The Complete Guide to The University of Leicester

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

The University of Leicester was founded in 1921 from a donation by a local businessman to create a living memorial for the locals of Leicester who made sacrifices during the First World War. 

The reason is reflected in their motto; Ut vitam habeant – “so that they may have life”, and have life, the university did. 

Fast forward to today, the University has become home to 200,000 students worldwide, offering world-class education along the way!

Total Student Population	14,000
Percentage of International Students	31%
Teaching Faculty-to-Student Ratio	1:13
Graduate Employability Rate	81.4% (The Complete University Guide 2025)

1.2 University of Leicester Rankings 2025

The University of Leicester sits in #285 place under the QS World University Rankings and has subjects placing in the Top 50 and up to Top 250 of the QS Subject Ranking league.

QS Subject Category	Ranking For 2025
Archaeology	#40
Communication and Media Studies	#101 – 150
English Language and Literature	#101 – 150
Sports Related-Subjects	#101 – 150
Earth and Marine Sciences	#151 – 200
Geology	#151 – 200
Geophysics	#151 – 200
Nursing	#151 – 225
Medicine	#195
History	#201 – 250
Sociology	#201 – 250
Life Sciences and Medicine	#241

2. Student Life & Living Cost

2.1 University of Leicester Campuses

University of Leicester Campus

Key Highlights

• The campus houses buildings dating from as old as 1837!
• The campus is compact but is home to state-of-the-art facilities and award-winning buildings. 
• The University of Leicester’s key landmark buildings are built in the 1960s; the Engineering Building, Attenborough Tower, and the Charles Wilson Building.

How To Get There
🗺️ 2km away from the Leicester City Centre

• The closest train station is the Leicester Railway Station, a 15-minute walk from campus
• Buses from campus have a frequency of 12 minutes. 
• Students can also walk 30 minutes to the city centre, where the key amenities are located.

2.2 Learning Facilities

Images won’t do justice to the facilities at the University of Leicester, which are deemed state-of-the-art and purpose-built. Here are some videos to catch a sneak peek of what you could use in the future!

2.3 Recreational Facilities

The University of Leicester houses 2 state of the art sports centres on campus; the Danielle Brown Sports Centre and the Roger Bettles Sports Centre. Both sports facilities were recently upgraded with the latest equipment in 2023!

2.4 Student Activities

The Leicester Students’ Union runs over 250 clubs and societies at the University of Leicester! Students can find sports clubs and societies, participate in volunteer initiatives the LSU organises, and even seek help from the student union!

2.6  University of Leicester Accommodation and Cost

There is plenty of room in the on-campus accommodations at the University of Leicester! Split between traditional halls and city residences, have a look at where you could be staying for a year!

University of Leicester Accommodations

On-Campus (The Village)

Gilbert Murray Hall

• Bowder Court (from GBP 179/week)
• Clivedon House (from GBP 115/week)
• Gilbert Murray Houses (from GBP 106/week)
• Manorcroft Lodge (from GBP 111/week)
• Southmeade Court (from GBP 79/week)
• Shirley House ((from GBP 69/week)
• Shirley Lodge (from GBP 92/week)

Beaumont Hall

• Beaumont Lodges (from GBP 84/week)
• Glebe Court (from GBP 119/week)
• Knighton Court (from GBP 157/week)
• Southmeade House (from GBP 69/week)
• Rocklands (from GBP 123/week)

John Foster Hall

• Ashcroft House (from GBP 129/week)
• John Foster Houses (from GBP 69/week)
• The Coppice (from GBP 126/week)
• The Pavilions (from GBP 159/week)
• Wighton House (from GBP 118/week)

Stamford Hall

• Lasdun (from GBP 79/week)
• Stamford Houses (from GBP 103/week)

On-Campus (The Village)

Nixon Court

• Nixon Court Blocks A-E (from GBP 98/week)
• Nixon Court Blocks F-K (from GBP 184/week)

Freemens Common (from GBP 159/week) 

Off-Campus

Nearby towns: Highfields, Evington Valley, Bede Island, City Centre

Cost of Living in Leicester

Leicester ranks 9th in the UK’s most affordable city for students according to the Natwest Student Living Index 2023. As such, students are expected to spend approximately GBP 1,023 per month on accommodation, study materials, transport, groceries, and social expenditures.

