De Montfort University Accommodation

De Montfort University sits on a compact riverside campus beside the River Soar in central Leicester. Although the university received its current status in 1992, its history stretches back much further to the Leicester School of Art, established in 1870. That long history still shows across the campus today, where restored historic buildings stand alongside modern teaching facilities.

Everything operates from a single campus at The Newarke, which is about ten minutes on foot from Leicester city centre. Students do not spend their day travelling between different campuses. Lecture theatres, libraries, specialist facilities, cafés, the Students' Union and support services remain within walking distance of one another, making everyday university life relatively straightforward.

Around 27,000 students study at DMU, including roughly 3,000 international students representing more than 140 countries. The university attracts applicants from across the UK and overseas, creating a campus with a broad mix of cultures, societies and student communities.

Several courses have developed particularly strong reputations over the years. Fashion and textiles remains one of the university's best-known disciplines, supported by Leicester's long connection with the textile industry. Pharmacy, Health Sciences, Law and Games Design also continues to attract significant numbers of applicants each year.

International league tables place De Montfort University within the 801–850 band of the QS World University Rankings 2026 and the 601–800 band of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. While league tables rarely tell the whole story, they provide one way of comparing institutions internationally alongside graduate outcomes, teaching quality and research performance.

Location also plays a part in the university's popularity. Leicester consistently ranks among the UK's more affordable university cities, allowing students to find De Montfort University student accommodation without facing the rental costs seen in places such as London, Bristol or Edinburgh. That balance between living expenses and city-centre convenience explains why many applicants consider both the university and the city together when deciding where to study.

Quick Facts about De Montfort University (DMU)

Fact	Details
Location	Leicester, UK
Campus	Single riverside campus at The Newarke
Established	1870 roots; university status since 1992
Students	Around 27,000 students
International Students	Around 3,000 from 140+ countries
Top Subjects	Fashion & Textiles, Games Design, Health Sciences, Law, and Pharmacy
QS Ranking 2026	801–850
THE Ranking 2026	601–800
City Centre	Around a 10-minute walk
Student Life	Libraries, restaurants, cafés, students' unions and support services on campus
Cost of Living	Leicester is considered one of the most affordable student cities in the UK

Every university promises a great student experience.

Leicester doesn't really advertise itself that way.

Instead, it grows on people through repetition. The coffee shop you stop at before a 9 a.m. seminar becomes "your" coffee shop without anyone deciding it. The quickest route between the library and your accommodation slowly replaces the route Google Maps suggested on your first day. Three years later, you often remember those ordinary places more clearly than individual lectures.

Where you choose your student accommodation near De Montfort University (DMU) quietly shapes those routines because most of student life happens outside scheduled teaching hours.

Campus Life Beyond Lectures

• De Montfort University runs from one compact campus, which changes how students spend their day.

• There's rarely a need to travel across the city between classes. Once you're on campus, lecture theatres, specialist buildings, the Kimberlin Library, cafés, the Students' Union and study spaces are all within walking distance.

• Students often have enough time between lectures to meet friends for coffee, return to their accommodation or spend an hour in the library without planning their day around transport.

• The rhythm changes depending on your course.

• Fashion students regularly stay in studio spaces well into the evening during project deadlines. Law students tend to disappear into the library as assessment season approaches.

• Students from Computing, Engineering and Creative Technologies often work with specialist software or equipment that isn't always practical to access elsewhere.

• Living in private student accommodation near De Montfort University Leicester becomes noticeably more convenient during those weeks because finishing work at 9 p.m. feels completely unique when home is a short walk away rather than a long bus journey.

Societies, Sport and Student Communities

• Freshers' Fair introduces most students to the Students' Union, but it rarely ends there.

• More than a hundred societies operate throughout the academic year, covering academic interests, volunteering, performing arts, cultural communities, entrepreneurship, gaming and competitive sport.

• Most students eventually settle into one or two groups that fit naturally around lectures rather than trying to join everything at once.

• Sport remains a visible part of campus life even for students who never compete.

