Amazing Fun Facts About Leicester for Students: 25 Things You Need to Know

Coming to Leicester for university means you're becoming part of something that’s been evolving for over 2,000 years. But here’s the astonishing thing: it’s not just about dusty old history books. This city is alive. Things are happening here right now, every single day, and you’re a part of it. 

Doesn't matter if you're from down south or flying in from Singapore. Leicester is an ideal student destination that will surprise you. There are around 7,000 international students, and the city proudly serves its best, whether a quality education or famous landmarks. To experience them all, start by booking student accommodation in Leicester and take a first step to enjoy everything Leicester offers. 

Historical Facts That'll Blow Your Mind

1. They Found a King Under a Car Park

This sounds like something from a film, but it's real. In August 2012, some archaeologists started digging up a random car park in Leicester. Within days, they've found an old church and a skeleton. 

University of Leicester uses DNA testing to prove it's King Richard III. The last English king to die in battle. He'd been missing for 500 years. Just casually buried under where people parked their cars. The car park's a proper visitor centre now. Richard got a royal funeral at Leicester Cathedral in 2015. For more fascinating stories, students can visit the top museums in Leicester and be amazed by the city’s rich history. 

2. Leicester's Older Than Most European Cities

This place has been going for over 2,000 years. Romans rock up in the 1st century BC. Find some Iron Age people already living here. Romans think "yeah, this looks good" and build Ratae Corieltauvorum.

You can still see Roman walls around the city. The Jewry Wall is massive, one of the tallest bits of Roman building left in Britain. Just standing there like it owns the place.

3. Package Holidays Started Right Here

Thomas Cook organised the world's first package tour: Leicester to Loughborough. One shilling for train travel and food. They were going to a temperance meeting, of all things. It is amazing to know the same journey takes longer today because the rail network has changed. Cook's house now has a blue plaque to honour his work. Without him, your gap year in Thailand might never have happened.

The modern transportation system in Leicester, including reliable buses and trains, makes getting around the city and beyond easy for students and visitors alike.

Scientific Breakthroughs That Changed Everything

4. DNA Fingerprinting Came From Leicester University

Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys invented DNA fingerprinting in 1984. Right here at the University of Leicester. After getting over this, are you excited to apply to this academic centre? Here is all you need to know about the University of Leicester.

This completely changed how we solve crimes, identify people, and even find old kings. The discovery was almost an accident. Jeffreys was studying inherited diseases when it happened. Now, every cop show you've ever watched uses this technique. These innovations are just some of the reasons why the top universities in Leicester are known worldwide for their cutting-edge research.

5. Leicester Runs Britain's Space Industry

Leicester is the UK's space capital. The National Space Centre isn't just for tourists. It's doing proper research with the University of Leicester on actual space missions.

Space Park Leicester costs £100 million. They're working on space technology there. Students here can work on several projects, including missions to Mars. The University of Leicester and De Montfort University (DMU) offer space-related courses, which may help students build strong professional opportunities in Leicester.

Food Facts That'll Make You Hungry

6. Walkers Makes 11 Million Crisp Packets Every Day

Henry Walker started making crisps here in 1948. Now the factory churns out 11 million bags daily. That's 280,000 tonnes of potatoes every year. 

They've got 47% of the British crisp market. Live in Beaumont Leys, and you can smell the factory before you see it. 

Student hack: Their factory shop sometimes sells discounted crisps. Perfect for those 2 am study sessions when you've run out of proper food.

7. Three Famous Foods Can Only Be Made Here

Red Leicester cheese, Melton Mowbray pork pies, and Stilton cheese, all from Leicestershire. They've got protected status like Champagne from France. Can't make them anywhere else and call them by these names. 

Dickinson & Morris' pork pie shop opened in 1851. Still going strong. They do pie-making classes. Perfect student activity when you're bored with Netflix.

8. Leicester Used to Be the UK's Curry Capital

28% of Leicester's population has Indian heritage. The food here is incredible. Golden Mile (Belgrave Road) serves some of the best Indian food outside India itself. It’s home to some of the top restaurants in Leicester, making it a must-visit spot for food lovers.

Cultural Celebrations That Run This City

9. Biggest Diwali Outside India

Leicester hosts Europe's largest Diwali celebrations outside India. 45,000 people show up for the light switch-on along the Golden Mile.

The festival runs for weeks. Not just one day, there is free food everywhere, live music, and dancing. Lights that transform the whole city. It's like Christmas, New Year's, and Bonfire Night had a baby.

International students always say Leicester's Diwali is their first proper taste of Indian culture. Educational and delicious.

10. Second-Biggest Caribbean Carnival in the UK

Leicester Caribbean Carnival's only beaten by Notting Hill. Victoria Park turns into a massive celebration: steel bands, reggae music, incredible food.

Been running since the 1980s. Over 50,000 people come every year. The atmosphere's electric. 

11. Europe's Biggest Comedy Festival

Leicester Comedy Festival isn't just the longest-running in Europe, it's also the largest and making it one of the things to do in Leicester. The 2025 festival had over 900 performances across 70 venues.

Loads of shows offer student discounts. Big names perform alongside people you've never heard of who'll be famous next year. It's like the Edinburgh Fringe but affordable.

Modern Leicester: Where Innovation Happens

12. Third Most Progressive City in the UK

Leicester ranks third nationally for progressive policies. Recycling initiatives, gender pay gap work, and positive social change. The city cares about this stuff.

Creates a brilliant environment for international students. Progressive thinking is welcome here.

13. First Local Radio Station in Britain

BBC Radio Leicester launched in November 1967. First mainland local radio station in Britain. Pioneered community broadcasting before anyone knew what that meant.

