University of Leeds
A large Russell Group university on a single campus a short walk from Leeds city centre, with roots in 1831 medicine.
- International
- 39%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 14.4:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £27,300
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1904
About Leeds
The University of Leeds received its royal charter in 1904, but its story starts earlier: the Leeds School of Medicine opened in 1831 and the Yorkshire College of Science in 1874, one of the first colleges open to students of all faiths and backgrounds. Today it is one of the largest universities in the UK, with more than 37,000 students, and a member of the Russell Group.
Almost everything happens on one campus just north of the city centre, around the Parkinson Building's clock tower, the Brotherton and Laidlaw libraries and the Great Hall. The university offers a very wide course list across arts, humanities, social sciences, business, engineering, the physical and biological sciences, and medicine and health, and many degrees can be extended with an industrial placement or a year studying abroad.
Leeds suits students who want a big, busy university with a strong students' union and a lively city on the doorstep. More than 14,400 international students from 137 countries study here. It is a good fit for applicants who like choice: joint honours, industrial years and a broad range of optional modules are built into many programmes.
Et augebitur scientia
“And knowledge will be increased” — university motto
Why students choose Leeds
A single-site campus a short walk from the city centre, so teaching, libraries, the union and the city are all within walking distance.
Many degrees, such as Computer Science, offer an optional one-year work placement or study abroad year at a reduced fee (1,505 pounds for UK students in 2027/28).
The Access to Leeds contextual admissions scheme can lower offers for eligible UK applicants, for example to ABB for Medicine and Computer Science.
Medicine students start clinical placements in year one across West Yorkshire healthcare settings.
Admissions
Entry in September 2027 (UCAS 2027 cycle)
Selectivity
Leeds does not publish an overall admit rate. Offers are set per course, typically between AAB and AAA at A-level for the courses checked, with lower Access to Leeds offers for eligible UK applicants.
Typical entry requirements
| A-levels | Course-specific, e.g. AAA including Mathematics for Computer Science; AAB with A in English for English Literature; AAA including Chemistry and Biology for Medicine. University minimum is three A-levels. |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | University minimum 31 points; e.g. 35 points with 16 at HL (including 6 in HL English) for English Literature, 36 points with 6,6,6 at HL for Medicine |
| Access to Leeds (contextual) | Typically two grades below the standard offer, e.g. ABB for Computer Science and Medicine, BBB for English Literature, plus completion of the scheme |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 Varies by course: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component for English Literature; 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each for Computer Science. |
Deadlines
- UCAS (Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary) Non-binding Next deadline · In 9 days15 October 2026
Leeds Medicine does not accept late applications or take part in UCAS Extra. MMIs for 2027 entry are scheduled for 4 to 6 January 2027.
- Access to Leeds (medical and dental applicants) Non-binding In 15 days21 October 2026
Access to Leeds applications open 21 September 2026.
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
All other courses; later applications may be considered if places remain.
- Access to Leeds (all other courses) Non-binding In ~4 months21 January 2027
Leeds says universities must issue decisions by 12 May 2027 and teaching begins on 27 September 2027.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS. UK applicants who meet the criteria can also apply to the Access to Leeds contextual scheme by its own deadline. Medicine applicants must sit the UCAT and attend a Multiple Mini-Interview if shortlisted.
What admissions looks for
- Grades that meet the course's typical offer, including named subjects (for example Mathematics for Computer Science, English for English Literature, Chemistry and Biology for Medicine).
- For Medicine, a points-based shortlist built from the top eight GCSEs (grade 6 minimum in at least six, including Maths, English Language and science), predicted grades, UCAT score and contextual factors.
- Performance at Multiple Mini-Interviews for Medicine.
- Contextual background: Access to Leeds recognises applicants from under-represented groups with lower offers.
Tips for applying to Leeds
- 1 Check whether you are eligible for Access to Leeds and apply to it separately by 21 October 2026 (medicine and dentistry) or 21 January 2027 (other courses).
