Leicester hosts over 35,000 students every year, making it an exciting and dynamic city for university life. The city offers a variety of student accommodation options, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming, especially if you are new to the area. Fortunately, we are providing a comparison of some of the most well-known accommodation providers in Leicester, helping simplify your search.
You might be wondering whether Leicester is a cheap city for students to live in. Students tend to live in areas surrounding Leicester’s city-centre: Highfields, Southfields, Westcotes, and Clarendon Park. The average cost of student accommodation in Leicester is £528 per month for rent alone, with rent being paid either monthly, termly, quarterly, or annually.
University halls and HMOs are generally more affordable than private accommodation in Leicester, but they come with additional costs such as utility bills, internet, and furniture for example.
While typically more expensive than other types of housing, private student accommodations usually include essential expenses in the rent package such as bedroom furniture, Wi-Fi, gym access, utility bills, security, entertainment, and cleaning services. So, although private accommodations may have a higher upfront cost, they often include perks that can save you money compared to halls and HMOs, as highlighted in the comparison table below.
This article exclusively compares private student accommodation options in Leicester, excluding halls and HMOs. If you are an international student, you may be also questioning if Leicester is a good city for you. Fear not, we’ve got all the answers you need.
Features and services, at-a-glance
Discover how the top student accommodation options in Leicester compare with each other. We analysed everything from communal spaces and services provided to utility bills and room features, providing a detailed comparison. Dive in for an overview and find the perfect accommodation for your personal needs.
| Features |  | Collegiate | Fresh | Novel | IQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superfast Wi-Fi 1GB |  |  | | | |
| Housekeeping service (all rooms, facilities & fresh linen) | | | | | |
| Regular room waste removal | | | | | |
| Bills included, gas, water & electricity | | | | | |
| No damage deposit or guarantor required | | | | | |
| Fully equipped Gym | | | | | |
| Spa (sauna, steam room, relaxation area) | | | | | |
| Outdoor area | | | | | |
| Pool & table tennis | | | | | |
| Badminton Court | | | | | |
| Study rooms | | | | | |
| Private en-suite shower rooms | | | | | |
| Individual fridge/freezer in Luxe Lounge | | | | | |
| Games console in Luxe Lounge | | | | | |
| Parcel service | | | | | |
| 24hr friendly on-site team | | | | | |
| Personal kitchen essentials | | | | | |
| Bedding essentials inc linen & towels | | | | | |
| Hotel-like service | | | | | |
| CCTV and secure building entry system | | | | | |
| Laundry room | | | | | |
| Social events | | | | | |
| Smart TV in every room | | | | | |
| Contents insurance | | | | | |
| Cinema Lounge | | | | | |
| Bike Storage | | | | | |
A closer look at popular buildings
Now that we have covered the standout features offered by some of the top student accommodation providers in Leicester, it’s time for a more in-depth comparison of the most popular buildings in the area. This will provide insights into the proximity of each accommodation to the two local universities, the key facilities they offer, and additional perks that can make a difference in your student living experience.
- Study Inn Reynard House
- Collegiate’s Merlin Heights
- Fresh’s The Tannery
- Novel’s The Aspen
- iQ’s Grosvenor House
Study Inn’s Reynard House
Distance to University of Leicester: 10min walk
Distance to DMU: 3min walk
Distance to the city-centre: 9min walk
Nice to have: Badminton Court, in-room post delivery and parcel collection services, arcade games, race car simulator, and self-playing piano.
Highlights: Study Inn is the only student accommodation provider to offer your personal kitchen essentials – utensils, pots and pans, crockery and cutlery, toaster and kettle, amongst others – as well as personal bedding essentials including towels, bed linen, duvet, pillow, hairdryer, hangers, iron and ironing board, all included in the rent. This eliminates the need to bring these items with you. Additionally, every room comes with a smart TV included in the price, saving you the hassle of buying or transporting one.
Reynard House further sets itself apart by offering complimentary housekeeping services, superfast Wi-Fi of up to 1GB, and the convenience of no damage deposit or guarantor required to secure your booking, simplifying student life.
Unique to Study Inn is the inclusion of an individual fridge/freezer and lockable cupboard in the exclusive Luxe Lounge, ensuring your personal belongings are secure and no food goes missing when staying in a cluster apartment.
For those who enjoy spa days and prioritise well-being, Reynard House has a dedicated wellness spa, featuring a sauna, steam room, and relaxation area, at no additional cost.
Collegiate AC’s Merlin Heights
Distance to University of Leicester: 33min walk
Distance to DMU: 6min walk
Distance to the city-centre: 15min walk
Nice to have: Merlin Heights offers bike storage services which is convenient for those studying at the University of Leicester, saving you a 33-minute walk to campus. Additionally, there’s a gaming area, and content insurance is included.
Highlights: The Sky Lounge at Collegiate’s Merlin Heights offers a space for relaxation. It features sofas and tables from where you can take in the city views.
Fresh’s The Tannery
Distance to University of Leicester: 25min walk
Distance to DMU: 6min walk
Distance to the city-centre: 16min walk
Nice to have: Although not included in the rent, kitchen and bedding essentials can be purchased before arrival for an additional cost. The Tannery’s bike storage is beneficial if you study at the University of Leicester and prefer a cycle over a long walk to campus.
Highlights: The Tannery features a cinema room, and fit-for-purpose study areas. The multi-media room is also available to guests.
Novel’s The Aspen
Distance to University of Leicester: 33min walk
Distance to DMU: 6min walk
Distance to the city-centre: 11min walk
Nice to have: You have the option of adding professional cleaning services at Novel – just make sure you check the small print, as this is not included in the rent. The Aspen offers free coffee to guests.
Highlights: The Aspen has no laundry room, with washers/dryers placed in the studios and shared kitchen of apartment clusters. The outdoor dining area offers an alternative to eating in your studio or shared kitchen.
IQ Student Accommodation’s Grosvenor House
Distance to University of Leicester: 22min walk
Distance to DMU: 6min walk
Distance to the city-centre: 7min walk
Nice to have: iQ Grosvenor House includes a contents insurance policy and parcel collection service in the rent.
Highlights: Grosvenor House hosts several social events. Onsite parking is subject to availability, and the centre team can be contacted regarding reservations.
Find out more about Study Inn Leicester
Want to be in the know of what residents at Reynard House have to say? Read their reviews and find out why Study Inn Reynard House won the top spot as the #1best student accommodation in the 2023 Student Crowd Voice Awards.
Student Crowd review – 04th May 2024. “Feels very homely, hotel service experience is great. Environment is always clean.”
Student Crowd review – 12th April 2024 “Couldn’t really ask for more than a wonderful location with an amazing staff. There is a lot of credit to be given to cleaners because they always do a great job!”
Yatin Valge, Google review – 25th Feb 2024 “Good place for students. At this place they have everything and nearby to DMU & Leicester University.”
Whether you will be commuting to either University of Leicester or DMU, or simply exploring the city’s landmarks, food scene or night life, you will find this Leicester public transport guide invaluable.
Study Inn Reynard House is the ideal accommodation for students in Leicester While other properties have their benefits, none match the convenience of Study Inn’s location or the comprehensive package it offers. With superfast Wi-Fi, smart TV in every room, kitchen and bedding essentials, and housekeeping services, Study Inn stands out in comparison. Additionally, students don’t need a deposit or guarantor to secure a room, making it an even more attractive option.
Discover more about Study Inn’s accolades and find out how it is being recognised within the student accommodation scene.
