The University of Leeds - everything you need to know about studying at the University of Leeds

1. Tips and advice for living in Leeds
2. How to get to Leeds - Getting to Leeds by train, plane or coach
3. Public Transport in Leeds - How to get around Leeds by train or bus
4. First things to do when you arrive in Leeds
5. Student life in Leeds
6. Cost of living in Leeds
7. Save money in Leeds - Tips for living in Leeds on a student budget
8. Accommodation for students in Leeds - top tips and advice
9. Neighbourhoods in Leeds - The most important areas in Leeds
10. The University of Leeds - Everything you need to know about studying at the University of Leeds
11. Top 4 Best Student Events in Leeds
12. Top 15 Leeds Attractions - The best things to do and see in Leeds
13. Activities in Leeds
14. The Best Cultural Attractions in Leeds
15. Sports in Leeds
16. Nightlife in Leeds - Nightclub guide and going out in Leeds
17. Where to eat in Leeds - Leeds specialities and British cuisine
18. Shopping in Leeds
19. Festivals in Leeds - Festivities and celebrations Calendar
20. Music Scene in Leeds
21. Day trips from Leeds - Places to visit and excursions around Leeds
22. Visiting Leeds in 3 days - What to see in Leeds in 3 days?

Freshers Week at Leeds

There is no doubt that you have heard of Freshers' Week, the big welcome week at UK universities before academic life gets into full swing. There are lots of events going on, ranging from freshers’ fairs, freebies, welcome events and nights out.

Freshers’ Fair is a great chance to find out more about all the Clubs and Societies which are on offer in Leeds. You can talk to the club representatives, find out about what they’ve got to offer, pricing, etc.

To find out more, take a look at our Ultimate Guide to Freshers' Week here or read this Erasmus students experience of her first week in the UK!

The Leeds Student Union

The Students Union is a not-for-profit organisation with aims to make all students have the best time at Leeds possible. It is the largest one in the UK and it is fit with bars, stages and entertainment.

It is run by the Student Exec team which is made up of 6 members, all of whom are voted for by members of the University. The Union is a hub on campus and at the heart of all student affairs. It comes with a big host of amenities too.

Union Square

Union Square is one of the coolest places in the Union, located on the ground floor. It is home to lots of different food outlets, a beauticians, and even a Santander bank.

Here is a list of amenities:

• Pamper Me beauty Salon

• Bayfields Optician

• Wok and Go

• Humpit

• Proper Pasty Company

• Santander

• Joblink

• Pearls Bubble Tea

• Coop

• Union Shop

• Microwaves to heat up your lunch between lectures.

If you want to find out more, take a look at this student blog about what you can find in the Union building!

The Language zone

The Language Zone is an important part of the University of Leeds, as much for home and international students as for staff members. It is a hub located on the second floor of the Brotherton Library, where you can access language-learning resources free of charge, in over 50 languages.

You can rent DVDs (using your student ID), read books and magazines or access textbooks that you couldn’t otherwise afford. There are also dedicated computers with translation software and language-learning programmes too!

Moreover, there are also groups and workshops to help you improve your language skills, such as language exchanges or just even groups to meet up and learn with people studying the same language as you!

Clubs and Societies in Leeds

Leeds student union boasts over 300 clubs and societies, ranging from subject societies, dance, rugby or even a quidditch society!

Joining a society is the perfect way to involve yourself with the student community, as well as making new friends who share the same interests as you! Societies will have different meet-ups and events where you can do activities as part of a group and will often offer relevant discounts to their members too.

As for the sports societies, they usually have matches every Wednesday afternoon, which is celebrated with a “social” (a society meet-up) afterwards in the evening to go out and celebrate.

University of Leeds Libraries

Brotherton Library

The Brotherton Library is a Grade 2 Listed Beaux-Arts building located inside the Parkinson Building on the Main Campus. It is the main arts and humanities library and it is known for its striking columns in the main reading room and also for being typically less modern than the other universities on campus. It is also home to the Special Collections Research Centre which is home to thousands of rare books, manuscripts and art.

There are both silent and group study spaces, computer clusters, and the Parkinson Court Cafe outside of the library.

