Last updated 24 May 2022. We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Leeds. Find out how to prepare for your arrival and how we can support you.
Plan your journey and your arrival
Make sure you are confident you can travel before you apply for your visa. Our Travel information page gives you information to help you plan your journey, including COVID-19 requirements and steps you must take before you leave home.
Make sure you also read our page on what to bring with you to Leeds, as part of your preparation.
Tell us when you plan to arrive
When you have booked your travel, complete our international arrivals form to tell us your date and time of arrival. We will contact you when you arrive and help answer any initial questions you might have.
Book your arrival support
We know how tiring travelling can be and we hope you choose to use our arrival support services so that we can help you have a smooth arrival in Leeds.
You must be a new student who is coming to Leeds for the first time to book our arrival support services.
If you will be arriving in Leeds for the first time up to the end of July 2022, please complete the international arrivals form to request your airport pick-up service, arrange your welcome food box and order essential items.
If you are a student arriving from 1 August 2022 onwards, please check this page nearer the time when our international arrivals form for the 2022/23 academic year will be available.
Our services include:
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Airport Pick-Up Service
We offer a pick-up service from Leeds Bradford Airport and Manchester Airport to our University campus.
Book your airport pick-up at least five days before you plan to arrive, but don’t worry, you can update this later if your plans change. We will contact you to confirm the details of your transport at least two days before your arrival. -
Welcome Food Box
Book to receive a free food box to welcome you when you arrive. - Essential Items
Check what’s included with your accommodation. If your accommodation doesn’t provide kitchen equipment, bedding, or other essential items, you can order this to be delivered to your accommodation when you arrive.
Welcome contact and help
Complete our international arrivals form even if you don’t need to book arrival services. Our International Welcome team and our student hosts will contact you at your University email address when you arrive to check you are OK and help you with anything you need.
You can also call the International Welcome Team on +44 (0)113 3439599 or email us at internationalwelcome@leeds.ac.uk if you have any questions about arriving in Leeds.
When to arrive
Check the following before you book your travel:
- Information about your programme start date and induction, orientation and welcome activities
- COVID-19 travel requirements
- The valid date on your visa vignette
- When you can move into your accommodation
Information about your programme start date and induction, orientation and welcome activities
Plan to arrive before the start of your programme. There will be welcome and orientation activities in person and online throughout the year, so you will find information and support to help you settle in whenever you arrive.
Check the information you will receive from your school about induction and programme start dates and any specific requirements related to arrival in Leeds. If your arrival will be delayed due to reasons related to COVID-19, it is essential for you to contact your school for advice.
Also check information about International Orientation activities you can take part in before your school induction.
COVID-19 travel requirements
Before you arrange your travel, check the latest UK government requirements on our Travel information page.
The valid date on your visa vignette
If you have a visa, it’s important to check the 'valid from' date on your visa vignette. You must not attempt to enter the UK before this date, or if the date has expired. If the ‘valid to’ date has expired because you have delayed travel to the UK, please see our advice about remote study and your student visa.
When you can move into your accommodation
Check when you can move into your accommodation. Before you travel, make sure you:
- Have arranged somewhere to stay on your first night.
- Book temporary accommodation in advance if you need to arrive before you can move into your permanent accommodation.
- Arrange to arrive as close to your accommodation contract start date as possible.
If you are staying in private accommodation, ask your provider if you can arrange early arrival.
If you need to arrive before your University accommodation contract starts, please email accom@leeds.ac.uk and the Accommodation Office will try to assist you. If you do not have permanent accommodation confirmed yet, our Accommodation Office can help you to find permanent accommodation and might assist with arranging temporary accommodation.
International orientation and support to help you settle in
When you arrive, visit the International Orientation page to:
- sign up for orientation sessions to help you settle in and make the most of your international experience
- find ways to start meeting people in person and online, including activities run by friendly student hosts
Our Student Information teams will be here to answer your questions online, by phone or in person.
You can also find more information and support to help you settle in:
- Welcome Guide
- Leeds & You Guide and the Here and Now hub
- Your school induction or research induction (you will receive information about this from your school)
- Leeds University Union welcome website
International welcome helpdesk
Contact us with questions about our airport pick-up service, ask for any support you need on the day of your arrival, and get help with recovering any lost or delayed luggage.
Service hours (10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday):
Phone: +44 (0)113 3439599
Email: internationalwelcome@leeds.ac.uk
Chat online to current students
Before you come to Leeds and when you arrive, you can chat online to current students from our Link to Leeds ambassadors team and read their blogs.
Our Link to Leeds ambassadors have experience of preparing to arrive in Leeds, settling in and student life at Leeds, so why not get in touch with them and see how they can help?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) requirements in the UK and on campus
Find out more about UK Government advice on staying safe and University coronavirus guidance.