• DMU Sport runs activities throughout the year, while the annual varsity fixtures against the University of Leicester bring together students who might never normally attend university sport.

• During those weeks, conversations about coursework often give way to discussions about fixtures, results and friendly rivalry between the two universities.

Food, Shopping and Everyday Student Life

• Students quickly learn that Leicester's best-known food streets weren't created for students.

• They existed long before the university grew to its current size.

• Narborough Road is usually one of the first recommendations current students give to newcomers. Independent cafés sit beside international supermarkets, bakeries and takeaway restaurants representing dozens of cuisines.

• Students sharing houses nearby often shop there because specialist ingredients are easier to find than in larger chain supermarkets.

• For everyday essentials, most students split their shopping between city-centre supermarkets and Leicester Market.

• Leicester Market has traded in one form or another for centuries, and it still attracts students looking for reasonably priced fruit, vegetables and fresh produce.

• Highcross Shopping Centre fills a different role altogether, offering clothing, electronics, pharmacies and larger retailers within walking distance of campus.

• These aren't attractions students visit once.

• They're places that quietly become part of weekly life.

Evenings and Weekends in Leicester

• Student nights certainly exist, but Leicester's social life goes beyond clubs.

• Braunstone Gate remains popular because it's close enough to campus that meeting friends rarely requires much planning.

• The Cultural Quarter offers something different, with independent cinemas, live performances at Curve and smaller events that continue throughout the year.

• Sport also changes the atmosphere across the city.

• Leicester City FC matchdays bring crowds into the centre, while Leicester Tigers fixtures have their own loyal following.

• Even students who arrive without much interest in football or rugby often end up attending at least one game simply because both clubs are woven into the city's identity.

• During autumn, Belgrave Road becomes one of Leicester's busiest destinations as Diwali celebrations transform the area with light displays, markets and community events.

• Many international students mention these celebrations as one of the first occasions when they realise that Leicester's cultural diversity extends well beyond the university campus.

Healthcare and Student Wellbeing

• Most students register with a local GP shortly after arriving in Leicester.

• Leicester Royal Infirmary is about a ten-minute walk from the university, and there are pharmacies and NHS services available throughout the city centre.

• The university also provides wellbeing and counselling support for students who need academic, financial or personal guidance during their studies.

Is Leicester a Good Student City?

The question comes up every year.

This question usually comes from applicants who have never visited before.

Leicester rarely tries to compete with London or Manchester on size, and it doesn't need to.

Its biggest advantage is how easily everyday life fits together.

Lectures, accommodation, supermarkets, cafés, libraries and entertainment all sit close enough that students spend less time travelling and more time actually using the city. That convenience is one reason De Montfort University student accommodation remains in steady demand year after year, particularly among students who value being able to walk almost everywhere.

Leicester isn't particularly large, but where you live will still shape your university experience. Some students want to walk to a 9 a.m. lecture in less than five minutes. Others would rather spend less on rent, even if that means an extra ten minutes each morning.

The reassuring news is that most popular student neighbourhoods remain close enough to campus that travelling rarely becomes difficult. Your decision usually comes down to accommodation style, budget and the sort of environment you want once lectures finish.

Bede Island and The Newarke

• Students wanting the shortest possible commute usually begin their search here.

• The Newarke sits immediately beside the university, while neighbouring Bede Island has become one of the main student accommodation options in Leicester. Many of the city's larger purpose-built student accommodation developments are here, so lectures, the library and the Students' Union are all within a few minutes' walk.

• The area suits first-year students particularly well, as most of the neighbours are also students. Grocery shopping, cafés, riverside walks and campus facilities are all close by, making it easy to manage daily life without relying on buses.

• Properties including Newarke Point, Ben Russell Court, Queens Court Leicester and The Grange Leicester all sit within this part of the city, making it one of the strongest locations for private student accommodation near De Montfort University Leicester.