Laidlaw Library

This is the dedicated undergraduate library which opened in May 2015. It is conveniently located at the campus entrance next to the Emmanuel Centre and It has over 1,000 study spaces both silent and for groups. There is also a Cafe Nero on the ground floor which you can get 10 percent off at with your student card.

However, Laidlaw Library is extremely popular and it can be impossible to find a seat there during exam season if you don’t go there early in the morning.

Edward Boyle Library

The Edward Boyle library, known as Eddy B by students, is located in the centre of campus and is the main library for science and engineering students. It is very big and you are almost always guaranteed to find a seat. It also has dedicated water points to fill up your bottle on each floor.

Eddy B also has a dedicated section for postgraduate students and private group study booths that you can book in advance.

Health Sciences Library

The Health Sciences Library is located on Level 7 of the Worsley Building on campus. As with all the other libraries, being conveniently located on campus, they are open for all students to use, even if it’s main function has nothing to do with your degree.

Places to Eat

Refectory

The refectory is Leeds’ on-campus canteen, which serves a range of hot and cold food every day, with lots of different options available, including breakfast (from 8-11 am), salad bar, deli bar, hot sandwiches, pizza and pasta, hot wok and more…

Also, as a fun fact… Did you know that in the evenings the Refectory has turned into a music venue hosting some of the world’s biggest artists, such as Led Zeppelin, Queen and The Who?

Hugo

Hugo is a little van turned cafe, located outside the Leeds University Union on campus. It serves delicious food everyday, such as croissants, baguettes and pastries.

LUU Farmers Market - Campus Market held every Monday

Every Monday, there is a Market on campus outside the union, from 9 am till 4 pm. There is a huge range of food and produce stalls, such as a crepe stall, fresh-fruit smoothies, organic fruit and veg and home-made cakes and brownies.

It is a great chance to buy locally and support Leeds businesses and have a delicious between-lecture snack on campus!

Gear

Gear is located on the ground floor of Leeds Student Union and it is the perfect place to get your hands on all the University of Leeds merch. From green Varsity t-shirts to University of Leeds gym wear and mugs… you can represent the university head to toe if your heart desires!

Sustainability at the University of Leeds

In 2018, the University of Leeds pledged to be single use plastic-free by 2023. By 2019, 1 million pieces of single plastic had already been removed from across the University.

There are incentives to being sustainable too, aside from helping the planet, as if you bring your own coffee cup to any of the on-campus coffee shops you will receive a 10 percent discount on the price of the hot drinks.

Help and Support

Studying at University can be a really hard time in your life, and people do struggle, even if it looks like they are all having the time of their lives.

The University has lots of support systems in place to help you during your time at Leeds. From little problems like “where’s this building on campus?” to the more serious things such as bereavement, there will be someone to help you:

LUU Advice

You can find the Help and Support team in the Union Foyer in blue t-shirts, who you can chat to without an appointment. They offer confidential and expert advice and no topic is too big or too small.

Student counselling and wellbeing

The University of Leeds offers a free counselling service to help you deal with problems which may be taking a toll on you, like bereavement, low mood or academic problems. They will help you establish the best next steps to take and to make the most of your time at Leeds.

Big White Wall

The Big White Wall is an online safe space which is available 24/7, 365 days a year, and offers a mix of peer and professional support. It is the perfect place to anonymously get things off of your chest… Did you know that ¾ of members have reported feeling better after using it?

Residence Life in Halls of Residences

This organisation ensures that students who live in university have a good quality of time. Their role includes solving any problems with accommodation facilities, providing support and organising hall activities.

Leeds Nightline

Leeds nightline is a confidential telephone and IM service which offers support to students. It is available during term time from 8pm till 8 am.

Personal Tutor

Your personal tutor is a member of academic staff in your school who can give you advice and whom you are able to speak to confidentially. You will have three pre-arranged meetings with them in the first year and 2 each year in the following years. They can also provide a reference for you after you graduate.

IT Service Desk

The IT service desk can help you with lost work, forgotten passwords and they even offer free daily laptop loans!

• Return to "Neighbourhoods in Leeds - The most important areas in Leeds"
• Continue to "Top 4 Best Student Events in Leeds"

Photo gallery