We’re really excited to welcome you to the University of Leeds. This page will provide you with information that you need to help you prepare and make sure you’re in control and ready for your life at Leeds.
There’s such a lot to plan and do when you’re preparing for University – whether as a new student, someone who’s returning to Leeds or if you’re visiting for a placement, exchange or doing a shorter course with us. We’ve put some helpful links of things that we reccommend you read before you arrive – the minute you get here, you’ll want to be speaking to people, exploring and making new friends. If you’ve just got here, then find out what to do when you’ve arrive.
We’ve created a blog of eight things you need to know when you’re a new student – definitely one to bookmark and come back to when you’ve just arrived!
Here’s guidance if you’re joining as an estranged student (no parental support).
If you have a question or need information you can contact our friendly colleagues in the Student Information Service. They can help you navigate your studies, find out what you need to know, and put you in touch with the right people if you need more specialist support or advice.
Our Helpline Team are on hand Monday to Friday 9-5 pm.
You can email us at studentinfo@leeds.ac.uk
Our Information Points are open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
If you’ve got a question that you need answering before you arrive (and once you’re here!) then here’s a list of where to go for help.
Whether you are traveling to Leeds, or already live nearby, there’s a number of things that will help you as you begin your student journey. Find out about packing, commuting to campus and helpful tips from students about the things that will make your time in Leeds go smoothly.
Bringing the right things with you can make a big difference to settling in at University, and help you feel at home, and in control. Read our advice on what to bring with you – we’ve also got information from students too about what they bought with them.
If you’re an international student coming from outside the UK, check what to bring and any additional documents and items you’ll have to take with you to the UK. Don’t forget you can also chat to our Link to Leeds ambassadors before you get here. Our Link to Leeds ambassadors are current international students that can share more about their experience of preparing, arriving and settling in Leeds.
Find advice, guidance and top tips if:
If you’re an international student coming from outside the UK, find more information about your accommodation and what to do if your journey is delayed.
Starting at university is exciting but it can also be a little bit scary so we have created a set of resources to help you settle in to your new life at Leeds.
Chances are you’ll be spending some time in one (or more!) of the four libraries on campus. Bookmark the library website for opening hours, booking study spaces, searching online resources, managing your library record and much more.
Complete your IT induction – find out about everything (including how to get your IT username and password)
Bookmark the IT website for IT help 24/7
Taking the step up to studying at University can mean there’s lots of new skills to learn. Skills@library can help you with writing essays, referencing, managing your time and everything else.
The Flying Start information can help you understand what it will be like studying at University. It’s a great place to understand about how it is different to your previous experiences, what will be expected of you and where to get help.
Preparing to Study at University
To help you settle in to the start of term, your school has pulled together some specific information you’ll need to know. Check out the School welcome materials.
If you’re an international student, join international orientation a week-long programme of tours and events and tell you more how you can make the most of your time in Leeds.
Complete the ‘Preparing to Learn Online at University’ FutureLearn course. Use this course to develop the skills you need for online learning, like how to make notes that help you with online learning, doing group work online and how to find and use online information that will help you with your learning.
Check out Coursera and LinkedIn Learning. Both of these online platforms offer free courses that you can complete at your own pace. Select courses that can help you with your studies, get a head start in your chosen course, or broaden your knowledge of other subjects. There are lots of similar courses available free online to help you with your studies during your first year and beyond. Speak to your academic personal tutor for advice on suitable resources.
Log in and have a look around our online learning platforms. There are a number of systems and online learning platforms you’ll use while studying at Leeds. Try logging in to these at least once before your course begins and take a look around them to familiarise yourself with them. Also, take a look at the library’s online learning webpage which provides additional resources to help you become an effective online learner.
Find out about The Leeds Partnership. One of the great things about the University of Leeds is 'The Partnership', an agreement between staff and students about how we work with each other to co-create a great Leeds experience. The Leeds Partnership will mean different things for each of us, and ways of contributing are evolving all the time. The Partnership provides ways of getting involved and having your voice heard through things like student representative opportunities via the Leeds University Union, as well as activities in student societies and in your course.
Install Office365 on your devices. As a student at Leeds, you can get up to five free downloads of Office 365 Pro Plus for PC or Mac onto your personal computer or laptop. Learn how to do this early, and what you’ll need to log in to make it easier for you once you begin your studies.
Complete the Student IT induction. It takes 10-15 minutes and covers things like our computer clusters, what free software you’re entitled to, security tips, campus WiFi and how to reset your password
Make sure you’ve got the equipment you need for your studies - check the IT services advice for bringing computers to the University. This includes advice on software, storage and your internet connection as well as whether you need to have a printer and how to stay safe online.
UniLeeds mobile app – Android | App Store Everything from your timetable, library record, sports booking and much more.
Duo mobile security – Android | App Store You’ll need this when you log into University IT systems like email, Minerva and more.
SafeZone is an app that everyone on campus can use to ask for help. It is there to give you extra peace of mind in addition to the other support offered by the University. It is linked to the University’s Security team who are on call to help you 24/7.
First Bus provide much of the bus transport in Leeds. Download the app to get cheaper tickets.
Minerva is the Virtual Learning Environment, or VLE. You’ll be using Minerva for learning in a variety of ways throughout your time at Leeds. You can find out more about how it works here.
