Newsletter sent to returning postgraduate students on 25 September

Ready for the start of the new academic year  

Read Vice-Chancellor, Simone Buitendijk’s message about your time with us.  

With everything that’s going on at the moment, it can be hard to feel prepared. So, we’re dedicating this edition of your student newsletter to helping you do exactly that. We want to tell you about the Study Spaces we’ve prepared for you on campus, and the warm welcome that awaits you on campus and online. Campus is open – so come to explore, to study, to relax and make friends. 

The Government is today expected to announce further restrictions for residents in Leeds following an increase in rates of transmission of COVID in the city.  Please read this from Leeds City Council to ensure you understand the restrictions and advice that is likely to be in place from midnight tonight.

We want to reassure you that this does not change life on campus. Students can and should continue to attend campus for face to face teaching and learning activities and use the library and study spaces. You can still socialise with people you live with either in private accommodation or a halls of residence and participate in the social activities provided on campus, so long as you remain in your household.

Ready to study  

We hope that the ‘Returning to Leeds’ resource will help and support you as you settle in as a member of our Leeds community. With teaching about to start, it’s really important that you check your timetable regularly and look out for messages in your University email account and on Minerva. As the VC explains in her message, we will need to respond as the situation changes, so these are important ways that we will keep you updated.  

Your timetable is available through Minerva or the UniLeeds app on your mobile device. Guidance to help you interpret your timetable.  

Study space on campus 

We know how important it is for you to have the space you need for studying. So, we’ve been working hard to get everything ready on campus to support your success. To make it easy for you to find your way around, we’ve prepared a list of Study Spaces on campus. If you’re looking for the ideal place to log on and join an online event or to study with friends (socially distanced, of course), look out for the orange ‘Study Space’ banners or check online .

Making friends 

We understand that making new friends is a really important part of your University experience. A great way to make friends is to get involved - in your course and in other activities too. Here’s a few ideas: : 

  • Check out your School's welcome and induction activities for opportunities to meet other students studying the same subject as you.  
  • Talk with your academic personal tutor, who may suggest co-curricular activities that you would enjoy.  
  • Visit the Leeds University Union (LUU) welcome website to help you settle into campus life.  
  • Explore all the clubs and societies you can join. There’s even an online quiz to help you choose! 
  • Find out about all the events organised by LUU - ranging from virtual yoga to an outdoor cinema. 
  • If you’re on campus, why not pop into the LUU building for a look around and to visit one of the bars or coffee shops?  
  • Feel part of campus by reading the Freshers’ guide in The Gryphon. The Gryphon newspaper is Leeds University Union’s official student publication. Find out more about The Gryphon.  

A helpful reminders of things to do over the next few days…

Just arrived in Leeds from outside the UK?

Any students arriving in Leeds from outside the UK are welcome to make use of our international arrival services. Please use our simple booking form to request support.  You’ll also find useful travel and arrival information on our Preparing for Leeds webpages.  Your online international orientation has lots of information to help you get started, feel at home in Leeds and make the most of your international experience.  

Working together to stay safe

In partnership with student representatives from Leeds University Union, we have agreed some simple guidelines for us all to follow. These represent the University’s commitment to you as a student, and your responsibility to the wider community to which you belong. Please read the guidelines carefully and make sure you understand the vital part you play.  

If you have symptoms – here’s some guidance on how the University will support students who develop symptoms of COVID-19, test positive and/or are required to follow government guidance to self-isolate

Want to know more about what will campus life be like? We’ve put together a video to help you get started at the University of Leeds and to find out more about learning at the University of Leeds 

Get to know LUU more - watch a video about how LUU have made the building safe and see a virtual tour. 

Visit the NHS website to find out more and register to take part in large-scale coronavirus vaccination trials. The new NHS vaccine research registry will help approved researchers get in touch with volunteers, who are required from all backgrounds and age groups, with or without existing health conditions.

Looking after yourself and others  

To get the most out of your time at Leeds, take care to look after your emotional and physical health - that way you'll be more likely to enjoy all aspects of your student life.  

As a student in Leeds, you'll need to register with a doctor, and be familiar with where to go if you need help, treatment or advice. Find out more about the healthcare facilities available in Leeds and your healthcare entitlements, whether you're a UK or an international student.  

Read our tips and advice on what you can do to look after yourself on our website. If there’s anything you think we should add to these pages or share with other students, send it us via email and we’ll look to add it to our next newsletter or share through our social media accounts.   

Looking for alternative file formats in Minerva?

You can download files in audio, ePub, HTML, electronic Braille, etc. in your modules and organisations in Minerva. This means if your lecturer has uploaded a Word doc, but you prefer audio, you'll have the option to download it in that format. Look for the 'A' Ally download icon next to files in Minerva; see the quick guide on Ally to find out more. Got a question? Get in touch with our Student Information Helpline by phone or email. Find their details and contact information for other helpful contacts here.

If you have any questions that are specific to your circumstances or your course, please get in touch with your School. 

Get involved with...

  • Fruity’s Virtual 19th Birthday Bash on Friday 25th September 2020, where our LUU’s legendary clubnight Fruity, the biggest student night in Leeds, is turning 19 - and everyone's invited. They’ll be bringing you 3 hours of non-stop Fruity tunes streaming straight from our giant state-of-the-art venue Stylus, right to your front room!
  • Fruity Bingo and Quiz Nights from Monday 28th Sep - Friday 16th October. Make sure you get yourself down to LUU’s new event space on the precinct. Next week they're kicking things off with Fruity Bingo as well as Friends and Game of Thrones Pub Quizzes. They'll also be serving up award winning street food and some tasty drinks offers. Limited availability so don't miss out!

Best wishes from the Student Communications Team