When to arrive in Leeds

If you’re arriving after 29 September, visit our delayed arrivals page for support and information.   

If you’re a new student or postgraduate researcher joining us in Leeds in January, get in touch with the relevant team responsible for your programme for dates on when to arrive on campus.  

• Postgraduate researchers: email the Doctoral College at doctoralcollege@leeds.ac.uk
• Incoming exchange students – email the Incoming Study Abroad team at studyabroad@leeds.ac.uk 
• Students on a pre-sessional language course – email the Language Centre at langc@leeds.ac.uk

Arriving within the recommended arrival dates will ensure you’re in Leeds in time to attend International Orientation.

As part of International Orientation you’ll be able to join information sessions, online webinars and exciting social activities to help you make a successful start in Leeds. It’ll also ensure you’re in Leeds in time to attend your school induction.

If you are a new postgraduate researcher, you should arrive in Leeds before the start of your programme. You’ll be able to arrive up to a month before the start date of your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), depending on the length of your research programme and when you have obtained your Student visa.

You should have received pre-arrival information from your graduate school, with information about preparing for your arrival in Leeds and your induction. You can find information such as the postgraduate researcher induction checklist and the Doctoral College induction programme in our starting your research pages.

You can also find out about postgraduate researcher i​​​​​​nternational orientation, explore the resources and check out what’s happening on campus.

If you’re not able to arrive in Leeds before the start of your programme, you must contact your graduate school to discuss your options.

If you’re on a distance learning, split site or dual award programme, you might not need to be in Leeds for the start of your programme. You should check with your graduate school.

If you need a visa to study in the UK, you’ll need to do a right to study check each time you arrive in Leeds.

Don’t book your flight until you’ve received your visa. You can only travel to the UK after the date shown on your visa vignette or within the validity period of your eVisa.

If you travel to the UK before the start date of your Student visa, your visa will not be activated and you may be required to leave and re-enter the UK in order to have the correct immigration status.

If the ‘valid to’ date on your visa vignette has expired because you have delayed travel to the UK, you’ll need to apply for a replacement vignette before you can travel.

Check when you can move into your accommodation and don’t plan to arrive before the start of your accommodation contract.

If you arrive before the start of your accommodation contract, you’ll be responsible for finding somewhere to live until you can move into your accommodation, and cover any additional costs associated with this.

Visit our orientation resources page to access our orientation support before and after you arrive.

Make sure you take part in the induction sessions planned by your school. Your school will email you directly with more information on this.

If you want to find out more about your school induction, please contact your school directly.

If you’re a postgraduate researcher, check the start your research page for useful induction resources.

To help you have a smooth journey, the University of Leeds can arrange transport from Leeds Bradford Airport and Manchester Airport for new students who are arriving in Leeds for the first time. Find out how to book your airport pick-up.