Visiting Leeds – for PGRs who are on distance learning, split site, and dual award programmes

If you are on a Split-site, Dual Award, Collaborative or Distance-learning programme, your programme of study will have certain requirements for attendance and study points in Leeds over the course of your candidature.

You can find further information about the attendance requirements for your degree in the Programme of Study available here.  It is expected that this pattern and period of attendance will normally be followed, but if you have any questions or feel you might need to make any changes please contact your graduate school.   

Whether you are coming to Leeds to study for a few days or a few months, there are some things that you will need to do before and during your stay. You can find information in the Programmes of Study. 

International PGRs 

Right to study check 

If you require a visa to enter the UK, you must complete a Right to Study check each time you come to Leeds. This allows the Student Documents and Visas Team to check your immigration permissions to ensure that you can study in the UK on your visa. This is a requirement of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). 

If this is your first visit to Leeds, you will need to complete to complete an Identity Check. For all subsequent visits, please email your immigration permission documents to studentidcheck@leeds.ac.uk.  

You can find detailed information about what immigration documents are required on our What Documents You Need For Your ID Check webpage. 

Not completing the Right to Study check could result in your withdrawal from your studies at the University of Leeds. It could also cause issues with future visa applications for visits to the UK. For help and support with your visa, contact the Student Visa Advice team (StudentVisaAdvice@leeds.ac.uk).  

ATAS clearance 

If your course requires you to have ATAS clearance, you will need to make a new ATAS application before each time you arrive in the UK. PGRs who do not have approved ATAS will not be permitted to study in the UK. https://students.leeds.ac.uk/atas  

 

Before you arrive in Leeds: 

  • Confirm your arrangements with your supervisor and Graduate School. This may include the dates of your arrival, your study space, and any assessment/examination arrangements that may take place during your visit. Make sure you know where you need to go and how you can get access to your School and Faculty buildings. We recommend you do this at least one month before your planned arrival date so that your Graduate School has time to make local arrangements and provide relevant guidance and support. Your Graduate School also needs to notify Doctoral College Operations, who will update your record with your visit dates.  

Your first visit to Leeds 

We recommend you review the Doctoral College Induction Programme and the International Orientation information. 
These pages will provide you with more information about events (both in-person and online), support services, getting to know campus, how to stay safe and training available. .  

The Doctoral College runs regular Meet & Greet sessions for both new and existing PGRs. These sessions are a chance for you to meet Doctoral College staff, staff from other support services (such as Counselling and Wellbeing services, the Careers Service, International Student Office and Leeds University Union) and academic staff, as well as other PGRs.   

All Meet & Greet dates, as well as news, events and opportunities, are advertised on the PGR Teams space and the Doctoral College Events calendar. 

 As part of your visit, you should also: 

  • Visit your Faculty and School buildings:  

  • Collect any key/access cards to access relevant facilities 

  • Complete any required health and safety training 

  • Meet your supervisors and any research groups/clusters you are part of 

  • Know where your work space (desks, laboratories etc) are and how you get to them 

  • International PGRs will need to complete a right to study check (mentioned above) 

  • Make sure that any supervision meetings while you are in leeds are held in person and recorded in GRAD. 

  • Take the opportunity to meet with your Director of Postgraduate Research Studies (optional). 

Subsequent visits to Leeds 

  • Visit your Faculty and School buildings:  

  • Collect any key/access cards to access relevant facilities 

  • Complete any required health and safety training 

  • Meet your supervisors and any research groups/clusters you are part of 

  • Know where your work space (desks, laboratories etc) are and how you get to them 

  • International PGRs will need to complete a right to study check (mentioned above) 

  • Some international PGRs will need new ATAS clearance (mentioned above) 

Before the end of your visit to Leeds 

Your supervisor or school staff will let you know if there are any specific tasks you need to do before you leave Leeds. This might include the following: 

  • Return access cards or keys 

  • Ensure that lab areas are cleared. Ensure a plan has been agreed with lab staff about any samples that have been left 

  • Return IT equipment  

  • Clear desk and locker space 

  • Plan your next visit!