What to expect	Details
Walking time to campus	Around 5–10 minutes
Typical weekly rent	£85–£129
Best suited for	First-year students, international students, students wanting the shortest commute
Accommodation style	Mostly purpose-built student residences

West End

• When you ask current DMU students where most house shares are, the West End usually comes up early in the conversation.

• Centred around Narborough Road and Westcotes, this neighbourhood has developed into one of Leicester's busiest student communities. Traditional terraced houses dominate the streets, making the area particularly popular with friendship groups moving into their second or third year.

• Food is another reason many students choose to live here. Narborough Road is well known for its independent cafés, supermarkets and international restaurants, giving students plenty of choice without travelling into the city centre.

• Many House of Student properties on Sage Road and Mint Road are located here, making the area a practical choice for anyone looking for private shared student accommodation close to De Montfort University rather than a studio or large residence.

What to expect	Details
Walking time to campus	Around 10 minutes
Typical weekly rent	£95–£160
Best suited for	House shares, returning students, friendship groups
Accommodation style	Shared houses and HMOs

One point worth checking before signing a tenancy is whether bills are included. Some private shared student accommodation close for De Montfort University includes utilities, while others require tenants to arrange gas, electricity, broadband and water separately.

Leicester City Centre

• Students who enjoy having shops, cafés and nightlife on their doorstep often prefer the city centre.

• Most modern developments here offer all-inclusive contracts, meaning that rent usually covers utilities, internet and communal facilities. That makes budgeting easier, especially for students moving away from home for the first time.

• Living centrally also reduces the need for public transport. Highcross Shopping Centre, Leicester Market, supermarkets, restaurants and Leicester Railway Station remain within comfortable walking distance, while the university is usually no more than fifteen minutes away.

• Pennine House Leicester, Mintworks, Regents Court and The Hosiery all provide student accommodation near De Montfort University Leicester with straightforward access to both campus and the wider city.

What to expect	Details
Walking time to campus	Around 5–15 minutes
Typical weekly rent	£95–£130 (higher for premium studios)
Best suited for	Students wanting city-centre convenience
Accommodation style	Studios, en-suite rooms and modern PBSA

Frog Island

• Not every student starts their search with location in mind. Many start with a budget.

• Frog Island has become one of Leicester's better-value student neighbourhoods, particularly for those hoping to keep their rent under control while remaining within walking distance of campus.

• Former industrial buildings have gradually been converted into residential accommodation, giving the area a distinctive character compared with newer developments elsewhere in the city.

• The Shoe & Boot Factory is one of the better-known student properties here and regularly appears among the cheapest student accommodation near De Montfort University currently available through private providers.

What to expect	Details
Walking time to campus	Around 10–15 minutes
Typical weekly rent	£78–£100
Best suited for	Students prioritising value
Accommodation style	Converted buildings and PBSA

The lower weekly rent can make a noticeable difference across a full tenancy. Before comparing properties, calculate the total contract cost rather than focusing only on the advertised weekly figure.

Clarendon Park

• Clarendon Park attracts a different type of student.

• Rather than large accommodation developments, you'll find tree-lined residential streets, independent cafés, bakeries and smaller local businesses. Although the neighbourhood is often associated with the University of Leicester, some DMU students choose it because they prefer a quieter place to live.

• The journey to campus takes longer than from Bede Island or the city centre, but regular bus services and cycling routes make commuting relatively straightforward.

• Students sometimes overlook Clarendon Park when searching for the best student accommodation near De Montfort University Leicester due to the extra distance, yet it remains worth considering if atmosphere matters more than being beside campus.

What to expect	Details
Distance from campus	Approximately 1.5–2 miles
Typical weekly rent	£110–£180
Best suited for	Students wanting a quieter neighbourhood
Accommodation style	Shared houses, apartments and smaller student properties

Comparing Student Areas near De Montfort University of Leicester

Choosing between neighbourhoods is often easier when everything is in one place.