- 2 Leeds Medicine does not accept late applications, so submit by 15 October 2026 and keep 4 to 6 January 2027 free for MMIs.
- 3 IB applicants should look at the Higher Level total and specific HL grades on each course page, not just the overall score.
- 4 Consider the industrial or study abroad year versions of courses; the placement year fee is much lower than a normal year.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
UK students can fund tuition and living costs through government student loans, and eligible UK applicants can receive lower offers through Access to Leeds. The university says more than 14 million pounds in scholarships is available each year to international students starting in 2026.
- More than 14 million pounds per year
- International scholarships (2026 starters)
- 1,505 pounds (UK), 4,575 pounds (international)
- Placement or study abroad year fee, 2027/28
- 6,670 to 18,170 pounds
- Living cost range, 39 weeks (2026/27)
Academics
Medicine and Surgery MBChB
Clinical placements from year one across West Yorkshire, with selection by UCAT and Multiple Mini-Interviews.
Computer Science BSc
BCS-accredited, with specialist routes in Artificial Intelligence and High-Performance Graphics and Games Engineering and an optional industrial year.
English Literature BA
Research-led teaching that includes Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, with optional study abroad and placement years.
Dental Surgery BChD
One of the UK's professional dental degrees, sitting alongside Leeds' long-established medical school.
Research
- The university has won three Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
- Leeds contributed 1.9 billion pounds to the Leeds City Region economy in 2021/22, according to the university.
- It holds a QAA commendation for enhancing student learning, and 33 of its staff hold National Teaching Fellowships.
Student life
Leeds is a campus university inside a city: halls, libraries and the Leeds University Union sit on or near one site north of the centre, and the student newspaper The Gryphon has covered campus life for generations. The campus mixes Victorian and Edwardian buildings such as the Great Hall and the Parkinson Building with listed post-war architecture and a public art trail. With more than 37,000 students, there is a club or society for most interests and a large international community.
- Leeds University Union is one of the centres of student life and hosts gigs, societies and events.
- The Brotherton Library and the Laidlaw Library are major study spaces on campus.
- A public art trail runs across campus, including Simon Fujiwara's 9-metre A Spire outside the Laidlaw Library.
- More than 14,400 international students from 137 countries.
Location
Leeds is a large, student-heavy city in West Yorkshire with a compact centre, big shopping and music scenes, and quick access to the Yorkshire Dales. The campus sits a short walk from the city centre, and many students move into shared houses in nearby areas after first year. Leeds Bradford Airport and the city's main railway station connect it to the rest of the UK.
Nearest airport: Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA)
Notable alumni
- KS Keir StarmerLabour politician who became UK Prime Minister in 2024; studied law at Leeds
- CC Catherine ConnollyPresident of Ireland
- JS Jack StrawFormer UK Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary
- PS Piers SellersNASA astronaut and climate scientist
- CP Chris PineHollywood actor; spent a year at Leeds as an exchange student
- EM Emma MackeyActor, known for Sex Education
Frequently asked questions
What is the University of Leeds' QS ranking for 2027?
Leeds is equal 77th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
What A-levels do you need for Leeds?
It depends on the course: for 2027 entry Computer Science asks for AAA including Maths, English Literature AAB with an A in English, and Medicine AAA with Chemistry and Biology.
What is Access to Leeds?
It is the university's contextual admissions scheme for eligible UK applicants, which usually lowers the offer (for example to ABB for Computer Science). You apply to it separately by 21 October 2026 for medicine and dentistry or 21 January 2027 for other courses.
How much are tuition fees at Leeds for 2027?
UK students starting in 2027/28 pay 10,050 pounds a year. International fees depend on the course, for example 27,300 pounds for English Literature, 33,700 for Computer Science and 50,500 for Medicine.
Does Leeds Medicine require the UCAT?
Yes. All Medicine applicants must sit the UCAT in the year they apply, and shortlisted candidates attend Multiple Mini-Interviews, scheduled for 4 to 6 January 2027.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to Leeds in the QS World University Rankings 2027.