We have more than 13,000 international students from 137 countries, making our campus one of the most diverse and multicultural in the UK. Welcome to our global community of students and staff at Leeds.
Check our 10 things to help you get started page to find out what steps all students need to complete.
In this section, you can find information to help you prepare for your journey to Leeds. You can also find more information to help you plan your first weeks and how you can make the most of your time in Leeds.
Your visa
Your visa
If you require a visa to study in the UK, it’s essential to allow plenty of time to find out what you need to do, apply for the correct visa, or make any changes needed (if you need to extend your visa or your circumstances change).
If you’re a new student, check this visas and immigration guidance.
If you’re a student who needs to extend or make a change to your visa, visit the your visa page.
It’s also important that you’re aware of the responsibilities you must comply with to maintain your permission to study in the UK.
Your confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS)
Our admissions team will email your CAS to you after you have accepted your unconditional offer. If you are a Masters student it will be issued after you have paid your tuition fee deposit or provided your exemption evidence (for sponsored students).
Applying for your visa
Make sure you follow the right steps when you apply for your visa by reading our visas and immigration information:
Collecting your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
Please read the BRP collection guidance to find out how to collect your BRP. Please note that you should complete any period of self-isolation required before making the collection.
Police registration
The police registration scheme has ended. There is now no requirement to register with the police.
Prepare for Leeds
When to arrive
There are many things to keep in mind when deciding when to arrive in Leeds. Find out more about key dates to keep in mind when planning your journey.
What to bring
We know there can be a lot to remember when you’re packing for university. To help you, we have put together a list of what to bring, including important documents and items you might need.
Travel to Leeds
Check our Travel to Leeds pages to help you plan your journey to Leeds and find out more about how to book our airport pick-up service.
Arrival support
We know how tiring travelling can be and that’s why we offer arrival support services to help you have a smooth arrival in Leeds.
Our arrival support services include:
- an airport pick-up service from Leeds Bradford Airport and Manchester Airport
- a free welcome box that you can book to receive on arrival
- essential items such as kitchen equipment, bedding and toiletry packs that can be delivered to your accommodation
Our International Welcome team and our student hosts will contact you at your University email address to check you are OK and help you get started with anything you need when you arrive. You can also contact the International Welcome team if you have any questions about any of the services you’ve booked.
* Please note you must be a new student who’s coming to Leeds for the first time to be able to book our arrival support services.
University Buddy Scheme
Apply for the University Buddy Scheme to be matched with a new, returning or continuing Leeds student before you arrive or at any point of your student journey. Some people apply for a buddy when they are new to Leeds or join later if they want to meet new people.
International families
Leeds has plenty to offer families including great schools, facilities and activities. Find out more about arranging accommodation for you and your family and how to meet other parents in Leeds on our dedicated pages for international families.
Your first weeks at Leeds
Complete start-up processes
From registering as a student, to collecting your biometric residence permit visa documents and attending orientation briefings, find out more about start-up processes that you will need to complete in your first weeks at Leeds.
International Orientation
Join our international orientation to find out more about all the opportunities available to you on our campus, in the city and beyond.
Our international orientation will give you all the information you need to make the best possible start in Leeds. Join international orientation to find out what start-up processes you will need to complete when you arrive, find out about opportunities available to you and explore the experience of culture change and being part of a Global Community. We will be delivering a week-long programme of social events, tours and talks to help you feel at home in Leeds, meet new people and make friends.
Global Community
Joining the University of Leeds means you are joining a diverse and culturally rich community, including the wider communities of our city. Get the most out of your time in Leeds by taking part in our range of Global Community activities.
Our Global Café events are for everyone from everywhere. A weekly opportunity for students and postgraduate researchers to meet new people, relax with friends, have great conversations, and enjoy free refreshments.
Meet people and get involved
Studying at university is more than a time to grow academically. It's a time for meeting new friends, growing as a person and discover new ways of living. Find out more about the many opportunities you have for meeting people and getting involved.
Your finances
Budgeting and cost of living
Check information about the cost of living in Leeds and make sure you’ll have enough money for your time here.
Paying your fees
Find out how to pay your fees safely with an online card payment or by using Flywire to pay by bank transfer. Don’t use third party agents to transfer payments to the University as this significantly increases your risk of being exposed to financial crime.
Protect yourself from fraud
Each year some international students are tricked by criminals pretending to be from an official authority in the UK or their home country, and they lose significant amounts of money. Check our guidance on protecting yourself from fraud.
Money for when you arrive
It may take some time to open a UK bank account, but we recommend you only bring a small amount of cash with you, so make sure you have access to money when you first arrive.
Opening a bank account
Read our information on how to open an account and find out about some of the different bank accounts available for international students.
Health care in the UK
Your health entitlements and health insurance
Find out about health care in the UK to find out what’s different to what you’re used to, what healthcare will be free and what you may need to pay for.
All international students are strongly recommended to take out health insurance, but this is also essential if you have a visa for less than six months.
Help and advice
Have a question but don’t know who to contact? Contact the Student Information Service team and they will put you in touch with the right team at the University who can help you find the answer.
Working during study
Your visa and working
If you have a visa you must check whether your visa allows you to work during study before you apply for a job. You must also check the number of hours per week allowed and the types of work which are allowed. It is essential to understand the work restrictions as breaking the rules is a criminal offence.
Part-time work and applying for a national insurance number
Leeds University Union’s Joblink service can help you find student-friendly employers. To work you will need to apply for a national insurance number,
Help, support and advice
Student Visa Advice service
Our advisers provide student visa and immigration advice to support you when you’re preparing to come to Leeds and during your studies. Check with the advisers if you have questions about your visa; or other immigration issues such as rules for working or work placements; or if you plan to make any change to your course or period of study, so you understand the impact on your immigration status.
Link to Leeds
Talk to our current students to help you prepare for your studies at Leeds through Link to Leeds. Our ambassadors have written a range of blogs about their experience studying with us and you can contact them via email, attend live events or chat to them via the website.
Pre-departure briefings
We hold informative online briefing sessions for international students to help you prepare for your time at Leeds. Invitations to these events will be sent to you via email but you can find out more information via Link to Leeds where you can also attend a question and answer session
Overseas offices
We have overseas offices in China, India, Japan, Malaysia and Nigeria that can offer you advice and help with your preparation to study at Leeds.
International welcome teams
Our welcome teams can help answer your questions about your preparation, travel and arrival and are here to welcome you when you arrive.
Student Information Service
Our Student Information Service is your first point of contact for any questions you might have. Our friendly teams can help you with questions about start-up processes and all other aspects of your university journey.
English language support
We provide free English language workshops and consultations that you can fit around your studies to help you develop your academic language skills during your degree. Our Language Zone also has resources and activities for practising and developing English for everyday life as well as academic situations.