I suppose a difference is that Leeds is a bigger city than Liverpool and so more opportunities in the long run but Liverpool is OK too.
On balance Leeds is the more happening and exciting place for someone young (sorry Liverpool)

Flaxmeadow · 29/05/2022 05:14

...sorry just realised you said Leeds was a smaller city!

Leeds is a much bigger city than Liverpool

Kalettesarethebest · 29/05/2022 05:48

I’m from Manchester and both my daughters went to Leeds uni (one is still there) Both have loved going to uni there and have said the student experience is amazing.
It’s close enough to Manchester and a good student city where the students are welcomed. Loads to do with good nightlife, markets, craft fairs, shops etc.
You’re not too far away from lovely scenery, I love Leeds!! (I may be biased!!)
I also know people who have been to uni in Liverpool/ still there and love/d it.
Not much help really. Perhaps look more closely at the courses to help decide?

SummerWhisper · 29/05/2022 06:17

Liverpool. It is a unique place and incredibly friendly as well as beautiful. Leeds is fab too, so she is spoilt for choice, but Liverpool is an interesting city with beautiful suburbs that have fantastic bohemian cultures of their own such as Lark Lane, Smithdown, Allerton - all brilliant for young people. Different parts of the city centre are now known as 'quarters and districts such as the Knowledge Quarter, the fashion district, the Baltic Quarter etc.

There are so many literary, cultural and arts festivals in Liverpool and across Merseyside and some great theatres snd museums and loads of free big events. It's just fab. I live on the Wirral but constantly popping "over the water" for fun stuff. There's also beautiful nature nearby such as red squirrels and gorgeous beaches, Wirral Country Park and coastal walk, New Brighton is Boho central, Woodside is an up-and-coming cultural venture and there are so many cool markets across the whole of Merseyside. What a lovely dilemma, though. All the best!

racquel86 · 29/05/2022 06:27

Leeds - I moved here for uni in 2004...... and never left 🙌🏻

maddening · 29/05/2022 06:47

Liverpool for me, more going on, easy access to Manchester and elsewhere, Leeds more difficult travel wise imo

CherryMaple · 29/05/2022 07:50

Liverpool has a big reputation as a party University. Is that what you’re looking for?

I love Liverpool - worked here for over 20 years, several at the University. The city is beautiful, the people are wonderful.

BorisJohnsonatemyhampster · 29/05/2022 07:52

Liverpool. Hands down. Only city in the U.K. I’d leave London for. Fantastic place.

Kiitos · 29/05/2022 07:54

Leeds, it’s a fantastic city!

luckylavender · 29/05/2022 07:55

Leeds has a better reputation

Hellsbe · 29/05/2022 07:55

Liverpool hands down!

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