When you study a science, you expect some experience in a lab, doing science. When you study, say, martial arts, you’re not going to be spending all of your time pouring over books and trying to pay attention in lectures (and before you ask, yes, martial arts does exist as a degree programme. We looked it up). And when you study a language degree, you’re going to want to be spending some time speaking it.

That’s what a year abroad is for in language courses; to stop you from not paying attention in lectures and seminars and to actually get you using the language properly. For this, a year abroad is invaluable and an enormously important part of your degree – it’s very, very, very important to graduate from a language degree being fluent in the lingo; otherwise, what’s the point?

The Obvious Advantages

Well, first off, as discussed above, you’ll leave whatever country you visited fluent in the language spoken there. That’s more or less a given. And if you don’t, you really should have spent more time outside your room. Language students spend one or two years learning just enough of the lingo to get by in another country well enough to survive, and are then scattered like leaves all over the place and left to fend for themselves in the big, wide, foreign world. It’s an adventure, and should be an awful lot of fun. But the main bonus is, and we can’t stress this enough, leaving the country at the end of the year being able to speak French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Samoan…

A year abroad as part of a language course has become so much of an expected thing that most language students who don’t spend time abroad tend to be doing either very specialist courses (nobody has worked out how the Latin students are going to find an exchange partner) or have messed up the paperwork in a big way. Employers will look for experience abroad as part and parcel of the degree programme, and it’s immensely important that a graduate is capable of proving that they speak the language well enough to be fluent – that’s what the year abroad is for.

The Less Obvious Advantages

Basically, expect some adventure on your year abroad – spending an entire year in a foreign country is a great opportunity to broaden your horizons and have some fun. After all, “abroad” is always exciting, and living there doesn’t make it any less so. Take the chance to go travelling, gather some stories about yourself and all of that kind of thing; though we suggest you take care and don’t come back saying things like “I just really found myself on that beach, man, it was so spiritual”. The best possible thing that can happen with a sentence like that is everybody ignores it. Don’t be that guy. Please?

So yeah, if you don’t come back from, say, Russia feeling oh-so-very spiritual; employers will very much admire you for surviving in what they see as a terrifying and hostile place for a year. It’s the way the world works – if you can do something that somebody else can’t, even if it is just asking if they have any bacon left behind the counter, they’ll instantly be impressed with you. Other languages are one of the hardest things to learn, one of the easiest to perfect, and one of the most impressive subjects to utilise. Remember that.

Jobs

If you’re intending to take a year away from university or to continue your studies whilst you’re abroad, we have some advice for you – get a job! This has an enormous amount of advantages, and, just like this article, there’s more advantages than first meets the eye.

For one thing, a job will earn you a decent amount of money, and everybody except those crazy people on Youtube likes money (and even then we’re suspicious of those people). The extra cash, if cleverly saved, could help enormously in your final year when you’re trying to study and need a bit of a cushion to fall back on when you don’t have time to cook, and want to enjoy a grubby takeaway instead. Alternatively, go ahead and spend the money looking around the country you’re going to be spending your time in – go to clubs, bars and everywhere else and flash some cash if you feel like it; why not?

Money’s not the only advantage to a job abroad, though (half the people reading this article may have just laughed, but it’s true). A job will increase the amount of time you’ll be spending around people enormously, which generally a lot of people would consider a bad thing. But remember, you’re here to speak the language, and the more time you spend communicating with locals, the better. You’ll thank yourself later in the year when you know what that woman means when she asks for something random in her native language.

Finally, a job signals to employers – who, remember, won’t be able to speak the language – that you were pro-active during your time abroad and did more than just hide away in your room. This is, obviously, a big bonus, and should be remembered as one before you translate that CV of yours.

As far as actually getting a job goes, we have a little bit of advice – make sure to sell yourself properly as a student studying the language, as opposed to a local. You won’t be able to impress the locals much at the start of the year with your skills in their language, but they may well be a little more interested in your command of English – try to focus on areas that have a fair few English customers; that should help your chances.

Second little bit of advice – try to get a job in a manual skill, like bar tending or cooking or even cleaning plates if it comes to it – everybody knows you’ll be gone in a year, so you’re probably not going to get anything that makes an enormous amount of money or is particularly permanent. Once you accept that, it’ll be a lot easier to get a decent job.

Friends

This is an important one. Making friends all over again after the highs and lows of first year is probably going to seem like a bit of a drag (sometimes it’s just painful talking to people, particularly if it’s not in your native language) but it has to be done at some point or another, and friends abroad come with their own very distinct advantages, like, for example, accommodation abroad. We know this seems a little calculating so don’t worry, we’ve done the bad bit by saying it for you. Knowing people who live abroad and staying in contact with them is enormously helpful in later life when you’re hoping to stay in, say, Berlin for a weekend but can’t find a hotel that isn’t full that night. Friends abroad are good, useful things to have.

Besides, having friends, abroad or not, is a very important thing. We – that is, human beings – are immensely social animals, and we’re not built to spend a year in solitary confinement watching the world go past speaking a different language. Most of us need company, and it’s very important to make some good relationships early on in your time abroad, so you’ll have someone to talk to when you need them.

