Essential tasks before you arrive

Your University account gives you access to our systems, including your University of Leeds student email on Microsoft Outlook.

When to do it: from 60 days before your course start date.

Why it’s important:

• It’s the first thing you need to do before you can register.
• We will use your University of Leeds student email to send you important information to help you prepare for joining us.

Activate your IT account. Use a laptop or a computer to activate your IT account, not a mobile phone.

Check our advice for bringing your computer to the University.

When you complete your registration, you officially become a student at the University.

When to do it:

• After you’ve activated your IT account and from one month before your official start date or the anniversary of your start date.
• We recommend you complete registration before you start your course, and at the very latest within two weeks of starting your course.

Why it’s important:

Completing registration allows you to confirm your place on your course, verify your personal information, confirm how you’ll be paying your tuition fees and agree to the student contract. 

Complete your registration

You must complete an identity check to complete student registration. 

When to do it: 

• after you have activated your IT account and before you start your course. It can take up to two weeks for your documents to be checked during peak periods. 
• If you are an international student, you can start your identity check before or after you arrive in the UK. You may need to complete an additional step after you have arrived in the UK. 

Why it’s important:

• If you’ve applied for student finance, you need to have completed both your identity check and registration to access your loan.
• You will be able to get your student card, which gives to access to services on campus such as libraries, computer suites and sport facilities (if you’re a member).

Complete your identity check

You will only need to complete module enrolment if you are an undergraduate or Masters student and have Discovery or optional modules.

If you are a postgraduate researcher and your course includes modules, you follow a different process and your Graduate School will contact you about this.

When to do it: 

• Module enrolment opens on 1 September. You can only access module enrolment after you’ve completed registration.
• You must complete module enrolment by 23:59 on 26 September or 10 October depending on your School.  

Why it’s important: Module enrolment is where you choose your optional modules. 

Find out about module enrolment. 

When to do it: as soon as you like.

Why it’s important:

• If you are an international student, you need to know which documents you should bring.
• Planning what to bring now can help you budget better and settle in when you arrive.

Start planning what to bring

When to do it: if you’ve had an offer of University accommodation, you must accept your contract as soon as possible.

Why it’s important:

• Your contract legally binding. When you accept your contract, your place is guaranteed.
• You can find out what date you can move in.
• Once you’ve accepted your contract, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to collect your keys.

Check your accommodation contract

How to arrange your key collection

What to do if you need to arrive early

Arrive during our recommended dates so you have enough time to settle in before starting your course.  

When to do it: 

• International students: before International orientation which starts on 15 September.
• UK students: before Welcome Week which starts on 22 September. 

Why it’s important:  

• Join in Welcome Week events and activities.
• Join International orientation talks, tours and events to meet other students, explore campus and guide you through tasks you need to complete. 
• Attend your School induction for important information about your studies and support. Your School will contact you directly about the dates of your induction. Check your University of Leeds email address regularly. 

When to arrive 

What to do if your arrival is delayed

Activities when you arrive: Welcome Week

International orientation 

If you need a visa for your studies, start the process early to avoid delays with your arrival to Leeds. 

When to do it: as soon as you have accepted an unconditional offer.

Why it’s important: if you will need a visa to study in the UK, be aware the application process can take time. Starting early will help avoid delays and make sure you can travel in time to settle in before starting your course.

• Find out more about visas
• Get help with your application from the Student Visa Advice team

When to do it: before you travel to the UK.

Why it’s important: the UK healthcare system could be different to what you’re used to. Make sure you meet any health requirements for your visa and understand how to access medical care in the UK.

Find out about:

• Getting vaccinations and a Tuberculosis (TB) test
• What your healthcare entitlements are for your visa
• How to register with a doctor when you arrive
• Where to access health services.

When to do it: before you arrive in the UK

Why it’s important: so you can stay connected when you arrive, you should check whether your phone will work in the UK and whether you need to get a UK sim card.

Find out about using your phone in the UK and how to get a free UK SIM card.

When to do it: start to prepare before you leave your home country. Some banks will let you open a UK account from your home country, but others may need you to do it when you arrive.

Why it’s important:

• If you're moving to Leeds from outside the UK, you'll need access to your money. The easiest way is to open a UK bank account. 
• It can take several weeks to open a UK bank account. Be prepared and think about arranging money for when you arrive before you travel to Leeds.

Find out about opening a UK bank account.

The airport pick-up service is a free service for all new international students and postgraduate researchers. You can book it from Leeds Bradford or Manchester Airport only. 

When to do it: at least five days before you plan to travel to the UK.  

Why it’s important:

• It is the easiest way to arrive in Leeds. The service will take you to campus.
• On arrival, you will be met by our International Welcome student team who will help you get to your transport. 
• You will get a UK SIM card.

Find out about the airport pick-up service.

When to do it: you can sign up for webinars, talks, workshops, campus and city tours and social events from 1 August. 

Why it’s important: 

• Find out more about practical tasks to complete and get ready before you arrive on campus.  
• Build your schedule so that you have a list of events to join as soon as you’re in Leeds 
• The programme combines informative webinars, workshops and talks with social events and campus tours.