'Why Leeds could be the UK’s best city for students - and why it matters to us all'
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The hidden force shaping Leeds’ future is about to return to the city
Last week was A Level Results Day, and various colleagues and friends were clearly distracted as their loved ones found out how they’d got on and what was to come next on their educational journey.
As I paused on that very hot and sweltery day in the 30 plus degree heat, I became conscious of how many students were not in the city, because of the summer holidays.
With September in sight, the city will once again welcome a great number of students back at the many higher education venues it boasts.
A staggering 10 per cent of the city’s population is made up of students.
They are significantly important to the economy, both in terms of spend and as the part-time work force. The ultimate objective for the city is to retain this educated talent and see it become the workforce which builds a stronger future for Leeds.
All cities are competing for students, both UK and international students, and this is evident by the many non-Leeds educational establishments advertising their wares on the back of buses and billboard posters and in magazines during the early part of the academic year.
Picking the correct location to be trained and educated will, for many, shape the rest of their lives.
For the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University, they are doing an excellent job at marketing the city through the educational choices students will make but one can sometimes forget Leeds Trinity University, Leeds Arts University, Leeds Conservatoire, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Leeds College of Building, The University of Law, Leeds City College, Arden University and so the list goes on.
Leeds has become a ‘very attractive’ and diverse educational proposition and if you are studying in the city, the non-educational elements come into play.
Leeds sits at the geographical centre of the UK, with good connectivity, excellent night life, great sports facilities, Premier League football, rugby league, cricket, theatres, culture etc.
These ‘place selling points’ are not synonymous for every university location in the country, so not taking this for granted and amplifying these attributes to the potential student population is essential for the future growth of the city.
So, as we congratulate the A level cohort of 2026, we look forward to welcoming the many new and existing students who will come back to Leeds in September to study.
They are a vital part of our city - Welcome to Leeds.