An essential guide for grabbing coffee on campus

Emily Parker on 2 November 2022

We have all been in the situation when you are walking to that dreaded 9am lecture and you realise that you are in desperate need of a morning coffee to get you through the day. So, whether you are new to university or have known campus for years, this list will point you in the direction of some of the best places on campus for coffee, so you will always be equipped for the day ahead.   


1. Café Nero – Business School

Scattered around campus you will find a selection of Café Neros, which means that wherever you are on campus you are never far from caffeine. However, a personal favourite of mine is located in the Maurice Keyworth building, within the Business school. If you are walking through Hyde Park, this offers the perfect early morning coffee so that you never need to attend a lecture without a coffee in hand. Not only this but due to its 19th century architecture, this is one of the prettiest buildings on campus and a mesmerising place to study. When sitting here, sipping at a warm drink, it is difficult to not feel like the main character in a historic movie. Students also get 25% off with the Café Nero App!

2. Common Ground

Located in the heart of Leeds University Union, Common Ground is potentially the most apt spot for a midday coffee. This spot caters for all needs, whether you’re in need of a quick coffee before darting off to your next lecture or looking for a cosy spot to set up for a productive study day. With its pastel walls, Common Ground breeds a positive atmosphere which makes it the perfect spot for those gloomy days on campus. If that wasn’t enough, Common Ground (alongside its partner Balcony) provides one of the cheapest coffees on campus so is the perfect everyday coffee stop.   

3. 1915

This is tucked away on the East side of campus, within the Sir William Henry Bragg Building, which makes it a perfect first stop off from Woodhouse. With ivy trailing down its walls, it provides a calming atmosphere, perfect for studying on those stressful days. Furthermore, this also features a swirling light feature to lose yourself in  – just make sure to not get distracted!   

4. Hugo’s 

One of the most unique places to get coffee on campus is Hugo’s café. This is a must for any Leeds student because, let’s be honest, you don’t see campervans selling coffee every day. With its bright blue walls, this café can’t be missed on campus. However, if you are still unsure about its whereabouts, Hugo’s can be found opposite the Union. Around here you will find many chairs and benches which makes this a perfect outdoor spot to meet friends for a coffee on sunny days. Or, if it is less sunny, this is simply an ideal place to pick up a coffee in a rush, whether on your way to a lecture or as you walk towards home. 

What I wish I had known before Uni

Lottie Passmore on 29 September 2022

As the leaves turn brown and the nights begin to draw in, Leeds once again fills with the buzz of returning students and the prospect of a new term. Navigating university can be daunting, and even going into fourth year, I am still figuring it out! So, whether you’re setting foot in Leeds for the first time or returning, here are some essential pointers I wish I had known earlier. 

1. You don’t have to be best friends with your flatmates

It may be that you walk into your halls kitchen and fall head over heels with every one of them, (in which case, skip to no. 2). However, just because they are the most convenient to hang out with, it’s more important that you just get on enough to share living spaces. You’re more likely to meet people with similar interests on your course, at societies, or at your favourite pub or club. 

2. Don’t sleep with your flatmate/s

Although I didn’t learn this first-hand, I’ve seen the problems it can cause not only for those directly involved, but the whole flat. The likelihood is that it won’t last, you’ll ruin the flat dynamic and it’ll probably end in tears.

 3. Budget! 

I am determined to stick to it this year, fourth time lucky? (I’ve heard) that even writing down everything you spend is a great way to become more aware and supposedly shocks you into cutting down on expenditures. Watch this space. 

4. Invest in a proper water bottle

In first year, my second week of lectures was rudely interrupted by a cheap water bottle leaking in by bag; writing off my laptop. Not only was this tremendously expensive but also seriously inconvenient, just as I was settling in. It also saves you buying single use plastic so often. Economical and environmentally friendly, what’s not to like?

5. Use your Lecturer’s office hours

This one is particularly important if your contact hours are lower than your friend’s doing maths, for example. This year I have four. A week. Yes, I’m shocked too. Speaking one-to-one with your lecturers allows you to ask any additional questions you didn’t think of in the seminar and means you can clear up any concerns about the subject and course at large. 

6. There is more to Leeds than Hyde Park

Whether your halls are on campus or as far out as Clarence Dock, it can be very easy, especially in first year, to limit your sphere to a rotation of halls, Uni, pub, halls, Uni, pub… Whilst Leeds, as a city, has an extensive and exciting cultural scene, from music to museums, a stone’s throw beyond the city centre provides a number of neighbouring towns and villages, perfect for a wholesome day out. Look up Skipton, Harrogate, and Knaresborough, to name just a few!

7. First year probably won’t be the best of your Uni years

There is far too much hype surrounding the First Year, let alone Freshers Week. First Year is particularly overwhelming, and many people don’t meet their best friends until later on in their Uni experience. Remember that everyone is in the same boat so don’t worry if it seems that you’re the only one struggling to stay afloat! 

Freshers: A Guide to Budgeting 

Livia Garrod on 29 September 2022

Last year I adopted, in what I hope is in an endearing and affectionate way, the nickname ‘Budget’ from my friends. This is perhaps a slightly generous and hyperbolic label and is my only qualification to give my advice on this topic, but these are just some opinions on how to budget, from a student who enjoys the stereotypical student experience. 

It is important to note that I can only speak from my own experiences, and naturally, this is not representative of every student’s experience or inclusive of every student’s financial situation. 

Firstly, try not to get too carried away when you see the first student loan instalment reach your bank account! Depending on how much you receive, it can look like a lot, especially to a student, but remember this has to last you until Christmas. My advice would be to try and roughly estimate how much your loan permits you to spend on a weekly basis on top of rent and open a second bank account to transfer this money into – Monzo works amazingly for me.  This way, it is easy to see how much you are spending and on what. You can set the app to tell you how long your money needs to last, either updating it weekly or monthly. Having tried both, I find using a monthly allowance much more attainable, as naturally, your spending on a weekly basis will vary more. 

Monzo, as well as other banking apps, is also great because you can easily request and send money to your friends, making cashing in on night-out Ubers and drinks easy and stress-free! 

Moving away from turning this into free advertising for the aforementioned banking platform, here are some other things to think about during freshers to protect your bank balance:

  • Do things for free! The Fresher’s Fair is a perfect place to collect as much free stuff as possible, and it is also free to go to. It can feel slightly intimidating approaching all the different society stands on your own, so going with a new friend gives you a cost-free opportunity to learn more about your friend and learn more about how you would like to shape your life at Leeds. 
  • Other free activities could be sitting on Woodhouse Moor, if we’re lucky enough to get a nice enough day, or taking a walk along the Woodhouse Ridge. 
  • Although I wholeheartedly encourage joining one if not multiple society’s, don’t feel pressured to pay the membership fees right away. Assess all of your options first. Unfortunately, you can’t fit everything so use the ‘Give-It-A-Gos’ to test the water and work out your priorities before committing to paying the fees. 
  • If it’s not too late already, I would urge you not to buy wristbands or tickets for Fresher’s events before coming to Leeds. Blocking off too much of your week before you arrive can sometimes restrict you and skipping pre-paid events is sometimes inevitable but still a waste of that precious budget! 

Most importantly though, have fun! Fresher’s week is always going to be more expensive than your general week-to-week, so try to not feel guilty for spending more. Say yes to things, and if that means spending a bit more than your bargained for then that’s ok.