Generally the system for language students means that you’ll be spending time in a house, flat or halls filled with other students either in a similar situation or just studying at a local university. Make friends with these people first – for one thing, they’re the closest, and for another, they’re probably your best bet straight off the bat; they already have more in common with you than most and you haven’t even met them yet. Focus on that first, branch out later.

Some Scary Stuff

There is one tiny little very minor downside to studying abroad that should really be noted before your university whisks you up and pops you down in the middle of nowhere with no real idea of what’s going on. Thing is, your year abroad might – might – have a negative impact on your final year. This isn’t academically speaking, of course – a year abroad should help your degree along enormously. It’s more about your choices as far as accommodation is concerned, as well as working out who to live with when you return.

Thing is, it will have been a year; people will have moved on, got new houses, graduated, and left university due to mental breakdowns. What you come back to may well end up looking a little chaotic. Which is fine, but it’s something that you should very much be aware of – try to organise your accommodation as early as you possibly can, even if it is through Skype, or you’ll end up being back in – horror of horrors – halls with all the first years who still can’t work out how to cook pasta. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Search for your perfect language course today with Coursefindr.co.uk

Cardiff is the land where everyone speaks two languages, the rent is dirt cheap and people still live in castles.

Okay, so no one actually still lives in castles, but the Welsh capital is home to one of Britain’s remaining castles and the rent is super cheap, which makes Cardiff an excellent place to study.

 Moreover, Cardiff is rich in culture, alive with nightlife, and it has one of the greatest seaside’s in the whole world.

So just in case you were twiddling your thumbs and considering Cardiff as the place to spend your University years, let’s take a look at what the city offers with our Ultimate Guide To Studying In Cardiff.

Universities In Cardiff

Students make up an incredible 20% of Cardiff’s entire population, which means that 1 in 5 Cardiffians are students, and it also means that students in the red dragon capital are worth a staggering £800 million for the local economy. Now, won’t that make you feel important?!

 The city is proud to be home to 2 great Universities:

Cardiff UniversityCardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff University

Cardiff University has been around since 1883, and is situated in some of the most beautiful university grounds this side of Oxford. The facilities may be ancient but they’re still refined and stunning, and are indeed one of the main reasons why many students choose to study here.

Cardiff University has a very high entry standards rate, and has  student satisfaction rating of 4.05. Degree completion is also very high, with a rate of 93.4%. The University is just a five minute walk from the city centre and it currently sits at 33 in the latest league table rankings.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff Metropolitan University celebrated its 150 year anniversary earlier this year, which makes it Wales’ oldest university. Popular with art and design students from all around the UK, Cardiff Met has entry standards of 314, a student satisfaction rating of 4.03 and a degree completion rate of 82.3%. The university currently ranks 91 in the university league table rankings.

It is home to two teaching campuses, one in Llandaff and one in Cynocoed, and both are located conveniently within the city centre. Entry requirements will depend on the programme you apply for, but they range between 140 and 320 UCAS tariff points.

Fee’s, Living Aspects & Student Finance

Fee’s are supposed to be what put students off from fleeing the nest and heading off to university, but despite the sky-high rise in tuition fees, universities just like those found in Cardiff are actually experiencing more applications than ever before.

In terms of living costs, the great thing about studying in Cardiff is that it’s one of the cheapest places to live. During your second and third years, your rent will most likely be less than £300 a month, which will be enough to make your Oxford and London friends dead jealous. Indeed, the cost of living in Cardiff is lower than in most other capital cities.

However, most first-year students choose to live in halls for the first 9 months because it’s easier than scouting for a house in a location you’ve never been to before. It is worth bearing in mind, though, that student halls are always more expensive than private accommodation. They do, however, come bang in the city centre, and most are armed with 24/7 security.

There are a number of student halls in Cardiff. Here are our top picks:

• Shand House – from £133 per week
• Student Castle  – from £114 per week
• Summit House – from £163 per week
• Liberty Point – from £115 per week
• Liberty Park – from £112 per week
• Victoria Hall – from £99 per week

General Info About Cardiff

Cardiff is actually one of Europe’s youngest capital cities. Prosperous and attractive, it boasts an awesome cosmopolitan atmosphere. It might be much smaller than London, but this works in its favour as you get more of a chance to rub shoulders with people from different walks of life. Moreover, the city is also divided on each half by a waterfront and beautiful countryside, which means that you get the best of both worlds.

Cardiff is also the home of the National Assembly for Wales, which means that it has excellent cultural and commercial facilities. It has also recently benefited from huge regeneration projects, which have resulted in the gorgeous Cardiff Bay waterfront development, as well as the Wales Millennium Centre. You’ll have no need to worry about getting out and about either, as the city is well-serviced by efficient public transport, and it is even home to an airport just incase you want to spontaneously take off somewhere!

Events, Venues & Points Of Interest

After a week of intense studying, you’ll probably want something to do to help you unwind, right? Right! The great thing is that Cardiff caters to all kinds of people, from culture vultures to seaside lovers and everyone in-between.

Indeed, if you do happen to love to be beside the seaside, you simply won’t be able to stop yourself from falling head over heels in love with Cardiff Bay. Part of a multimillion pound regeneration project, Cardiff Bay is essentially the development that put the Welsh capital on the map. Home to a huge wealth of awesome buildings and sights, among them the Wales Millennium Centre and the Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay is indeed so cool that you might have to get your mate to pry you away from it to ensure you don’t miss your exams!

