Check your academic subject requirements

Many academic schools or departments have specific requirements and guidance for incoming study abroad and exchange students who want to enrol on their modules.

Before researching the module catalogue, please use the following guidance to make sure you are eligible to take modules in those schools.

If you have any questions about modules in your academic subject area, please contact the Study Abroad Coordinator in the relevant school

Find your module 

Biological Sciences (BIOL, BIOC, BLGY, BMSC, FOBS, MICR, SPSC)

Availability: incoming study abroad students are usually able to take the modules they apply for, if they have enough prior experience with the subject area, or alternative choices are available.

You cannot take certain modules if they overlap in their content or assessment. Please check the module catalogue to avoid taking any combination of modules that are listed as being mutually exclusive. Students are typically not allowed to take more than one “Advanced Topics” module in each semester.

Additional costs: some modules may include optional or compulsory fieldwork that you may need to pay for (in addition to your tuition fee, if applicable). The teaching school will tell you about these costs in advance.

Business Faculty (LUBS)

Availability: modules are in high demand. There is very limited availability of marketing modules in semester 2. 

Language requirement: you must have attained the higher entry requirement by the time you apply to Leeds or have completed a relevant pre-sessional language course.

If you study Business or a related subject as your degree major, your place on a LUBS module will be prioritised.

Chemistry (CHEM)

Availability: incoming study abroad students are usually able to take the modules they apply for, or alternative choices are available.

If you are applying for a laboratory work module, you must apply for one that is specifically designed for exchange students. These are modules CHEM24X5 or CHEM34X5.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Engineering (CIVE)

Availability: modules are in high demand.

In order to take architectural engineering modules, you must be studying Architectural Engineering as a degree, or a comparable degree, and be able to evidence a strong mathematical background.

If you have any questions about these modules, please see the Study Abroad Coordinator contact list and contact the representative for the relevant school. 

Additional costs: modules may involve field work or the purchase of safety equipment that you may need to pay for (in addition to your tuition fee if applicable). The teaching school will tell you about these costs in advance.

Dentistry (DSUR)

These modules are only available for students on specific Dentistry exchange programmes.

School of Design (DESN)

Availability: modules are in high demand.

There are two types of module: discovery (identified as ‘d’ in the module catalogue) and core modules.

To study core Design modules, you will need at least one year’s experience of studying Design in your home university and your degree or degree major should correspond to one of our programmes from the following list:

  • Art and Design
  • Fashion Marketing (students must come to Leeds for the full year – Semester 1 and 2) 
  • Fashion Design Innovation (students must come to Leeds for the full year – Semester 1 and 2) 
  • Graphic and Communication Design.

You must submit an electronic portfolio in order to be approved for core Design modules before completing the application form.

How to submit your portfolio for Core Design modules

  • Your portfolio should be a maximum of 15 images of your work in either one PDF or on a single website.
  • The images should show us a range of your work. This helps us to decide if you have the right experience and which of our disciplines would be the most suitable for you. 
  • Please email your portfolio or link to your portfolio directly to the Design Study Abroad Coordinator: email the Design Study Abroad Coordinator via designstudyabroad@leeds.ac.uk.
  • The deadlines to submit your portfolio are as follows:
    • Semester 1 – 15 March
    • Semester 2 – 14 October
  • If we approve your portfolio, we will email to tell you which core discipline we recommend you to study, as well as which discovery modules may support your studies. You will need this information to complete the study abroad application. 
  • If we do not approve your portfolio, please understand that this is not a judgement on the quality of your work. Our decisions are based on whether your practice is suitable for our particular programme of study.

English Literature and Language (ENGL)

Availability: modules are in high demand.

Language requirement: you must have attained the higher entry requirement by the time you apply to Leeds or have completed a relevant pre-sessional language course. 

If you study English Literature or English Language as your degree major, your place on an English module will be prioritised. You must include either a level 1 or core module in your application.

You can check if a module is level 1 or a core module in the module catalogue.

Core modules at level 2 or 3 are:

  • Power of Language ENGL2023 
  • Language in Society ENGL2024 
  • Medieval Literature ENGL2025 
  • 18th Century Literature ENGL2027 
  • Literature of the Romantic Period ENGL2028 
  • Renaissance Literature ENGL2029 
  • Modern Literature ENGL3024 
  • Postcolonial Literature ENGL3025 
  • Contemporary Literature ENGL3026 
  • Shakespeare ENGL3027 
  • Victorian Literature ENGL3289 
  • American Words, American Worlds ENGL3290

English Language Modules (ELU)

Availability: incoming study abroad students are usually able to take the modules they apply for, or alternative choices are available.

