PRACTICAL TIPS FOR EXCHANGE IN LEEDS

Travelling (flights, coach, bus and trains)

There are several options to travel to and around Leeds and if you book your ticket in advance you can save tens of Euros (i recommend SAS). You can fly to Bradford, Manchester or Birmingham and then get a coach to Leeds. The University recommends Bradford airport as it’s easier to travel from there to Leeds and they also offer a meet and greet service from Leeds Bradford airport running between the hours of 09:00 and 21:00 during the week before Induction. This is a welcome service offered by current students who will meet you on arrival, guide you to the easiest method of transport to your accommodation, help you with any problems and answer your questions. To make use of this service, you will need to book a place at least 3 days in advance online. Should you find a cheap flight to Manchester (1.5hrs drive) or Birmingham (2.5/3hrs drive) you can get it but make sure you look for a coach which is usually cheaper than trains from any of the said airport to Leeds. I recommend www.uk.megabus.com they are cheaper (if you book in advance you can get as cheap as 1£ and not more than 15£) and also have free WIFI to keep you company. National Express is another option but they are bit more expensive like 4/5£ or more if booked in advance and no free WIFI. 

SAS airline Manchester-Helsinki

While in Leeds, after the induction, you are given a student card which is free and with that you can get a student discount in shops and also bus pass. Monthly bus pass is cheaper. Should you be lucky to leave in the city centre or somewhere near the University campus you might not need a bus pass as you can walk from University to almost anywhere in the city. You can also rent a bike if you wish.

The cheapest mean to get around Yorkshire or England is using coach but trains are faster and more expensive.

Living and Accommodation

The University offers accommodation to suit a range of budget open for exchange students for one semester or for a full year. You can check the different options at www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/accomodation for detail including application. The downside about the student housing is autumn semesters are longer in UK (September-February) contracts cannot usually be less than this period even if you are only staying until December and deposits are required (about 200£). Therefore, you can also check in the private market using www.unipol.leeds.ac.uk or should you know some people to get a short stay accommodation. You need to be cautious, some places are far and only specific bus service are available and you might get a cheap private accommodation but very expensive bus ticket (personal experience) and do check if rent includes heating, water etc. In addition, private housing sometimes are cheap with less distraction but if you want to experience student life in UK I recommend student halls.

Accommodations does not include beddings, pots and pans, therefore, you will need to purchase these; you can get home essentials easily in various stories like Wilko. University accommodation also sells beddings. My experience with bathroom showers and taps is they often change from warm to cold or vice versa, I find this very strange after living in Finland for some time.

Phone and Money

During the induction week, students are given a package which includes sim card, maps, hoodies, notebook/calendar, pens etc. If you arrive a week earlier you can grab yourself a sim card from any corner store, it’s cheap and with 10/15£ you can have monthly internet and free calls without having to get a contract line (ask student ambassadors the different options, they are there to help you).

It’s easy if you have all required documents to open a bank account but might take some time, therefore, I suggest you have cash; this will save you from the charges of using your bank card abroad. If you are staying for only a semester you can always arrange with someone to pay the rent on your behalf. Otherwise, almost anything you need, cash will do it for you. UK is not the cheapest of place because of the difference in currency and exchange rate so be prepared to spend.

Induction package

Where to turn?

There are many places to look for help when the need arise and during the induction week all of the key issues will be covered. Student ambassadors, international office, study advisor and other lecturers are there to help you should you need. So always reach out before it’s too late.

The good thing is the University send you a welcoming package after accepting your application and this contains all practical information you will need as a student so less worries you will survive it.