What it’s really like to live in Leeds as a film student

With historic theatres, indie cinemas, budget-friendly food spots, buzzing live-music venues, and year-round festivals, Leeds is full of life. For a film student, it’s a real playground for storytelling and creativity. The city blends rich history with a youthful, modern energy – all set against the backdrop of a thriving student scene.

Leeds’ culture

Living in Leeds is unlike living anywhere else. The city is big enough to constantly surprise you, yet friendly enough to feel like home. From wandering through beautiful Victorian arcades and marketplaces to catching an open-mic comedy night in a cosy pub, there’s plenty to do, come rain or shine. A peaceful park or riverside spot is never far away, and with its electric mix of history and innovation, you can find inspiration on every corner.

Cinema in Leeds

Leeds is home to some of the UK’s most iconic independent cinemas. The legendary Hyde Park Picture House, a century-old Grade II–listed cinema, is believed to be the only remaining gaslit movie theatre in the world. Today, it screens everything from arthouse gems to cult classics in an intimate, vintage setting. 

In Headingley is Cottage Road Cinema, the oldest cinema in continuous use in the city (open since 1912). This charming picture house is complete with old-school touches like an interval for ice cream, giving you a delightful step back in time.

Of course, there’s also an Everyman, VUE, and ODEON. Many Leeds cinemas have student or under-25 discounts, so you can catch the latest films without breaking the bank.

Leeds also hosts Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF), the largest film festival in England outside of London . It’s a highlight of the year, giving you the chance to watch everything from indie to international premieres. Who knows – you might even find your own short film on the lineup one day!

Eating and drinking

Leeds is full of great student eats.Wander through the historic Kirkgate Market – one of the largest indoor markets in Europe, boasting around 800 stalls – and you’ll be greeted by the scent of sizzling samosas, fresh stone-baked pizza, and plenty more amazing dishes. Just upstairs, Trinity Kitchen hosts a rotating cast of street-food traders, so you might grab vegan Caribbean bites one week and Korean bao buns the next.

Bundobust serves up delicious Indian street-food tapas with craft beers. If you’re around Briggate, join the queue at Falafel Guys for their legendary Middle-Eastern wraps (an affordable favourite among students). Leeds has plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans too, from the indulgent Doner Summer (100% vegan doner kebabs and junk food) to health-conscious stalls in the Kirkgate Market food hall.

Pizza Fella and well-loved chains like Rudy’s and Franco Manca all serve amazing pizzas, with gluten-free and vegan options available. 

Our campus at Prime Studios has Archive, a coffee house and bar set in a former TV archive building. It’s beloved by everyone from film students to local TV crews, and it’s perfect for a caffeine fix between classes.

Shopping

Trinity is a modern mall with over 120 shops, as well as restaurants and even a cinema, all under a huge glass roof. Many stores are open late (you can shop until 8pm most nights), and there are plenty of student discounts available. Trinity even hosts special student shopping nights with exclusive deals – perfect for stocking up on essentials each year when Freshers’ Week rolls around. 

The city’s Victorian arcades and independent markets are a big hit with students. Victoria Quarter or Thornton’s Arcade is where you’ll discover boutique fashion, comic stores, and gorgeous cafés all in a gorgeous 19th-century setting. The Corn Exchange, with its iconic domed roof, is packed with indie vendors selling vintage clothes, vinyl records, handmade jewelry, and more – making browsing feel like a treasure hunt.

The great outdoors

Woodhouse Moor (often just called Hyde Park) is right next to our campus and is perfect for picnics, impromptu frisbee matches, or simply lazing on the grass. For a full day out, though, nothing beats Roundhay Park in north Leeds. Roundhay is one of the largest urban parks in Europe, spanning 700+ acres of parkland. With its sprawling lawns, serene lakes, woodland trails, and even a tropical greenhouse (Tropical World), you can easily spend hours here and forget you’re in a city at all. It’s the perfect spot to clear your head, shoot some scenic B-roll for a project, or get inspired by nature.

Kirkstall Abbey is just a couple of miles from the city centre and not far from our campus. These picturesque ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian monastery are set in a riverside park that’s ideal for a tranquil walk or a weekend picnic. 

Ready to join us?

Whether you’re starting your creative journey or switching paths, Clearing is open now – and there’s still time to apply for one of our undergraduate or postgraduate courses.

Explore our Leeds campus at an upcoming Open Day.

Contact our Admissions Team on 01273 096406 – or email us at admissions@metfilm.ac.uk – for any questions and to discuss your options. We can’t wait to welcome the next generation of Leeds filmmakers!