Leeds or Huddersfield? Pros and cons please.

[justasking111]

DS has interviewed at both. So we seek some advice. He is leaning towards Leeds at the moment.

Leeds or Leeds Beckett?

Sorry Leeds Beckett. It has been a long week thus far...

I would rather be in Leeds. I just prefer it. But I’m not him, so what does he want from a university and a city? What course does he prefer? Which university offers the best course for his needs and for employment? Are they similar offers? Did he feel at home at Leeds?

Same course in both. He preferred the studios in Leeds. My other DS enjoyed Huddersfield a few years ago. I think the shopping side and restaurants were a great attraction in Leeds. I do wonder if Huddersfield will be less expensive being a uni. town rather than Leeds.

I live in Huddersfield and there is quite a good student scene but it’s nowhere near as busy and cosmopolitan as Leeds. It WILL be much cheaper with lower travelling costs and a good chance of finding decent accommodation near ther Uni.
But although I do like living here the town centre is going downhill rapidly, our main store (M&S) is going to close and House of Fraser is just about clinging on. There are some great restaurants though

I think Leeds, with two universities, would definitely be better. If he prefers Leeds, go for it!

I graduated from Leeds Beckett a couple of years ago (mature student, psychology degree).

I can only tell you the experience I had - it was an utter shambles. Seriously poor. Tutors not turning up, tutors teaching the wrong thing, at one point, in our second year when the marks really counted, we were given the wrong exam at the end of term.... Literally an exam with content we'd never seen before,which we sat, got marked on and then had a % added on to our mark as 'compensation' instead of sitting the exam again and doing the correct one... So much went wrong for our year.

I've been told by friends doing politics and archeology also that the service was piss poor. However, I've heard glowing reviews of the art departments and literature department, so I suppose it depends what DC is going to study.

Personally though, from very recent experience, I wouldn't recommend LB at all

I live in Huddersfield but lived in Leeds in my early 20's. I'd choose Leeds!

I'd choose Leeds. Much better reputation and Leeds is a fab city! More cosmopolitan, loads going on. Huddersfield would be ok, my sister studied criminology but moved to Sheffield because the teaching in that department was very poor. It depends what subject though.

Thanks for all the feedback. We have been torn.

Just looked at the Times Good University Guide 2019 (paywalled so no point linking) and Leeds Beckett is ranked 124th, Huddersfield 62nd. For details PM me.

The Guardian reports similar results - www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2018/may/29/university-league-tables-2019

Leeds is more exciting to live in but I'd go to the better university.