As mentioned earlier, Cardiff is also home to a castle; more specifically, it is home to Castell Coch, a Gothic revival castle with a history that dates back as far as 1081. The building is certainly one for romantic history lovers, and its captivating stonework and tranquil grounds are a perfect place to relax and lose yourself after a heady weeks’ studying. If you enjoy castles, you may also enjoy Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff’s premier cathedral.

Sports lovers will be able to get their kicks at the city’s Millennium Stadium, which hosts regular sporting events (especially rugby) that emit a proper carnival vibe, whilst Cardiff also has a popular football team which were recently relegated from the Premier League. They’re still a great team to watch though, and the atmosphere is always electric. Go Bluebirds!

Or, if you’d prefer to take in a show or two, you’ll feel right at home at the aforementioned Wales Millennium Centre, which plays regular host to national touring shows. It’s also a fantastic place to eat and drink if you’re just looking to chill.

Culture vultures will certainly not be short of things to do, with the National Museum and Art Gallery, and the Chapter Arts Centre providing some spiritual home-from-homes. Meanwhile, literature and television fans are also well-serviced, as Cardiff is home to both The Doctor Who Experience and the the Roald Dahl Plass. And for any student who is a bit strapped for cash, the Welsh capital hosts regular car boot sales in the city centre so you can buy some vintage used wares to help make your life a little sweeter.

Yes, Yes, Yes. But What About The Pubs?!

You didn’t expect an Ultimate Guide To Studying In Cardiff to come without a guide to the local drinking dens, did you?! No doubt after handing your work in for the week, you’ll be ready for a good old party in Cardiff. Fortunately for students, Cardiff is a Mecca for cheap boozers and sticky dance floors.

Cardiff is home to seventeen branches of infamously cheap chain pub Wetherspoons, with The Central Bar being our top pick. It is certainly graced by fewer local miscreants than the others, and it also comes with a pretty cool upstairs booth. If, however, you fancy somewhere classier to drink your real ale and fizzy lager, the booming Brewdog gets our thumbs up. Hip, stylish and with more swagger than Liam Gallagher, only the coolest students in town drink here. Careful, though, it isn’t particularly cheap. Best left for Student Loan Day!

Other cool student-friendly bars in Cardiff include the Pen & Wig, which hosts regular open mic nights, as well as pub quiz nights and curry nights. Then there is Gwdihw, a pub with a name so Welsh it hurts, whilst most students who have studied in Cardiff will attest to the fact that Porter’s Cardiff is the place where you have more fun than anywhere else. They might not do curry, but they do do cinema, a miniature golf course, as well as bingo and “movieoke.” Now then, doesn’t that sound amazing?

Once midnight tolls, though, you’ll naturally be thinking about heading to a club. Cardiff has got you covered, and among their student-friendly nightclubs are Bar Cuba, a Latin-themed club that regularly puts on student nights; Jumpin Jaks, a student club where a select few people tend to enjoy getting their kit off after one too many jaegers; Oceana, a club booming with student anthems from Oasis to Pulp, and Tiger Tiger, a chain club that hosts a handful of cracking student nights each week – including foam parties.

So There It Is …

In a nutshell, Cardiff is one of the friendliest, youngest cities on the planet. And thanks to its recent regeneration project, it’s also one of the most buzzing capitals where 1 in 5 residents are students. So if you fancy finding out a bit more about studying in this student Mecca, start your search for courses available in Cardiff.

Cambridge is home to some of the world’s first ever universities, as well as some of the world’s most famous. Anyone who is anyone has studied in Cambridge, including Isaac Newton, Lord Tennyson, Edward VII, and half of Monty Python.

Choosing to go and study in Cambridge, then, must mean you’re made of some pretty stern stuff. But as well as knowing you have all the right academic qualifications, there are still plenty of things you need to know that will help you not only decide whether studying and living in Cambridge really is for you, but also which university in Cambridge can satisfy your mettle. So let’s take a look at what you can expect from an academic and social life in Cambridge.

Universities In Cambridge

Cambridge may well officially be a city, but it’s not really much bigger than a town. As such, it has a real compact feel to it and contains just two main Universities:

Anglia Ruskin UniversityUniversity of Cambridge

Anglia Ruskin University

Compared to the grand old University of Cambridge, Anglia Ruskin University is still a mere babe in arms that was opened as a School of Art in 1858. It didn’t officially become a university until 1992, eventually adopting the name Anglia Ruskin University in 2005.

It’s rise has been rapid though, and it was christened the UK Entrepreneurial University of the Year in 2014. Modern and super cosmopolitan, it is home to over 35,000 students from more than 170 countries. With a focus on business, it’s often the go-to university for budding entrepreneurs.

Anglia Ruskin University is renowned for its focus on business and entrepreneurial spirit, and was awarded the UK Entrepreneurial University of the Year in 2014; so it probably comes as no surprise that Cambridge is now the centre of the forward-thinking “Silicon Fen” industries. Silicon Fen is home to a number of hi-tech businesses, with a focus on electronics, software and biotechnology.