De Montfort University Student Accomodation (2026/27): Nearby Areas, Rent

Area	Distance	Typical Rent	Best For
Bede Island & The Newarke	0–10 mins	£85–£129	Campus convenience
West End	Around 10 mins	£95–£160	Shared houses and student community
City Centre	5–15 mins	£95–£130+	Modern accommodation and amenities
Frog Island	10–15 mins	£78–£100	Budget-conscious students
Clarendon Park	Bus or cycle	£110–£180	Quieter residential living

No neighbourhood is right for every student.

Someone booking a studio for a postgraduate course may prefer the city centre, while a group of students or friends looking for De Montfort University accommodation might find that a shared house in the West End offers better value. Students on a tight budget often start with Frog Island, while first-years usually choose accommodation around The Newarke because it is only a few minutes from campus.

Leicester has developed a reputation as one of the more affordable university cities in England, and that reputation isn't based on rent alone. Everyday expenses, such as food, transport and entertainment, are generally lower than in many larger student destinations.

That doesn't mean every student spends the same amount.

A student living in all-inclusive private accommodation near De Montfort University will have a very different monthly budget than one renting a shared house with separate utility bills.

Rent usually takes the largest share of your spending, but it's rarely the only figure worth comparing.

Consider the following example.

• £95 per week for 51 weeks = £4,845

• £108 per week for 44 weeks = £4,752

The second property costs more each week but less across the full tenancy.

Looking only at weekly rent can therefore give a misleading picture.

Before signing any contract, please work out:

Weekly rent × Contract length = Total accommodation cost

Thereafter, assess whether you still need to budget for:

• Electricity
• Gas
• Water
• Broadband
• Laundry
• TV licence (where applicable)
• Parking
• Deposit
• Booking fees

Typical Weekly Living Costs near DMU

The figures below provide a practical planning guide rather than a fixed budget.

Expense	Typical weekly cost
Groceries	£30–£40
Local transport	£0–£10
Social activities	£15–£25
Mobile phone	£3–£5
Household items & laundry	£10–£15
Estimated weekly total before rent	£58–£95

Students living close to campus often spend very little on transport because lectures, supermarkets and the city centre remain within walking distance. That is one reason student accommodation near De Montfort University continues to attract demand even when weekly rents appear slightly higher than properties further out.

Creative courses can increase spending during the academic year. Fashion, textiles and design students should allow extra money for specialist materials, while healthcare students may need to budget for travel related to their placements.

International students should also be aware of the UK government's financial maintenance requirement when applying for a student visa. From November 2025, applicants studying outside London normally need to demonstrate maintenance funds of £1,171 per month for up to nine months. This figure serves immigration purposes rather than everyday budgeting, so many students spend less in practice depending on their accommodation and lifestyle.

Leicester's biggest financial advantage isn't simply that rent is lower than many UK cities. The university, accommodation, supermarkets and entertainment districts sit close together, allowing many students to walk instead of paying for regular transport throughout the academic year.

Every accommodation listing looks appealing before you move in.

Professional photographs rarely show how many people share the kitchen, whether you'll be waiting for the shower before a morning lecture, or how much cupboard space actually belongs to each resident. Those details usually matter far more after the first few weeks than the colour of the furniture does.

Students looking for student accommodation near De Montfort University often begin with price, then narrow their search by room type. That's usually a sensible approach, provided you understand what you're paying for.

The four accommodation types below cover most of the options available across Leicester.

Shared or Cluster Flats

• Shared flats remain one of the most common choices, particularly for students arriving in Leicester for the first time.

• You'll have a private bedroom, and you'll share the kitchen and living area with other residents. Depending on the building, that could mean four people using one kitchen or as many as eight. The experience changes considerably between those two layouts.

• Life in a shared flat tends to revolve around the communal kitchen. Some students cook together several evenings each week, while others keep very different routines. You quickly learn who leaves mugs beside the sink, who always cooks after lectures, and who disappears into the library until late evening.

• For many students, those shared spaces become the easiest place to meet new people outside their course.

• Shared flats usually offer the lowest entry price for De Montfort University student accommodation, making them particularly attractive for first-year students or anyone trying to reduce accommodation costs.

Before booking, ask a few practical questions.

