International Orientation
Welcome to Leeds! Our international orientation programme will help you make the best possible start in Leeds. Whenever you arrive, you’ll be able to join talks, tours and social events to help you feel at home and meet new people.
This page was last updated on Friday 19 May.
Welcome to Leeds! Our international orientation programme will help you make the best possible start in Leeds. Whenever you arrive, you’ll be able to join talks, tours and social events to help you feel at home and meet new people.
What is International Orientation?
International Orientation is the perfect way to find out more about the University of Leeds and about living in the UK, join in social activities and tours and meet new and current Leeds students. Whenever you arrive, we’ll help you:
- Find essential information and learn about opportunities to make the most of your international experience in Leeds.
- Discover our campus and the city.
- Meet other students, make connections and start settling in.
When is International Orientation?
Our main International Orientation week is from Monday 18 – Friday 22 September 2023, with webinars offered from Friday 15 September until Friday 26 September.
If you’re starting your programme in September 2023, arrive in time to attend our in-person International Orientation talk and join our live webinars, campus tours, social activities and events. More information about tours, social events and what’s happening in our Welcome Hub will be added to this page soon.
If you arrive at any other time in the year, there’ll still be sessions and social activities that you can join.
After International Orientation week (18 – 22 September), you’ll be able to attend our main International Orientation talk open sessions or watch the recordings of our talks and webinars on demand. You’ll also still be able to join events and social activities.
International orientation – programme by theme
In person or online, live or on-demand, we have a range of talks, tours and social activities you can join this September.
Asking for help – The Student Information Service
Our Student Information Service is the main point of contact for all questions related to your student experience, including processes you need to complete when you arrive in Leeds.
Visit one of their information points on campus in person or contact the team by email or phone.
Main International Orientation talk
Join in person or online
Attend our main International Orientation session for essential information about living in the UK, including support and opportunities to help you make the most of living and studying in Leeds.
We’ll also explore ways to take care of yourself (and each other) as you adapt to culture and lifestyle changes.
The time and location of the talk you will need to join will depend on your study level and your parent School/Faculty or programme of study.
- Thursday 21 September: Undergraduate students, including Incoming Study Abroad and International Foundation Year students.
- Friday 22 September: Taught Postgraduate students and Postgraduate Researchers.
If you’re a student on a Masters course from Leeds University Business School, please see your School induction schedule for details of which orientation session to attend this week.
Missed our in-person International Orientation talk?
- Join our international Orientation talk online on Tuesday 26 September (10:00 – 12:00) or attend our in-person open session on Wednesday 27 September (14:00 – 16:00).
Live online webinars
Welcome to International Orientation; Money and Banking; Healthcare and Wellbeing; Working After Studies; Disability Support
Welcome to International Orientation – what’s on offer, and how to make the most of our International Orientation programme.
- Friday 15 September (10:00 – 10:30)
- Monday 18 September, Tuesday 19 September and Wednesday 20 September (10:00 – 10:30).
Money and Banking – How to open a bank account, what documents you need and how to manage your money, find it all here!
- Friday 15 September (11:00 – 11:45)
- Monday 18 September (11:00 – 11:45)
- Tuesday 19 September (15:00 – 15:45)
- Thursday 28 September (10:00 – 10:45)
Healthcare and Wellbeing – Registering with a doctor, what to do if you’re ill, healthcare and your visa and ways to support your wellbeing in Leeds.
- Friday 15 September (14:00 – 14:45)
- Monday 18 September (14:00 – 14:45)
- Tuesday 19 September (11:00 – 11:45)
- Tuesday 16 September (14:00 – 14:45)
Working After Studies
- Friday 22 September (10:00 – 11:00)
Disability Support webinar – supporting your studies and helping you to succeed.
- Tuesday 19 September (14:00 – 15:00)
- Tuesday 26 September (12:30 – 13:30)
International Orientation – our open catch-up sessions
- Online International Orientation talk: Tuesday 26 September (10:00 – 12:00)
- In-person International Orientation talk: Wednesday 27 September (14:00 – 16:00)
Welcome Hub
Visit the hub to talk to current students; ask questions about getting started at Leeds and find out what’s on; take part in activities; or just find a bit of quiet space away from the crowds.