University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge is one of the UK’s oldest functioning buildings, and was one of the world’s first ever universities. Founded way back in 1209 at a time when Shakespeare wasn’t the bane of most students’ young lives, the University isn’t just a proud historic entity, but continues to excel as a leading academic light.

With a worldwide reputation for unparalleled academic achievement, the University is home to world-class research facilities and teams, and each year welcomes gifted academic’s who will one day pretty much change the course of the world. If rubbing shoulders with future politicians, journalists, novelists and even royal family members sounds like just the ticket, the University of Cambridge is probably for you.

Fees, Living Aspects & Student Finance

The good news about choosing to go and study in Cambridge is that, despite the Universities’ extraordinary reputations for developing world-class academics, researchers, writers and so on, the tuition fees are on a par with most other English universities. This means that you can expect to pay £9,000 per year for your course, regardless of what you choose to study. The upshot of this is that you are accessing some of the UK’s best resources, teachers and support for a reasonable price.

When it comes to accommodation, you’re pretty much faced with two options: You can choose to live in one of the University’s halls of residence, or you could opt to live in a private house as part of a house-share. Many first year students prefer halls of residence because of the security they offer, as well as the fact that it gives them a chance to meet new people. The downside to living in a halls of residence is that they are often more expensive than living in a private house. If you do decide to go down the route of student accommodation, here are the top student accommodations available in Cambridge:

• Study Inn – from £108 per week (based on two students sharing)
• Chestnut House – from £170.00 per week
• The RailYard – from £148.00 per week

General Info About Cambridge

Cambridge is one of the smallest cities in the UK, and has a population just shy of 125,000. Students make up around 20% of this overall population, and because of the city’s compactness, Cambridge has a real “student feel” about the place. Although the atmosphere can sometimes feel cramped, it often adds to its charm; and away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city streets, Cambridge gives way to vast and beautiful areas of greenery.

Because the city is flat and compact, many residents and students prefer walking and cycling. Should you want to use them, buses are reliable, though they can be expensive. Travel cards are available, while cars are not ideally suited to the pedestrianised streets of the city centre. Cambridge is ideally suited in terms of its connections, with London sitting just 60 miles away, while the main train station provides services to the UK’s major cities, usually requiring no more than 1 or 2 changes.

Events, Venues & Points Of Interest

Cambridge is a very old place, with settlements going back as far as prehistory. As such, you’d naturally expect there to be a high number of points of interest in the old city – and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.

If you want to take in pretty much everything that Cambridge has to offer, you could do a lot worse than take one of the fantastic City Tours when you first arrive. This will help you to get acquainted with the place, getting a feel and a flavour for what the city is all about. You can also tag along on one of the Boat Tours that are on offer, as well as the Sightseeing Tours. These tours will introduce you to the historical River Cam (possibly short for Cambridge!), Anglesey Abbey, which has been described as “a jewel in the crown of National Trust properties, and the Bridge of Sighs.

If you’re something of a culture vulture, you certainly won’t be short of things to do in Isaac Newton country. Here you will find museums, art galleries, historical chapels, the Centre for Computing History, the Scott Polar Research Institute – and much more. Fitzwilliam Museum is popular with students, and is totally free to enter and walk around, while Kettles Yard Gallery is also a top pick and will be ideal for anyone who quite fancies a bit of modern art.

Other attractions in Cambridge to keep your mind off your exams and hangovers include the Arts Picturehouse, a quaint cinema that screens foreign and cult classics; the Cambridge Corn Exchange, an arts and entertainment venue that is popular with bands, dance troupes and theatre groups; as well as a wealth of shopping centres that are home to high-street stores and independent shops.

Nights Out

Cambridge might not be a mecca for students who are looking to go raving every night of the week (see Manchester for more glow sticks than you can shake a, um, normal stick at), but it’s still managed to retain a fair few good pubs and a handful of cheap as chips clubs.

It is worth mentioning, though, that while Cambridge scores very highly with students in terms of its academia and teaching levels, it doesn’t perform quite so well when it comes to nightlife. As one student once commented: “Obviously, Cambridge isn’t world renowned for its clubbing scene, but there’s a reason that we get the grades.”

The good news is that the Cambridge nightlife is at least pretty much dominated by students, and there is generally something for everyone on offer. Though you might not find the wide variety of super clubs that you’d find in London, a lot of the colleges offer student unions that pump out solid dance and trance throughout the week. If cheese is more your thing, Life and Cindies are a hit with students who want to let their hair down and a have a good time.

The problem Cambridge has at the moment is that its most happening clubs have recently closed down; Kambar provided a haven for anyone with a love of alternative rock music, but has now closed its doors. For this reason, pubs will be your friend in Cambridge. Thankfully, there are still a high number of watering holes that are friendly, homely, and which sell ace craft beer.

So There It Is …

In a nutshell, Cambridge is an excellent place to go and study if you want to knuckle down and be a high achiever. With many Cambridge alumni entering top jobs, Cambridge is the place to go if you want to excel and perhaps even change the world. Home to a gamut of culture and history, it might not have the super clubs that a lot of students yearn for, but it’s certainly got the teaching quality. If you’d like to find out more, why not search for courses in Cambridge with Coursefindr today…

Apparently it always rains in Manchester, everyone loves Oasis, and you’re either a Red or a Blue. These are just some of the popular myths that abound in one of the UK’s most thriving student cities. But did you also know that some of our nation’s’ finest cultural icons and creative minds have studied in Manchester. Including anarchic comedian Rik Mayall, Clockwork Orange author Anthony Burgess, and dance music kings, the Chemical Brothers?

