International partnerships
The University of Leeds delivers world-changing research and education through international collaboration. Our connection to our global community and partners is at the heart of everything we do.
Global collaboration in research
Our research has a global reputation. Our researchers are engaged in collaborative projects with international partners that address global challenges and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including climate change, food sustainability and advances in global health.
At Leeds there are a number of prestigious, interdisciplinary centres and institutes which support our progress towards addressing global challenges. These include, for example, the Global Food and Environment Institute (GFEI) and the Priestley International Centre for Climate Change.
Read about our global research.
To discuss international research funding opportunities, please email the Global Research Development Team via internationalresearcher@leeds.ac.uk.
Supporting international networks and mobility
At Leeds we believe in working through collaboration. We are a member of a number of important international research and education networks and consortia because it is only by bringing together expertise in research and education through collaboration that we can help to tackle inequalities, achieve societal impact and drive change to shape a better future for humanity.
The University of Leeds is a founder member of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), which consists of 23 research-led universities collaborating on research, postgraduate degree programmes and continuing professional development. The network brings together researchers from around the world to collaborate on some of the most pressing global challenges including climate change and public health.
Leeds is also a member of the Research and Education Network for Knowledge Economy Initiatives (RENKEI), Japan and the UK-Jiangsu 2020 (China) World Class Universities Consortium, and many other education and research networks worldwide.
We support international mobility through a range of international schemes and awards, including the Fulbright Distinguished Scholar award and the Cheney Fellowship Scheme which supports outstanding overseas researchers to conduct research at Leeds.
Research funding and investment
Our research and reputation attracts significant funding – £139m in research grants and contracts in 2019/20. We secured more than £50m in competitive funding from the Global Challenges Research Fund and Newton Fund awards between 2014 and 2020.
Our research funding success is a reflection of our ability to work with international partners to leverage research funding and the fact that we attract the very best researchers.
The University is one of the top ten recipients of European Research Council (ERC) funding among UK universities, receiving more than 19m Euros in funding from the prestigious ERC in 2018.
Global education partnerships
We partner with the very best institutions internationally to educate talent across the world and develop engaged global citizens. Working with our partner networks we aim to develop collaborative learning opportunities which meet the needs of diverse global learners and have an increased focus on alignment with subjects and geographies which directly address the UN SDGs.
The University of Leeds attracts and inspires the brightest students from around the world. Through our global partnerships we offer pathways for students from partner institutions to join our Leeds-based programmes, or to experience Leeds teaching overseas by joining one of our transnational education programmes.
We have ambitious plans to extend the global reach of our transnational education (TNE) through the use of digital innovation and to grow our online provision across a range of programmes, from full degree to short courses, for both younger and older learners, globally.
International scholarship organisations
The University of Leeds is proud to partner with a range of international scholarship organisations offering educational opportunity to students from a wide range of countries. Each year we offer scholarship awards in partnership with the China Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange, the Fulbright Commission, Marshall Scholarships, Chevening, the Commonwealth shared Scholarship Scheme and many more.
International sponsors
At the University of Leeds, we value the relationship with have with our international sponsors. Based in the International Office, we have a team dedicated to providing services for international sponsors who place students with us. These services include updates on academic progress and support for organising visits to the University.
Our dedicated team are able to offer a high level of support to our sponsors with day-to-day enquiries and we can tailor our services to your requirements. Please contact us directly with any queries you may have regarding your students by emailing Sponsor Support via SponsorSupport@leeds.ac.uk.
How to partner with us
The International Office team provides support to the University in developing and maintaining partnerships. If you would like to partner with the university, phone the International Office via +44 (0)113 343 1153 or email the International Office via internationaloffice@leeds.ac.uk.