University of Leeds

Established in 1904 the University of Leeds is one of the largest Universities in the UK, with more than 39,000 students, including over 13,400 international students, from over 137 different countries.

From day one, you’ll be studying among internationally renowned and inspirational academics working at the forefront of their fields; some will have even written your textbooks. Leeds also has one of the largest range of courses on offer in the UK, with more than 300 undergraduate and 200 taught postgraduate programmes taught across our seven faculties.

A member of the Russell Group, the University of Leeds is ranked in the top 100 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and ranked Top 10 university for research in the UK (Research Excellence Framework 2021). The results of the Research Excellence Framework 2021 identified that 90% of our submitted research has a quality rating of “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”.

Leeds is a lively, multicultural city in the centre of the UK, with the University campus just a 10-minute walk from the city centre. We have everything you’d expect from the UK’s third-largest and fastest-growing city and we’re surrounded by beautiful, accessible countryside.

Leeds is one of the UK’s largest centres for business, legal and financial services and one of the top 10 most popular student cities in the UK (QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026).

Who do the University of Leeds support?

The University of Leeds welcomes applications from all Chevening-eligible countries.

This year, the University of Leeds is also generously co-funding a number of Chevening Awards available to applicants who wish to study one of these specific programmes:

• MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
• MA International Communication
• MSc Sustainability, Environment and Development
• MSc Climate Futures: Science, Society and Politics
• MSc Sustainable Food Systems and Food Security
• MSc Engineering Geology
• MSc Economics
• MSc International Business
• MSc Geographical Information Science
• MSc Urban Science and Analytics
• MSc Environmental Data Science and Analytics
• MPH Public Health International
• MSc International Health
• MSc Molecular Medicine
• MSc Cancer Biology and Therapy
• MRes Medicine

All applicants who wish to be considered for an award at Leeds are encouraged to select the university as their first preference within their Chevening application.

Chevening and the University of Leeds

The University of Leeds aims to attract outstanding scholars with leadership potential from across the world to our study programmes, with an emphasis on diversity in culture and perspective and seeks to educate scholars to become informed and responsible citizens to make leading contributions internationally.

Chevening scholarships have attracted academically gifted, highly motivated scholars to the University of Leeds, who have made valuable contributions to the institution, both intellectually and in terms of our global community of staff and researchers.

Since Chevening scholars are chosen after a rigorous selection process, the University can be confident that the new scholars arriving each year will be of the highest calibre and amongst the very best from their home countries.

By partnering with Chevening, we have been able to increase knowledge and opportunity for international scholars, who are then able to take this knowledge back to their home country and act as worldwide ambassadors for the UK and the University of Leeds.

The partnership brings exceptional scholars to the University, who can build and sustain our cultural partnerships to enhance the student experience and to open up new opportunities for scholarship and research. Chevening scholars contribute to our classrooms, sharing their knowledge with peers, and become valued members of our global alumni community.

The University of Leeds student experience

Name: Thandeka Mashazi
Course: MSc Biodiversity with African field (2023-2024)

‘The Chevening scholarship has given me an opportunity to connect with people from all over the world. The slogan is ‘Scholar for a year and a Chevener for life.

And that is exactly what I walked away with from my Chevening year at the university of Leeds: a master’s degree from a Russell Group university, a camera full of memories and lifetime of friendships from all over the world.”

Name: John Carlo Timbol
Course: MPH Public Health (International) (2023-2024)

“The UK’s main attraction for me was its international, melting pot character, but few universities have established relationships with the Philippines the way the University of Leeds has done. Years before I even considered studying in the UK, the University of Leeds already had a joint programme with my country’s oldest university to train young Filipinos in public health.

Its academic staff is largely composed of LMIC-born professors, professors with LMIC heritage, or professors with years of experience working with colleagues in LMICs.

When I got a spot in the programme and met my classmates and professors, I didn’t need an adjustment period. I felt right at home.

I’ve since graduated from the programme and returned to the Philippines to continue practicing as a medical doctor and as a public health researcher and communicator. Some of the happiest days of my life I spent in Leeds. My only regret is that I couldn’t stay a bit longer.”

Name: Immaculate Kyamanywa
Course: MSc Corporate Communications, Marketing & PR (2023-2024)

“Pursuing a Master’s degree in the UK had always been a dream of mine, particularly because I sought an intensive one-year program that would complement my existing career trajectory without requiring an extended break from professional life.

Chevening scholarship opened doors to my ideal program i.e. a Master’s in Corporate Communications, Marketing and PR at the University of Leeds. With comprehensive support covering tuition, accommodation, monthly living expenses, and flights, I could dedicate myself entirely to academic excellence and maximise every opportunity the university offered.

I selected the University of Leeds for three compelling reasons: it offered a unique interdisciplinary program combining communications, marketing, and PR—a rare combination I couldn’t find elsewhere. Its strategic location provided easy access to explore the entire UK; and the city’s dynamic international community, coupled with exceptional student support services like the career centre, promised both academic and professional growth opportunities.”

Notable alumni

Notable alumni and affiliates of the University of Leeds include:

· UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister

· Olympic Triathletes Alistair Brownlee and Jonathan Brownlee

· NASA astronaut Piers Sellers

· Secretary General of the OECD Ángel Gurría

· Sir William Henry Bragg, OM, KBE, PRS (awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1915)

· Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka (awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986)

· Poet Laureate Simon Robert Armitage is professor of poetry at the University of Leeds.

Fun facts about the University of Leeds

Famous acts to play University of Leeds include The Who, whose legendary live album Live at Leeds was recorded there!

This is along with Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Marley, all performing at the iconic University Refectory.