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Essential tasks when you arrive

Welcome to Leeds, we’re so excited you’ve arrived! Before you begin your studies, there are a few essential tasks to complete. We’ve included information for all students, plus a few extra tasks for international students.

We know there’s a lot to do, and we’re here to guide you through every step. Ask us a question or get help if you need support.

All students

Remember to complete registration

Don’t forget to complete registration before your official start date.

Registering is the formal step to becoming an official student at the University. It enables you to:

  • secure your place on your course
  • confirm your personal details
  • finalise your tuition fee payment method

Complete your registration.

Attend Welcome Week

Welcome Week runs both on campus and online from Monday 22 September to Wednesday 1 October. It's a week filled with a variety of events and activities designed to welcome all new students to the University of Leeds.

Find out more about Welcome Week and upcoming activities and events:

Attend your school induction

Your school will contact you with details about your school induction.

If you have any concerns or questions about your school induction, contact the Student Information Service or contact your school.

Find your school on the campus map.

Collect your student card

After your identity documentation is checked, you will receive an email inviting you to collect your student card.

Please note that during peak periods it can take up to 10 working days for your documents to be checked.

Move into accommodation

If you’ve booked university accommodation, check your accommodation contract. It’s important you arrive on or after the start date shown in your contract.

For more information, visit our Arriving at your accommodation page.

Register with a doctor and a dentist

When you arrive in Leeds, registering with a local doctor’s surgery and a dentist should be one of your first priorities.

A General Practitioner (GP) is the first point of contact for most medical care in the UK. To see a GP, you must be registered as a patient at a doctor’s surgery.

If you need dental care while you’re at university, you can register with a local dentist in Leeds. 

Visit our Register with a doctor and a dentist page for more information.

You can also visit our Where to get healthcare page for more about the National Health Service (NHS) and what to do if you’re ill or need medical treatment. 

Download the UniLeeds app

Everything you need, in one app!

You’ll need the UniLeeds app to log your attendance for all your teaching sessions. You must check in to every teaching session so that your attendance is recorded. Read how to check in to a teaching session.

Through the app, you can also access your timetable, university email and Minerva, as well as manage sports bookings and explore places to eat on campus. ​​​​​​

Apple iOS: Go to the App Store to download the iOS UniLeeds app

Android: Go to the Google Playstore to download the UniLeeds Android app

Familiarise yourself with Minerva

Minerva is the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), giving you easy access to online module materials and a range of digital tools.

To log in, visit Minerva and sign in with your username@leeds.ac.uk and password.

Use the Student Guides for help with Minerva, or browse the A to Z of Minerva Guides for more detailed support.

Check your timetable

Your teaching timetable is your guide for the year. Since details can occasionally change, we recommend checking it often to stay up-to-date.

Here’s how you can access it anytime:

International students

As well as completing the essential tasks in the previous section, you should also:

Complete your identity check

If you are on a Student visa, you may need to be in the UK to complete an additional step for your identity check.    

Why it’s important:

  • Your student registration is not complete until you have done the identity check. 
  • 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.

Take part in International orientation

We strongly encourage you to take part in our International orientation programme as an international student, as it will help you have the best possible start in Leeds.

Join webinars, talks, workshops, tours and social events to help you feel at home and meet new people. 

Don’t forget to attend a ‘Welcome to Leeds talk’, your official welcome to Leeds as an international student.

Set up a UK bank account

If you're moving to Leeds from outside the UK, it's important to have access to your money as soon as you arrive. The easiest way to do this is by opening a UK bank account.

Some UK bank accounts can only be set up once you’re in the country, so it’s essential to plan ahead. Opening a bank account can take several weeks, so make sure you have enough money available for your first few weeks in Leeds.

Visit our Opening a UK bank account page, and sign up for a ‘Money and Banking’ webinar as part of International orientation, for information on how to open an account, and what you'll need to get started.

Prepare for the academic study culture at Leeds

Academic life in a new country can be exciting and challenging.  

During International orientation, join a ‘Prepare to study at Leeds’ session to share past learning experiences and explore effective study habits. 

Ask us a question or get help

If you want advice, need help, or you’re not sure where to start, get in touch with the friendly Student Information Service (SIS). No matter how big or small your query is, they can answer your questions or connect you to the right people.  

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