University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is a redbrick university in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire. Established

in 1904, is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK. Renowned for the quality of its

teaching and research, combined with the breadth of disciplines it covers, the university provides a

wealth of opportunities and has real cultural, economic and societal impact on the world. 

The university strives to achieve academic excellence within an ethical framework informed by values

of integrity, equality and inclusion, community and professionalism.

Key statistics

Officially founded in the early 20th century, the university’s origins can be traced back to the

19th century, when the Yorkshire College of Science was established. It was one of the first colleges in

the UK for students of all faiths and backgrounds, set up to challenge the exclusivity of Oxford and Cambridge.

Today, the University of Leeds is among the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. It offers over

500 undergraduate and more than 200 postgraduate-degree courses.

The research-based Leeds curriculum, combined with an unparalleled range of opportunities that

complement your course, means you can make your time with us a unique experience: one that is shaped

around your individual goals, interests and career ambitions

Leeds is split into nine faculties, they include: Arts, Social Sciences and Law, Engineering, Environment,

Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Medicine and Health and Performance and Visual Arts.

With over 30,000 students – 5,000 of them international, from more than 100 countries – the university

prides itself on being a multicultural and international institution.

Its partnership with Southwest Jiaotong University in Chengdu, China was the first overseas school to be set

up by the University of Leeds and offers students a unique UK-Chinese engineering curriculum.

The university is located on a single-site campus, just a short walk from Leeds’ vibrant city centre, with

access to art galleries, museums, shopping and sports facilities, as well as green spaces.

Leeds is a great place to study and live, with plenty of opportunities for going out and having fun. They have

an active student union, with more than 300 clubs and societies, and an award-winning student

newspaper, TV and radio station.

Leeds University Union offers over 250 clubs and societies and its students' union was the first in the UK

to be awarded ‘excellent’ status by the National Union of Students (NUS) as part of its

Quality Students' Unions accreditation scheme.

Notable Alumni

·        Nicola Mendelsohn – Vice-President of Facebook Europe, Middle East and Africa.

·        Craig Jordan – chief developer of breast cancer drug, tamoxifen.

·        Alistair Brownlee MBE – Olympic gold medallist, triathlon.

·        Elizabeth Price – Turner Prize winning artist.

·        Karen Darke, MBE – Paralympic silver medallist, hand cycling.

·        The RT Hon Baroness Usha Prashar – Deputy Chair of the British Council.

·        Piers Sellers, OBE – Climate scientist and former astronaut.

·        Jacqui Oatley – Match of the Day commentator.

·        Wole Soyinka – Nobel prize-winning playwright.

Undergraduate study

Acceptable minimum qualifications include:

·         IELTS (International English Language Testing System) an overall band of 6.0 with no

          less than 5.5 in each component skill

·        TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) of 87 (with no less than 20 in listening,

          20 in reading, 22 in speaking and 21 in writing)

Postgraduate taught study

Acceptable minimum qualifications include:

·         IELTS (International English Language Testing System) an overall band of 6.5 with no less

          than 6.0 in each component skill

·        TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) of 92 with no less than 21 in listening,

          21 in reading, 23 in speaking and 22 in writing

Accommodation costs in Leeds vary according to the type of accommodation you stay in and

whether it is University accommodation or in the private rented sector. When you sign a contract

for accommodation you will also be expected to pay a deposit.

University accommodation costs 

The deposit for University accommodation is £200. Most contracts are for 42 weeks, though catered

accommodation is for 39 weeks. 51 weeks contracts are available in some accommodation for

Postgraduates. The rent in University accommodation includes utilities (gas, water and electricity). 

The university guarantee you an offer of a place in our accommodation for your first year if you are:

·        a first-year undergraduate

·        an international undergraduate (i.e., you pay fees at the international rate). You are guaranteed a

         place in our accommodation until you finish your course, provided you apply by the stated deadlines

·        an undergraduate exchange student

The University offers a wide range of scholarships for international students, from partial fee

awards to full scholarships covering fees, maintenance grants and other allowances.

It is important to make enquiries and apply for sources of funding as early as you can. Search

postgraduate online, or visit the faculties page and find undergraduate scholarships in the

school you are applying to.

Postgraduate students at Leeds benefit from around £10 million of funding being available from the

University and externally. Scholarships are available to International, UK and EU students.

Individual University Schools also offer some scholarships, and substantial numbers of studentships

funded by the UK Research Councils are available for postgraduate study at Leeds for UK and EU students

·        Leeds doctoral Scholarships– fully funded postgraduate research scholarships for UK, EU and international applicants

·        If you’re a former student of the University of Leeds you could be eligible for a 10% alumni tuition fee bursary

·        Two sports scholarships are available to support elite athletes

There are numerous other scholarships. Kindly refer to the university website for detail qualifications required.

Other scholarships

You can also apply for the British Government's Chevening Scholarships, and a variety of private agencies

and charities for scholarships, bursaries and grants to study in the UK. For more information visit the British

Council website or the UK Council for International Student Affairs website.