The truth is that Manchester is one of the most happening and cultural cities in Britain. Academics feel just as home as musicians, artists and general eccentrics do. If you choose to study there, you’ll be in fantastic and very diverse company. Let’s take a closer look at what Manchester has to offer for students.

Unis In Manchester

Manchester is a booming student city, which attracts thousands of students each year. It is home to two major unis, as well as a group of specialist ones. The two main unis are:

University of ManchesterManchester Metropolitan University

University of Manchester

If you’ve ever switched onto University Challenge on a dreary Monday evening it’s highly likely that you’ve come across Team University of Manchester. Well known for being the brain boxes who won the tournament in both 2012 and 2013. University of Manchester is also known for its strong academia and focus on the humanities, such as philosophy, linguistics and science. Situated in the heart of the city centre, it’s a sprawling university that lies right next to the Manchester Museum. University of Manchester ranks 31st in the latest league table rankings.

Manchester Metropolitan University

Jokingly referred to as the “crap version of University of Manchester” (by cheeky University of Manchester students, of course). MMU is actually also known as the Manchester School of Art. It is a mecca for creatives, and provides top-rate filmmaking, art, graphic design and illustration courses. It is a hundred yards closer to the city centre than the University of Manchester. The University has recently completed work on some stunning, brand new state-of-the-art complexes. Manchester Met currently ranks 60th in the latest Guardian league table rankings.

The remaining specialist Manchester Universities are:

• Manchester Business School
• Manchester Computing Centre
• Royal College of Music

Each one is ideally located in the city centre, whilst the popular University of Salford is literally just a short walk away.

Fee’s, Living Aspects & Student Finance

Fee’s. Nothing dampens a student’s spirit more. Fortunately, tuition fees are usually fixed, regardless of where and what you are studying. This means that each student should expect to pay £9,250 per year for a three-year course, as well as their living costs. Of course, not every student is expected to stump up those eye-popping figures themselves, which is why student finance arrives to save the day. Yay!

Many students choose to live in student halls during their first year. However, because you spend the first year meeting new people, it’s a lot easier to opt for halls of residence for the first year, and arrange to live with your mates for the second and third years.. A student living in student halls in Manchester should expect to spend, on average, £13,200 over the entire 42-week academic year.

There are number of student halls available in Manchester, with the most popular ones found on the university campuses themselves. The most popular ones include:

• Mansion Park – from £138.00 per week
• Liberty Point – from £122.00 per week
• Weston Court – from £91.00 per week
• Student Castle – from £142.95 per week

Student Castle is actually located in one of Manchester’s tallest towers and offers stunning views of the city.

General Info About Manchester

Manchester is the UK’s third largest city. Anyone who has visited or lived there have attested to the fact that it is is one of their fondest love affairs. Famous mathematician, Alan Turing, who cracked the enigma code during WWII moved and lived there. Whilst the infamous Madchester era of music, spawned the the likes of the Happy Mondays, Stone Roses and Oasis.

But there is much more to Manchester than mere nostalgia. Located right next to the brand new BBC and ITV studios, Manchester is at the epicentre of the UK’s television media. It is home to the busiest bus route in Europe that journeys from the city centre into Fallowfield, where many students live.

It is also a bustling shopping city, with scores of high street stores heaving day in day out with happy shoppers. Perhaps the greatest thing about Manchester is its celebration of multiculturalism, with the Curry Mile known to contain the biggest concentration of South Asian eateries outside India itself.

Manchester is also well known for being a city of learning and culture. It is home to a number of museums and libraries. And the great thing? They’re all situated within a stones throws of one another.

Events, Venues & Points of Interest

Manchester is a hive of activity, and there is always something going on for everyone. If you’re something of a culture vulture, Manchester is home to numerous art galleries to keep your senses ticking over. The big ones include Manchester Art Gallery, which boasts a fine collection of Impressionist works, and Whitworth Art Gallery. Situated on the edge of the city centre, Whitworth is at the forefront of curating the best contemporary art around, and was actually one of the UK’s first art galleries to purchase a Picasso. What great foresight they had!

The city is also great for movie lovers. As well as the usual mainstream cinemas that showcase the latest blockbusters, the city is also home to Home, a brand new cinema, theatre and art space that shows all the latest foreign flicks and art house movies. Home also showcases experimental theatre, so if the arts are your thing you might want to head on over there as soon as you’ve unpacked your bags.

Music lovers will also feel right at home in Manchester. The Manchester Academy and Manchester Apollo regularly host some of the world’s most exciting bands. Whilst the Manchester Arena often invites some of the planet’s top performers to its stage, such as Beyonce, Lady Gaga and The Vamps. Or, if you prefer classical music you can hit the Bridgewater Hall, where you will find Mozart, Chopin & Beethoven being played out by the Manchester Philharmonic and Halle orchestra.

