University of Leeds

Summary

History

The University of Leeds was founded in 1904, but its origins go back to the nineteenth century with the founding of the Leeds School of Medicine in 1831, and then the Yorkshire College of Science in 1874. For the sons of local families, it was one of the first colleges for students of all faiths and backgrounds. The College supported the values of then the established University College, London and Owens College in Manchester. These had been set up to challenge the exclusivity of Oxford and Cambridge universities, which were predominantly for the Anglican aristocracy and gentry.

After a few years, classics, modern literature and history were added to the science subjects being offered and the Yorkshire College of Science became simply the Yorkshire College. In 1884, the College combined with the School of Medicine and three years later the two Leeds-based institutions joined forces with Owens College, Manchester, and University College Liverpool, to become the federal Victoria University. It wasn't long, however, before each of the cities started to consider the benefits of forming their own universities. After Manchester and Liverpool had taken the decision to establish universities, Leeds also took the leap and in 1904, King Edward VII granted the University its own Charter as an independent institution.

University Environment

Leeds has a vibrant and international campus, with more than 30,000 students from over 145 countries. There are state-of-the-art facilities to support your studies, including a dedicated Language Centre, one of the finest academic libraries in the UK, and outstanding computing resources.

A single-site campus, one of the largest in the UK, is just a short walk from the centre of Leeds. Everything is in one place and it's really easy to get around.

Academics

Faculties

• Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Cultures

  • School of Design
  • School of English
  • School of Fine Arts, History of Arts & Cultural Studies
  • School of History
  • Institute for Mediaeval Studies
  • Inter-disciplinary Ethics Applied
  • School of Languages, Cultures & Societies
  • School of Media & Communications
  • School of Music
  • School of Performance & Cultural Industries
  • School of Philosophy, Religion & the History of Science

• Faculty of Biological Sciences

  • School of Biology
  • School of Biomedical Sciences
  • School of Molecular & Cellular Biology
  • Faculty Director of Taught Student Education
  • Director of Biological Sciences Graduate School

• Faculty of Business

  • Divisions
    • Accounting & Finance
    • Economics
    • International Business
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Work & Employment Relations

• Faculty of Social Sciences

  • School of Education
  • School of Law
  • School of Politics & International Studies
  • School of Sociology & Social Policy

• Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences

  • School of Chemistry
  • School of Chemical & Process Engineering
  • School of Civil Engineering
  • School of Computing
  • School of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
  • School of Mathematics
  • School of Mechanical Engineering
  • School of School of Physics & Astronomy

• Faculty of Environment

  • School of Earth & Environment
  • School of Food Science & Nutrition
  • School of Geography
  • Institute for Transport Studies

• Faculty of Medicine & Health

  • Faculty of Graduate School
  • School of Dentistry
  • School of Healthcare
  • School of Medicine
  • School of Psychology

Research

As a member of the Russell Group, Leeds attracts staff who are leading experts in their field. This means that from day one you will be taught by distinguished academics working at the forefront of their specialism. The quality of their teaching and research means you will be close to discoveries and breakthroughs that are having a real impact on the world.

In the Research Excellence Framework (2014 REF) Leeds ranked in 10th place for research power, a measure of the number of people producing the highest quality research. The assessment identified that over 80% of research at Leeds has a top quality rating of either “world leading” or “internationally excellent”.

In 2019 Leeds established UK’s first Centre for Cultural Value. The centre will focus on the role of arts and culture in areas such as conflict resolution, education, health and wellbeing, and community regeneration, bringing together researchers with expertise in these areas with artists, arts and cultural organisations, audiences, participants and local communities.

International & Industrial Opportunities

Leeds University actively encourages exchange programmes to enable students to spend time at universities around the world with almost all programmes offering the chance to spend a period abroad and over 300 institutions to choose from. In most cases, students extend their degree to a four-year programme and spend their third year abroad.

Leeds has links with over 230 institutions across Europe via the Erasmus+ programme, including universities in Madrid, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam and Milan. Not all programmes require fluency in another language, and in some partner institutions, the teaching is in English. However, Leeds can provide advice on language learning opportunities before you go if necessary.

Outside of Europe, Leeds students can choose from over 70 universities across the globe, including many of the top-ranked institutions in the world. Popular destinations include the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Latin America.

Most of Leeds’ courses offer you the opportunity to do a one year work placement. Placements are available at prestigious organisations such as Goldman Sachs, Opera North, French Connection and Unilever, as well as small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and not-for-profit organisations. You could work within the public, private or voluntary sector either in the UK or overseas.

Fees & Finance

Scholarships & Bursaries

The University offers non-repayable support to UK and EU students to help with the costs of being at university, which is linked to your annual household income; that is a household income of not more than £36,000 a year if full-time, or £42,875 if you are part-time or taking a foundation year. You will be able to choose how you receive this support – either as a cash bursary, a discount on your fees or University accommodation.

