Updated 14 September 2021. 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 so we can support you
When you’ve booked your travel, make sure you tell us your date and time of arrival by filling in the International Arrivals form so that we can support you when you arrive. You can also book our airport pick up service, welcome food box and bedding, kitchen equipment and toiletry packs at the same time. You can find out more about our arrival services below.
When you should arrive
Check the following before you book your travel
- Information from your school about when your programme starts, any specific requirements related to arrival in Leeds, and your induction 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 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 summer, September and beyond, 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, you will need to get official permission from us to start your studies online via the student late arrival request form.
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. Make sure you have somewhere to stay on your first night and for your first 10 days in case you need to self-isolate in your accommodation on arrival.
If you have booked to stay in University accommodation, try to arrive as close to your contract start date as possible. If you need to arrive before your accommodation contract starts, please complete the early arrivals form for University accommodation and the Accommodation Office will try to assist you. If you are staying with a private provider you should ask them if you can arrange early arrival.
Book temporary accommodation in advance if you need to arrive before you can move into your permanent accommodation. If you don’t have permanent accommodation confirmed yet, contact our Accommodation Office who will assist you to find accommodation. Our Accommodation Office may also be able to assist with temporary accommodation.
Email: accom@leeds.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)113 343 7777
Book your arrival and self-isolation support
Airport pick up service
We offer a transport service to the University from Manchester Airport and Leeds Bradford Airport.
We are also offering a transport service from London Heathrow from Saturday 28 August to Saturday 25 September (subject to availability). For arrivals after this time, you can find information about other transport options on our travel page.
Complete the international arrivals form as soon as possible to tell us about your travel plans and book your arrival and self-isolation support. You can update this later if you change your plans.
You must book airport pick up at least five days in advance of your arrival. We will contact you to confirm the details of your transport (usually two days before your arrival).
Self-isolation support
You can be reassured that we’ll support you to self-isolate when you arrive.
You can use the international arrivals form to book a free welcome food box and information about local online food shopping.
Check whether your accommodation provides kitchen equipment and bedding, or if you need to buy this. You can order a kitchen equipment pack, bedding pack, and toiletry pack from the University, so you have what you need when you first arrive and can’t go out to shop during your self-isolation.
Find out more information about self-isolation support while you are in Leeds.
International welcome helpdesk
You can find help with questions about our airport pick up and self-isolation services, ask for any support you need on the day of your arrival, and get help with recovering any lost or delayed luggage.
Contact us (service available 7 days a week):
- Phone: +44 (0)113 3439599 (9am to 8pm, every day)
- Email: internationalwelcome@leeds.ac.uk (9am to 8pm, every day)
- International welcome helpdesk, Ziff Building East Entrance (9am to 8pm, every day)
International welcome lounge
Drop by to meet our friendly student hosts, enjoy some free refreshments and find out about welcome and social activities.
- Café Maia on Level 10 of the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Building
- Monday to Friday from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, 6 September to 31 October
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?
International orientation and support to help you settle in
When you arrive, visit the international orientation page to:
- sign up for an interactive online orientation session 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
You’ll also find lots of other 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
Our Student Information teams will be here to answer your questions online, by phone or in person.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) requirements in the UK and on campus
Once you arrive, you must follow UK government and University coronavirus guidance, even if you have received a COVID-19 vaccine.
More COVID-19 information and advice is on our coronavirus website. Updates will also be provided to your university email address.