A global university

Join our global community, meet interesting people from across the world and develop your global outlook.

Our international approach will also feed into your studies, through internationally focused research and projects or teaching led by academics from all over the world. If you are an undergraduate student you could choose globally-focused discovery modules or study abroad as part of your degree.

Leeds is ranked as the 31st most international university in the world

Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023

You can also join our student union societies, and celebrate the diversity of our campus during the annual World Unite Festival.

Learn more about a language, country or culture, and broaden your horizons, developing skills to prepare for your future.

Video transcript: Being an International Student at the University of Leeds

Explore languages and cultures

Develop your language skills by talking to native speakers of many languages on campus. Join a group to practise the language you want to learn or talk to someone one-to-one. You’ll have the support of our Language Centre, which will help you improve your language skills and develop your cultural awareness.

Work and volunteering

If you are a UK student or an international student, you could take part in our Intercultural Ambassadors programme. As part of the programme you could run a project to inspire and connect people from different backgrounds and enrich their experience.

Make new friends and share your cultural heritage. Get experience of teamwork, developing projects and managing activities. Make the most of your University experience and prepare for your career with a range of work and volunteering opportunities.

Intercultural experiences

Make friends with people from around the world at our weekly Global Café. Practise a language and meet travelling companions and future holiday hosts.

We also hold themed events throughout the year to celebrate a student society, history month, holiday or to help you to learn a new skill.

You can also take part in the HOST programme, which sends international students into British homes across the UK for weekend or day visits. It’s an opportunity to meet new people, share your culture and get a taste of what British life is like.

Find out about other intercultural experiences you can have at Leeds.

Further information 

Visit the Global Community web pages, or email the Global Community team via globalcommunity@leeds.ac.uk.

Student profile: Haleemah Alaydi

The weekly Global Café in the students’ union was one of the first things I went to. I met so many people from all over the world. It’s really lovely – you talk to lots of people over biscuits and tea, and find people with the same interests as you.