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Leicester has two universities: the University of Leicester and De Montfort University (DMU), plus several colleges. A good mix of unis, city life and open green spaces attract thousands of students every year from across the UK and beyond. It’s also close to Loughborough, so it’s a good option for students at nearby universities too.

Student accommodation in Leicester is generally more affordable than in cities like London or Manchester, so you can keep costs down without missing out on the full student experience.

It’s also a relatively compact city, so getting from lectures to your student house in Leicester is quicker compared to larger cities.

This guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods for students in Leicester, what you can expect to pay in rent, and how to stay on top of your student bills. You can also check out our student moving guide or explore our guides to other cities👇 if you’re still weighing up your options.

Where to live in Leicester? Breaking down the city’s best student neighbourhoods 🗺️

Leicester is a major city in the East Midlands with good transport links. It’s busy enough to be interesting without being overwhelming, and there are plenty of parks and green spaces for a brain break.

Students spread themselves across Leicester and the surrounding areas, and each neighbourhood has a slightly different vibe. Here are some of the most popular areas for students to live.

Clarendon Park: Uni of Leicester hotspot 📍

  • Right next to the University of Leicester’s main campus
  • On the edge of Leicester’s beautiful Victoria Park
  • Mostly traditional student houseshares nestled in trendy streets filled with cafes, bars and shops.
  • A 15-minute bus or a half-hour walk to DMU

West End: Inner city vibes near DMU 🏢

  • Also known as Westcotes, this area is within walking distance of DMU and Leicester city centre, and a short bus ride to UoL.
  • One of the most affordable and well-connected parts of the city
  • A mix of Victorian terraced houses and purpose-built student accommodation.
  • Plenty of culture and a good mix of places to eat

City centre: In the thick of it 🏙️

  • In the middle of Leicester, with shops, gyms, bars, restaurants, and transport links all on your doorstep.
  • Within walking distance of DMU and around a 20–30 minute walk or short bus ride to the UoL.
  • Mostly modern flats and purpose-built student accommodation, rather than traditional house shares
  • One of the more expensive areas to live, but perfect if you want convenience and city life all in one place

Highfields: Budget-friendly houses 🏘️

  • A popular, affordable area just east of the city centre
  • Around a 10–20 minute walk to the UoL and 15–25 minutes to DMU.
  • Known for its diverse community and plenty of local food spots
  • One of the cheapest areas to live, so it’s ideal for students trying to keep costs down

Choosing student accommodation in Leicester will come down to where you’re studying, your budget and your lifestyle.

If you’re at the University of Leicester, areas like Clarendon Park and Highfields are popular thanks to their proximity to campus and big student communities.

For De Montfort University students, the West End and city centre are super convenient, only a short walk from everything you need.

Wherever you decide to live, here’s what to expect when it comes to rent.

Average rent costs 💷

Let’s take a closer look at how much it costs to live in each area:

Types of student housing in Leicester 🏘️

(Average rent costs as of December 2025)

Accommodation type

Typically for / location (Leicester)

Bills included?

Average rent

Key features

University-owned student halls

Usually, first-year students: The Village of UoL and riverside for DMU.

Yes

£95–£200 per week

Student halls prices vary depending on room type and facilities, and uni halls usually come with term-time contracts.

Private purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)

West End, city centre.

Yes

From £160–£250 per week

En-suite rooms or studios in the city centre and West End, with communal areas, gym, etc.

Private student housing

Clarendon Park, West End and Highfields.

Tenancy dependent

Average pppw in a 4-5 bed house: £130–”180

Traditional Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses and flats. Bills are usually split separately.

 

Bills Included vs Rent-Only?

There are two main ways to pay your bills as a student: either they’re included in your rent, or you sort them separately. In halls and purpose-built student accommodation, bills are usually included, so you’ve only got one monthly payment to think about.

In a student house, you’ll likely need to organise some or all of your own bills (but check your tenancy agreement to be sure). It might feel a bit confusing at first, but there are ways to make it easier, like using a Fused bills package.

Need help budgeting or figuring it all out? Check out our Leicester student bills guide to see what to expect.

Average student accommodation rent by area in Leicester 🍃

Here’s what you can expect to pay for housing in each area:

(Average rent costs as of January 2026)

Area

Avg rent (pppw, 4–5 bed)

To the University of Leicester

To De Montfort University

Clarendon Park

£110–£160

10-minute walk

35-minute walk or 15-minute bus

West End (Westcotes)

£100–£130

35-minute walk

10-minute walk

Highfields

£100–£120

15–minute walk

30-minute walk or 20-minute bus

City Centre

Typically, apartments for £160–£250

25–minute walk

10–minute walk

 

Private student housing vs Purpose-built halls: Which is right for you in Leicester? 💭

Student halls are a popular choice for first years. They keep everything simple which is exactly what you need if it’s your first time living away from home. They make budgeting easier and are a great way to meet new people. By the second year, most students feel confident about moving into a shared house and get the full student experience with their mates.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the two main types of student accommodation in Leicester and how they compare.

