Nottingham or Leeds

[shanessa]

I am Australian, and my daughter is going for a semester to study abroad in the UK.

She was wondering whether to choose Nottingham or Leeds?

She doesn't care about academics, and was more interested in which uni had the better nightlife.

Also, as a mum, I was wondering what university is safer? And which is cheaper?

Thanks Xx

Leeds often gets flak for having a 'party' reputation, so based on that, go Leeds, I'd say😀. Actually, either would probably offer decent nightlife. Both attractive campuses as well - the main campus at Nottingham is very 'green' - but that may be less of an attraction?

If she hasn't discovered it already, your DD could try TSR (thestudentroom.co.uk) to find people taking the courses she will be taking, or who are currently on a semester abroad at either university?

I went to uni in Leeds and loved it - great night life, easy reach of lots of places like York and Newcastle and also a better shopping scene. I haven't been back since since the pandemic but I do live in Nottingham and the city centre is very much in decline with lots of boarded up shops. The centre is also a lot smaller than Leeds.

Currently a lot of courses at Leeds are still online, so I would check how much is face to face. Their current "hybrid" model is still mostly online with maybe an hour or so F2F a week.

She doesn't 'care about academics' but only the nightlife? Wow. OK.

she works hard at uni here in australia so wants her 6 months study abroad to be more about fun 🤣

Leeds any day over Notts. Amazing city and so much going for it!

I also live in Nottingham. The campus is lovely. And I live In one of the main student areas and it's very safe. However the city centre really is on its last legs. Other local cities have had loads of money invested and are doing much better. I've only been to Leeds once and wasn't particularly keen so can't comment on it.

I went to Nottingham Uni and had the best time. The campus is beautiful and at the time I was there it had a thriving student nightlife. Like any city there are some areas of the city to avoid, but I felt safe there 😊

Both fun places to live IMO but would say Leeds has a bit more going on.

If she wants a party uni Leeds over Nottingham definitely

😂 Nottingham is very party orientated. Loads of clubs in town do student nights, societies do many versions of pub crawl things and the sports facilities are amazing. So many clubs to join and the campus is beautiful - boating lake a must in summer. V v sociable Uni.
Leeds is lovely too. Lots of stuff to do and renowned as a party Uni.
Sure she'd be happy at either.

thanks for all of your help! seems like its 50/50 and both are similar in terms of nightlife, so I think she'll be happy either way 😊

Leeds is 100% a better city that Nottingham! It’s really run down in Nottingham now.

Seemed ok when I was there 2 weeks ago. Expect some parts are t good but I was taken round by a student so saw the nice bars/shops/cafes. Castle was nice - fab pub in the walls. Trams are sooo cheap and make it easy to get around. Loved the David Attenborough water thing. Was some fayre going on in town square. I love the Xmas market and Goose fair.
Was in Leeds a month ago and I'd say exactly the same 😊. Some bits looking a bit shabby but on the whole it's a vibrant party city.
I'd maybe suggest looking at accommodation costs and options.

I know both cities fairly well and would definitely choose Leeds over Nottingham.