As a student at the University of Leeds, you get free access to Microsoft Office programmes such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as the note taking app OneNote and the online file storage area OneDrive.
To use OneDrive and Office 365 on your computer wherever you are, follow this three-step process (also included in the Student IT induction):
Open Office 365.
Log in using your Minerva log-in details.
Select the cloud icon at the right of the screen. This allows you to use OneDrive and Office 365.
You can get more information about using OneDrive and Office 365 from the IT website.
Keep up-to-date and manage your time by downloading the UniLeeds app. This will give you quick access to everyday essentials such as your timetable. You can get the app for iPhone or iPad from the App Store, or the Android app on Google Play. Take a few minutes to look at each section of the app and try to get into the habit of using it daily.
PebblePad – the system you’re viewing this guide in – is a new tool for 2021/22 and you’ll be seeing more of it throughout your time at Leeds. PebblePad comes with a range of tools to help you plan, record, reflect on, and evidence your learning and development, and bring it all together in interactive presentations that help you focus on your progress. You can find out more about it here. There's also a portfolio where you can teach yourself the basics of PebblePad plus some examples of how you can use it.
Blackboard Ally lets you download your teaching materials in a range of formats to suit you and how you work. You can find out more about it here.
We're committed to supporting you to get the most out of your studies and as part of this, are introducing a new system to give you - and us - insights into your learning. StREAM@Leeds is the new University of Leeds Learning Analytics system. By collating data from a variety of Digital Education systems and University services - including Minerva, virtual classrooms and library resources - StREAM@Leeds helps you and University staff get insights into your learning to support you. StREAM@Leeds is yours to take, use and own as part of your studies as well as to enhance your Academic Personal Tutoring meetings within a student-led data-driven context.
You can find out more about StREAM@Leeds by accessing the training materials available on the ‘StREAM@Leeds Guidance for Students’ portfolio by clicking here.
If you haven’t already completed registration, it’s important that you do that as soon as you can. Click here to register and here to find out more about module enrolment.
Before you start, there’s lots you can do to get an understanding of life in Leeds as a student. We’ve put together useful links, blogs and guides for things you can do before you start your course to empower you, and help you feel up to speed and in control.
Get the latest info, updates and inside information from our popular student social media channels. Give them a follow and you’ll be the first to know what’s going on.
This is usually number one on the list of worries new students have. It’s something we spend a lot of time making sure we can help you find your people, and settle in quickly.
Apply for a University buddy
Tips for making friends when you move to University
Clubs and societies – there’s over 300 different ones to help you find those people who have the same interests as you.
A guide to joining societies
Clubs and societies at LUU: The ultimate guide
More ways to meet people and get involved
Making friends at uni
Whether you’re an elite sportsperson, a keen team player, or just someone who likes keeping fit or having fun with your friends, there’s something for everyone at University.
Leeds Sport – the main sports website
The Edge – gym, swimming pool, climbing wall, classes and so much more
Sport and activities for fun
Keeping active and healthy as a student
For some of you, being fully responsible for your money can be quite daunting before you arrive. Read these student blogs to give you ideas, tips and reassurance about what to expect and how to manage your money.
5 money management tips for students
3 money saving websites and apps every student should know about
How to manage your money as a student
If you’re an international student from outside the UK, we have a lot of infromation on arranging money for when you arrive and how to open a bank account in the UK.
With thousands of trees, green space and hidden places, it’s nice to get a feel of campus before you get here. There will be lots of time to explore during your first few weeks, but we’ve added a list below to give you an idea on what to expect, and help you get a feel of things before you arrive.
Preparing and living in Leeds as an international student
Come and explore campus
Places to relax and take a break on campus
Our top 20 Instagrammable spots on campus
Top step-free access routes on campus you may want to explore
Cafés on campus
Rock & roll Refectory
14 must-see pieces of art on campus
We’ve put together some inspiring articles and blogs to browse. Although you’re not yet here, these are guaranteed to get you making your Leeds bucket list!
25 Instagram accounts to follow to discover more of Leeds
Get outside in Leeds
30 things to do in Leeds on a weekend
Eight must-see locations in Yorkshire
Leeds has no shortage of things for you to do — whether that be on campus, in the city centre, or in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside…
Things to do in Leeds
The best places to eat & drink in Leeds
Our main priority is keeping our students and staff safe, and we’ve put a number of safety measures in place to do this. Read more about our COVID-19 information.
Welcome to Leeds. As an international student, you’ll join thousands of other students from around the world at Leeds. As well as the above list,there’s a few extra things that you’ll need to prepare before you leave your home country. Find out what to do before you begin travelling to the UK.
Our Prepare for Leeds section has everything you’ll need to know to help plan for your journey to Leeds.
You’re finally here – a student at Leeds! This page will give you the information that you need to help you navigate those first weeks, and ensure that you’ve got all the information to feel in control.
Your course has got started, the novelty of a new start has worn off, now what? Read on to find helpful links to help you settle in at University and feel in control of things.
Registration is the official process of becoming a student of the University. Registration guidance for students is provided below, and you will need to register at the start of every academic year.
If you've got a question or problem, please ask for help as soon as you need it. There’s lots of support available and people you can contact for advice.