And if you fancy something to help you celebrate the fact that your exams are over, Manchester hosts Parklife each year; a three-day music festival situated in Heaton Park. Plenty of top DJs and bands are invited to play each year, with last year’s bill including Fatboy Slim, A Tribe Called Quest and RagnBone Man.

It All Sounds Great … But What About The Pubs?!

Okay, we know this is the bit some of you lot have been waiting for. The great Manchester boozing scene. Legend has it that Liam Gallagher once went on a 2 week bender in Manchester, which probably gives you a good idea of the kind of booming nightlife you should expect. The great thing is, because students sustain many of the bars and clubs, the student nightlife in Manchester is absolutely belting.

Popular student clubs include the legendary Fifth (formerly Fifth Avenue), indie hotspot 42nd Street and Motown mecca Venue. All these clubs offer cheap entry, cheap drinks and you can usually find at least one of them open on any given day of the week. Fifth in particular is partial to a good old-fashioned foam party now and then (usually bank holidays), and is jam-packed with both students and regular civilians until the early hours.

If you like your dance music to be a bit more specialised, you probably already know about the Manchester rave scene. Once home to the infamous Hacienda nightclub, Manchester still boasts a number of world-famous super-clubs for anyone who likes to get their rave on. These include The Warehouse Project, Sankeys, and Venus. Each club is well known for attracting the big names in dance music, including Moby, Chemical Brothers, and Richie Hawtin.

If, however, you prefer a drink in a bar, you simply can’t go wrong in England’s third biggest city. The quaint and cosmopolitan Northern Quarter is tailor made for hipsters, artists and musicians, and is home to a cluster of trendy, hip and artistic pubs and bars. Our favourites include TV 21s, Dry Bar and Night and Day Cafe. For anyone who craves live jazz and blues, there is Matt & Phred’s jazz bar, which offers live music each night of the week. Or, if you prefer a bit of live comedy, comedy club Frog & Bucket offer free entry to students. Can’t go wrong with that, can you?

So There It Is …

Manchester is basically a great place to study and live. The universities are modern and forward-thinking, whilst the city centre is bustling with activity and plenty of part-time job opportunities. Manchester is very much a city in tune with its past that is always moving forward. To find out if you could end up studying in Manchester, search for your perfect course with Coursefindr.

Fleeing the nest for University is not an easy decision to make, but before you decide which city can handle you, there are a few burning questions that need to be answered first. Are the houses cheap? Is the city interesting and happening? Are the universities of an adequate standard? What is the nightlife like, and is there a good amount of culture? So many questions.

If Leicester is on your list of options, let’s take a tour of the city with our Ultimate Guide To Studying In Leicester.

And, yes, it is very Ultimate.

Universities In Leicester

Leicester is a good-sized city – not too big, and definitely not too small. Students appreciate its compactness and the amount of greenery there is in the city. Moreover, because it’s placed so centrally in the UK, it attracts a healthy amount of students who are never too far away from home.

There are two universities in Leicester:

De Montfort UniversityUniversity of Leicester

De Montfort University

De Montfort University has been scoring higher and higher in the league table performance charts each year, and is ranked #61 for 2017. It’s proud to be a global uni, and is currently home to students from over 130 countries! It also scores very highly for employment rates, and has broken into the top 40 UK universities when it comes to student satisfaction.

University of Leicester

The University of Leicester is the city’s youngest uni, and was founded in 1921. It’s a very high performing university, and currently sits #47 in the league table performance rankings for 2017 – though this is down on its high scoring position of #20 in 2009.

Overall, it has excellent ratings and guarantees a top-notch campus, as well as very high teaching quality. Situated right in the heart of the city centre, it is a stone’s throw away from the train station and sits side-by-side with the 02 Academy.

Fee’s, Living Aspects & Student Finance

Okay, now for the slightly boring bit. Fee’s, living aspects and student finance are kinda tedious, but they’re an important part of your student experience. If you’re going to make a success of this university thing, it’s best that you get these three things sorted out before you head off to freshers without a care in the world.

When it comes to living aspects, many first-year students prefer to live in student accommodation. University halls of residents are often welcoming and very friendly, and this gives the student a chance to meet new, like-minded people who they can form lasting friendships with. Although living in a halls of residence can be fun, they can be more expensive than living in a private, shared house. It has to be said, though, that Leicester’s halls of residence are some of the cheapest in the UK. Here is a rundown of our top picks:

• City Block – from £97.00 per week
• Newarke Point – from £140.00 per week
• Filbert Village – from £99.00 per week
• Walnut Street Residences – from £77.00 per week
• Grosvenor House – from £97.00 per week
• Oxford Court – from £75.00 per week
• Primus Place – from £129.00 per week
• Pennine House – from £73.00 per week
• Liberty Park – from £110.00 per week

Whether you decide to live in a student halls of residence, or in a private shared house, we estimate that you will need to set aside around £7,500 per year to study and live in Leicester. Budgeting is something you will need to get used to, and it’s a really good idea to budget before you start the first term. You can use a simple spreadsheet to do this, and it will help you to manage your money and how much you spend each month on your bills, food, and going out.

General Info About Leicester

Leicester is one of the UK’s friendliest cities. It’s also one of the smallest, one of the cheapest to live in, and it’s also one of the greenest. Leicester is also a thriving cosmopolis, and is home to people from all kinds of ethnic backgrounds, as well as the largest outdoor fresh food market in Europe.

