Optional activities when you arrive

Leeds is a small city with good public transport and most student accommodation is within three miles of the University.

Visit our Travelling to campus page for detailed information on routes, tickets, and getting around Leeds.

Join a guided campus tour to explore key locations, ask questions, and get to know your new surroundings.

If you'd prefer to explore on your own, use our virtual campus tour or our self-guided campus tour at your own pace.

You can also take part in a city chase to get to know Leeds. Explore the city in a fun, fast-paced scavenger hunt. You’ll work as a team to search for answers that will take you to landmarks all over the city.

If you practice a faith, we also have faith-based tours to help you explore our campus and city while connecting with your religious community. 

Book a campus tour or city chase on the Leeds and You events page.

The Edge is the University of Leeds’ dedicated fitness, sport, and wellbeing facility, offering a gym, swimming pool, climbing wall, exercise classes, and more.

To see the full range of sports facilities and clubs available at the University, visit the Leeds Sport website.

For a more social and inclusive way to stay active, check out Get Out, Get Active, which offers free, beginner-friendly activities and events to help you meet new people and explore the outdoors.

If you’re looking for somewhere to eat on campus, the Great Food at Leeds website helps you find cafés, food outlets, and opening times across the University.

You can also sign up for the Great Food at Leeds Club to earn rewards every time you spend.

Great Food at Leeds is a University-run service, and all profits are reinvested to improve the service and support wider University initiatives.

LUU sits at the heart of campus and is your student-led space to meet people, try new things, and have fun. Run by elected students, LUU represents your voice and helps you make the most of your time at Leeds.

Things to check out at LUU:

• Joblink is the student job service offering part-time, casual, temporary roles, and internships that fit around your studies.
• Engage is where you can discover clubs, societies, events, and activities, helping you meet people and make the most of your time at university.
• Essentials is a basic needs hub where you can pick up free food items, toiletries, sanitary products and toilet roll if you’re ever in need. 
• LUU’s Help and Support team – located in the LUU foyer, this team offers directions, room bookings, signposting and confidential advice on everything from housing and exams to budgeting and relationships.

Start building your Leeds community from day one:

• Clubs and societies – Leeds University Union (LUU) runs more than 300 groups for sport, music, gaming, volunteering and more.
• Buddy Scheme – get matched with another student who shares your interests and study level. Buddies meet up, swap tips and join free socials together.
• Global Café – every Monday excluding bank holidays. Drop in for free drinks, relaxed chat and new friends in our diverse community.
• Experiences and opportunities – connect with new people, find your community, and share experiences that can lead to lasting friendships and personal growth.
• Engage – a space where you can discover clubs, societies, events, and activities, helping you meet people and make the most of your time at university.
• Find your people – explore all the ways to meet others and get involved at Leeds.

Check our Leeds and You events for the calendar of what’s on across campus and in the city.

Leeds offers food from around the world, there’s something for everyone.

Check out our where to shop for food and essentials page to discover the best places to shop for groceries and essentials on campus, near your accommodation, and across the city.

It’s a good idea to stay on top of your finances from day one. Visit our money management pages for tips to help you budget and information on support.

Leeds is generally a safe place to live and study, but you can check out our Medium blog with everything you need to know about personal safety for helpful information.

Download the SafeZone app to help keep you safe on campus. Use it to get help or talk to security if you need support or feel unsafe.

If you're experiencing homesickness, our help for homesickness page offers practical tips and contact details for support services.

Disability Services recommends academic support for disabled students and postgraduate researchers at the University.

You can declare a disability when you register as a student or using a form on the Disability Services webpage. If you do this, Disability Services will usually contact you directly, but you can also get in touch with them if you have any questions or need further support. 

You should also register with Disability Services if you had exam arrangements at school and would like to access them at Leeds.

If you're an international student, the meaning of the word “disability” and the types of conditions it includes may be different from what you're used to.  

Learn more about what is considered a disability in the UK and how Disability Services can support you.