Cost of Living in Leicester for Students: Complete 2025 Budget Guide

Leicester is home to top universities, making it a high-value student destination. Whether you’re eyeing De Montfort University or the University of Leicester, both institutions attract a large international crowd – and for good reason. Our guide to De Montfort University covers the top reasons why it's a great pick for international students. Still confused? You can learn everything you need to know in our guide on the University of Leicester.

Back to the point, it's a brilliant city for students on a budget. You'll spend £500 - £1,700 monthly, depending on how fancy you want to get. A major factor? Choosing the right student accommodation in Leicester, whether you’re after a budget-friendly shared house or a modern studio near campus.

Leicester: Your Money Actually Goes Somewhere Here

Leicester keeps getting called one of Britain's cheapest student cities. But what does that mean for your actual bank account? It's not just marketing rubbish. Leicester genuinely costs 26.5% less than London for day-to-day stuff. The difference in rent is crazy - 57% cheaper than Manchester or Birmingham.

And here's the thing. This isn't about living like a hermit either. Leicester's got a proper quality of life. There are two decent universities. The food scene that's actually good. Nightlife that doesn't require selling a kidney. Explore our complete Leicester city guidefor a deeper understanding of what’s available for students. 

Your student loan just goes further here. Less stress about money means more time for actually enjoying uni. It makes sense for students pursuing higher education in the UK. You must weigh the pros and cons of living in Leicester before moving abroad for uni.

Monthly Budget Breakdown: What You'll Actually Spend

Forget the fancy marketing. Here's what Leicester really costs students in 2025.

You can use our cost of living calculator to figure out your personal monthly spend and understand the budgeting according to your city of residence.

Accommodation: Where Does Most of Your Money Go?

Housing eats up 50-60% of your budget. Get this wrong and you're broke. Get it right and you're all set to begin the uni year.

University Halls

University of Leicester:

• Basic rooms: £85 - £120 weekly
• En-suite rooms: £120 - £180 weekly
• Fancy halls: £180 - £263 weekly

De Montfort University:

• Self-catered: £95 - £140 weekly
• En-suite: £130 - £158 weekly
• Premium places: £150 - £200 weekly

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (The Modern Option)

Purpose-built student accommodation offers comfortable rooms that cater specifically to students. This type of student housing is fully furnished with modern amenities for student convenience. This is a great place to stay if you’re looking for all-inclusive bills and a supportive community. 

Need help choosing housing? Our student accommodation guide for Leicester can help.

Why PBSA's brilliant:

• All bills sorted (saves £50-80 monthly)
• No messing about with utility companies
• Security and maintenance 24/7
• Social events and study areas
• Internet that actually works

PBSA gives you peace of mind with all bills included, secure access, and social perks. These are often some of the best student accommodation in Leicester.

Student Areas in Leicester

Leicester offers lifestyle balance. Whether you want to live in a cultural hub like Belgrave or prefer leafy Clarendon Park, there are multiple properties tailored for every student type. You can choose among the best areas to live in Leicester.

The city centre is the best choice if you are looking for luxury student accommodation in Leicester. Victoria Park is a fantastic choice for students attending the University of Leicester. Clarendon Park is known for providing a range of affordable student accommodation in Leicester. Belgrave has plenty of bus links that connect students to both universities.

Private Rental (The Traditional Route)

Shared houses: £85 - £140 weekly plus bills 

Studio flats: £150 - £200 weekly plus bills
One-bed places: £180 - £250 weekly plus bills

Watch out for hidden costs:

• Deposit: Usually 6 weeks' rent upfront
• Agency fees: £200 - £400
• Setting up bills: £50 - £100
• Council tax: Students are  usually exempt, but double-check

Food: Eating Properly Without Going Broke

Leicester's food scene is diverse and budget-friendly. The trick is knowing where to spend and where to save.

Weekly Food Budgets

Basic cooking: £15 - £60 weekly

• Supermarket own brands
• Buy rice, pasta, and potatoes in bulk
• Whatever vegetables are cheap
• Cheapest protein you can find

Best Places to Shop

Budget heroes:

• Aldi: Cheapest but limited choice
• Lidl: Brilliant for fresh produce
• ASDA: Good value with proper variety
• Leicester Market: Affordable and fresh ingredients

Middle ground:

• Tesco: Convenient, decent prices
• Sainsbury's: Good quality, student discounts

Money-saving tricks:

• Student nights give 20-30% off loads of places
• Golden Mile (Belgrave Road) has insane value Indian food
• Leicester Market food court does massive portions for £4-7
• Pub meal deals are usually £5-8

Leicester’s best restaurants for students include value-for-money curry houses and pub deals.

Getting Around: Transport That Won't Kill Your Budget

Leicester's tiny, so transport costs stay low. The Leicester transport system makes travel cost-effective for students.

Buses and Trains

Bus passes:

• Weekly: £15 - £20
• Monthly: £50 - £65
• Student discounts: Usually 30% off

Travelling by Train:

• 16-25 Railcard: £30 yearly, saves a third on train fares
• Leicester to London: £15 - £40 with the railcard
• Leicester to Birmingham: £8 - £20 with the railcard

Walking and Cycling

Most student areas are a 20-minute walk to unis. Cycling's even quicker, and Leicester has decent bike lanes.

Bike costs:

• Decent student bike: £150 - £300
• Yearly maintenance: £50 - £80
• Proper lock (don't skip this): £30 - £50

Walking perks:

• Costs absolutely nothing
• Great exercise
• Learn the city properly
• Never worry about missing the last bus

When You Need Other Transport

Taxis:

• City centre to unis: £5 - £8
• Night taxi home: £6 - £12
• Uber/Bolt is usually cheaper than black cabs

Car ownership (if you're mad enough):

• Parking permits: £400 - £600 yearly
• Insurance: £800 - £2000 yearly (student rates)
• Petrol: £80 - £120 monthly
• Fixing stuff: £50 - £100 monthly

Bills and Utilities

Most purpose-built places include everything. Private rental usually doesn't.