Social events
Join social events organised by Leeds University Union. Check this section nearer the time for a full list of events offered during International Orientation week.
- Global Café: every week day from Monday 18 – Friday 29 September (17:30 – 19:30)
Campus Tours and City Chase
Discover our campus and the city of Leeds in a fun and interactive way. Please check nearer the time to book on these activities.
Faith-based activities
Organised by our University of Leeds Chaplaincy, we’ll be hosting events on campus to help you meet other people and introduce you to places in Leeds where you can practice your faith. We’ll add information about our events in this section nearer the time, so keep checking for more information.
International Orientation – programme by date
Whenever you arrive, there’s a range of in-person and online sessions available to help you settle into life in Leeds.
Monday 18 September to Friday 22 September
Monday 18 September
10:00 – 10:30 Welcome to International Orientation
A link to this session will be available nearer the time.
Welcome! Take a tour of what’s on this week. We’ll tell you more about the programme and what’s on offer during international orientation week.
11:00 – 11:45 Money and banking
A link to this session will be available nearer the time.
How to open a bank account, what documents you need and how to manage your money, find it all here!
14:00 – 14:45 Healthcare and Wellbeing
A link to this session will be available nearer the time.
How do I register with a doctor and a dentist? Who do I call if I’m ill? What’s a GP? What’s covered by my visa? Find the answers to these questions in this session.
17:30 – 19:30 Global Café
Where: Common Ground, Leeds University Union
Global Café welcomes everyone from everywhere! Come and meet new and current Leeds students and postgraduate researchers, have great conversations and enjoy free refreshments.
Tuesday 19 September
10:00 – 10:30 Welcome to International Orientation
A link to this session will be available nearer the time.
Welcome! Take a tour of what’s on this week. We’ll tell you more about the programme and what’s on offer during International Orientation week.
11:00 – 11:45 Healthcare and Wellbeing
A link to this session will be available nearer the time.
How do I register with a doctor and a dentist? Who do I call if I’m ill? What’s a GP? What’s covered by my visa? Find the answers to these questions in this session.
14:00 – 15:00 Disability Support webinar
A link to this session will be available nearer the time.
What is disability? How can the University support your studies and help you to succeed? Come along to this webinar to find out more.
15:00 – 15:45 Money and banking
A link to this session will be available nearer the time.
How to open a bank account, what documents you need and how to manage your money, find it all here!
17:30 – 19:30 Global Café
Where: Common Ground, Leeds University Union
Global Café welcomes everyone from everywhere! Come and meet new and current Leeds students and postgraduate researchers, have great conversations and enjoy free refreshments.
Wednesday 20 September
10:00 – 10:30 Welcome to International Orientation
A link to this session will be available nearer the time.
Welcome! Take a tour of what’s on this week. We’ll tell you more about the programme and what’s on offer during International Orientation week.
17:30 – 19:30 Global Café
Where: Common Ground, Leeds University Union
Global Café welcomes everyone from everywhere! Come and meet new and current Leeds students and postgraduate researchers, have great conversations and enjoy free refreshments.
Thursday 21 September – Undergraduate International Orientation talks
Undergraduate International Orientation
Attend our main orientation session for essential information about living in the UK, including support and opportunities to help you make the most of living and studying in Leeds.
We’ll also explore ways to take care of yourself (and each other) as you adapt to culture and lifestyle changes.
- All Undergraduate students, including Incoming Study Abroad and International Foundation Year students. Multiple times and locations.
The time and location of the talk you will need to join will depend on your study level and your parent School/Faculty or programme of study. Check your Faculty here.