Our Language Centre English language modules are open to all incoming study abroad students with English as a second language:

  • English for Communication – ELU1002 and ELU1003 (semester 1, semester 2)
  • English or Academic Study – ELU 2007 and ELU 2008 (semester 1, semester 2)
  • Using Writing – ELU1004 (semester 1 only)
  • Language through Literature and Place: Reading Yorkshire – ELU2006 (semester 1 only)
  • English through Interpersonal Communication – ELU2004 (semester 1, semester 2)

Please note that ELU modules at Level 2 and above are subject to the higher English language entry requirements.

Food Science and Nutrition (FOOD)

Availability: incoming study abroad students are usually able to take the modules they apply for, if they have enough prior experience with the subject area, or alternative choices are available.

Many modules are taught in a single semester to help accommodate incoming study abroad students wanting to study in the School of Food Science and Nutrition.

Please check the module catalogue to see the modules currently available.

Each request will be considered by the school. There are no additional costs incurred by studying any FOOD modules.

Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies (ARTF AND CULT)

Availability: modules are in high demand.

Language requirement: you must have attained the higher entry requirement by the time you apply to Leeds or have completed a relevant pre-sessional language course. 

Within the School, you may choose theoretical modules in History of Art and/or Cultural Studies. You may also choose ARTF2001 which is a Fine Art Studio module. This is only available in Semester 1. To gain a place on ARTF2001, you must submit a portfolio for review. 

You do not need to submit a portfolio for theoretical Art History or Cultural Studies modules.

Studio module (ARTF2001)

ARTF2001 is taught in Semester 1 only. There are no studio modules available for Semester 2 only or across both Semesters 1 and 2. 

You must submit your portfolio for the studio module ARTF2001 no later than 15 March.

Fine Art at Leeds does not include design or applied art. The Fine Art programme at Leeds is focused on the production, display and analysis of contemporary art and related social issues. It is especially suitable if you wish to develop your art practice in a contemporary and experimental direction.

You will be introduced to the complex nature of contemporary art practice, in a variety of media, and develop critical and analytical skills. You will be able to work in a range of methods on our studio modules including film, video, photography, print performance and digital media. Because of space constraints we cannot offer dedicated studio spaces for painting or sculpture.

For further information about the study of Fine Art at the University of Leeds please read the Fine Art module descriptions in the module catalogue and visit the School of Fine Art website.

How to submit your portfolio

Before you can apply for a Fine Art Studio module (ARTF2001), you must submit an electronic portfolio.

  • This should be a maximum of 15 images of your work in either one PDF or on a single website.
  • The images need to show a range of your technical and conceptual abilities. It should show us which direction you would like to take your art practice and research into if you come to Leeds.
  • We want to see the work you are most committed to, not necessarily the work that received the highest grades.
  • Please email your portfolio or link to your portfolio directly to the Study Abroad Co-ordinator, Diane Morgan via D.L.Morgan@leeds.ac.uk . You must do this by no later than 15 March.
  • Once you have sent us your electronic portfolio we will make a decision within 2-3 weeks. If you have not heard from us after 3 weeks, please get in touch with us.
  • If we approve your portfolio then you can apply to study abroad at Leeds.
  • If we do not approve your portfolio, please understand that this is not a judgement on the quality of your work. Our decisions are based on whether your practice is suitable for our particular programme of study.

Geography (GEOG)

Availability: incoming study abroad students are usually able to take the modules they apply for, or alternative choices are available.

Additional costs: some modules may include optional or compulsory fieldwork that you may need to pay for (in addition to your tuition fee if applicable). The teaching school will tell you about these costs in advance. You may need to pay for modules involving overseas fieldwork before enrolment.

Interdisciplinary Ethics Applied (IDEA)

IDEA modules are not taught across the full semester like other modules. They are taught in more intense teaching sessions over fewer weeks.

Sessions are run weekly on a specific day, either morning or afternoon. For this reason, we will need to check that they fit with the rest of your module timetable.

Please note, we do not release IDEA module marks until November. This means we cannot include them in the transcript we give you in July (the official document which lists your modules taken and grades achieved). 