The bus service is inexpensive and comes with travel cards, while there are miles and miles of cycleways to be enjoyed if you’d rather bring your bicycle with you. Although Leicester itself isn’t home to an airport, the nearest one is just under half an hour away (East Midlands), while the city is very well connected, with Birmingham within touching distance and London just 93 miles south. Road links are ace, and a frequent coach network helps to connect Leicester with nearby and faraway cities.

Sports fans certainly won’t have any time to get bored in Leicester. There is an array of sports and leisure centres to be enjoyed, while the city is home to Premier League football team Leicester City, as well as the Leicester Tigers Rugby Club and the Leicestershire County Cricket Club. The city is also brimming with pubs, clubs and restaurants, while some of the biggest names in music are often invited to perform here. For shoppers, Highcross Leicester is the city’s mains shopping centre, offering major department stores and restaurants.

Events, Venues & Points Of Interest

Leicester might be small, but there is still lots to do in this historical city. Unique, wonderful and cosmopolitan, there is always something happening. If you dig the theatre, you certainly won’t be stuck for something to see in your free time because Leicester is home to numerous theatre halls that actually puts most cities to shame. Theatres here include the Curve Theatre, The Little Theatre, Upstairs at the Western, The Y Theatre and Jukebox. And in case you fancy a flick instead of a performance, there is always Vue cinema.

Other events and venues in Leicester include a bevy of art galleries and museums, while the O2 Academy is a music cathedral that regularly plays host to top bands and artists. Upcoming lineups include metal-heads Bullet For My Valentine, indie superstars Courteneers and indie legends Starsailor (legends?). If, however, you prefer your music to be a little more underground and away from the limelight, the city offers you cosier venues, including The Shed and The Donkey.

When you decide that it’s time to get out and about and have a stroll around to clear your head, you’ll find that this super-green city has lots of pleasurable points of interest. These include the idyllic Bradgate Park, the National Space Centre, Leicester Cathedral, Abbey Park, and Ashby de la Zouch castle, a grade I listed building that is managed by the English Heritage, and which dates back to the 12th century.

And if it’s history that you’re really looking for, let’s not forget that Richard III’s 500 year-old skeleton was recently discovered underneath a car park here. You can find all about him in the King Richard III visitor centre, or you can discover the truth about the man and his death via King Richard III.

All hail the King!

Nightlife

Okay, it’s time to get out of the castles and into the pub.

The fact that the city centre of Leicester is not too big is actually a bonus. Rather than getting lost trying to find your friends, or arguing over where to go tonight until it’s 2am, the compactness brings people together. The clubs aren’t ridiculously expensive, and although they do get busy they don’t get too sweaty or so-packed-that-you-can’t-breathe. This isn’t Manchester, after all. The flip side to being a small city, though, is that you might find there isn’t enough choice of places.

The Students Union itself is a popular hotspot with students and offers an array of well-attended club nights, including Shabang. Shabang is like your average club night, except that it offers a very relaxed atmosphere. It’s so relaxed, in fact, that there is zero pressure on getting dolled up to the nines. Folk just expect you to turn up and have a good time! Which is how it should be.

Other clubs include the ever-popular Club Republic, a multi-room nightclub that can boast a state of the art sound system, as well as a VIP bar; Mosh, a 3-floored indie-rock club that is for all the headbangers among you, and The Basement, a niche nightclub that is ablaze with sensual funk and soul music most nights of the week.

In terms of pubs, it doesn’t really matter whether you’re into these contemporary continental bars, or whether you just love a good old man’s pub that shows the footy because Leicester has something for everyone. Our faves include Bar Gaudi, Cafe Bruxelles, Fat Cat Cafe Bar, and Dry Dock, a charming pub that was actually built into the side of a boat.

So There You Have It

If you’re convinced or half-convinced that Leicester might well be the best place for you to study, why not search for your perfect course in Leicester with Coursefindr now.

Student life is rife in Leeds. If you’re thinking of studying here then you’re unlikely to be disappointed but how do you know if it’s the right choice for you? Our Coursefindr guide gives you the lowdown on where you can study, what types of accommodation you’ll find here and the best of Leeds’ social scene.

The Universities

There are three universities in Leeds:

University of LeedsLeeds Beckett UniversityLeeds Trinity University

University of Leeds

Residing close to the city centre, the University of Leeds has over 30,000 students from 146 countries. Being one of the top 100 universities in the world, the University of Leeds is well respected by employers around the globe with an active student union and award winning newspaper for students. Facilities here include a new library with over 1000 seats, a £12 million state of the art fitness centre and pool, and new developments for a range of subjects, including communications studies and business. The University currently ranks 16th in the Guardian 2017 league table rankings.

Leeds Beckett University

Leeds Beckett University has around 32,000 students with 25,000 on its Leeds campus. Offering a wide range of courses, its main campus is situated close to the city centre and there is a scholarship programme for high achievers in both academic subjects and sports. Boasting facilities like 24 hour libraries, low cost fitness classes and one of the best live music venues in the student union, it’s equipped for both home and international students. Leeds Beckett ranks 114th in the university league table rankings.