While the city is cost-efficient for students, living costs can still differ based on students’ lifestyles!

3. Courses, Fees & Scholarships

3.1 Courses You Can Study At The University of Leicester

Fields Of Study	Coursses
Accounting & Finance	Accounting, Finance
Biological Sciences	Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology, Neuroscience
Business Management & Marketing	Business & Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing
Computer Science	Computer Science, Creative Computing, Software Engineering
Economics	Business Economics, Economics, Financial Economics
Engineering	Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Healthcare	Clinical Sciences, Diagnostic Radiography, Medicinal Chemistry, Nursing, Pharmacy
Law	Criminology, Law (LLB)
Media & Communication	Film & Media Studies, Journalism, Media & Communication
Medicine	Medicine (MBChB)
Psychology	Applied Psychology, Psychology

3.2 Course Fees At The University of Leicester

We have also saved you the hassle and compiled the full list of the university’s detailed course fees into one article below. Check it out and share it!

Coming Soon!

3.3 University of Leicester Scholarships

These are some of the scholarships offered by the University of Leicester to international students. Check out the full list here. (Coming Soon)

Scholarships	Details
International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship	GBP 3,000 – 5,000 per year (Not awarded to Medicine & LLB degrees)

3.4 Popular Courses At The University of Leicester

Mechanical Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering course at the University of Leicester is popular due to its ability to be focused, and all-rounded simultaneously! 

Structure-wise, the university offers specific engineering disciplines, which allows the faculty to have full focus on them, namely: 

• Aerospace Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• General Engineering

In terms of all-roundedness, the university embeds hard and soft skills into the curriculum, ensuring that students graduate and are ready for the real world, boosted by employability skills essential to the multidisciplinary landscape of today’s industry. 

The Mechanical Engineering course is housed in a purpose-built Leicester Engineering Building. Here, students will work with others of other disciplines as part of the core of their learning experience. The building also houses student workshops with traditional and modern manufacturing equipment, as well as an Advanced Microscopy Facility and the Charles Wilson Wind Tunnel. 

At the University of Leicester, flexibility is key, and Mechnical Engineering students canto enjoy the unique options to their course. Undergraduate (BEng) students are free to choose these pathways after Year 2:

• Year Abroad – Students can choose to study abroad with the university’s many academic partners. 

• Year in Industry – Students can spend a year in a work placement. Industry partners include: Rolls-Royce, the Aston Martin F1 Team, Ford Motors, Network Rails, and Jaguar Land Rover. 

• Convert to MEng – A fast track to Chartered Engineer status, students can also choose to extend a year to graduate with an Integrated Master. 

The Mechanical Engineering course is accredited by the Institute of Engineering and Technology a signatory of the Washington Accord, which allows students to practice globally after they graduate. 

Law Studies

Students pursuing Law here will be provided a solid grounding in the foundations of legal knowledge. The curriculum covers fundamentals like contract and criminal law, but students also have the freedom to explore areas of interest such as human rights, IP, corporate, family, property, and medical law.

While that is unique in itself, what makes the university’s LLB course a popular option is the things you can do outside of the classroom that will help you through your studies! Many extracurricular activities help enhance your skills and fast-track your career. 

• Legal Advice Clinic – Students can sign up to be volunteers at the clinic, where they can advise real clients and support the local community at Leicester County Court. 

• The Pro Bono Society – Students can advise real clients,  manage their caseloads locally or globally, and carry out research to support vulnerable people on death row in the USA. The University of Leicester is one of only 2 universities doing this. 

• Legal competitions – The Leicester University Law Society organises mooting, debating, client interviewing, and mediation competitions at the brand new dedicated moot courtroom and grand debating chamber. 

• Networking events – The University of Leicester holds an annual law fair that attracts over 40 top law firms. 

• Commercial Awareness programmes – The LULS runs this to ensure students know the current needs and wants of employers and clients. 

