International students

Welcome to our global community of students and staff at Leeds. We have more than 14,000 international students from 137 countries, making our campus one of the most diverse and multicultural in the UK.

Check our 10 things to help you get started page to find out what steps all students need to complete.

On this page, you can find information to help you prepare for your journey, plan your first weeks and make the most of your time in Leeds.

Your visa   

Visa information

If you require a visa to study in the UK, you must allow plenty of time to find out what you need to do, apply for the correct visa or make any changes needed (for example, if you need to extend your visa or your circumstances change).

If you’re a new student, read our visas and immigration information.

If you currently have a student visa and need to extend or make a change to it, visit the your visa page.

It’s also important that you’re aware of your student visa responsibilities, which you must comply with to maintain your permission to study in the UK.

Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Our Admissions team will email your CAS to you after you have accepted your unconditional offer. If you’re a Masters student, you’ll also need to have paid your tuition fee deposit or provided your exemption evidence (for sponsored students).​​​​​

You don’t need to contact us to request a CAS. If we have all the information we need, we'll issue your CAS as soon as we can. If we require any further details from you, we’ll contact you by email.

Applying for your visa

Make sure you follow the right steps when you apply for your visa by reading our visas and immigration information:

Collecting your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

If you have a Student visa or a Short-term study visa and are attending a course for six months or longer, you’ll need to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) in Leeds. Your BRP is the visa that covers the full duration of your course.

Prepare for Leeds

When to arrive

Plan to be in Leeds in the recommended arrival week. Arriving in good time will give you the opportunity to explore the city, settle into your accommodation, and attend International Orientation and welcome sessions hosted by your school.

What to bring

We know there can be a lot to remember when you’re packing for university. To help you, we have put together a list of what to bring, including important documents and items you might need.

Travel to Leeds

Visit our Travel to Leeds pages to find out more about the different ways you can travel to our campus.

Arrival support

We know how tiring travelling can be, so we offer arrival support services to help you have a smooth arrival in Leeds.

Our arrival support services include:

  • a free airport pick-up service from Leeds Bradford Airport and Manchester Airport for new students arriving in Leeds for the first time
  • a free welcome box with some essential items, including food and a UK SIM card, to help you settle in on your first day in Leeds.

You must be a new student who’s coming to Leeds for the first time to be able to book our arrival support services.

University Buddy Scheme

Apply for the University Buddy Scheme to be matched with a new or current Leeds student before you arrive, or at any point during your time at the University. The University Buddy Scheme offers a fantastic opportunity to meet someone new who shares similar interests to you. You’ll also get invited to our exclusive programme of buddy social events.

Support for families

Leeds has plenty to offer families, including great schools, facilities and activities. Check our international families pages to find out more about applying for schools, arranging childcare, ways to meet other parents and discover our family-friendly campus.

Support for disabled students

In the UK, ‘disabled’ is a broad term and covers a variety of conditions, illnesses and impairments. You may not have previously considered yourself disabled in your home country. But if you feel that you have a condition that may affect your learning at Leeds, you may be able to access support from the University. Find out more about support for disabled international students or email the Disability team at disability@leeds.ac.uk to discuss your circumstances.

Your first weeks at Leeds

Complete start-up processes

From registering as a student to collecting your Biometric Residence Permit, find out more about the start-up processes you'll need to complete in your first weeks at Leeds.

International Orientation

International Orientation offers a programme of in-person sessions, online webinars, tours and exciting activities to help you feel at home in Leeds and meet new people. Our 2024 International Orientation week will take place from Monday 18 September to Sunday 22 September.

Global Community

Joining the University of Leeds means you’re part of a diverse and culturally rich community, including the wider communities of our city. Get the most out of your time in Leeds by taking part in our range of Global Community activities.

Our Global Café events are for everyone from everywhere. They are a weekly opportunity for students and postgraduate researchers to meet new people, relax with friends, have great conversations, and enjoy free refreshments.

Meet people and get involved

Studying at university is more than a time to grow academically. It's a time for meeting new friends, growing as a person and discovering new ways of living. Find out more about the many opportunities you have for meeting people and getting involved.

Your finances

Budgeting and cost of living

To avoid financial difficulties and make sure you have enough money to support yourself (and any family with you) throughout your studies, you’ll need to know what costs to expect.

Paying your fees

Find out how to pay your fees safely with an online card payment or by using Flywire to pay by bank transfer. Don’t use third party agents to transfer payments to the University as this significantly increases your risk of being exposed to financial crime.

Protect yourself from fraud and scams

Each year some international students are tricked by criminals pretending to be from an official authority in the UK or their home country, and they lose significant amounts of money. Check our guidance on fraud and scams.

Money for when you arrive

It may take some time to open a UK bank account, so make sure you arrange money for when you arrive.

Opening a bank account

Opening a bank account in the UK is not compulsory. However, there are benefits to opening a UK bank account, such as not paying transaction fees for cash withdrawals or bank transfers. Read more about how to open a bank account in the UK, and find out about digital and high street banking options and the different bank accounts available for international students.

Healthcare in the UK

Your health entitlements and health insurance

Registering with a doctor and a dentist can take some time, so it’s important that you do this as soon as possible when you arrive in Leeds. Our medical services pages will give you information about the UK health system, what healthcare will be free and what you’ll need to pay for depending on your visa status.

All international students are recommended to take out health insurance, but this is essential if you have a visa for less than six months.

Working during study

Work and your visa

Depending on how much time you need to dedicate to your studies, you might be able to work while in the UK. However, this might not always be possible. Whether you can work in the UK will also depend on your visa status. Make sure to check whether your visa allows you to work during your studies. Find out more about work and your visa.

Jobs and work experience

Our Careers Service has useful information about finding a job and work experience. With a team of career experts and student peer support assistants, the Careers team can help you find out more about work, placements and graduate work opportunities.

You can also use Joblink to find work. It’s an employment agency, run by Leeds University Union, which provides staff for businesses across Leeds.

Help, support and advice

Student visa advice

You can access student visa and immigration advice to support you when you’re preparing to come to Leeds and throughout your degree.

Link to Leeds

Talk to our current students to help you prepare for your studies at Leeds through Link to Leeds. Our ambassadors have written blogs on a range of topics, so you can read about their experiences studying with us. You also can contact them via email, attend live events or chat to them via the website.

International offer holder events and activities

Take part in a range of global or regional offer holder events and activities, online and in person, including pre-departure briefings, Q&As and offer holder groups. You’ll have opportunities to hear from staff in our international teams, alumni and current students.

Our international teams

We have teams based in Leeds and overseas that can offer you general support and advice in your country or region.

Student Information Service

Our Student Information Service is your first point of contact for any questions you might have, at any point in your university journey. Our friendly teams can help you with start-up processes and all other aspects of university life.

English language support

We provide free English language workshops and consultations that you can fit around your studies to help you develop your academic language skills during your degree. Our Language Zone also has resources and activities for practising and developing English for everyday life as well as academic situations.