From Grade II listed buildings to rooftop gardens, find out what the libraries at University of Leeds have to offer.
Situated in the county of West Yorkshire, the University of Leeds is one of the UK’s largest higher education institutions.
With over 300 clubs and societies to choose from, the university boasts a vibrant campus culture. But when it comes to studying for exams, writing assignments, and gathering research, the university’s libraries are central to student life.
Read on to find out everything there is to know about the libraries at the University of Leeds from the perspective of international students.
Brotherton Library
‘The University of Leeds is home to the largest research library in the north and the 4th largest in the whole of the UK.
‘Established in 1936 and listed as a Grade II Beaux-Arts building, the Brotherton Library is the university’s oldest library. It is named after Edward Brotherton, 1st Baron Brotherton, who donated £100,000 to the university to fund the construction of the library. The architecture and interior have been preserved since its inauguration, so it gives a traditional, historical feel to the library.
‘In addition to many books about languages and the arts, the library also has a separate section called The Special Collections Research Centre, which houses thousands of rare books, manuscripts, arts, and archives.’
Edward Boyle Library
‘At the heart of the University of Leeds campus lies Edward Boyle Library (or as the students call it, Eddy B). This is the biggest library on campus and provides students with 6 floors of study space.
‘What’s special about Eddy B is that it has a dedicated floor for postgraduate and postgraduate research students. It has a mix of silent study, group study, IT clusters, and accessible study spaces and thus is quite popular among students, especially during exam season when it’s open 24 hours for those late-night cram sessions!
‘Eddy B is also home to an onsite café called The Edit Room. It’s the perfect place to unwind between long study sessions and catch up with friends over a cup of tea.’
Laidlaw Library
‘The Laidlaw Library is the university’s newest library. With state-of-the art facilities, low energy lighting, and solar panels in the roof, it is rated “excellent” by the BREEAM sustainability design standard.
‘This library is popular among students because it has a wide variety of seating and workspaces from individual desks to bookable group pods and rooms. You can even enjoy a view of the rooftop garden beehives or Leeds skyline while doing your work.
‘The Laidlaw Library is also home to Skills@Library which supports students to develop their academic skills through online resources, workshops, 1-2-1 consultations, and drop-in sessions.’
Health Science Library
‘Finally, the Health Science Library, as the name suggests, holds books and core texts of medical and health related subjects.
‘Located in a quieter area of campus, it is the perfect place for those who like to study in silence without any distractions. There is also a café next door where you can buy delicious coffee, sandwiches, bakeries, and snacks.
‘Whichever library you choose, staff will be there to help you make the most of it.’
For more information about the University of Leeds and our other partner universities, visit the Chevening partners page.
The UK is a diverse and inclusive country, and the Chevening scholarship programme is proud to support talented individuals from all backgrounds. Read on to find out more about the wide-ranging support services available at UK universities.
Studying for a master’s degree in the UK can improve your chances of securing the job of your dreams. Find out more about what to expect from studying in the UK on a fully funded Chevening Scholarship.
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