The Law courses at the University of Leicester also satisfy the entry requirements for professional courses like the Solicitors Qualifying Exam and the Bar training pathways. The University’s LLB program is also recognised by the Legal Practice Qualifications Board of Malaysia, boosting employability chances at home. 

Business Management Courses

The Business Management course at the University of Leicester aims to give students a comprehensive insight into a broad range of subjects, which includes management, marketing, human resource management, business ethics, and innovation. 

The university does so by using a multidisciplinary approach, where the Human Resource Management BA and Marketing BA will share the same first-year modules as the Business Management course. This exposes the realities of management and managerial experience in a variety of contexts to the students. 

Students will be based in the new GBP 16 million Brookfield School of Business campus. The new campus features a variety of teaching and learning spaces, which consists of state-of-the-art seminar rooms and lecture theatres, along with plenty of study spaces for both group and independent study. 

Apart from the facilities mentioned in the Brookfield campus, there are also 15 dual-screen Bloomberg terminals to let students see how traders work. The terminals will give students industry-leading data, research news, and analytics for a glimpse into their future careers.

At the University of Leicester, students will also have opportunities for professional development through practice as well. Students can apply for a year in industry, where they can work and learn from industry experts such as Barclays, KPMG, Deloitte, and Ernst and Young. 

Media And Communication

The University of Leicester has been at the forefront of media research since 1966 and has one of the largest academic communities focusing on media and communication in the UK today. The university is ranked 30 in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework 2021, according to Times Higher Education. 

Students will study a wide range of issues in the field of media and communication, mainly and specialise by choosing from 4 different routes: 

• Mass Communication
• New and Digital Media
• Media Practice
• Film and Cultural Studies

Students will also have the freedom to develop their study path by choosing modules that they are interested in the most, such as media production, audiences, media policy, film, television, and more. 

With the media scene being highly practical, there are many opportunities provided outside of the classroom that can help a student thrive in the industry once they are out of school. Students are encouraged to be involved in student-run media on campus, including Galaxy, the university’s student magazine, LUST, the student TV station, and LUSH Radio, the student radio station. 

The career services department also organise external speaker events, industry visits and career development training in collaboration with local and national media organisations, which can provide valuable insights into the professional media world. 

Upon graduation, students also have the opportunity to work for companies such as American Express, BBC, Sky Media, and more, thanks to the strong partnerships in industry that the University of Leicester has. 

4. Entry Requirements & Intake Dates

4.1  University Of Leicester Entry Requirements 2025

Minimum entry requirements for Degree:

• UEC: 6B
• STPM: BBB
• A-Level: BBB
• IB: 30 points
• Foundation: Completion of Foundation
• Diploma: Completion of Diploma

Minimum language proficiency requirements (IELTS):

• Undergraduate: 6.5 Overall
• Postgraduate: 6.5 Overall

Some courses may require you to earn higher entry requirements and additional qualifications.

4.2 University Of Leicester Intake Periods for 2025

The intake periods for 2025 are as follows:

• Degree: September, January
• Postgraduate: September, January

Please note that the intake periods may vary depending on the courses. For specific intake periods and dates, click here (Coming Soon!).

4.3 Admission Process For Studying in the UK

Want more guides to help you navigate around studying abroad, or might want to have more options? Here are some more articles that can help!

• The Ultimate Study In UK Guide For Malaysian Students
• Top 20 Important Questions to Ask Your Study Abroad Consultant
• Education Consultant: A Free Study Abroad Guide

5. Student Testimonials & Alumni

5.1 Student Testimonials

From social activities to studies, hear what the students have to say about the University of Leicester!

5.2 Notable Alumni

With over 200,000 alumni who have managed to make the University of Leicester their home, here are some who have made a name for themselves:

• Phelan Hill – Olympic Gold Medalist in Cosxwain (Rowing). (Law)
• Martin Löb  – Mathematician, founder of Löb’s Theorem (Mathematics)

6. Conclusion

Be a citizen, and give life to your dreams! Your journey to the University of Leicester is just beginning; all you need is to take the first step.

Need some time? We’ve got study abroad consultants here to help you out with your application process! 

SEE OTHER UNI GUIDES

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