Leeds or Sheffield University? Anyone with experience of either city called upon!

[cryinglightning]

DD is totally torn between the two. Has plenty of time to decide but wants to get decision made ASAP. She was fairly set on Sheffield for a long time but now is very unsure. Her course is Psychology.

Key points:

• Leeds ranks better overall but Sheffield is higher for Psychology
  
• work placements are available at both
  
• Sheffield offer is a relatively secure AAB and Leeds is AAA so more ambitious (although she is on track to achieve it)
  
• nightlife would seem to be better in Leeds although still good in Sheffield, but she worries Sheffield may be a bit dull (she is a quite a ‘party girl’ and loves going out)
  
• Sheffield is the smaller city so may be more manageable than Leeds and cheaper (happy to be corrected on this)
  
• she is very into gigs and indie music; Leeds’ music scene is better but Sheffield’s is still good and may have more of an ‘indie vibe’? (again may be talking rubbish)
  
• she loves rock climbing which is obviously more freely available in Sheffield
  

Insurance choice most likely Liverpool. She also has an offer From Cardiff but prefers Sheffield and Leeds.

DD is tying herself up in knots! Anyone with ANY experience of eithe uni or city who could lend insight would be really helpful, particularly anyone who can compare the two thanks for reading!

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

Sheffield is lopsided. The 'centre' (and universities) are very close to the edge. Leeds does feel bigger.

[Piggywaspushed]

Yes, I suppose that is true but Sheffield is definitely not some poky place.

On total population, Sheffield beats Leeds (both are in top 10 , mind) , If Leeds is taken to include Bradford and the West Yorks conurbation then it is indeed very large.

[pumpkinpie01]

My DD is in her 1st year at Leeds and absolutely loves it (but cant comment on Sheffield). Great nightlife in Leeds and brilliant shops.

[Aragog]

I live in Sheffield - moved here in 1996 after going to university elsewhere and growing up in a smaller town about half an hour away.

We love Sheffield. City, but smaller but still with lots going on. There is a large student population and many do not move away after.

I spent 6 months living in Leeds as part of my own degree and I didn't enjoy it personally. It isn't a city I have ever warmed too despite it not being too far away. It feels quite impersonal though I don't know why. Whenever me, dh and/or 17y dd go to a nearby larger city we always choose to head to Manchester or Nottingham ad never Leeds. Even for concerts I never go to Leeds - in fact this May will be the first time I have ever been to Leeds arena.

Though I imagine thats very different than 'gig' venues - but even for them Leeds, Manchester, etc are only a short train ride away and Sheffield does have some of its own too - obviously the Sheffield music history is pretty well known!

For climbing it would be Sheffield every time - for both indoor and outdoor. I live relatively close to Stanage Edge which is always full of climbers.

[cryinglightning]

Thank you so much everyone - your input has been amazingly helpful. She is attending offer holder days for both universities so hopefully that will give her some more perspective. As one poster said I think she will have a fabulous time wherever she is

[JanetheObscure]

Piggy, you amazed me by pointing out that Sheffield is bigger. I know both Leeds and Sheffield well and would swear that Leeds is noticeably larger.

Sheffield overall (as another poster has said) feels very compact.

OP, I honestly think your DD will enjoy whichever she picks. They're both fab. :)

[Nonnymum]

JanetheObscure I would say Sheffield City Centre is smaller than Leeds but Sheffield itself covers a very large area, and part of it is within the Peak District. I've lived here over 30 years and there are parts of it I would feel very lost in. Each area is quite distinct.

[Rosieposy4]

They are both great and the fact that there is no clear consensus on here almost certainly means they will have a great time at either.
I did 3 degrees at Leeds, loved it ( never big into clubbing/music though)
Have post doc’ed at both Leeds and Sheffield and I personally prefer Leeds, in fact we still live on the outskirts 30+ years later.
Have a dc at Sheffield and they are also enjoying the city, and the nightlife. The student accommodation is pretty much on a par for both imo, and no different to that my other dc have had in other russell group unis.

[RedHelenB]

I liked Sheffield because it was easy to get into countryside and the Peak District. Leadmill is great for Indie nights and live music. Bit tbh she will probably love whichever of those she chooses. Maybe Leeds first as it is the higher over?

[EastLondonObserver]

I graduated from Sheffield. It’s an excellent university in a friendly city with almost every type of nightlife available. Manchester has more clubs and bars for sure. Leeds once had an edge in nightlife, but over the past decade or so I think that’s much less so. She will have a blast at Sheffield.

[soberfabulous]

I went to Sheffield Uni. What an incredible city with the loveliest warmest people. I treasure my memories there.

I was a huge clubber back then and the party scene was amazing.

For a warm welcome and a wonderful lifestyle Sheffield wins hands down for me. I'm so glad I went there.

[MyOnlyDays]

Sheffield has often been higher ranked than Leeds. The rankings should just be taken as a general guide and I wouldn't take the results too literally.

I think the cities are similar. I love that Sheffield is so compact. It feels like a campus Uni but that the city is the campus.

I think, if I were your daughter, I'd really examine the course modules and the different options. Look at support for year in industry or summer placements and look and links to companies. I'd also look at assessments and see if one course suits your daughter more. Ie more exam based or more coursework.

[Comefromaway]

I can't comment on the universities but ds is at Leeds Conservatoire. The city is great, especially the music scene.

[InsertPunHere]

I've lived in both and they are both great cities for young people. Leeds is definitely more cosmopolitan, which can be good or bad dependiong on your daughter's preferences.

Almost everyone I know in Leeds came here to study and stayed!

[tribpot]

Sigh. This is a thread from 2020 so it's unlikely to be helpful to the OP, wonder which city her DD chose in the end. I'll now report this to see if I can get MN to lock the thread.

[MyOnlyDays]

@tribpot

Sigh. This is a thread from 2020 so it's unlikely to be helpful to the OP, wonder which city her DD chose in the end. I'll now report this to see if I can get MN to lock the thread.

Ugh - that's so annoying. I wish Mumsnet would do something to make it clearer to posters

[tribpot]

Or just lock dormant threads like every other message board @MyOnlyDays 🙄It's so frustrating. Someone bumped a thread from 2005 not long ago!

[autumn1610]

I went to Sheffield (at Hallam) and still live there. I had such a good student experience, with two universities there was (I finished 11 years ago now so can’t confirm it hasnt changed) so there was always a student night on. Hallam and uni students mainly live in two areas and felt so safe walking around. To be honest I’m not sure where students go out now, the 2 clubs I used to go to have shut. It has the iconic Leadmill which has student nights and smaller indie gigs and the o2 and the arena so there’s definitely a music scene and Sheffield has produced some iconic bands. It’s one of the greenest cities in the UK if that’s important to you, shopping is a bit shite but there’s Meadowhall and I imagine she will mostly buy offline. It has kelham island which is a fab up and coming area with independent bars and restaurants. I used to be an indie kid and loved it.