Monthly Bills (Split Between 4 People)

Entertainment and Social Life

Leicester's nightlife and culture won't bankrupt you. Its affordable lifestyle leaves more room in your budget for things to do in Leicester.

Going Out Costs

Cultural Stuff

Free options:

You can enjoy free culture at museums in Leicester for students, along with others, all within walking distance. Here are some:

• New Walk Museum and Art Gallery
• Leicester Cathedral
• Abbey Park and river walks
• University events and societies
• Join one of the many student societies and academic clubs in Leicester

Paid stuff:

With affordable pubs and clubs, student nightlife in Leicester won't empty your pockets. Apart from that, you can opt for following options:

• Cinema: £6 - £12 (student prices)
• Bowling: £8 - £15 per person
• Mini golf: £5 - £10 per person
• Leicester Comedy Festival: £8 - £20 per show

Uni Books and Study Costs

Don't forget about these sneaky expenses.

Essential Stuff

Textbooks:

• New books: £30-80 each
• Used books: £15-40 each
• Digital versions: Often 30-50% cheaper

Technology:

• Decent laptop: £300-800
• Software: Usually free through uni
• Printing: £0.05-0.10 per page

Saving Money on Books

You can save money by accessing free academic resources at student libraries in Leicester.

Smart strategies:

• Library copies (free but everyone wants them)
• Buy from final year students
• Digital rental services
• Share with coursemates

Study materials:

• Uni provides basic stationery
• Buy everything in bulk at start of year
• Online shops usually cheaper than campus ones

Emergency Money: When Stuff Goes Wrong

Build up some financial backup during studies.

How Much Emergency Money You Need

• Minimum: £300 - £500 for unexpected stuff 
• Comfortable: £800 - £1,200 for major emergencies 
• Ideal: 2-3 months of living expenses

Common Disasters

• Laptop dying: £100 - £500
• Medical emergencies: £50 - £200
• Lost keys/cards: £30 - £100
• Emergency travel home: £50 - £300
• Deposit drama: £200 - £800

Building Emergency Fund

• Start small: £20 - £50 monthly into savings 
• Use windfalls: Birthday money, job bonuses 
• Sell unused stuff: Course books, clothes, electronics 
• Part-time work: 10-15 hours weekly can save £200 - £400 monthly

Entertainment on Budget

Free stuff:

• Uni societies and events
• Student union entertainment
• Walking tours and museums
• Parks and outdoor areas

Cheap thrills:

• Pre-drinks at home before going out
• Student nights with discounted entry
• Cinema off-peak times
• Cook for friends instead of restaurants

Did you know Leicester is 26.5% cheaper than London? Here are more fun facts about Leicester. Use this Leicester student safety guide to stay secure while navigating on foot or via taxi.

International Students: Extra Costs

Overseas students have additional expenses to consider.

Extra Expenses

• Visa stuff: £348 - £1,408 for student visa 
• Health charge: £776 yearly for NHS access 
• Money transfer fees: £20 - £50 per transaction 
• Phone plans: International calls and data

Banking and Currency

Bank accounts:

• Open a UK account quickly to avoid foreign fees
• Monzo, Starling, and Revolut are good for students
• Keep some home currency for emergencies

Money transfers:

• Wise, Western Union is often cheaper than banks
• Plan transfers when exchange rates are good
• Consider yearly transfers to avoid frequent fees

Cultural Adjustment Costs

Food preferences:

• International ingredients cost more
• Halal, kosher, and specialist diets need specific shops
• Learning British cooking saves money

Communication:

• International calling cards or apps
• VPN services for home country content

Part-Time Work: Boosting Your Budget

Student jobs help loads with money. Leicester offers a growing number of professional opportunities for students, especially in retail and engineering.

Work Options

On-campus jobs: £8 - £12 hourly

• Uni cafés and shops
• Student support roles
• Event help
• Research assistance

Off-campus work: £8.50 - £15 hourly

Many students cover their monthly costs with part-time jobs in Leicester:

• Retail and hospitality
• Tutoring other students
• Delivery driving
• Freelance stuff (design, writing, etc.)

Work Limits

• Student visa holders: 20 hours weekly during term 
• UK students: No restrictions but balance with studies 
• Realistic earnings: £300 - £600 monthly, working 10-15 hours weekly

Why Leicester Wins

Affordable housing, a great social scene, and top academics make Leicester an ideal study destination. Also:

• Quality of life: Great unis, culture, safety 
• Value for money: Top education without London prices
• Location: Central England, brilliant transport links 
• Diversity: 30% international students, multicultural vibe

Making Leicester Work for Your Money

Leicester offers something rare - a brilliant university education without financial stress. The city is affordable, which means you can focus on studying, making mates, and enjoying your uni experience to the fullest. You can pick from multiple premium PBSAs from Best Student Halls because Leicester makes it work financially.

Part of the secret is honest budgeting from day one. You should track your spending and use student discounts wherever possible. Don't be afraid to adjust your lifestyle as you figure out what works.

Leicester isn't just affordable - it's an investment in your future that won't leave you drowning in debt. Your bank account (and your parents) will thank you for choosing wisely. For a deeper dive into food, housing, and entertainment, check out our guide to student life in Leicester.

Ready to start your Leicester student journey? Check out accommodation options that fit your budget and lifestyle. Quality student living doesn't have to cost the earth in Leicester. Living in student accommodation in Leicester? Find the top options that suit your budget and lifestyle.