Guest blogger Holly Dodd contributes to the Real Yorkshire Blog this week with an interesting article about Yorkshire Universities which will hopefully be of interest to those looking to choose the next step on the educational ladder.
There are plenty of reasons to visit Yorkshire. But have you considered going to university there? If you haven’t, you definitely should. Yorkshire is brimming with culture with fantastic study options that cater to a range of interests.
In this article we’ll be going over the choices of University in each region of Yorkshire. We’ll dive into the history of each city, accommodation options, and activities for students. We’ll also take a look at the stunning landscapes that surround these universities. These getaways can offer you the perfect escape into nature whenever you need a break from your studies.
Sheffield
Sheffield is nicknamed the ‘Steel city’ through its production of steel since way back in 1692. Sheffield has a rich industrial history. Formally known as Escafeld, Sheffield sits in the heart of South Yorkshire. Today, Sheffield seamlessly blends its historic past with a dynamic present. The city is renowned for its sports, featuring clubs in every major team sport in England, from football to cricket. Sheffield is known for its music and arts scene, English rock band Arctic Monkeys was formed there.
(image: https://www.shu.ac.uk)
● Choices of Uni: University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University
● Student areas: Broomhall, Broomhill, Crookesmoor, Ecclesall Road, Sheffield City Centre
● Landscapes: Gateway to the peak district
● Activities: National Video Game Museum, The Great Escape Game Sheffield, Carver Street for a lively bar scene.
● Fun Fact: Sheffield has the highest number of trees per person of anywhere in Europe!
Voted in as the third best cities for Universities in 2023. Sheffield is one of the primary choices for potential students. It also attracts students around the world. With a lively atmosphere and endless activities, there is always something happening in Sheffield. There are lots of lively areas in Sheffield that are teeming with student accommodation. According to StuRents, there are over 390 student properties available for rent. You can choose to either search for your own accommodation or use one of the university’s student halls like The Forge.
York
One of York’s prominent features is its Minster. York Minster is a massive limestone cathedral. The city's medieval shambles are also celebrated by locals and tourists. York's streets are steeped in history and are the inspiration for books like Harry Potter. The city's buildings have been well preserved and are considered a local gem. If you fancy a bit of fresh air the Howardian Hills National can provide some respite. Located only a few miles north of York, the hills have fantastic walks.
York is one of the most history rich cities in the UK. Its former names can be found throughout the city’s streets and businesses. Originally named ‘Eboracum’ by the Romans, York has strong ties to Roman architecture. Following the Romans, the Vikings named York ‘Jorvik’ where it gets its name from today. The Jorvik Viking Centre is one of York’s main tourist attractions. In its present day the York City walls & gates can be explored.
(image: https://www.york.ac.uk/)
● Choices of Uni: University of York, York St John’s University
● Student areas: Hull Road, Tang Hall, Fishergate, Fulford, and South Bank
● Activities: Walk the City Walls, Betty's Cafe, York Ghost Walk, Street Food Market
● Fun Fact: Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma Gate - One of the shortest streets in York has an especially odd name
York perfectly blends historical charm with modern amenities, offering a supportive and enriching environment for your university experience. With a thriving student scene, there's always something exciting happening, York has a perfect mixture of exciting activities and one of the lowest crime rates of any city. Hull Road and Tang Hall are among the most popular locations for student accommodation, this is due to their placement between both University of York and York St John's University campuses. First year students can apply for exclusive halls. The halls are dubbed as the student village by locals. They are a great hub for students to meet each other and socialise.
Leeds
Leeds is one of the UK’s eight core cities. In its present day it’s a digital hub with thriving financial districts. Pre industrial revolution, Leeds was a trading hub that produced woollen products.
Having one of the largest student populations there will be plenty of people to meet. Leeds has a lively nightlife. It’s also one of the most affordable large cities to live in. If you’re considering Leeds, make sure you experience the Otley run. The Otley run is one of the country’s most famous bar crawls. On the run you’ll find people of all ages attempting the crawl in fancy dress.
(image: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/)
● Choices of Uni: University of Leeds, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds Beckett University
● Student areas: Leeds City Centre, Woodhouse, Burley, Headingley, Hyde Park
● Landscape: Roundhay Park is a massive park located not far from the city centre. Or if you want to see some impressive preserved architecture of 800 year old Kirkstall Abbey
● Activities: Arcade Club, Otley Run, Gig at Brudenell, Shop at Kirkgate Market, Royal Armouries
● Fun Fact: The first ever M&S was opened in Leeds
Finding student accommodation in Leeds is just as easy as the others. If you’re in your first year, choosing university halls is one of the best ways to meet freshers like yourselves. After the first year, you should definitely explore the city and consider locations like Headingley. If you’re not sure on the areas, you can use websites like The Student Rooms to ask for recommendations.
Hull
Kingston upon Hull. Commonly known as Hull is a port city in East Yorkshire. Hull was founded in the late 12th century when monks needed a port where the wool from their estates could be imported. Hull’s strategic location provided access to both the North Sea and inland waterways. This made it a key player in trade. The port of Hull remains one of the UK's busiest. It brings in tonnes of cargo every hour and is also just a night ferry away from Amsterdam.
● Choices of Uni: University of Hull
● Student areas: Cottingham Road, Old Town, Hull City Centre, Newland Avenue, Princes Avenue
● Landscape: One of the most notable landmarks in Hull is the iconic Humber Bridge. Spanning the estuary. This impressive structure connects the East Riding of Yorkshire with North Lincolnshire. There are plenty of walks in the surrounding areas such as Noddle Hill Way Nature Reserve and Beverley Parks Nature Reserve
● Activities: Local Music at The Sesh, The Deep
● Fun Fact: Hull has the world's largest Yorkshire pudding factory.
If you want your student loan to go further, Hull is an excellent choice. Crowned as the city with the cheapest pints in 2023 and known for its low rent costs, Hull offers exceptional value for money. Old Town is one of the most sought after areas for students but the higher than average rents can make it a challenge. Cottingham Road has a great location and also offers cheaper rent.
You won’t regret picking one of these universities in Yorkshire. Whether you’re a local, from the south, or from overseas, a Yorkshire university is a top choice. Come and experience god's own country and you’ll never look back. Si’ thi!
Holly provided the useful links below if you want to find out more about some of he content...
Student accomodation in Sheffield - https://sturents.com/student-accommodation/sheffield
Viking Centre in York - https://www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk/
University of York accommodation - https://www.york.ac.uk/study/accommodation/undergraduate/
First ever M&S - https://innclusive.co.uk/what-is-leeds-famous-for/