Leeds Trinity University

Located about 6 miles away from Leeds City Centre in the town of Horsforth, Leeds Trinity is home to a small student population of 3000 students. The University was recently granted university status in 2012, and also opened their 3G all weather sports pitch in the same year. The University are proud to offer courses in many different subject areas including media, sport, business and education, with the option to undertake a professional work placement as part of the degree. The University sits at 88th in the 2017 Guardian league table rankings.

Fees, Living Aspects & Student Finance

Covering the cost of a degree is almost impossible without the help of student finance. You can apply to student finance to get financial help with the costs of studying, as well as your maintenance costs. For more information about student loans you can check out our Student Finance Guide here. To apply for student finance and see how much you are entitled to, check out the GOV website.

Leeds has a student population of 65,000, making it one of the largest student cities in the UK. The good news is that there’s lots of great value accommodation for those studying here.

For those wanting to study at the University of Leeds, there is  catered and self-catered accommodation ranging from £141-£191 per week for catered halls and £81 – £162 for self-catered. Leeds Beckett University offers 4000 rooms with shared or en-suite bathrooms ranging from £87.50 to £170 per week for the academic year.

For those entering their second or third year of university or if you prefer accommodation away from university residences, there are a range of affordable student lets, such as spare rooms, houses and studios available to rent, ranging from £60 to £150 per week.

There are many letting agents offering appropriate accommodation for students with agencies like Sugar House Properties, Red Door Lets and City Red Properties proving good starting points.

General Info About Leeds

Leeds was named the UK’s third largest city in 2011, with a population of 757,700. It is a city brimming with culture and commerce, and is considered the financial heart of the West Yorkshire Urban Area. It is also home to the fourth largest student community, from the three Universities.

Due to the size of the city, Leeds benefits from excellent transport links. Good transport links are essential for those looking to travel home, visit friends at other universities or travel to and from the city centre. All three universities are close to Leeds train station. It’s under two hours to London via train and all institutions are accessible to the motorway.

For those who are travelling from afar, Leeds Bradford International Airport is nearby. If you need to get around the city, buses are pretty cheap with a student metro card and there are many cycle lanes for those who like to travel by bicycle.

Events, Venues & Points of Interest

Leeds is a vibrant and exciting city filled with a bright social scene for students. You can look forward to hundreds of live music events at places like the O2 Academy, Brudenell Social Club and Leeds Arena.

Every year, the city is host to several big festivals, including music at the Leeds Festival in August with tickets priced around £66.50 for one day with no camping and £215 for a weekend ticket with camping. Those on a lighter budget can enjoy the Live at Leeds Festival on the first bank holiday in May with tickets costing £22.50 for early bookers.

Students interested in film will love the Leeds International Film Festival held in November. The largest film festival in the UK, outside of London is packed with screenings of international, indie and low budget films with ticket prices for individual events starting at just £5 for NUS card holders.

Foodies can enjoy the Leeds Indie Food Festival which takes place in May and offers a wide range of events from beer to pizza with many tickets free or buy a festival passport for £15 guaranteeing food discounts and exclusive events.

If food is your thing then check out the many incredible restaurants and take aways the city has to offer with cuisine ranging from Yorkshire favourites to Asian delicacies. You’ll find popular eateries from the likes of Nando’s, Yo Sushi and Burger King to trendy establishments like Meat Liquor and Wagamamas.

If you prefer a more relaxed social life then explore the local coffee shops, cinemas and museum. Entry to the Leeds City Museum is free and has four floors of exhibitions and events.

Nights Out

Nightlife is booming in the city with a range of pubs, clubs and bars, including those on campus. Well known venues include Call Lane Social which is open till 4am and offers great music and a cool atmosphere, The Stone Roses Bar which is often open until 6am and HiFi which has a popular FUNKSOULNATION night on Friday’s with free admission before 12am with an NUS card.

At Leeds University, you’ll find the Old Bar, a traditional pub with drinks, food and live sport. Stylus night club hosts 2000 students every Friday night with tickets from £4 and you’ll find loads of events from well-known music acts to themed nights.

At Leeds Beckett, the famous City Bar is a chilled food and drink venue by day and a club/music venue at night.

Job Prospects

Leeds is a city brimming with job opportunities for both graduates needing full time employment and students looking for part time work during the academic year. Many retail outlets and food establishments, such as Boots, McDonalds and House of Fraser offer part time jobs to those undertaking an undergraduate/postgraduate degree.

The University of Leeds has its own award winning careers centre with the aim of finding work opportunities for its students. Over 650 graduate recruiters visit campus each year to fill their vacancies, so it’s no surprise that the university is in the top 10 within the UK for graduate recruitment. Leeds Beckett University also has access to key employers and industry insiders to help students into the world of employment.

See also: Best part time jobs for students

To summarise, Leeds is a great city to study in. There are a range of courses offered in this city covering a wide range of topics with both full time and part time attendance. As a city with many students, there are many things to see and do as well as low cost facilities. Accommodation is easy to find and caters for a range of budgets whether you want to be on campus or more in the city. The well regarded educational institutions are widely acknowledged by many businesses in the city making studying in Leeds an attractive and inviting prospect. If you want to know more about the courses provided in Leeds, search for your perfect course in Leeds with Coursefindr.