Russell Group

University of Leeds — can you afford it?

Leeds · 39,000 students · Est. 1904

£122/wk
Cheapest halls
+£374/mo
After halls
2 hrs/wk
Work to break even
90%
Graduate employment
37
Affordability score

The monthly maths

Maintenance loan (max — outside London)+£903
Cheapest halls (£122/wk × 4.33)−£529
After halls+£374
Transport (city avg)−£60
Food (estimate)−£200
Monthly balance-£56

Work hours to break even: 2 hrs/week at £12.21/hr

Annual shortfall: -£672

Over 3 years: -£2,016

Typical (median) room: -£340/mo if not in the cheapest option

Based on maximum loan. Calculate your actual loan →

Halls vs private in Leeds

🏠 Leeds halls

Cheapest£122/wk (£529/mo)
Median£187.65/wk (£813/mo)
Most expensive£283/wk (£1,226/mo)
BillsIncluded ✓
Contract40–51 weeks
Monthly surplus£374per month

🏢 Private rental in Leeds

Average rent£700/month
Bills estimate+£105/mo
Total housing cost£805/mo
Contract12 months (summer risk)
BillsExtra ✗
Monthly surplus£98per month

Leeds by the numbers

Total students39,000
Undergraduates26,000
International students32%
Student:staff ratio16.1:1
Graduate employment90%
Average graduate salary£28,000
TypeRussell Group
Founded1904

Student numbers: HESA 2024/25. Graduate salary: SalaryDex data for Leeds. Graduate salaries in Leeds →

Notable Leeds alumni

K
Keith Waterhouse
Novelist and playwright
→ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/keith-waterhouse

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Compare Leeds with others

Leeds vs Sheffield
£127/month better off at Leeds
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King's vs Leeds
£83/month better off at King's
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Leeds vs Manchester
£27/month better off at Leeds
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Or compare any two universities →

What happens after Leeds?

Newly qualified Software engineer in Leeds
Entry gross: £35,000 · Take-home after rent: +£1,633/mo
Full salary breakdown →
Newly qualified Nurse (Band 5) in Leeds
Entry gross: £30,959 · Take-home after rent: +£1,275/mo
Full salary breakdown →
Newly qualified Teacher in Leeds
Entry gross: £31,650 · Take-home after rent: +£1,300/mo
Full salary breakdown →

Take-home estimates based on 2025/26 PAYE rates including student loan Plan 5 repayments.

Accommodation data source

Accommodation costs verified 2026-05-21 from University of Leeds official accommodation page. Monthly costs use the formula: weekly rate × 39 contract weeks ÷ 9 academic months. Bills included in all quoted rates.

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