Languages Cultures and Societies (ARAB, EAST, FREN, GERM, ITAL, MODL, SLAV, SPPO)

Our modules in modern languages (MODL) are open to all incoming study abroad students.

Other modules (ARAB, EAST, FREN, GERM, ITAL, MODL, SLAV and SPPO) are open to incoming study abroad students studying 'languages' at their home university. 

You can download an Excel spreadsheet showing the modules which are taught in a single semester. Use the arrow in the semester column to search by semester 1 (September to January) or semester 2 (January to June). 

If you wish to be accepted onto any module that is not beginner’s level, you must complete a questionnaire:

You must send your completed questionnaire to the Study Abroad Office with your other supporting documents.

Languages for all (FLTU language modules)

Our Languages for All modules gives you the chance to improve your practical language skills and develop your cultural awareness. We offer up to five language levels from complete beginners to advanced.

To enrol on a Languages for All module, you need to first read the Common European Framework guide then complete a questionnaire:

You must upload your completed questionnaire to your online application with your other supporting documents.

Law

Availability: modules are in high demand.

Language requirement: you must have attained the higher entry requirement by the time you apply to Leeds or have completed a relevant pre-sessional language course. 

Historically the majority of Law modules were taught across the full year however from the 2020-21 academic year and beyond, most modules will be taught in a single semester to help accommodate incoming study abroad students wanting to study in our School of Law.

Please check the module catalogue to see the modules currently available.

If you study Law as your degree major, your place on a Law module will be prioritised.

Linguistics and Phonetics (LING)

Availability: incoming study abroad students are usually able to take the modules they apply for, or alternative choices are available.

Language requirement: you must have attained the higher entry requirement by the time you apply to Leeds or have completed a relevant pre-sessional language course.

Media and Communication (COMM)

Availability: modules are in very high demand.

If your home university has a subject-specific exchange agreement with the School of Media and Communication, your module choices will be prioritised.

If you are applying via an open-exchange agreement and your major is in a subject area taught in the School of Media and Communication, then we will try to accommodate your module choices.

If we are unable to offer you a place on a School of Media and Communication module, then we will recommend modules in related areas of interest. We feel confident we will be able to provide some excellent alternative modules.

If your degree major is in any other subject, we advise you consider the wide range of modules in other teaching schools across the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures.

Alternative schools you may wish to consider are: Cultural Studies (ARTF modules), English (ENGL modules), English Language Unit (ELU modules), School of Languages, Cultures and societies (MODL modules) and Performance and Cultural Industries (PAC modules).

Music (MUSS)

Our performance modules are only open to incoming study abroad students who are studying music as their degree major in their home country and are taking the majority of their credits in Music at Leeds. 

If you wish to apply for a performance module, you need to submit a portfolio of your work.

How to submit your portfolio 

If you wish to study another practical discipline at level 2 or above, in Music Technology or Composition you will need to submit a portfolio or examples of your work. Again, this should include two or three pieces or examples with a different stylistic focus.

If you wish to take academic School of Music modules at level 2 or 3, we may ask for evidence of prior relevant experience.  

Please email the Music Study Abroad Coordinator via musicstudentinfo@leeds.ac.uk if you need further guidance.

Politics (PIED)

Availability: modules are in very high demand. 

Language requirement: you must have attained the higher entry requirement by the time you apply to Leeds or have completed a relevant pre-sessional language course.  

If your home university has a subject-specific exchange agreement with the School of Politics and International Studies, your module choices will be prioritised for enrolment. 

Each request will be considered by the school. If you are applying via an open-exchange agreement and your major is in a subject area taught in the School of Politics and International Studies, then we will try to accommodate your module choices onto level 2 and 3 PIED modules. Evidence of significant previous study of Politics/International Relations or a closely related ‘Social Science’ subject will also be taken into consideration. 

Psychology (PSYC)

Availability: modules are in very high demand.

If your home university has a subject-specific exchange agreement with the School of Psychology, your module choices will be prioritised.

If you are applying via an open-exchange agreement and your major is in Psychology, then we will try to accommodate your module choices. 

If your home university has academic requirements you need to fulfil by studying a particular Psychology module, please email Psychology Programme Support via psyc-progsupport@leeds.ac.uk before you apply to Leeds to confirm whether this will be possible.

If your degree major is in any other subject, we advise you only consider our discovery modules (identified as ‘d’ in the module catalogue).