What to bring

If you’re entering the UK you may be asked to show these documents at border control:

Student visa

• The passport that is linked to your visa.
• Your visa and the email confirmation you receive when your visa is issued.
• Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
• Proof that you have enough money to pay your tuition fees, cover additional expenses during your stay in the UK, and pay for your return flights to your home country (such as recent bank statements, a scholarship letter, or a sponsor’s letter).
• Details of the accommodation you’ve arranged for your stay. This could be a booking confirmation for short-term accommodation (hotel, bed and breakfast), your accommodation contract from the University of Leeds or from a private housing provider.

Don’t forget to check the list of ‘additional documents for UK entry’. A Border Force Officer may also request to see extra documents, if they feel it's necessary.

Visitor or short-term study visa

• Your passport.
• Your valid visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) linked to your passport.
• Your academic offer letter for your course.
• Proof that you have enough money to pay your tuition fees, cover additional expenses during your stay in the UK, and pay for your return flights to your home country (such as recent bank statements, a scholarship letter, or a sponsor’s letter).
• Details of the accommodation you’ve arranged for your stay. This could be a booking confirmation for short-term accommodation (hotel, bed and breakfast), your accommodation contract from the University of Leeds or from a private housing provider.

Don’t forget to check the list of ‘additional documents for UK entry’. A Border Force Officer may also request to see extra documents, if they feel it's necessary.

A Border Force Officer might ask to see extra documents if they need to check more details before letting you enter the UK.

We strongly recommend bringing these additional documents, in case you’re asked for more evidence:

• Original academic qualification certificates and English language test report –remember to bring formal translations if your documents are not in English.
• Proof of your address in your home country – this can be a recent letter from your bank or another official document that shows where you live.
• Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate and a confirmation letter from the University – check if you need an ATAS certificate.
• Health and insurance documents (see the ‘Health and insurance documents’ section of this page).
• Evidence of any ongoing medical condition (see ‘Medication’ section of this page).
• Certificate enabling you to work with vulnerable people if needed (see the ‘Work documents’ section of this page).
• Marriage and birth certificates for you and your family, if you’re travelling with dependants.
• Proof that you have been screened for tuberculosis, if needed. Check if you need a tuberculosis test certificate.
• Any vaccination and health check records for you and any family members coming with you to the UK, including evidence that you have been vaccinated for Meningitis C and Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR). Find more information on the vaccinations page.

Bring any vaccination and health check records for you and any family members coming with you.

Before you start university in the UK, you must have had vaccines for:

• Meningitis C
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)

Before you travel to the UK, you may also need to:

• Show proof of a tuberculosis (TB) screening. Check if you need TB screening.
• Bring any vaccination and health check records for yourself and any family members coming with you, including proof of Meningitis C and MMR vaccines.

If you were asked to do a tuberculosis screening for your visa, make sure to bring the certificate with you. The UK Border Force might ask to see it when you arrive. Find more information on the vaccinations page.

Finally, it’s also important that you know what healthcare you’re entitled to depending on your visa status. Buy extra health insurance to give you extra cover, if necessary.

If you have an ongoing medical condition, tell your doctor at home that you will be studying in the UK. If you’re taking medication to control a specific medical condition, ask your doctor:

• if your medication is available in the UK
• if you can bring your medication into the UK​​

I​​​​​​f your medicine is on the list of controlled drugs in the UK, you must carry medicine in your hand luggage when entering the UK. Please note you can only bring up to three months’ supply of your medicine with you.

You will also be asked to show a letter from your doctor to prove the medication was prescribed to you. The UK Government website gives details on what information your doctor should include in this letter. Bring your doctor’s letter and your medication in the original packets with you.

If you have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), check what ADHD medication is available in the UK.

If you want to do paid or voluntary work in the UK that involves working with young people under the age of 18 or vulnerable adults, you will need to get a criminal record check certificate before you leave your home country and bring the certificate with you.

If you need help out of our working hours (after 5pm Monday to Friday or at the weekend) and need to speak to someone, contact the University’s Security Team.

• Phone the Security Service (non-emergencies): +44(0)113 343 5494 or +44(0)113 343 5495
• Phone the Security Service (emergencies only): +44(0)113 343 2222
• Video call the Security Service on Whatsapp: +44(0)7876 866747

Save our Accommodation Office’s contact details, in case you need to get in touch with our accommodation team at any point of your journey.

• Email the Accommodation Office: accom@leeds.ac.uk
• Phone the Accommodation Office: +44 (0)113 343 7777

If you’re staying in private accommodation, make sure you know who to contact in case of travel delays.