University of Leicester, Leicester
Leicester, England | Estd in 1921 | Government University
THE Rank : 163 | QS Rank : 272
About University of Leicester
University of Leicester (UoL) is a public research university located in Leicester, UK. The university was established in 1921 and offers more than 300 academic programmes across its 4 colleges. Leicester University is accredited by the EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), and its Business programmes are accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
The University of Leicester is known for its research-oriented education with 75% of its research considered internationally excellent and ranked in the top 25 universities in the Times Higher Education REF Research Power rankings. The university is a three-time recipient of the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education and is also popular for being one of the most affordable universities in the UK. University of Leicester’s Emeritus Professor Jan Zalasiewicz has won the first Ig Nobel Prize for the university.
The University of Leicester's top majors include social sciences, engineering, medicine and healthcare, and space research. The University of Leicester's acceptance rate for international students is approximately 71%. The prospective students must provide proof of English Proficiency such as TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS scores, and GMAT for MBA programmes is required. The University of Leicester’s rankings are 272nd in the QS and 201-250th in THE rankings for 2024.
Spreading across 234 acres, Leicester University is home to 13,000 full-time, campus-based students with over 25% international students from more than 70 different countries. The University of Leicester's main campus is located adjacent to Victoria Park and houses cutting-edge facilities.
What’s new?
Leicester University undergraduate admissions happen through UCAS application which starts in September and ends in late January every year. The nearest application deadline is January 26, 2024, for undergraduate courses.
Also Read: Work Opportunities after study in the UK
University of Leicester Highlights
University of Leicester Ranking and Stats
The University of Leicester rankings suggest that it is one of the leading 500 universities in the world. The University has ranked 272nd in the world, 125th in Europe, and 34th in the UK by the QS University Rankings, 2024. The Times Higher Education 2024 Report has ranked Leicester 201-250th in the world and 26th in the UK. Leicester has shared the ranking with the University of Luxembourg and Korea University in THE, 2024.
The US News and World Report has ranked the university at 217th place in the world, 88th in Europe, and 24th place in the UK in its Best Global Universities Rankings. Leicester University has secured the 38th position in the Complete University Guide 2024 and the 48th position in the Guardian University Guide 2024.
What is Leicester University’s ranking in the UK?
Leicester University is consistently ranked in the top 20 universities in the UK. According to US News and World Report, 2023, the University of Leicester's ranking in the UK is 24. It has ranked 34th by the QS and 26th by THE in the UK for 2024 rankings. The Complete University Guide 2024 has placed Leicester at number 38 in the country.
What is the University of Leicester ranked in 2024?
The University of Leicester is among the top 500 universities in the world and ranked 272nd in the QS World University Rankings, 2024. The university was ranked number 279 in the QS 2023 rankings and has shown a significant improvement of 7 places over the last year. Overall, Leicester is a reputed university and is among the top 20 universities in the UK.
What is Leicester University ranked in the QS world ranking?
Leicester University is among the leading universities in the world and has been in the top 500 spot over the years. The university is ranked by several global ranking authorities and is placed at number 272 in the QS and 201-250th in the Times Higher Education rankings for 2024. Leicester University is ranked adjacent to the University of Luxembourg and Korea University in THE 2024 rankings.
Parametric Score and Ranking 2024
| Domain | Year | Score | Rank | Rank Band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2019 | 55.6 | 167 | NA |
| Overall | 2020 | 56.1 | 166 | NA |
| Overall | 2021 | 56 | 170 | NA |
| Overall | 2022 | 54.8 | 185 | NA |
| Overall | 2023 | 56.9 | 163 | NA |
| Overall | 2024 | NA | NA | 55.9-58.6 |
University of Leicester Courses
Leicester University offers over 200 undergraduate and postgraduate courses across its various Academic schools and departments. Some popular University of Leicester courses are Law, Mechanical Engineering, Marketing, Medicine, and Psychology. The University has ranked 501-550th in the QS WUR Ranking By Subject and two of its subjects- Endocrinology and Metabolism and Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems have ranked in the top 100 in the US News and World Report Subject-wise rankings at 79th and 87th respectively.
International Foundation and International Year One are pathway programmes offered by the university for international students under the Global Study Centre. The International Year One programme will prepare international students for direct entry to the second year at Leicester University.
Which course is best at the University of Leicester?
The University of Leicester offers 200+ undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, as well as foundation and pathway programmes. The courses are offered across various academic disciplines and some of the popular courses offered at Leicester are law, psychology, engineering, business, marketing, sports science, etc.
What courses are available for international students in Leicester?
