Contextual admissions

If you’re a UK student from a background that is less represented at university, we can help you get a place on an undergraduate degree at Leeds and get the most from your studies while you’re here.

We welcome talented students who have the potential to succeed at university regardless of educational or personal background.

Access to Leeds

Access to Leeds could offer you the chance to study a degree with lower entry requirements than listed on our course pages. This can be two grades lower than the published entry requirement for each course. So for example, if the course entry requirement is AAA, the Access to Leeds offer could be ABB.

The programme also offers a study module, events and support to prepare you for university.

Find out if you’re eligible for Access to Leeds.

I joined Leeds through the Access to Leeds scheme and found the welcome events really useful. They were run by people who had similar backgrounds to me, so they knew exactly how I was feeling. The whole experience has been massive for my self-confidence.

Low Participation Neighbourhoods (LPN)

If you live in a neighbourhood where there is low participation in higher education, we may be able to give priority to your application.

If you receive an offer, this could be reduced by one A-level grade (or equivalent), in most cases. You don’t need to apply separately: if you are from a Low Participation Neighbourhood we will automatically give your UCAS application additional consideration. 

Use our postcode checker to find out if you are from a Low Participation Neighbourhood.

Foundation courses for UK students

If you don’t have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to a degree course, you can take a foundation course. Sometimes known as extended degrees, foundation courses help you prepare for degree-level studies and gain the necessary academic background.

Once you’ve completed the foundation course, you’ll progress to the first year of your relevant degree course.

Mature and part-time students

Our Lifelong Learning Centre offers a number of degree courses for those returning to study or who want to study part-time. 

These courses have a lower grade requirement than most of our degrees and their entry requirements can include information about your background or work experience. We deliver courses that encourage and support student diversity, with a focus on students from under-represented groups or who don't have traditional qualifications.

We offer extended degrees with a foundation year, pathways into degree study, flexible undergraduate courses for part-time and mature learners, and apprenticeships.

We also offer one-to-one advice and guidance sessions, a short taster course called Jumpstart and in-person and online events to help you decide whether you want to move on to higher education.

Find out more about our support for mature and part-time students.