The University of Leicester was founded almost a hundred years ago in the aftermath of the Great War. The men and women who built this new institution hoped that it would be not only a living memorial to the darkness of their recent past, but a beacon of hope for the future. Their aim was that sacrifices made in war should be commemorated through education and research that would change the world for the better. Today our University is a lively, energetic and global community, in which dedicated and talented people are anticipating, working towards and helping to shape the future.

We are committed both to undertaking research that saves, improves and enriches lives, and to fostering a teaching and learning environment that transforms the prospects of our students and those they will go on to influence. Find out about some of our greatest discoveries.

We envision being a University which is open to talent, not privilege and accessible to everyone with the ability to benefit from higher education.

A multicultural city

Over 330,000 people now live in Leicester, making it the tenth largest city in the UK.It has all the attractions of a major city with the benefits of a safe atmosphere and low cost of living.

The city is proud of its cultural diversity, with many races and religions living side by side providing an array of festivals and cultural experiences to enjoy.

Ideally located in the centre of England, Leicester is the perfect base from which to visit other nearby cities, including Nottingham and Birmingham and is just 160km – or 70 minutes’ train journey – from London, providing easy access to the UK’s capital.

Campus life

The University occupies an attractive campus close to the vibrant city centre and offers a wide range of catered and self-catered University-managed accommodation to suit all tastes. We guarantee accommodation to all new students who apply before specified deadlines. The city also offers a good supply of private sector accommodation.

The University Library has been completely refurbished and extended as part of a £300 million campus development plan, and was opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 2008.

Other campus services include restaurants, a bookshop, sports facilities and a health centre. Our newly-redeveloped Students’ Union includes a 1,750-capacity entertainment venue, shops, cafes, a bank and a student advice centre.

New international students at Leicester are invited to take part in our International Welcome Week, a programme of fun and informative activities that help students to settle into their new life in the UK and meet other likeminded students.