Study with us

There are many ways you can find out more about studying with us. We've put together some resources and useful information to help you get started.

Thinking about study?

If you’re thinking about returning to education but not sure where to start, we have lots of different ways you can get in touch.

Ask us a question.

Advice and guidance

We offer free, impartial, one-to-one appointments. A specialist guidance officer can give you information on:

  • routes into higher education
  • financial support
  • different course choices
  • how to apply.

We understand the thought of university can be a big step to take. We’re here to help you throughout your journey.  

Book an appointment

Taster and information events 

Our free virtual taster events provide the opportunity to meet our friendly teaching team and other adult learners who are returning to study. 

You can also attend information events, which offer general information on studying as a mature student, financial support, pathways and entry requirements. 

See our upcoming taster and information events

How to apply

For our foundation years and full-time undergraduate degrees, you need to apply through UCAS. You can find out more about applying through UCAS on the main University of Leeds study pages.

For all our other courses, please contact the Lifelong Learning Centre directly for an application form. Email the Lifelong Learning Centre: lifelonglearning@leeds.ac.uk

Find out more about our different types of courses.

Alternative Entry Scheme

If you do not hold formal qualifications like A-levels or GCSEs and you have been out of education for three years or more, get in touch to find out how to apply via our alternative entry scheme. We set our own maths and English tests and essay tasks to assess your readiness to study. You will be given full support throughout the admissions process. You can find more detail in the Support to prepare you to study section below.

We consider alternative qualifications and take life and work experience into account.  

Eligibility criteria 

Some of our courses, including our foundation years, are aimed at widening participation. Additional entry criteria apply to these courses such as the neighbourhood where you live, the performance of the school where you completed GCSEs, and if you grew up in public care.

Please note that our eligibility criteria are different from the University’s Access to Leeds scheme.

Funding

You can get financial support to help you study at Leeds. Read our page for undergraduate funding opportunities. We also have specific funding for mature and part time students. We offer free one-to-one appointments. A specialist university guidance officer will be able to give information on financial support. To request an appointment please fill our appointment registration form.

The following opportunities are available after you have registered as a student:

Leeds Hardship Fund

You may be eligible to receive financial support to help with study or living costs at Leeds if you are experiencing financial hardship. Find out more about the Leeds Hardship Fund.

Lifelong Learning Centre Student Bursary Fund

You may be able to apply for further support from the Lifelong Learning Centre Student Bursary Fund. For more information please email the Lifelong Learning Centre: lifelonglearning@leeds.ac.uk.

Lifelong Learning Centre Opportunities Fund

The fund helps you with costs related to professional development opportunities. For example, funding towards the cost of childcare, travel costs, attendance fees or other expenses associated with courses, conferences and residential training events. For more information please email the Lifelong Learning Centre: lifelonglearning@leeds.ac.uk.

Support to prepare you to study

If you don't have evidence of level 2 (GCSE) or level 3 (A level) qualifications in English and Maths and these are required for entry to your course, we have an Alternative Entry Scheme.

This involves exams in English and Maths that can be taken online. You will be provided with sample papers and online resources and offered one-to-one and/or workshop support to understand the subjects that will be examined. Support is offered face-to-face and/or online to suit you and the context.

As evidence of level 3 work in English, you may be required to write a 1,500 word essay on a subject related to the course you are applying to.  

Kickstart

Kickstart is a pre-entry academic skills programme that we encourage our students to engage with. This includes an online resource that gives you access to lessons and activities that help develop your study skills for university assignments. We will invite you to a live session, either online or on campus, where you can meet with staff and other students who will be on the same course as you. After the session, you will write a short piece of work to practise the skills you have learned. Information about Kickstart will be included in the letter you receive when you are offered a place on the course. 

Support while you study

Recognising the need for mature, part time and Foundation Year students to have a clearly identifiable source of support, the Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) provides a one-stop shop to students.

Read more about our support services

Wellbeing

If you have any worries or concerns, in addition to the support you may be able to access by your teaching school, our dedicated Student Support Office can signpost you to services across the University, give advice on topics such as student finance as well as helping students with medical conditions and disabilities to ensure that any necessary support is in place.

On-course guidance and career development

Impartial information, advice and guidance is available to all part-time and mature undergraduates currently studying at Leeds, as well as all students enrolled on courses taught by the LLC. You can book an appointment by emailing the Lifelong Learning Centre: lifelonglearning@leeds.ac.uk

Academic skills development

We encourage all students to move towards independence. The academic skills team can work with you to gain confidence in your abilities, develop strategies to approach your academic work and  help you to develop skills to achieve your academic goals. We also have a specialist who works with students with Specific Learning Differences. You can book an appointment or just ask a question by emailing the skills team at LLC-Skills@leeds.ac.uk.

Skills@Library supports taught students to develop academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one consultations and drop in sessions, find out more on our Libraries website.

Social events

We provide regular opportunities for students to meet at social events both on campus and across Leeds – for example meals, film nights, trips to art galleries and more.

Administrative support

Many of our services are online including registration, timetabling and library resources. We can provide support if you have trouble accessing any of these services online – email the Lifelong Learning Centre: lifelonglearning@leeds.ac.uk and we’ll be happy to help.

Join our mailing list

If you are thinking about returning to study and would like to be kept informed of our events aimed at adult learners, please fill out our enquiry form to be added to our mailing list.

For Students website 

To make your journey through the University as smooth as possible, there are resources and information to help you and support you through every step. You can see the range of information and support available on our dedicated For Students website