• How many people share the kitchen?
• Is there enough fridge and cupboard space for everyone?
• Are cleaning responsibilities organised by the accommodation provider, or are they left to residents?
• Are utility bills included in the rent?

Those answers often have a bigger impact on everyday life than the room itself.

Shared Flat Feature	Details
Privacy	Private bedroom, shared kitchen and lounge
Typical weekly cost	Around £78–£120
Best suited for	First-year students, social living, lower budgets
Social level	High

En-suite Rooms

• An en-suite changes one part of the experience without changing everything else.

• Your bathroom belongs only to you.

• That sounds like a small difference until deadlines arrive or everyone has an early lecture on the same morning. There's no waiting outside the bathroom, no sharing shower schedules and no wondering whether someone forgot to clean up before you.

• Everything beyond the bedroom remains communal. You'll still cook alongside flatmates, share the lounge and meet people naturally throughout the year, but you gain a little more personal space.

• That balance explains why en-suite rooms remain one of the most popular choices for students looking for private student accommodation close to De Montfort University.

• Many purpose-built student accommodation developments around The Newarke, Bede Island and Leicester city centre offer en-suite rooms with utility bills already included.

• Students who enjoy meeting people but value slightly more privacy often find this arrangement works well throughout the academic year.

En suite Features	Details
Privacy	Private bedroom and bathroom
Typical weekly cost	Around £90–£140
Best suited for	Students wanting privacy without living alone
Social level	Medium to High

Studio Apartments

• A studio gives you complete control over your space.

• Your kitchen is yours.

• Your bathroom is yours.

• Nobody else uses your fridge, your cupboards or your cooking equipment.

• That level of independence appeals to different students for different reasons. Some simply prefer studying in a quieter environment. Others work irregular hours, complete postgraduate research or spend long periods preparing coursework without wanting shared spaces around them.

• Studios generally command higher weekly rents because every facility sits within one self-contained apartment.

• The extra cost isn't always the deciding factor.

• Instead, ask yourself one question.

• Will you really use your kitchen every day?

• Students who regularly cook for themselves often make full use of a studio. Others discover they spend most evenings with friends anyway and would have been equally happy sharing a kitchen.

• Studios make up a significant proportion of the private student accommodation near De Montfort University Leicester available across newer developments in the city centre and around campus.

Studio Feature	Details
Privacy	Complete private living
Typical weekly cost	Around £120–£180+
Best suited for	Postgraduates, mature students, independent living
Social level	Lower

Private Rooms in Shared Houses

• Purpose-built accommodation isn't the only option available.

• Many second and third-year students move into traditional shared houses across Leicester, particularly in the West End.

• Each tenant usually rents an individual bedroom while sharing kitchens, bathrooms and communal living areas with friends or other students.

• The atmosphere differs from purpose-built accommodation.

• Houses often feel more residential, and tenants usually take greater responsibility for day-to-day living.

• That means someone needs to remember bin collection days.

• Someone needs to contact the landlord if repairs are required.

• Someone has to organise broadband if it isn't already included.

• None of those jobs are particularly difficult, but they become part of everyday life.

• Students specifically looking for private shared student accommodation close to De Montfort University often choose streets around Sage Road and Mint Road because they combine a relatively short walk to campus with larger houses suitable for friendship groups.

• Before signing a contract, confirm exactly what the rent covers. Some private shared student accommodation close to De Montfort University includes all utilities, while others advertise rent only and leave tenants to organise separate bills.

Feature	Details
Privacy	Private bedroom, shared facilities
Typical weekly cost	Around £95–£160
Best suited for	Returning students and friendship groups
Social level	High

Which Room Type Offers the Best Value?

• There isn't a single answer because value depends on how you expect to live throughout the year.

• A cheaper room may not actually be cheaper when you add in separate utility bills, broadband, and transport expenses.

• Equally, paying more for a studio only makes sense if you'll actually benefit from having your own kitchen and living space.

The table below gives a simple comparison.

