Meet people and get involved

Your school, university residence, Leeds University Student Union and all our support services are here to help you meet people and feel at home. We have put together a list of initiatives and events to help you start meeting new people and make connections at Leeds.

University Buddy Scheme

Apply to be matched with a student with similar interests through the University Buddy Scheme. Whether you’re new to Leeds or not, you can apply to be matched with a buddy at any point of your student journey.

If you are keen to connect with students in your school, check your school welcome page for information about peer support schemes and other activities in your school.

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. Global Café hosts are there to welcome newcomers and help everyone have a lovely Monday evening. Read more about Global Café or check LUU Engage for upcoming events!

LUU Events and Trips

Check what’s on at the Leeds University Union. Browse events and trips, and see what’s available on LUU’s Engage.

LUU Clubs and Societies

Explore over 300 student societies and sports clubs available at Leeds University Union.Try something new or enjoy a favourite activity. Do you want to try a society before joining it? Look out for Give it a Go sessions in the LUU events programme. These give you the chance to try a new society or activity before committing to it.

Your faculty or school will have an academic or departmental society that will organise activities and social events to keep you connected to other people on your course.

Leeds and You Events

Check the Leeds and You pages to find out what’s on around campus and in the city thorughout the year, join campus tours and other social activities. 

Get Out, Get Active

Get Out, Get Active is a fantastic programme of activities giving you the chance to try out a range of fun and sociable healthy activities, both on campus and in the local Yorkshire countriside. Explore Yorkshire, look after your wellbeing and meet new people with Get Out, Get Active. 

Language Exchange 

Apply to be matched with a native speaker of a language of your choice. Meet with your language partner, practise a language and meet someone new. Find out more on the Language Zone, 2nd Floor Parkinson Building or the Language Centre website.

Global Community

Joining the University of Leeds means you are joining a diverse and culturally rich community, including the wider communities of our city. Get the most out of your time in Leeds by taking part in our range of Global Community activities. 

Our Global Community initiatives give you the opportunity meet people from different backgrounds and engage with the Leeds community in meaningful ways. Our volunteering opportunities include our Writing Back pen pal scheme that matches you with an older Leeds resident to tackle loneliness, and our popular Intercultural Ambassadors programme,. All of our activities are designed to bring you closer to new cultures, have fun and gain valuable employability skills.

Residence Life 

If you live in halls, join the Residence Life annual programme of events and activities to help you settle in and connect with others in your community. Check out the Residence Life website, follow their Instagram and look out for their monthly newsletter to find out what events and initiatives are happening in halls.

The Edge

Check what’s on offer at the Edge. Learn a new sport, join a team or take up classes – look after your mental and physical wellbeing while meeting people and making connections at Leeds.

Volunteering 

Voluntary work is unpaid work which gives you the chance to try different activities, meet people from the local community and build experience to put on your CV while helping people who can benefit from your time and skills. Check the Leeds University volunteering pages to find out more about opportunities available on and off campus.

If you’re an international student at Leeds, check your rights for working in the UK before you apply for these opportunities.