Purpose-built student halls (PBSA)

Student halls are either run by the university (most common for first-years) or by private providers, which are popular among international students and those seeking more independent living.

In Leicester, most PBSA is based in the city centre and close to both campuses, making it a great option for De Montfort University students and still within easy reach of the University of Leicester.

Most halls come with bills included, as well as on-site security, and en-suite rooms, so there’s very little to sort when you move in.

And if you’re heading to uni for the first time, take a look at our uni packing guide for all the essentials.

Student housing

Leicester has plenty of student-friendly areas, including Clarendon Park, Highfields, and the West End. It’s a fairly compact city, so even if you live a bit further out, getting to campus and into town is still pretty easy.

When it comes to bills, it depends on your tenancy. Some houses include them, you’ll usually need to sort bills yourself, either by setting up directly with suppliers or using a bills package to split everything between housemates.

House hunting 101: A checklist for Leicester houseshares ✅

1. Start the house search ASAP
Start looking for a student house before Christmas for the following year (January at the latest!), ‘cause unless you get really lucky, the best houses usually go first.

2. Get a guarantor
You usually need a guarantor for a student lease. This is usually a parent or guardian who takes legal responsibility for the rent if you can’t pay.

3. Get your deposit ready
You each need to pay a deposit, which is about five weeks’ rent. When you pay, your landlord is legally required to put it in a deposit protection scheme, and you should get it back at the end, as long there’s no damage to the house or inventory.

Moving out of a student house? Read our guide to getting your deposit back.

4. Furnished or unfurnished?
Typically, student houses in Leicester come furnished with the basics like a bed, desk, and wardrobe. Not sure what to take? Read our guide on what to pack.

5. Go through the inventory on move-in day
On day one, go around the house, take photos of absolutely everything, and check the inventory to make sure everything is right. These photos are evidence in case of any disputes at the end of your tenancy, and will help make sure you get your deposit back.

Making sense of student bills 🧮

It’s not the most exciting bit of student life, but it is worth getting your bills sorted.

If you’re studying in Leicester, you’ll need to budget for:

As a student, you’re exempt from paying council tax, but you’ll need to tell Leicester City Council, or they’ll assume you need to pay. Here’s how to let them know you're a student.

Average student bills in Leicester 💳

Let’s take a quick look at the average bills for students in rent-only student houses in Leicester:

Bill

Supplier

Frequency

Approx. Cost

Notes

Gas & Electricity

Your choice

Monthly

Around £202.33 for a four/five-bedroom student house

This is for a capped energy deal. Your bill will go up if you use over your limit. Costs vary by supplier.

Water

Severn Trent Water

Monthly

£48.94

Covers both water and sewerage

Broadband

Your choice

Monthly

£20–30 per month, not including setup fees

—

Council Tax

Your local council

  

Free, unless you have non-student/part-time housemates

Full-time students are exempt

TV Licence

TV Licensing

Annual, Quarterly, or Monthly

£174.50 (annual) / £44.89 (quarterly) / £29.10 for first 6 months then £14.54 monthly

Needed to watch live TV or BBC iPlayer

 

Total bills per person per month (split between four housemates): £74

Student bills packages 📦

Chasing housemates for their share of the bills is never fun. A student bills package takes the hassle away by combining everything into one simple monthly payment.

With a Fused package, you can focus on streaming, studying, and staying connected, with superfast broadband from providers like Virgin Media, BT, and Sky.

Heating a student house can get expensive, especially in colder months. An unlimited energy package helps keep costs predictable, so there are no surprise bills and less drama over the thermostat.

Leicester student life? All sorted ☑️

Leicester is pretty affordable, has great unis, and has plenty going on for students. University of Leicester and De Montfort University are based in different parts of the city, so commute times, rent, and overall living costs will be different depending on where you choose to live.

Whether you’re moving into halls in your first year, house hunting with friends in areas like Clarendon Park or Highfields, or want to go for city-centre living, planning ahead will make the whole process much less stressful.

Once you’ve found the right place, sorting your bills doesn’t need to be another thing on your to-do list.

Keep things simple with Fused. Bundle your energy, broadband, TV package, and TV Licence into one easy monthly payment, split evenly between housemates.

No more awkward money conversations, and more time to enjoy student life in Leicester.

🏡 A-Z of student accommodation in other cities

💡A-Z of student bills in UK cities