The University of Leicester has more than 200 courses for international students across various disciplines such as ancient history, archaeology, biology, computer science, chemistry, engineering, economics, history, nursing, physics, psychology, maths, English, politics, medicine, education, etc. The university also offers pathway and foundation programmes for international students to support them in continuing their studies at the university.
Accreditations
University of Leicester Fees
| Courses | Duration | International Student | Local Student |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Sc.(53 courses) | 3 years-4 years | ₹20.87 L - ₹27.43 L/yr | ₹19.16 L/yr |
| B.A.(40 courses) | 3 years-4 years | ₹20.87 L - ₹22.67 L/yr | ₹19.16 L/yr |
| M.Sc.(36 courses) | 1 year | ₹20.07 L - ₹25.95 L/yr | ₹19.04 L - ₹29.51 L/yr |
| M.A.(18 courses) | 1 year | ₹18.54 L - ₹22.67 L/yr | ₹18.47 L - ₹21.86 L/yr |
| L.L.B(7 courses) | 2 years-4 years | ₹20.07 L/yr | ₹19.16 L/yr |
University of Leicester Cost Of Living
The University of Leicester tuition fees for international students are course-specific for both UG and PG degree programmes. However, international students have to pay a GBP 3,000 deposit to secure their place at Leicester. For a full-time study at Leicester, students must complete a total of 120 credits at each level of their degree, which equals 360 credits over a three-year degree programme or 480 credits for a four-year degree programme.
Is it expensive to study at the University of Leicester?
Leicester is among the top 10 affordable cities for students in the UK as per Natwest, 2021 data. A single person requires an average of around GBP 600 per month excluding rent and course fees (Numbeo, 2021), making Leicester 26% cheaper than London. An international student can expect to spend around GBP 12,000 to GBP 15,000 (INR 12,67,837 to INR 15,84,736) per month excluding tuition fees. However, the actual cost of living is determined by the course/s fees and lifestyle choices of a student. The monthly living expenses at Leicester University are tabulated below:
Leicester University's Monthly Cost of Living for International Students
Details | Expenses (Per Month) |
Off-Campus Accommodation | 316 |
On-Campus Accommodation | 476 |
Transportation | 53 |
Food | 355 |
Utilities | 107 |
Entertainment | 24 |
Groceries | 107 |
Clothes | 36 |
Source: Unofficial
Also Read: Student Loan for UK
University of Leicester Admission and Application
The University of Leicester’s acceptance rate is around 71.2%(unofficial sources), which shows that the university admits approximately 71% of international applicants every year. The applicants can apply for their selected degree course online through UCAS for UG programmes and through the university application portal for PG programmes. Admission to Leicester University courses is offered through Spring and Fall semesters.
How to Apply to the University of Leicester Undergraduate Programmes?
Visit the official UCAS portal ucas.com.
Go to Undergraduate→Applying To University to find an application for “University of Leicester”.
Register with UCAS by entering email address, name and password.
After registration, access “Your Application” at the UCAS Hub board.
Inside the application fill in details such as answering mandatory questions, and residency status, personal circumstances, funding studies, etc.
Enter details of education history from secondary school history onwards.
Enter employment history details if any.
Select the courses of choice.
Write a personal statement.
Submit the application by submitting letters of recommendation as per course requirements of Leicester Uni.
Pay the application fees on the UCAS portal itself.
How to Apply to the University of Leicester Postgraduate Programmes?
Visit the official website of the university at le.ac.uk.
Go to the ‘Study’ tab and click on the Postgraduates.
Now, browse through the postgraduate courses (the link is given on the same page), select the course of interest, and check the eligibility.
Once selected, the applicants can apply online using the ‘Apply Now’ link which is given at the bottom of the selected course page.
Now, register as a new user by signing in to the portal.
The login credentials will be sent to the applicants via registered email.
Use the credentials to log in to the application portal and fill out the application.
Upload all the supporting and required documents (scanned and PDF).
Pay the application fee and submit the application.
The applicants will be informed about the status of their application within 28 days.
Applicants can accept the offer if successful, through their ‘MyStudentRecord’ account.
Note: Distance Learning courses have a different application process, and PGCE applicants should apply through UCASTT.
University of Leicester Application Deadlines for 2024
Event | Application Deadline |
UCAS Deadline | January 26, 2024 |
University of Leicester Application Fees
Course Level | Fees in GBP | Mode of Application |
Undergraduate | 22.50 (2,349 INR)– Single Choice 27 (2819 INR)– Multiple Choices 27.50 (2871 INR) – Multiple Choices 2024 | UCAS or University Online Application |
Graduate | Not required | Online Application or Agent Gateway |
MBA | Not required | University of Leicester MBA Application |
Documents Required for University of Leicester Admission
The detailed list of the documents is given below.