Leeds offers a number of subject related scholarships for UK/EU and international undergraduate students. All of these scholarships have academic achievement as a key awarding criteria for the scholarship.  Please visit the school web pages for more information.

The University also offers Sports Scholarships to support elite athletes, with a package including finance, gym membership, strength and conditioning support, physiotherapy support, access to sports massages and personal development support.

Facilities

Learning Facilities

Leeds’ library is one of the major academic research libraries in the UK. The University’s rich and extensive print, online and manuscript collections, gathered over 100 years and added to all the time, attract students and scholars from around the world. As well as access to all the books you’ll need for your course, you will also have a host of electronic resources including e-books and over 35,000 online journals at your fingertips, accessible from home, your halls of residence or anywhere else.

Three libraries on the main campus provide a variety of different working environments, with flexible group study areas as well as silent individual study space. All feature excellent IT facilities as well as access to the University’s wireless network if you want to work on your own laptop. A single log-in on your computer via the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) will give you access to all the information and resources you need such as personal timetables, academic and social groups, and even two new mobile apps. You can share group work and contribute to discussions using desk microphones in some of the University's new lecture theatres via the VLE. The VLE also has video and audio recordings of most of your lectures so you can go back over your course content at a time convenient to you.

There is also a Skills@Library service that can help you develop the academic skills you need to succeed at university and in your future career. This service can help you become a more effective learner and researcher, to communicate more effectively, manage your time and much more.

The Language Centre offers learning materials in more than 45 languages. To support your learning, the University has provided a self-access area for independent study. You can also access the extensive collection of foreign language films and documentaries, and more than 50 TV channels in 20 languages. You can also practise conversation skills with native speakers through their language exchange programme, and you’ll get free access to the online language learning software Rosetta Stone.

Sports Facilities 

Whatever your level of fitness, Leeds is a great place to keep healthy and get active. Whether that means participating for fun, at club level, or at the highest national and international standards, Leeds has great facilities to help you achieve your personal best. Facilities include The Edge which is a £12 million indoor facility with fitness suite, the largest of any university in the UK and has the latest equipment and Sky TV. Over 140 exercise classes take place every week which range from Pilates and Yoga to Body Pump and Swimfit. You could also access the dedicated personal training and strength and conditioning rooms, with qualified trainers available when you need some extra motivation.

The Edge also has a 25 metre pool, squash courts and sports halls where you can play badminton, netball, five-a-side and more. Additional studio space, sports halls and squash courts can be found at the Gryphon Sports Centre and Cromer Terrace Gym.

In addition, the University has excellent outdoor facilities at the Weetwood Sports Park which include the most playing field space at a UK university with a total of 51 hectares of playing field space. Evidence of Leeds' sporting facilities includes the hosting of the Chinese Olympic team in the run-up to the London 2012 Games.

You can get involved with the Intramural sport programme, one of the largest of any university or college. This programme offers the opportunity to participate in organised, recreational sport on a regular basis in a wide range of disciplines, and is a great way to make friends. Leeds University Union (LUU) has 36 sports clubs which range from cycling to sub-aqua, basketball to sailing. Teams compete regularly at the highest levels in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues. Athletes in these clubs benefit from a range of support services such as physiotherapy, strength and conditioning work, and quality coaching to help them develop further.

Students' Union

Students’ Union

The Leeds University Students’ Union (LUU) is led by a group of six elected officers, supported by over 150 full-time staff members, 500 student members of staff, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers. LUU is always buzzing with activity with over 250 clubs and societies, lots of places to meet, relax and study. There is a range of societies to get involved in ranging from football to chess, wine tasting to swimming. You can also get involved in volunteering or media societies like Leeds Student newspaper, Leeds Student Radio and Leeds Student TV, which have all won national awards.

The Union also houses an award-winning pub, clubs, shops and food outlets. It has so much to offer in terms of night-time entertainment having played host to some of the biggest names in pop and rock & roll, and a range of club nights to suit many different tastes. The University’s very own traditional English Pub, The Old Bar, is a Leeds institution, first opened its doors in 1939.

LUU’s Help and Support team offers expert, confidential and independent advice for free for all of Leeds students. They can help with housing, financial, health & wellbeing and academic issues.

The Union also runs a one-stop student job shop, Joblink, offering a range of part-time and flexible work, internships, projects and vacation jobs in the Union, Leeds and surrounding area, so students can earn as they learn.

Student Support

Religion & Spirituality

The University Chaplaincy offers spiritual and pastoral support to all students (of all faiths and none) throughout their time at Leeds. Whether you’re struggling or seeking inspiration, it provides drop-in pastoral and spiritual care, space for meditation and reflection, and opportunities for worship and spiritual development. The Chaplaincy is based at the Emmanuel Centre, which also houses a chapel for quiet contemplation and a common room. Space is bookable for your own prayer and fellowship groups.

