University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is a public research university and a member of the Russell Group. Its roots lie in the Leeds School of Medicine, founded in 1831, and the Yorkshire College of Science of 1874. It became part of the federal Victoria University in 1887 and received its own Royal Charter as an independent university in 1904.

The university occupies a single, largely self-contained campus close to Leeds city centre, where historic buildings such as the Parkinson Building, with its landmark clock tower, sit alongside modern teaching and research facilities. With around 35,000 students, Leeds is one of the largest universities in the UK and attracts one of the highest volumes of undergraduate applications in the country. It offers an exceptionally wide range of subjects across the arts, humanities, social sciences, business, engineering, environment, biological and medical sciences, and is a member of the N8 Research Partnership of northern research-intensive universities.

Information for International Students

The University of Leeds hosts more than 14,000 international students from over 130 countries, making it one of the most internationally diverse universities in the north of England. The Student Visa Advice service and the International Student Office provide guidance on Student visa applications, extensions and compliance, as well as on wider aspects of living and studying in the UK.

The minimum English language requirement is IELTS 6.0 overall for undergraduate study and 6.5 overall for postgraduate study, with many courses setting higher levels. Pre-sessional English programmes are offered for undergraduate, master's and postgraduate research entrants who need to develop their academic English before their degree begins.

The University of Leeds International Foundation Year is taught on campus by university academics and offers progression to more than 150 undergraduate degrees. A further route is available through the Leeds International Study Centre, run by Study Group in Leeds, which offers foundation programmes and International Year One in selected subjects. The university also accepts students progressing from NCUK programmes delivered overseas. University accommodation is guaranteed to new first-year undergraduates, including those paying international fees, who apply by the published deadlines.