What can you expect from the University of Leeds campus?

The University of Leeds is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK, situated in the county of West Yorkshire, England.

Despite its big size, the university’s academic facilities, social spaces and sports centres are all conveniently located on a single campus, making it easy for students to get around and enjoy everything available to them.

Within the campus, there are over 300 clubs and societies for students to get involved in.

Plus, it is only a short walk away from Leeds City Centre.

Read on to find out about some of the the campus’ highlights, from the perspectives of international students who have completed their degrees at Leeds.

Hidden gems on campus

‘One of the best things about the university is that every library and study hall comes with an amazing café. The Edit Room in the Edward Boyle library is the perfect place to grab a bite and get a coffee whilst getting on with your seminar readings in the library or whilst you attend lectures.

‘Libraries are not the only places where you find cafes. The lovely café in the Roger Stevens building (a lecture hall) is probably the most picturesque places on the university campus to relax and replenish. Whether you are sitting inside the café and peering over at the pond or having a much closer view of the gleaming goldfishes while sitting outside, there is no better way to enjoy a British cup of tea.

‘Another amazing feature at the Roger Stevens building is the outdoor cinema screening. This is a great way of relaxing with friends after a full day of lectures and meetings. The tickets are usually £5 and the screenings are a mix of independent and classic movies, such as Clueless, Romeo and Juliet, Jurassic Park and Back to the Future.’

Leeds University Union

‘The Leeds University Union (LUU) is the heart of the university and a mini version of the city of Leeds on its own.

‘In terms of social spots, there is so much that the LUU has to offer. One of them is the Common Ground café. Students come here to do their work amidst a more relaxed and informal setting. The atmosphere here is vibrant and can sometimes be a welcome contrast to the quietness of the libraries.

‘The café also hosts social events like ‘Global Café’, which you can attend every Monday evening. Global Café is a social event where students from all over the world come and mingle and make new friends.

‘Apart from Common Ground café, the LUU also houses bars like the Old bar and Terrace where students participate in events like pub quizzes and sport screenings. To add to the fun, there are also nightclubs like Pyramid and Stylus where the union hosts themed parties and welcome socials.’

Social life

‘When it comes to managing your social life at the university, the easiest and best way is to join societies and clubs.

With over 300 options to choose from, there’s bound to be at least one society or club that suits your interests. Not only will this help you to grow your social network but joining these clubs can also help to instil feelings of comfort and community- which can be especially valuable to international students who may sometimes experience feeling homesick.

Additionally, there are various workshops held by the Career Centre, including language skills workshops, giving you the opportunity to develop your academic skills amongst like-minded peers.’

For more information on our partners, the University of Leeds visit the Chevening partners page