Today, there are loads of student radio stations, and Demon FM at DMU is particularly good. Opportunities like these also open doors to part-time jobs in Leicester, especially in media, events, and creative industries. 

Student Life Facts You Need

14. 35,000 Students Live Here

The University of Leicester and De Montfort University give the city one of the UK's highest student-to-population ratios. Students make up about 10% of everyone living here.

This creates a proper student city vibe; everything’s designed with young people in mind. Shops, bars, and restaurants all get it. Student life in Leicester for international students truly shapes a vibrant, welcoming experience both on and off campus. The nightlife in Leicester is thriving and diverse, with live music and themed nights. 

15. One of the UK's Most Affordable Student Cities

NatWest keeps putting Leicester in their top 10 most affordable student cities. The cost of living in Leicester, including expenses for student accommodation, food, and entertainment, is manageable. Everything costs way less than in London or Manchester. To estimate your monthly expenses more accurately, students can use a cost-of-living calculator to plan ahead.

16. Both Unis Are Good

University of Leicester stays in the UK's top 30. Just got named Daily Mail University of the Year 2025. DMU's brilliant for creative stuff. The fashion department is one of the UK's best. If you are wondering why De Montfort University is best for international students, get a guide and start exploring 

Universities have proper international reputations. Research and innovation focus means great opportunities.

Weird Leicester Facts That Sound Made Up

17. The River Used to Be Bright Pink

The River Soar runs past the DMU campus. Used to be bright pink from textile industry dye waste. In the 1930s, Leicester was Europe's second-richest city because of textiles.

Now the river's clean and full of wildlife. Beautiful towpaths for walking or cycling. Hard to imagine it was ever pink.

18. More Indian Restaurants Per Person Than Anywhere

There are over 200 Indian restaurants for 330,000 people. Many are family-run places with recipes passed down through generations.

Some streets have Indian restaurants on literally every corner. Choice paralysis is a real problem here.

19. The Whole City Centre's an Archaeological Site

Every time they dig foundations for new buildings, they find stuff from Roman artefacts to Medieval bits and Saxon remains. The city employs full-time archaeologists just to monitor construction work.

Famous People Facts

20. The Attenborough Brothers Grew Up Here

Sir David Attenborough and Lord Richard Attenborough, both Leicester lads. Their dad was the principal of the local university. David went to Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys. Both came back regularly to support local education. Proper Leicester legends.

21. Gary Lineker's Leicester Through and Through

The England football legend started at Leicester City. Moved to bigger clubs but never forgot where he came from. Still supports Leicester City passionately.

Tweets about Leicester matches all the time. Keeps the city in the international spotlight.

22. Monty Python's Graham Chapman Was Born Here

The Python who played King Arthur in Holy Grail, born and raised in Leicester. Studied medicine at Cambridge but chose comedy instead.

His Leicester accent sometimes slipped through in Python sketches. If you know what to listen for.

Sports and Entertainment

23. Leicester City's Impossible Premier League 

Leicester City started with 5000-1 odds to win the Premier League. Then actually won it. One of sport's greatest upsets ever.

The victory celebration brought 250,000 people to Victoria Park, nearly the entire city population. Current students were part of those celebrations.

King Power Stadium is within walking distance of the city centre accommodation. Perfect for match days.

24. Europe's Largest Covered Market

Leicester Market's been running for over 800 years. Covers 8 acres, over 270 stalls. One of Europe's oldest continuously operating markets.

Students shop here regularly; there is fresh produce, vintage clothes, and international foods. Everything costs about half the supermarket price. For more shopping options, students can use the city guide of Leicester to discover even more great places.

25. £2.5 Billion Innovation Investment

Leicester is undergoing a significant transformation, with £2.5 billion being invested in innovation and technology parks through 2027. Major developments such as Space Park Leicester, the Waterside Innovation District, and new student accommodation complexes are at the heart of this investment. Students 

Students can explore the best places to live in Leicester, with a variety of neighbourhoods offering both convenience and vibrant city life. A dedicated student accommodation guide in Leicester is also available, helping students find the perfect place to live. 

If you wonder why Leicester student accommodation is perfect, just look at the lifestyle it offers,  from modern housing and friendly communities to easy access to campus and the city’s buzzing culture. 

Extra Stuff for International Students

Leicester's International Mix

• Languages: Over 70 languages spoken regularly
• International students: 30% of all uni students come from outside the UK
• Cultural festivals: Leicester hosts 50+ cultural festivals every year
• Sister cities: Twinned with places in Germany, France, India, and Israel

Modern Student Life 

Leicester is known as one of the UK’s safest cities for students, making it a great choice for university life. To help students stay safe, there's an easy-to-follow safety guide in Leicester. It includes simple tips on personal safety, finding secure accommodation, and getting around the city with confidence.

Technology: Some of the UK's fastest broadband speeds, 5G coverage everywhere.

Transport: £70 million spent on electric buses and cycling infrastructure through 2025.

Sustainability: Leicester wants to be carbon-neutral by 2030. 

Final Words

These 25 facts barely scratch the surface. Every street has stories. Every neighbourhood has character, and every semester brings discoveries. What makes Leicester special isn't just its history or affordability. It's how the city embraces students as part of its ongoing story. You're not just studying in Leicester. You're contributing to its next chapter. Roman ruins to space research. From curry festivals to comedy shows. Medieval kings to modern innovation. 

Leicester gives students experiences they can't get anywhere else. Whether you're fascinated by the DNA fingerprinting discovery or just looking forward to excellent curry at student prices, Leicester delivers experiences that last forever. Remember, before moving in, check the pros and cons of living in Leicester to get the most out of your student life.