De Montfort University - Student View

Based on two main centres, Leicester and Bedford (a change from five years ago, when there were 10 campuses over four centres). This consolidation has allowed the university to concentrate on improving facilities (£100 million over 10 years!).

Prides itself on quality teaching and research, in professional, vocational and creative education. Interesting courses remain: from radio broadcasting (strong links to BBC), to contour fashion design (ie underwear and swimwear!). Strong links to industry and the local community; opportunity for placements, brilliant libraries and excellent computer provision.

A good mix of international students, mature students, rich students, poor stduents, those from the north and from the south. This is mixed in with the cultural diversity of the places where it is based.

Leicester is a really cool city: not so big that you feel out of your depth but big enough to be an excellent place to spend your student years. It has its fair share of shops (The Shire shopping centre is due to double in size), bars and clubs, theatres and sports facilities (Leicester City FC, Leicester Tigers RFC, Leicester CCC). Bedford mixes the big town and country feel and is also a great place to study - home to Paula Radcliffe's athletics club with plenty of bars to mix in.

Both centres are really accessible (particularly by train) and are as safe as anywhere else in the country. There are plenty of opportunities for work; university runs its own Workbank and also has loads of money in the hardship fund for those in need.

Housing is now more than adequately covered: university guarantees accommodation to all those first years that want it. Loads of newly-built private accommodation that competes with the traditional landlord.

In Leicester, the Narborough Road provides the city's Student Ville. Plenty of bars and restaurants all around both campuses, so there is no excuse not to find bargains around! Students' Union provides most students with the heart of their social experience.

The Bedford campus has a recently refurbished bar (and new one planned) and Leicester has just celebrated its first year in its new home in the Campus Centre Building.

There are loads of sports and societies to join, as well as award-winning media: the radio station, TV station, website and the newspaper. The Union also provides much more than this, although it is not particularly politically active.