Undergraduate Courses | Graduate Courses |
Academic transcripts of all the grades up to XII | Academic transcripts of bachelor’s degree and high schools attended |
IELTS/TOEFL IBT score reports | IELTS/TOEFL IBT Score reports |
2 letters of recommendation (LORs) | Up to 3 Letters of Recommendation (LORs) |
UCAS Personal Statement | Personal Statement/Research Proposal Statement |
Financial Declaration Documents | Financial Declaration Documents |
What grades are needed for Leicester University?
Leicester University is among the leading universities in the UK and its admission criteria are quite flexible. The applicants who wish to get into the university must have a minimum aggregate of 75% in class 12 and 60-70% in bachelor’s for admission to UG and PG programmes respectively. The applicants must also submit the English proficiency test scores to meet the admission requirements of the university.
Does Leicester University require IELTS?
Yes. Leicester University requires its applicants to meet the English proficiency requirements to meet the eligibility criteria. The English proficiency tests accepted at the University of Leicester include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc. The test scores are generally accepted as equivalent to IELTS scores. The IELTS scores required for admission range from 5.5 to 7.5, depending on the course-specific requirements.
What is the acceptance rate for Leicester University?
The University of Leicester’s acceptance rate is around 71% as per unofficial estimates, which implies that the university has flexible selection criteria and is moderately competitive. Applicants who wish to study at Leicester must meet all the eligibility criteria. The students with high academic records and skills have strong chances of getting into the University of Leicester.
University of Leicester Scholarship
Leicester University provides plenty of scholarships to both domestic and international students across various degree courses. Students who have an admission offer will be automatically considered for eligible scholarships with no separate application. International students can receive up to £5,000 per year for various UG and PG courses. Students can also apply for many other scholarships in the UK that are offered by external sources in cooperation with the University. Some of the prominent university and external scholarships are mentioned below.
Leicester University Scholarships for international students
Internal Scholarships | External Scholarships |
Science & Engineering International UG Scholarship | K.C. Mahindra Scholarships For Post-Graduate Studies Abroad |
Leicester Global Study Centre - International UG Merit Scholarship | Education for Sustainable Energy Development (ESED) |
Science & Engineering International PG Merit Scholarship | QS Scholarship For Academic Excellence |
ULSB International Merit Scholarship | Paul Haarman Shift Scholarship |
Sanctuary Scholarships | Generation Google Scholarship - USA |
William Schantz Grant |
University of Leicester Eligibility
The University of Leicester’s eligibility requirements varies depending on the course/s or study programmes. Hence, students can check their eligibility under their selected degree course/s. However, the common eligibility criteria for Indian applicants across various degree programmes are listed here.
A minimum aggregate of 75% in XII from CBSE/ICSE or State Board Exams( some courses require 80% or more).
A minimum score of 85% in the subject/s relevant to pursue that particular course.
Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 60-70% score for Master’s and 60-75% for Ph.D. programmes.
A GMAT score of 550 for MBA programmes.
Must meet the English language proficiency as per the course requirements.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
The University of Leicester requires its applicants to prove their proficiency in the English language to meet the university standards. Every degree page on the university’s website has specified an IELTS score as the minimum English Language requirement. For applicants who have taken a different English language test or qualification such as TOEFL, PTE, or CAE/CPE, the equivalent scores to match the IELTS grade for that particular course have been determined.
Also, the students who do not meet this requirement can enrol themselves in the university’s Presessional English Course designed to prepare them to meet the university’s language requirements and continue their studies at Leicester. The table below shows the IELTS equivalent of other English proficiency test scores.
Leicester University IELTS equivalent English Proficiency Test Scores
Tests / IELTS equivalent scores | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
TOEFL iBT | 70 (only for the TOEFL home edition) | 80 | 90 |
IELTS Academic | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
PTE Academic | N.A | 54 | 61 |
CAE or C1 Advanced | N.A | 169 | 166 |
CPE or C2 Proficiency | N.A | 169 | 166 |
National Board Standard XII | N.A | 70% | 70% |
State Board Standard XII | N.A | 80% | 80% |
Leicester University IELTS equivalent English Proficiency Test Scores
Tests / IELTS equivalent scores | 7.0 | 7.5 |
TOEFL iBT | 100 | 110 |
IELTS Academic | 7.0 | 7.5 |
PTE Academic | 68 | 68 |
CAE or C1 Advanced | 185 | 191 |
CPE or C2 Proficiency | 185 | 191 |
National Board Standard XII | 80% | 80% |
State Board Standard XII | 90% | 90% |
University of Leicester Campus Facilities
Library
The University of Leicester has one library on the campus. It is one of the largest in the country for local history collections with 37,000 items. Students can access the history of all major counties of England. There are also extensive collections of rare books, personal archives, manuscripts, photographs related to history, and engraved portrait prints. Leicester Uni library has individual study spaces, group study spaces and separate rooms for group and collaborative study. Students can borrow up to 40 items for a minimum of 7 days. Consumption of cold foods and drinks-with-lids is allowed in all areas of the library except in the silent study areas, PC zones, and archives and special collections zones.
