Graduate careers in Leeds

In and around Leeds

Leeds has a seemingly never-ending supply of activities, entertainment and attractions so it is extremely easy to get involved. Keep checking www.leeds-uk.com, www.visitleeds.co.uk and www.leedsmusicscene.net for current updates.

The Yorkshire Dales surround Leeds, offering tranquillity and rest or an adventurous day out. One of the newest attractions is the Xscape Snowdome in Castleford (a 20 minute drive from Leeds), which offers skiing, snowboarding and climbing, along with a cinema, restaurants and shopping facilities.

Nicknamed the 'Knightsbridge of the North' by the Lonely Planet Guide to Britain, Leeds also offers a variety of shopping, eating and drinking experiences.

Drink at...

• Elbow Rooms: This upstairs bar has relaxing music, a great ambience and is the ideal place to meet with friends for a chat over a drink or two and a game of American pool.
• Mojo: A tiny cocktail bar playing 'golden oldies' such as the Beatles, Stones and Dylan. It is said that on some nights the barman will pour lighter fuel on the bar and set it alight, an experience you will definitely never forget!
• The Original Oak and The Skyrack: In Headingley, just outside the city centre, these two pubs are in a student area, ideal for the economy-conscious seeking a low-key ambience and relaxed summer drinking.

Dance at...

• The Atrium: The basement nightclub, middle floor bar and top lounge, make up this a diverse club. Special nights include R&B, house and funky beats and salsa classes for the more energetic.
• HiFi Club: This trendy club plays jazz, hip-hop, soul, funk and Motown and has great live acts. It is furnished with natural brick, wood and leather, making it one of the cosiest places in Leeds.
• SpeedQueen: This offers a glamorous, friendly night at the Warehouse club. SpeedQueen night is always jam-packed and there is an unwritten rule of 'no attitudes allowed'.

Eat at...

• The Light Centre: The newly opened centre has various restaurants, all worth trying out. The centre has already gained a reputation as a 'must go' place to eat.
• Brio: This is a popular, casual Italian restaurant. Situated next to the law courts and the hospital, it is always bustling, lunch and evening.
• Thai Edge: With the Thai culture reflected in the furnishings, food and service, overlooking Millennium Square, this restaurant is a favourite.
• Kadas: An interesting Turkish cafe nestled next to the Corn Exchange. It offers snacks and meals, with cushions as seats and sheesha pipes available, bringing a bit of eastern promise to the north!

Shop at...

• Harvey Nichols: This exclusive department store, selling designer luxury items and specialist food and drink, was the first store outside London.
• Victoria Quarter: With stunning structural design, this stylish arcade hosts many designer and luxury shops, with a relaxing cafe and water feature in the middle.
• Primark & TKMaxx: If you are on a budget then these are the shops to go to pick up a bargain.

The cost of living in Leeds

As with most of the UK, Leeds has seen a recent boom in the property market, which led to an increase in property prices. However, Leeds remains one of the least expensive cities to live in. To buy a modern two-bedroom apartment will cost you on average £150,000 and the average rent of a graduate property is around £580 a month.

As Leeds has a large student population there is lots of cheap housing available to rent with many graduates choosing to continue living the student lifestyle after they graduate. Headingley, Burley, Kirkstall and Hyde Park are areas with traditional old-style terraced houses, often a favourite with students. Rental contracts in these areas usually operate around student term times and therefore yearly contracts start and end around July (although some six month contracts are available).

As Leeds is attracting so many urban professionals, new, good quality apartment blocks are being built to meet the demand. If you have a reasonable income, it is definitely possible to step onto the property ladder as a graduate. City Living is a good place to start your search and can give you a fair idea of rental and purchase prices on a range of properties in Leeds. Living in Leeds gives the details of numerous estate agencies offering property purchase and rental, both cheap and expensive.

Getting work in the Leeds area

Leeds is fast becoming the professional city of the north as the numbers of young professionals increase year on year. As part of this, employment figures are predicted to increase by 30 per cent over the next ten years. The bigger industries establishing themselves in the area are business, media, medical and law organisations. Leeds is also one of the most important financial centres outside London.

Local job centres or websites are a good starting point to find graduate vacancies on offer. One of the most useful and informative websites is www.graduatesyorkshire.co.uk. There are endless temping agencies within Leeds city centre, offering temping work in areas such as administration that could be a useful method of getting your foot in the door at the employer of your choice. Some of the popular temping agencies can be found on Albion Place.

Below is a list showing some of the regular graduate recruiters within Leeds and the surrounding area. Most of them have cut off dates for recruitment, so always check their websites. (Please note that these companies may not be currently recruiting. Their names have been provided as a guideline to the type of work available and areas to look in.

• Cummins: (mechanical and electrical engineering, Huddersfield, 30 minute drive)
  The world's largest independent designer and manufacturer of diesel engines. Tel: +44 (0)1484 422244. Cummins Turbo Technologies, St. Andrews Road, Huddersfield HD1 6RA
• Decathlon: (retail, management, Sheffield, 40 minute drive)
  One of the largest producers of sports goods in the world, driven by its passion for sport. Tel: +44 (0)114 2298190. Decathlon, 199 Eyre Street, Sheffield S1 3HU
• EDS: (information and business, Sheffield)
  EDS runs the systems of the most well-known businesses in the world. Tel: +44 (0)114 291 1100. EDS, 100 Napier St, Sheffield, S11 8HD
• Government Operational Research Service: (government, Leeds, Sheffield)
  Analyse and model all aspects of government business from policy formulation through to implementation, management and evaluation.
• Higham Group: (financial services, consulting, Leeds)
  A specialist consulting and service provider currently focussed on the life insurance and pensions markets of the financial sector. Tel: +44 (0)113 2617100. Higham Dunnet Shaw, City Exchange, 11 Albion Street, Leeds LS1 5ES
• Kroll: (corporate rescue, restructuring and insolvency, Leeds)
  Kroll is an operating unit of Marsh and McLennan Companies Inc, a global professional services firm. Tel: +44 (0)113 3860800. Kroll, Wellington Plaza, 31 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4DL
• Mazars: (accounting and finance, Leeds)
  Mazars is an international business advisory and accounting firm and represented in over 50 countries worldwide. Tel +44 (0)113 2049797. Mazars House, Gelderd Road, Gildersome, Leeds LS27 7JN
• Nestlé: (supply chain and HR, York, 45 minute drive)
  Food and beverage company ranked highly across the world. Tel: +44 (0)1904 604604. Nestlé UK Ltd, Nestlé Rowntree Headquarters and Consumer Services, York YO91 1XY
• RK Group: (recruitment, Leeds)
  One of the fastest growing recruitment consultancy firms in the UK. Tel: +44 (0)800 2987105. RK Group, 2nd Floor 1 City Square, Leeds LS1 2ES