Private Student Accommodation near De Montfort University (2026/27): Comparison

Room Types	Weekly Cost	Facilities	Best For
Shared Flat	£78–£120	Bedroom and shared kitchen and lounge	First-year students
En suite	£90–£140	Bedroom, bathroom and shared kitchen, lounge	Students wanting more privacy
Studio	£120–£180+	Entire apartment	Independent or postgraduate students
Shared House	£95–£160	Bedroom and shared kitchen, bathroom, lounge	Returning students

Rather than asking which room is "best", think about what matters most to you.

• Walking distance.

• Total rent.

• Contract length.

• Privacy.

• Kitchen size.

• Bills.

Those five factors usually influence student satisfaction much more than whether the furniture looks modern in the online photographs.

Finding the best student accommodation near De Montfort University Leicester isn't simply about choosing the closest building.

A three-minute walk sounds attractive, but the tenancy length, room layout, included bills and communal facilities often have a much bigger effect on your experience over the next academic year.

The properties below remain among the strongest options for students looking for private student accommodation near De Montfort University because they combine practical locations with straightforward access to campus.

De Montfort University Accommodation (2026/27): Nearby Properties for Students

Property	Distance to DMU	Starting Price	Suitable For
Newarke Point	3 mins	£129/week	Students wanting to live beside campus
Ben Russell Court	2 mins	£85/week	Budget-friendly accommodation close to lectures
Pennine House, Leicester	7 mins	£95/week	City-centre living
Mintworks	3 mins	£100/week	Modern PBSA
The Hosiery	6 mins	£98/week	Students wanting city amenities
Queens Court, Leicester	6 mins	£105/week	Balanced location and price
The Grange, Leicester	4 mins	£99/week	Short walk to campus
Sage Road Houses	8–9 mins	From £108.99/week	Friendship groups
Mint Road Houses	8–9 mins	From £108.99/week	Shared student houses

Newarke Point

• Few buildings sit closer to the university.

• Located roughly three minutes on foot from campus, Newarke Point removes almost all of the daily commute. Students can comfortably walk back between lectures, making it particularly attractive for longer teaching days.

• The property suits students looking for private student accommodation near De Montfort University Leicester who prefer purpose-built accommodation with modern communal facilities rather than a traditional shared house. 

• Starting rent: £129 per week

Ben Russell Court

• Price and location rarely come together as well as they do here.

• Ben Russell Court remains one of the strongest value options currently available, with prices starting from around £85 per week and located approximately two minutes from campus.

• Students comparing cheap student accommodation near De Montfort University often find this property offers one of the lowest rents without sacrificing convenience.

• Before booking, check the room category and contract length, as different room types may vary in price.

Pennine House, Leicester

• Pennine House places students in Leicester city centre, with the university less than ten minutes away on foot.

• Supermarkets, cafés, shopping and Leicester railway station remain easily accessible, making the location attractive for students who spend as much time exploring the city as they do on campus.

• Starting prices begin around £95 per week.

Mintworks

• Mintworks combines city-centre living with one of the shortest walks to the university.

• Students choosing modern private student accommodation close to De Montfort University often consider it because it balances location with competitive pricing compared with similar developments in larger UK cities.

• Walking to lectures generally takes around three minutes.

The Hosiery

• The Hosiery appeals to students who want to stay close to Leicester's restaurants, shopping streets and entertainment without increasing their daily journey to university.

• The building sits within comfortable walking distance of campus while maintaining relatively competitive weekly rents.

The Grange, Leicester

• The Grange offers another practical choice for students who place convenience above everything else.

• Campus sits only a few minutes away on foot, reducing the need for public transport throughout the year.

• For many first-year students, that shorter journey quickly becomes one of the property's biggest advantages.

Sage Road and Mint Road Houses

• Purpose-built accommodation doesn't suit everyone.

• Students planning to live with friends often prefer larger shared houses instead.

• The properties on Sage Road and Mint Road continue to attract students searching for private shared student accommodation close to De Montfort University because they provide traditional student housing within around ten minutes of campus.