Sports
Being home to many sports clubs from English Premier League football to hockey and rowing, Leicester Uni offers adequate sports facilities for all kinds of students. Students can play in tournaments, or to relax and find time with friends.There are two major sports centres at the University of Leicester– Danielle Brown Sports Centre, and Roger Bettles Sports Centre, both of which have fitness facilities, swimming pools and sauna facilities. Other facilities are Squash courts, Stoughton Road playing fields, and Charles Wilson. Stoughton is a combined facility for football, cricket, Lacrosse. Roger Bettles has tennis courts, a sports hall and a grass football pitch. Most of the facilities are available on taking membership with applicable fees.
Swimming Pool
University of Leicester has swimming pool and sauna facilities in Danielle Brown Sports Centre and Roger Bettles Sports Centre. While both pools are open for lane swimming throughout the day, some lanes may be partitioned in the special hours for other activities. Opening hours for both pools are Monday - Friday: 6.30 am - 10.00 pm and Saturday - Sunday: 8.00 am - 7.30 pm. Activities like Aqua Zumba, club swimming happen at the pool for registered members.
Transport Facility
Taxi, Bus, Car, Cycling, Shuttle are modes of transport to get around the University of Leicester campus. There are bicycle lanes and shuttle services between the campus and the village accommodation. Student union runs a safety bus until 2.00 am. A free shuttle service runs between Leicester’s 3 hospitals for medical students. The University of Leicester encourages bicycling to help with the environment and has the largest underground cycle store of any UK university with more than 300 bikes for students’ access. Students make use of local taxi services and get a 10% discount for travelling to popular destinations from the campus.
Cafeteria
Leicester University student life is inseparable from having a diverse culinary tradition. The university has 15+ cafeteria including a STARBUCKS, and dining facilities for various types of food including meals, pizzas and pastas, snacks, coffee and beverages. The University of Leicester campus has its own bar and restaurants, for enjoying night life. Wholesome, and The Pantry serve healthier, vegetarian and vegan foods. Other cafeterias are Queen’s pizza and pasta, Astro Van, Soul, Pearls, Pearls, Craft Coffee House, Attenborough Café, ULSB hub, Craft Coffee Van, Delicious, Library Café, Atrium Café, The Village Pub, and The IV.
University of Leicester International Office Details
The University of Leicester is home to approximately 13,000 full-time, campus-based students, out of which, over 25% are international students from more than 70 different countries with Asia being the most represented region. International students have peer mentoring support, and visa and immigration-related support available at the university. Through a peer mentoring scheme, international students can learn how to adjust to life at the University of Leicester.
Is it hard to get into the University of Leicester for international students?
The University of Leicester’s acceptance rate stands around 71.2% as per the unofficial estimates (the university does not provide any official data on this), which implies that the university’s admission criteria are moderately selective and it is comparatively easier to get into the University of Leicester if students have a good academic record and meet all the admission requirements.
International students can contact the University of Leicester at the following details.
Address: University Rd, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
Phone No. +44 (0)116 252 2522 or 0116 252 5281
Email Address: study@le.ac.uk
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FAQ's
The University of Leicester is among the leading institutions in the UK and the World. It offers its students a very healthy academic environment along with a vibrant student life. The university is located in close proximity to London, which makes it an ideal destination in terms of job opportunities, and connections to other major cities. The university offers amazing accommodation facilities and an affordable cost of living.
The University of Leicester’s acceptance rate is approximately 71.2% as per the estimates of some unofficial but reliable sources. This figure shows that out of the total applications, 71% will get accepted, which makes the university quite flexible in giving admissions. Students with a very good academic record have a very high chance of getting into the university.
Yes, the University of Leicester accepts students for a one-year degree program or a full degree for a three-year term. The university ensures the students will be part of a truly global community and they welcome students and staff from more than 100 countries across the world.
The University of Leicester is a prestigious learning institution and is known for its research and innovation. Leicester has been recognised as one of the UK's most affordable student destinations and offers some of the best accommodations. Overall, Leicester University is known as a student-friendly institution that aims to provide its students with plenty of opportunities to learn and grow.