Essential tasks before you arrive

Your University account gives you access to our systems, including your University of Leeds student email on Microsoft Outlook.

When to do it: from 60 days before your course start date.

Why it’s important:

• It’s the first thing you need to do before you can register.
• We will use your University of Leeds student email to send you important information to help you prepare for joining us.

Activate your IT account. Use a laptop or a computer to activate your IT account, not a mobile phone.

Check our advice for bringing your computer to the University.

When you complete your registration, you officially become a student at the University.

When to do it:

• After you’ve activated your IT account and from one month before your official start date or the anniversary of your start date.
• We recommend you complete registration before you start your course, and at the very latest within two weeks of starting your course.

Why it’s important:

Completing registration allows you to confirm your place on your course, verify your personal information, confirm how you’ll be paying your tuition fees and agree to the student contract.

If you’re an international student, depending on your programme you might not need to pay any fees but you’ll still need to complete registration to confirm you’re registered on a course at the University of Leeds.

Complete your registration

You must complete an identity check to complete student registration.

When to do it:

• after you have activated your IT account and before you start your course. It can take up to two weeks for your documents to be checked during peak periods.
• If you are an international student, you can start your identity check before or after you arrive in the UK. You may need to complete an additional step after you have arrived in the UK.

Why it’s important:

• You will be able to get your student card, which gives to access to services on campus such as libraries, computer suites and sport facilities (if you’re a member).
• If you’ve applied for student finance (UK students only), you need to have completed both your identity check and registration to access your loan.

Complete your identity check

You will only need to complete module enrolment if you are an undergraduate or Masters student and have optional or Discovery modules.

If you are a postgraduate researcher and your course includes modules, you follow a different process and your Graduate School will contact you about this.

When to do it:

• Module enrolment for most courses opens on 3 September.
• Complete module enrolment by your school’s specific module enrolment closing date.

Why it’s important:

Module enrolment is where you choose your optional modules.

Find out about module enrolment.

When to do it: as soon as you like.

Why it’s important:

• If you are an international student, you need to know which documents you should bring to help you arrive in the UK.
• Planning what to bring now can help you budget better and settle in when you arrive.

Start planning what to bring

When to do it:

• When you get an offer of University accommodation, you’ll be required to accept it within two days.
• Once you’ve done this, look out for emails telling you about moving in.

Why it’s important:

• Your contract is legally binding. When you accept your contract, your accommodation place is guaranteed. You won't need to pay anything straight away and you can arrange to pay in instalments.
• Once you’ve accepted your contract, you’ll receive emails with instructions on completing your accommodation induction, move in dates and how to collect your keys.

Checking your contract

Paying for University accommodation

How to arrange your key collection

What to do if you need to arrive early

Arrive during our recommended dates so you have enough time to settle in before starting your course.

When to do it:

• International students: in time to attend International orientation which starts on 14 September.
• UK students: before Welcome Week which starts on 21 September.

Why it’s important:

• Join International orientation talks, tours and events to meet other students, explore campus and guide you through tasks you need to complete.
• Attend your School induction for important information about your studies and support. Your School will contact you directly about the dates of your induction. Check your University of Leeds email address regularly.
• Join in Welcome Week activities.

When to arrive

What to do if your arrival is delayed

Activities when you arrive: Welcome Week

International orientation

If you need a visa for your studies, start the process early to avoid delays with your arrival to Leeds.

When to do it: you should prepare your supporting documents for the visa application as soon as you have been accepted to study at Leeds. Once your CAS has been issued you can submit the online Student Visa application. 

Why it’s important: if you will need a visa to study in the UK, be aware the application process can take time. Starting early will help avoid delays and make sure you can travel in time to settle in before starting your course.

• Find out more about visas
• Email the Student Visa Advice team at studentvisaadvice@leeds.ac.uk to get help with your application.

The airport pick-up service is a free service for all new international students and postgraduate researchers. You can book it from Leeds Bradford or Manchester Airport only.

When to do it: at least five days before you plan to travel to the UK.

Why it’s important:

• It is the easiest way to arrive in Leeds. The service will take you to campus.
• On arrival, you will be met by our International Welcome student team who will help you get to your transport.
• You will get a UK SIM card.

Find out about the airport pick-up service.

Make sure your phone will work when you arrive in the UK. If you’re using the airport pick‑up service, you’ll be given a UK SIM card on arrival.

Why it’s important: so you can stay connected when you arrive, you should check whether your phone will work in the UK and whether you need to get a UK sim card.

Find out about using your phone in the UK and how to get a free UK SIM card.

When to do it: start to prepare your banking before you leave your home country. Some banks will let you open a UK account from your home country. Let your bank know that you are moving to the UK before you travel. This can help prevent problems accessing your account when using it from another country.

Why it’s important:

• While opening a UK bank account is not mandatory, many international students choose to do so for convenience
• Digital banks are often a popular first option because they can be opened quickly before arrival and provide immediate access to everyday banking services
• Many students then open an account with a high-street bank once they are settled in the UK.

Find out about opening a UK bank account.

When to do it: before you travel to the UK.

Why it’s important: the UK healthcare system could be different to what you’re used to. Make sure you meet any health requirements for your visa and understand how to access medical care in the UK.

Find out about:

• Getting vaccinations and a Tuberculosis (TB) test
• What your healthcare entitlements are for your visa
• How to register with a doctor when you arrive
• Where to access health services.

When to do it: sign up for webinars, talks and workshops from 1 August. Campus and city chase tours bookings will open from 2 September. Social events across campus will be added throughout August, make sure to check what’ll be on offer when you arrive.

Why it’s important:

• Attend pre-arrival webinars to get ready before you arrive on campus
• Sign up for your essential talks to make a confident start. Get your place on the ‘Welcome to Leeds’ talk, your official welcome at the University of Leeds
• The programme combines informative webinars and talks with social events and campus tours
• Build your schedule so that you have a list of events to join as soon as you’re in Leeds.

International orientation programme