De Montfort University

Visiting your child at De Montfort University means flying into Birmingham (BHX) or East Midlands (EMA), each about an hour from Leicester. Plan the UK visitor visa well ahead.

Getting from BHX to campus

Visitor visa for parents

Indian parents need a UK Standard Visitor visa - one visa covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (there is no separate 'London visa'). It is applied for online and biometrics are given at a VFS Global centre in India. Most are 6-month visit visas; frequent visitors can choose 2-, 5- or 10-year multiple-entry visas. India has a high (around 82%) grant rate.

• One UK visa covers all four nations - no separate visa for London, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
• Apply about 3 months ahead, especially for graduation - slots book out and graduations are fixed dates.
• A complete file with strong home ties, clear funds and a clear purpose drives the high approval rate.
• Frequent visitors should consider the 2/5/10-year multiple-entry visa to avoid re-applying each trip.

Just admitted to De Montfort University? Here's your arrival checklist.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight into Birmingham (BHX) or East Midlands (EMA) early for the best September fares.
• Train/bus from the airport to Leicester (~1 hr), then a short bus/walk to campus.
• De Montfort is city-centre - line up housing before arrival; the Golden Mile is nearby.
• Carry your CAS, passport, proof of funds and confirmation of your visa (eVisa share code) in your cabin bag.

Leicester is among the most affordable UK student cities and has one of Britain's largest and most established Indian communities - about GBP 900-1,300 a month all-in sharing and cooking. The Belgrave Road 'Golden Mile' is the UK's most famous Indian high street, so groceries, sweets and food from home are unmatched here.

Monthly cost of living in Leicester (a student estimate)

That's roughly £10,500-15,000 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Leicester students share near the city centre (De Montfort) and Clarendon Park (University of Leicester); rents are among the UK's lowest.

• Student bus passes cover the city; the centre is walkable.
• Clarendon Park puts you near the University of Leicester; De Montfort is city-centre.
• The Belgrave Road Golden Mile is the desi heart of the city.

Working part-time

On a Student visa you can work up to 20 hours/week during term time (degree level) and full-time during official university vacations. The 20-hour cap is per week, not an average, counts all jobs combined, and you must be a payroll employee - no self-employment, freelancing or gig/delivery work. After graduating you can apply for the Graduate Route: unsponsored post-study work with no job-type or hour limits, currently 2 years (3 for PhD). Note: from 1 January 2027 the Graduate Route drops to 18 months for non-doctoral graduates, so 2026 graduates should apply by 31 December 2026 to get the full two years.

Safety & student support

Leicester's universities's areas are generally safe by UK standards; use normal city awareness at night.

• Leicester's universities has campus security and student-safety services - save the campus number.
• Main student areas are busy and well-populated.
• One of the UK's most diverse, settled cities; normal awareness at night.

Indian community & food

Leicester has one of the UK's largest Indian (especially Gujarati) communities - desi groceries and food are exceptional here.

Indian grocery stores

• Belgrave Road - the 'Golden Mile', the UK's most famous Indian high street: Ananda Foods and many grocers and sweet shops.
• Mainstream Tesco, Asda and Aldi carry large world-food aisles.
• The choice and pricing rival anywhere in Britain outside London.

Student community

• Leicester's universities have very active Indian/South Asian societies; the city's Diwali celebrations are among the largest outside India.
• Leicester has many Hindu temples, Jain temples and gurdwaras.

• The Golden Mile is legendary for vegetarian Gujarati food, chaat and sweets.

Cost & living figures for Leicester last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.