Most groups compare these houses alongside studios before deciding whether greater independence outweighs communal living.

One final point deserves attention before making a booking.

Always compare the complete tenancy rather than the weekly rent.

Ask for:

• the total contract cost
• start and end dates
• deposit requirements
• instalment schedule
• utility inclusions
• cancellation policy
• number of kitchen users
• maintenance reporting process

Those details often become more important than saving two or three pounds each week.

Students often begin their search by typing cheap student accommodation near De Montfort University into a search engine.

Price certainly matters, but the lowest weekly rent doesn't always produce the lowest overall cost.

Contract length, included bills and walking distance can all change the final amount you spend across the academic year.

The properties below consistently offer some of the strongest value for students looking to balance affordability with convenience.

Affordable Student Accommodation near DMU (2026/27): Nearby Options

Property	Weekly Rent	Distance to DMU	Why Students Consider It
The Shoe & Boot Factory	£78	8 mins	Lowest advertised weekly rent
Ben Russell Court	£85	2 mins	Excellent value beside campus
Pennine House, Leicester	£95	7 mins	City-centre convenience
The Hosiery	£98	6 mins	Competitive PBSA pricing
The Grange, Leicester	£99	4 mins	Close to lectures
Regents Court	£99	11 mins	Affordable city-centre option

Students comparing accommodation should always calculate the total cost of the tenancy before deciding which property offers the best value.

A room advertised at £78 per week might still become more expensive overall than another property if the contract runs several weeks longer or excludes utility bills.

The opposite can also happen.

A room costing slightly more each week may include internet, electricity, water, contents insurance and heating, removing several separate monthly expenses.

Looking at the complete picture rather than the headline price usually leads to a better decision.

Choosing accommodation in Leicester is often less about transport and more about how much walking you're comfortable doing.

For many students, commuting never really feels like commuting.

The university's city-centre location means most popular student neighbourhoods sit within walking distance, which isn't something every UK university can offer.

Walking to Campus

• Walking is the default option for most DMU students.

• From Newarke Point, lectures are only a few minutes away. Ben Russell Court is similarly close, while students living in the West End generally reach campus in around ten minutes. Even accommodation in the city centre usually involves nothing more than a short walk through Leicester's main streets.

• Students searching for student accommodation near De Montfort University Leicester often place walking distance above almost everything else because eliminating daily transport expenses has a noticeable effect across an academic year.

Getting Around by Bus

• Buses become useful once your destination moves beyond the university.

• Students living in Clarendon Park, Oadby or Belgrave often use services operated by Arriva and First Leicester when travelling into the city. Single fares remain relatively affordable, although many students find themselves using buses less often than expected simply because central Leicester is easy to cross on foot.

• Students choosing private shared accommodation close to De Montfort University in the West End frequently walk even during winter unless the weather is particularly poor.

Cycling Around Leicester

• Leicester's relatively flat roads make cycling a practical option rather than a demanding one.

• Dedicated routes along the River Soar and sections of the Great Central Way provide alternatives to busier roads, while many student accommodation buildings include secure cycle storage for residents bringing their own bikes.

• Cycling is particularly useful for students who are balancing lectures with placements or part-time work outside the city centre.

Rail Connections

• Leicester Railway Station sits roughly twenty minutes from campus on foot and connects the city with destinations across the Midlands and beyond.

• These connections make weekend trips home relatively straightforward for many students and provide convenient links for internships, interviews and graduate assessment centres in other cities.

Destination	Typical Journey Time
London St Pancras	1 hr 5–15 mins
Birmingham	Around 50 mins
Nottingham	Around 30 mins
Sheffield	Around 1 hr

Travelling to the Airport

• East Midlands Airport is usually the nearest option for domestic and European flights.

• The Skylink service provides direct connections from Leicester, with journeys taking around forty minutes under normal traffic conditions.

• Students travelling internationally often use Birmingham Airport instead because it offers a wider range of long-haul routes. Rail connections from Leicester make the journey relatively straightforward.