There is also a Jewish chaplaincy and an Islamic prayer room on campus.

Health & Wellbeing

The Student Counselling and Wellbeing service is a multi-professional team of Counsellors, Mental Health Advisors and Wellbeing Practitioners offering a range of services to support students during their time at the University of Leeds.

You can access free, professional and confidential counselling and mental health support - workshops, single-session consultations, brief counselling and web-based self-help resources. If you need longer term support or treatment, the University will help you identify the most appropriate local NHS or voluntary sector services.

For students with an existing moderate to severe and enduring mental health diagnosis, The University’s Mental Health Advisors provide one-to-one support and will work with you to develop an appropriate support plan. They’ll also act as an advocate between you and the University and liaise with external referral agencies.

Leeds Students’ Union runs Nightline, a listening and information service run by students for students. The Union’s Student Advice Centre can also help you with any problems you may have concerning your life as a student, specialising in housing, money and academic concerns; all help is free and confidential, and is independent of the University.

Free online peer and professional support, is available around the clock, through Big White Wall. It’s completely anonymous and provides a safe space to get things off your chest and help you feel more in control.

There is a good range of support for disabled students, including several Disability Coordinators who liaise with academic departments to arrange reasonable adjustments for students. A Support Worker Team provides one-to-one support through personal assistants and mentors, and the Student Mental Health Team provides mental health support.

Career Facilities

Leeds’ award-winning on-campus Careers Centre, one of the largest in the country, has close links with many graduate recruiters. Over 450 employers visit the campus to meet Leeds’ students each year, including, First, Accenture, IBM, the United Nations, Jaguar Land Rover, John Lewis and Unilever. The Careers Centre is the place to get advice about what to do after university, find work experience, improve your CV, and deal with job applications and selection processes. Experienced, qualified advisors will help you make informed choices, and are available to provide advice even after you graduate.

Leeds offers accredited career modules, delivered by their expert and professional staff, will help you develop your skills, prepare you for work and improve your knowledge of the graduate job market.

The Careers Centre team organises a number of events each year, including careers fairs, Employer presentations and industry talks, Employer drop-in days, and Employability skills workshops.

As a student at Leeds, you have an opportunity to apply to be mentored by professionals who have volunteered their time to support you, either as part of a specific mentoring programme in their School or via the Mentoring Hub in the Careers Centre.

Accommodation

At Leeds you are offered a choice of locations – on campus, close to the city centre, or further afield, a wide variety of accommodation from modern apartments to converted mansions, a range of rents to suit different budgets with different kitchen and bathroom facilities.

There are opportunities for you to live in either catered and or self-catered accommodation. Leeds’s catered residences range from large, purpose-built accommodation to smaller halls where the atmosphere is more traditional and close knit. The self-catering accommodation offers a great alternative for those who would like more independence, but still enjoy the benefits of being in a student community with a lively social scene.

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in social and sporting events. Every residence has a student residents’ committee for organising activities and events during term time. Whether that’s a film night, a trip to the great outdoors or an end of term ball, there’ll be something for you.

Some residences are on campus, others within walking distance, and those further away are on frequent bus routes. Leeds has a fantastic bus service, with buses running throughout the day and into the early hours of the morning. There are cycle routes along the main roads and bicycle storage facilities at most residences and on campus. The University also boasts the ‘Velocampus’ scheme which provides cycle support for students, with low cost, short and long-term bike hire, bike maintenance facilities and advice – helping to make Leeds a cycle-friendly campus and city.

International

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need an English Language qualification to study at Leeds. Below are some examples of the minimum requirements for undergraduate courses. Some courses have higher English language requirements, please check your course page for more information.

If you don't meet these requirements, you could study with the University Centre to improve your English to the level required.

International Scholarships

Leeds offers a number of subject related scholarships to international undergraduate students. All of these scholarships have academic achievement as a key awarding criteria for the scholarship. Please visit the school web pages for more information.

International Support

When you arrive in Leeds, an international welcome team runs a free ‘meet and greet’ service, meeting you at the Leeds Bradford Airport and the Leeds Train Station, and gives you all the information you need to settle in during your first few days. There is also an International Welcome Week, which is a free programme of information sessions and social events. Throughout your time at Leeds the International Student Office will provide you with information, advice and guidance on a wide range of issues, from coping with culture to UK study methods, or extending your visa. The Language Centre offers English language support for International Students.

Students from all countries are represented in international student societies. It’s a great way to meet other international students, learn about new cultures and develop friendships. And with over 250 clubs and societies, including sports, arts and subject specific, there will be something to suit everyone’s tastes. There are also Intercultural Ambassadors, a group of UK and international student volunteers who are trained to create and run exciting projects to help students get together and enjoy the benefits of being part of our multicultural global community.

Media