Battle of the universities, De Montfort vs University of Leicester
Leicester is a buzzing city in the East Midlands of England. Leicester can often be overlooked but it really does have a lot going for it! It is littered with a rich history (think Richard the Third), its diverse culture, boasting the biggest Diwali celebrations outside of India and some of the UK’s best curries, its iconic football team, and its excellent educational institutions.
The two universities in Leicester, De Montfort University (DMU) and University of Leicester (UoL), are both known for their academic excellence, research output, and student satisfaction. There is a healthy rivalry between the two universities which is often a great joking point for the students. However, choosing between the two can be a task difficult for prospective students. In this blog, we will compare DMU and UoL to help you come to an informed decision about which would suit you more.
Courses on Offer:
Both DMU and UoL offer a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various disciplines, such as the arts, science, engineering, law, and business. However, as a classic red brick, UoL is known for its strong research focus and academic rigor, particularly in the fields of Archaeology, Criminology, Law, and Business. Meanwhile, DMU is known for its vocational programs such as Fashion, the arts, Journalism and Architecture. DMU also has great industry partnerships, which provide students with practical skills and experience in their chosen fields. Therefore, the course you’re looking to study is likely to be a large factor in your decision here.
Campus vs City Centre:
Both universities offer students a fun student experience, with numerous clubs, societies, and sports teams. UoL has a larger campus located slightly further outside of the city centre and thus having space to accommodate more extensive facilities. On UoL’s campus you’ll find the sports centre, the David Wilson library which overlooks campus, a zero-waste shop, a student union which contains an O2 Academy and even the Archaeology department’s dinosaur skeleton, Jane. The campus just borders Victoria Park, usually referred to as ‘Viccy Park’ so there’s lots of green space to enjoy between lectures. You’re about a 20-minute walk into the city centre, so it is easily accessible whilst still giving you that physical separation between ‘work’ and ‘play’.
Meanwhile, DMU is a city campus, meaning all the perks of the city are at your fingertips. This does mean campus is a little smaller and has fewer amenities. However, DMU still has an active student union which provides access to over 100 clubs and societies, a large food hall, a library and great spaces to chill. You also have easy access to many cultural and entertainment venues, including all the pubs, bars, clubs and shopping.
Research:
UoL is a with a strong reputation for producing world-class research in fields like Space Science, Genetics, and Archaeology. It has a dedicated research park plus several research centres. These give students great opportunities to get involved in cutting-edge research. Remember when UoL students helped discover King Richard the Third’s body under a car park? DMU is also involved in research, especially in areas like Computer Science, Engineering, and Creative Arts. Again, the course you’re looking to study is likely to determine which institution would suit you more.
Academic Reputation:
According to the 2023 UK university league tables published by The Guardian, UoL is ranked higher than DMU. It is ranked 35th out of 121 universities in the UK, while DMU sits at 120th. However, because both universities specialise in different fields of study, I would recommend looking at the ranking of the course you hope to study at each university, rather than the overall ranking.
It's worth noting that league tables vary depending on the criteria used and the specific ranking system. You should also consider the campus culture, the support offered to students, student satisfaction rating (look at the NSS rankings), TEF scores and any other factors that may be important to you when making a decision about which university to attend.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, choosing between DMU and UoL depends on your individual preferences and academic goals. UoL is a great choice if you want to attend a research-intensive university with a good academic reputation. DMU is may suit you more if you are looking for vocational programs and industry partnerships that provide practical skills and experience. Overall, both universities offer students a good education, a great student experience and plenty of opportunities for personal and professional development.
You can browse our student accommodation options in Leicester here.
