University Guide
University of Leicester
The University of Leicester opened as a university college in 1921, founded as a living memorial to local people who made sacrifices during the First World War. It received its Royal Charter in 1957, gaining the right to award its own degrees. Today, its compact main campus sits beside Victoria Park, around a mile south of the city centre, bringing university life close to green space and Leicester’s shops, cafés and cultural attractions.
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The overview
The main things you need to know about studying at the University of Leicester.
Rankings
Leicester is ranked 33rd in the Complete University Guide 2027 and 31st in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027. It also received an overall Gold award in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023. Visit the university’s rankings page for further results.
Employability
From 2026/27, eligible campus-based undergraduates completing their whole programme at Leicester receive 100 hours of work-related learning within their degree. Activities can include employer-informed projects, simulations and virtual internships. The Careers and Employability Service provides further guidance, events and digital tools, with lifetime access to its services for graduates.
Fees
For 2026/27, standard undergraduate tuition fees for Home students are £9,790, with £10,050 currently expected for 2027/28. International undergraduate fees range from £22,200 to £26,550 for 2026/27, with separate rates for Medicine and foundation years. Home fees may rise during your course. Check your offer letter and the university’s tuition fee guidance for your programme, entry year and any additional costs.
Bursaries
For 2026/27 entrants, the University of Leicester Bursary provides eligible Home undergraduates with £1,000 annually, excluding industrial placement years. Eligibility includes completing a qualifying progression programme, or having both a household income of £30,000 or less and a home postcode in the most deprived IMD quintile. Students must be studying their first degree full-time on campus. Assessment is automatic, with course-specific exclusions. Other scholarships and bursaries support care leavers, international students, musicians and athletes.
Accommodation
Leicester’s university accommodation is split between The City, close to campus, and The Village, a greener setting connected by a university shuttle bus. At Freemen’s Common, 2026/27 single bedrooms cost £177 per week and standard en-suite rooms £224, on 42-week contracts. That totals £7,434 or £9,408 respectively. University accommodation includes utility bills and Wi-Fi, with basic contents insurance provided in most properties. New first-year undergraduates who apply before 1 September in their year of entry are guaranteed an offer of university-managed accommodation. Check the current application conditions and room availability before booking. You can also explore student accommodation in Leicester through AFS, comparing location, contract length and what the rent includes.
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Students' Union
The University of Leicester Students’ Union is based in the Percy Gee Building and offers societies, sport, volunteering, fundraising and social events. Its Advice Service helps with academic and housing concerns independently of the university. A peer mentoring scheme also supports new students as they settle into their studies and find their feet.
Famous for
The University won the first ever series of University Challenge in 1963. The campus’ College House was the childhood home of David and Richard Attenborough.
News
In October 2026, Leicester announced practical AI training for students with Microsoft. Following the rollout of Microsoft 365 Copilot through university accounts, the Copilot for Life programme offers workshops on using AI for everyday tasks, study and future careers, with an emphasis on responsible use.
Accommodation for Students says
“Brimming with independent cafes, a plethora of vintage shops and three universities’ worth of students thrown into the populous, there are always new hidden gems to find, and plenty of fun to be had".
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