Your first weeks at University
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.
We know those first few days and weeks can be a whilwind of meeting people, finding your way around and getting started on your course. It’s perfectly normal to feel a bit overwhelmed, or that things aren’t quite what you expected.
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Joining the University as an estranged student (no parental support)
I want to speak to someone during my first few weeks
If you have a question or need information before you arrive and once you’re here 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.
Call us
Our Helpline Team are on hand Monday to Friday 9-5 pm.
- Call +44 (0)113 343 7000 (from outside of the UK)
- Call 0800 915 0402 (from inside the UK. This is a free phone number, and you won’t be charged for calling this from your mobile or landline).
Email us
You can email us at studentinfo@leeds.ac.uk
Speak to us, face to face
Our Information Points are open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.
- Beech Grove House campus map link | Google map link
- Chemical and Process Engineering campus map link | Google map link
- Maurice Keyworth building campus map link | Google maps link
- Parkinson Building campus map link | Google map link
- Worsley building campus map link | Google map link
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.
Making friends
Without doubt, one of the things that you’ll be thinking about in these first few days and weeks is making friends. Don’t worry if it doesn’t happen immediately – it can take a while to find your people. Here’s some ways to get you started.
Join a club or society
There’s over 300 clubs and societies at the University. They are a great way to find people who have similar interests to you.
Check out the Residence Life programme
If you’re living in University accommodation, our Residence Life team organise events for when you first move in and throughout the year to help you settle in, meet new people and enjoy university.
Come to Global Café
Global Café is for everyone from everywhere! A weekly opportunity for students and postgraduate researchers to meet new people, relax with friends, have great conversations, and enjoy free refreshments every Monday (5:30-7:30pm) in Common Ground, Leeds University Union.
Student blogs on making friends
We have even more information on how to meet new people and get involved.
Getting started with your studies
Studying at University will need a new set of skills, and we’ve got lots of useful links for you to get started.
The library
Bookmark the library website for opening hours, booking study spaces, searching online resources, managing your library record and much more.
Helpful websites and blogs to get started
- 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
- Adapting to University learning
- Life as a Leeds Postgraduate
Your academic personal tutor
You’ve got an academic personal tutor. Have you met them yet? They are someone who is there to work in partnership with you and help you have a successful academic experience. Find out more about your academic personal tutor.
You’ll have a LeedsforLife academic workbook to help organise your resources. Find out more about the academic workbook
Find out about your school
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.
Your first weeks in Leeds as an international student
- Our first weeks in Leeds section has everything you’ll need to know for the first few weeks.
- Living in Leeds as an international student
- Moving to Leeds is a blog written by students from all over the world talking about their experiences of moving to Leeds
- Five ways to improve your English – Wing Yan Lui (Cheryl), Fashion Marketing (Industry) shares her tips for improving your English during your time at Leeds.
Get involved as a student
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LUU’s what’s on – a huge range of activities, events, fairs and Give it a Go sessions (GIAG), most are free and fully accessible.
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Join our Fresh Start Festival in January. We’ll tell you more nearer the time!
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Get to know people from over 170 different countries as part of our global community. Why not find an opportunity to learn a language, become an ambassador, take part in groups, festivals, trips or find an exchange partner?
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Volunteering is a fantastic way of meeting new people, trying different things, and giving back. It also enhances your CV while you’re doing it. What’s not to like? Why not do good Leeds!
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Want to get involved with sustainability at the University of Leeds? Become a Student Sustainability Architect and provide support and get paid!
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Support and represent other students by becoming a student rep. Check out how you can get involved through LUU (and find a rep to help you)
Get to know your IT learning tools
Minerva
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.
Office 365 and OneDrive
As a student at the University of Leeds, you get free access to Microsoft Office programs 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):
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Open Office 365.
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Log in using your Minerva log-in details.
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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.
UniLeeds app
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.
LinkedIn Learning
Students at Leeds have free access to all LinkedIn Learning, providing you the opportunity to develop your skills to support your personal and career development. You can access LinkedIn Learning anytime, anywhere from your laptop or portable devise. You can easily access your account from the LinkedIn Learning login page using your normal University username and password or via Minerva. To give you a helping hand we’ve created a LinkedIn Learning guide for students with suggested content for you to browse and explore.
Blackboard Ally
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.
How learning analytics will support your learning journey
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.
Register and enrol on your modules
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.
Your life as a student in Leeds
Now you’re studying at Uni, there’s lots to get to know, from shopping, finding your way around, keeping fit and looking after yourself.
Find specific support
- The Counselling and Wellbeing webspages have information about online, drop in and face to face appointments.
- Get in touch with Disability Services if you need support before or when you arrive in Leeds
- Joining us from a different kind of background – for example if you have a family or caring responsibilities? Find out about the support the Plus Programme can offer
- Find out what support is available from Leeds University Union (LUU)
- Check out inclusive societies like LGBTQ, black feminist, bereaved, commuter and social mobility societies at LUU
- Student support and expert advice at Leeds University Union
Living in University accommodation?
If you’re living in University accommodation you should check out:
- Accommodation website for key information on what to do when you first move in
- Residence Life website for details on events and support for students living in halls
Discover campus
Now you’re here, take some time to explore the University of Leeds campus. Set about ten minutes walk from the city centre, it’s a perfect place to learn, but also relax and discover art, wildlife, quirky cafes and hidden spaces.
- Come and explore campus
- Places to relax and take a break on campus
- Our top 20 Instagrammable spots on campus
- Social spaces on campus
- Top step-free access routes on campus you may want to explore
- 11 walls on campus to refresh your Instagram feed
- Cafés on campus
- Rock & roll Refectory
- 14 must-see pieces of art on campus
Shopping
- A guide to food shopping in Leeds
- Online food shopping in Leeds
- How to get the most out of your food shop on a budget
- The best places to eat & drink in Leeds
- Best Indian takeaway in Leeds
- International Grocery Stores – Asian Supermarket
Managing your money
Understanding your money, how to budget, how to make more of your money and knowing what to do if things are going wrong are essential skills for life. Our cost of living hub has links and guides to help keep your finances on track.
- 5 money management tips for students
- Funding and financial support available to students
- 3 money saving websites and apps every student should know about
- Nine things to know about student finance as a mature student
- How to manage your money as a student
- Looking for a student job in Leeds
If you’re an international student, we have a lot of infromation on arranging money for when you arrive and how to open a bank account in the UK.
Sport and Exercise
Whether you’re an elite sportsperson, a keen team player, or just someone who likes keeping fit or having fun with your mates, 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
Safety
- Everything you need to know about safety info — all in one place.
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Download these apps onto your phone
- UniLeeds app Android | Apple – check your timetable, library record, sport booking and much, much more
- Duo mobile security app Android | Apple – this is something you’ll definitely need when you want to access University IT systems, like email and Minerva.
- 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.
- Leeds Union Events - if you’re into gigs, live music or club nights, here’s where you can get all your tickets with their LUU webapp
- First Bus provide much of the bus travel in Leeds. Download their app and get cheaper tickets.
Discovering Leeds and beyond
- Living in Leeds as an international student
- 25 Instagram accounts to follow to discover more of Leeds
- Get outside in Leeds
- The Grey Outdoors
- Celebrating the spirit and diversity of Hyde Park
- Great independent cafes near campus
- Cinemas in Leeds
- 12 must-see shopping spots in Leeds
- Best places in Leeds to go for brunch
- Discover the historic pubs near Uni
- 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…
- Big Leeds events to get in your diary
- 10 Instagrammable spots in Leeds
- Things to do in Leeds
Find out about the latest Covid safety measures
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.