Leeds is a top destination for students, known for its high quality of education, which positions it as one of the UK’s top student cities and ranks it 55th worldwide among other cities in the QS Student City Rankings of 2024.

The city is also known for its diverse music and shopping scene and is often dubbed 'the Knightsbridge of the North'. If you have arrived in Leeds, then you should definitely consider one of our Leeds city centre student accommodation options, as these are near some of the city’s top landmarks and places to visit.

About Leeds

Leeds is located in the county of West Yorkshire in the North of England, near the city of Manchester, and has the River Aire running through it. Leeds is considered the industrial centre of the county of Yorkshire thanks to its strategic location and transportation links, abundant resources of fresh water, iron, and coal deposits.

The city of Leeds had its start as an Anglo-Saxon town that was based on the north bank of the Aire River and later had a major market established, positioning it as a market town. Leeds later specialised in the textile industry, most notably in wool weaving. The Liverpool Canal and the railway were also both major drivers of Leeds’ economy.

Today, the city is mainly involved in the engineering and electronics industries, as well as the printing and publishing, chemicals, and furniture industries. Leeds is also a major educational centre in Yorkshire, having five universities including the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds Arts University, and The University of Law - Leeds. In addition, Leeds also has the Leeds Conservatoire.

Why Choose a Leeds City Centre Student Accommodation?

If you have checked out our guide for the best areas in Leeds to live, you will find that the city centre is listed among the places to consider during your stay in Liverpool. 

The city centre’s desirability is due to many factors, the first being its excellent transportation links to the rest of the city, and the second being its galleries and shopping centres. Lastly, it has beautiful historic squares, such as Millennium Square, and beautiful Victorian and classical architecture, such as the Town Hall.

Leeds’ city centre is divided into various quarters, and these are the Civic Quarter, the Shopping Quarter, the Cultural Quarter, the Financial Quarter, and the Skyscraper Quarter.

Places to Visit in the City Centre

Trinity Leeds Mall

Trinity Leeds is one of the biggest shopping centres in Leeds, with more than 120 brands, including restaurants, shops, and a cinema. Some of the mall’s brands include Claire’s, Burger King, Decathlon, TGI Friday’s, H&M, Nando’s, and many more.

Leeds Art Gallery

The Leeds Art Gallery is another great place to check out in the Leeds city centre and showcases great British modern and contemporary art pieces. It also features venues for hire and a cafe.

Leeds Town Hall

The Leeds Town Hall is one of the main centrepieces of the Leeds city centre. This historic building is grade 1 listed and hosts various events throughout the year. It was first opened in 1858 by Queen Victoria and hosts various cultural events such as comedy shows, concerts, the Leeds Film Festival, comedy shows, and more.

Leeds Central Library

The Leeds Central Library is another must-visit site located in the city centre and is a grade 2 listed building that was first opened in 1884. Its collections include more than 250,000 books, as well as art and music collections. Free Wi-Fi, study spaces, and a cafe are available.

St John's Centre

St John’s Centre is one of Leeds’ most notable shopping centres and is located in the city centre. Some of its most notable brands include Subway, Taco Bell, McDonald’s, and Poundland, among others.

First Direct Arena

The First Direct Arena is one of Leeds’ biggest entertainment arenas and features various events such as music, comedy, sports, and performance events that keep the public entertained throughout the year. Some of this arena’s performances included Disney on Ice, the X Factor, BBC Radio 1 Xtra Live, and much more.

Best Leeds City Centre Student Accommodation Options

In this section, we will list some of our top picks regarding the best Leeds city centre student accommodation based on location, price, features, and more.

Leeds Portland Crescent (Most Central)

Leeds Portland Crescent is our top pick regarding Leeds city centre student accommodation, as it is just a two-minute walk from the city centre. This student accommodation in Leeds features a gym, lounges, study areas, and studio rooms.

Some of this Leeds student accommodation’s nearby places to visit include Tesco Express, a minute’s walk away from the property, the Vue movie theatre, and the Leeds City Museum.

CitySide (Central)

CitySide is another great option for students looking for Leeds city centre student accommodation. It is a four-minute walk to the city centre and offers a wide range of studios. A lounge, cinema, on-site laundry facilities, lounges, and more.

Some of this Leeds student accommodation’s nearby places to visit include the Leeds City Museum, O2 Academy Leeds at a two-minute walking distance, Leeds Art Gallery at a three-minute walking distance, and Park Square at a five-minute walking distance.

Brotherton House (Central and Affordable)

Brotherton House is a student accommodation option that offers students en-suite rooms as well as studios, giving them more flexibility in terms of price and budget. Not to mention that this Leeds student accommodation is also centrally located, at a walking distance of seven minutes from the city centre.

The property has security and housekeeping staff for your security and convenience and also comes with great facilities, which include a yoga, gym, and spa area, communal lounges, gaming rooms with consoles, cinema rooms, and much more.

Some of the nearest places to this Leeds student accommodation include Park Square and Tesco St Pauls St Leeds Express, a four-minute walk from the Leeds student accommodation; and Sainsbury’s Leeds Wellington Place Local, a seven-minute walk from the property.

Choosing a Leeds city centre student accommodation should be one of your top priorities if you like shopping, sightseeing, and culture. It is also great if you’re looking for great transport links. 

Even though Leeds City Centre student accommodation are more expensive than other options, they are worth the price if you can afford them. Check out our blogs for more information regarding guides and tips for both Leeds and the UK.