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 together some helpful links of things that we recommend 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 now you’ve arrived.
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.
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:
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.
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 our International Orientation programme!
Don’t miss our main international orientation talk to start connecting with other new students and learn more about ways to take care of yourself as you adapt to culture and lifestyle changes. Sign up for webinars and in-person sessions to find out more about opening a bank account, registering with a doctor, working in the UK and understanding support for international disabled students. Join social events happening during International Orientation week and beyond and explore campus in a fun way.
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 is a new tool 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.
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. Follow three steps to complete registration and 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.
Moving to a different country can be exciting but also challenging, especially at the start. Here are some recommendations for you from our current international students:
Leeds is an extremely multicultural city and you’ll find plenty of shops selling international food ingredients here. Want to know where you can shop for essentials in Leeds? Check our ambassadors’ blogs to find out more:
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 with – finding your people, and settling in quickly.
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.
For some of you, being fully responsible for your money can be quite daunting before you arrive. Check out our resources to help you stay on top of your finances and manage your money.
If you’re an international student from outside the UK, we have a lot of information 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.
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!
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.