10:00 – 12:00: Go to Conference Auditorium 1, if you are an Undergraduate student from this Faculty:
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
10:00 – 12:00: Go to Conference Auditorium 2, if you are an Undergraduate student from one of these faculties:
- Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
- Faculty of Biological Sciences
- Faculty of Earth and Environment
- Faculty of Medicine and Health
13:00 – 15:00: Go to Conference Auditorium 2, if you are a student from this Faculty:
- Faculty of Social Sciences
13:00 – 15:00: Go to Conference Auditorium 2, if you are a student from this Faculty/programme:
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- International Foundation Year
14:00 – 16:00: Go to Rupert Beckett Lecture Theatre, if you are a student from this School:
- Leeds University Business School
17:30 – 19:30 Global Café
Where: Common Ground, Leeds University Union
Global Café welcomes everyone from everywhere! Come and meet new and current Leeds students and postgraduate researchers, have great conversations and enjoy free refreshments.
Friday 22 September – Postgraduate International Orientation talks
Postgraduate – International Orientation
Attend our main orientation session for essential information about living in the UK, including support and opportunities to help you make the most of living and studying in Leeds.
We’ll also explore ways to take care of yourself (and each other) as you adapt to culture and lifestyle changes.
-
All Postgraduates except Leeds University Business School students.
If you’re a LUBS student on a Masters course, please see your School induction schedule for details of which orientation session to attend this week.
The time and location of the talk you will need to join will depend on your study level and your parent School/Faculty or programme of study. Check your Faculty here.
10:00– 12:00 Go to Conference Auditorium 1, if you are a Taught Postgraduate student from one of these this faculties:
- Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
- Faculty of Social Sciences
10:00 – 11:00 Working After Studies
Where: Rupert Beckett Lecture Theatre
A talk delivered by the Careers service and our Student Visa Advice team where you can find out more about working in the UK after having completing your degree.
Postgraduate – International Orientation
13:30 – 15:30 Go to Conference Auditorium 1, if you are a Taught Postgraduate student from one of these this faculties:
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- Faculty of Biological Sciences
- Faculty of Earth and Environment
- Faculty of Medicine and Health
14:30 –16:30 If you are a Postgraduate Researcher, or if you were unable to attend your scheduled session, join the International Orientation open session in the Rupert Beckett Lecture Theatre
17:30 – 19:30 Global Café
Where: Common Ground, Leeds University Union
Global Café welcomes everyone from everywhere! Come and meet new and current Leeds students and postgraduate researchers, have great conversations and enjoy free refreshments.
Monday 25 September to Friday 29 September
Meet and chat with new and current students, sign up to attend our International Orientation catch-up talks and attend live online webinars.
Monday 25 September
17:30 – 19:30 Global Café
Where: Common Ground, Leeds University Union
Global Café welcomes everyone from everywhere! Come and meet new and current Leeds students and postgraduate researchers, have great conversations and enjoy free refreshments.
Tuesday 26 September
10:00 – 12:00 Online International Orientation Talk (open session)
A link to this session will be available nearer the time.
Missed our in-person International Orientation talk last week? Join the talk online.
12:30 – 13:30 Disability support webinar
A link to this session will be available nearer the time.
What is disability? How can the University support your studies and help you to succeed? Come along to this webinar to find out more.
14:00 – 14:45 Healthcare and Wellbeing
A link to this session will be available nearer the time.
How do I register with a doctor and a dentist? Who do I call if I’m ill? What’s a GP? What’s covered by my visa? Find the answers to these questions in this session.
17:30 – 19:30 Global Café
Where: Common Ground, Leeds University Union
Global Café welcomes everyone from everywhere! Come and meet new and current Leeds students and postgraduate researchers, have great conversations and enjoy free refreshments.
Wednesday 27 September
14:00 – 16:00 In-person International Orientation Talk (open session)
Where: Esther Simpson 1.01.
Missed our in-person International Orientation talk in the previous week? Join this open session instead.
17:30 – 19:30 Global Café
Where: Common Ground, Leeds University Union
Global Café welcomes everyone from everywhere! Come and meet new and current Leeds students and postgraduate researchers, have great conversations and enjoy free refreshments.
Thursday 28 September
10:00 – 10:45 Money and banking
A link to this session will be available nearer the time.
How to open a bank account, what documents you need and how to manage your money, find it all here!
17:30 – 19:30 Global Café
Where: Common Ground, Leeds University Union
Global Café welcomes everyone from everywhere! Come and meet new and current Leeds students and postgraduate researchers, have great conversations and enjoy free refreshments.