University of Leeds

Undergraduate profile:

Joining the University of Leeds is your chance to be part of a university that is a force for change. We have been at the forefront of research for over 100 years and the knowledge we have created in that time has helped to shape and change our world.

We create knowledge and by applying it to the real world, we ensure that our research and our graduates have an impact on global society.

World-class research
Over a quarter of a million people have graduated from the University since its foundation in 1904. Internationally acknowledged as a centre of excellence in a wide range of disciplines, we are part of the prestigious Russell Group – the 24 leading research universities in the UK.

The latest independent exercise to assess the quality of research in universities and colleges in the UK (the Research Assessment Exercise, RAE) placed us in the top ten of UK research intensive universities. More than half our schools were ranked in the top 10 in the country – including Electronic and Electrical Engineering, English, Modern Languages, Food Science and Education – and 61% of our research was judged to be ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.

But our research is not just confined to individual departments; it extends across all faculties and schools, often crossing traditional subject boundaries. Collaboration and interdisciplinary research is at the heart of what we do. It means our staff and students are engaged in a wide range of projects that will change lives.

Learning and teaching
We have been awarded 17 National Teaching Fellowships, which are given to academics in recognition of their imaginative and innovative learning and teaching methods. That’s more than any other English university - recognising the excellence of our teaching.

We are committed to our vision of a university which enables and inspires you to develop your full potential and become well equipped for the workplace. Study here and you’ll be taught by, and have access to inspirational academics who are actively involved in a diverse range of research. We offer you a wide choice of degrees ranging from the more traditional such as English or law, to emerging subject areas relevant to the modern world, such as new media or petroleum engineering.

We recently received the highest possible result from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). The QAA checks how UK universities maintain academic standards and quality, so that means you can be confident that we’re providing you with the very best academic standards.

What our students think
We have performed consistently well in the National Student Survey. 87% of students who responded said they were very satisfied or satisfied with their experience at the University of Leeds in the latest survey – our highest score yet. Our score of 90% student satisfaction with our students’ union was the third highest in the country.

First-class facilities
A university of this size offers you some of the best facilities – from our environmentally-friendly student services building to the The Edge, our flagship £12million pool and gym which has the largest fitness suite of any UK university.

You will also have access to the very best academic resources, including one of the biggest university libraries in the UK. Plans have also been approved to develop a new undergraduate library with 1,000 more seats, as well as group, quiet and silent study areas and dedicated IT zones. Housing over 3.5 million items, it is due to be completed in 2015. And we have some of the best computing resources in the country, according to The Guardian University Guide 2012. Our computer clusters are open long hours, some 24/7, ensuring you can study when it suits you. We are committed to e-learning and new technology to provide greater flexibility in the way you study and learn.

Leeds is a fantastic place
More than 700,000 people live within the city boundaries, making it a thriving, lively place. Many students who come to Leeds to study stay on to live and work here after they graduate. Located at the heart of the UK, Leeds is a city of regional, national and international importance. The city is well renowned as a centre for arts, sport, leisure, entertainment, nightlife and is surrounded by beautiful, accessible countryside.

Our community contribution
Our contribution to the local economy is around £1billion a year and we're home to venues for music, including the new 13,500 capacity Leeds Arena, theatre and art – as well as public lectures. Over 2,000 of our students volunteer in the local community. As well as our local responsibilities we are working hard to minimise our impact on the environment and, since 2005, have held Fairtrade university status, offering products endorsed by the international certification system that ensures farmers and workers in developing countries get a fair deal.

A university that listens to you
At the University of Leeds your voice, your ideas and your opinions count. We nurture a spirit of enquiry, discovery and achievement. This, along with excellent academic study will help you develop into a well-rounded graduate who will be highly regarded and sought after by employers.

At the University of Leeds you can unlock your potential and become the best that you can be. We look forward to welcoming you to the University of Leeds.