University of Leeds: Helping you stand out from the crowd

“Standing out from the crowd is hard, and you need to make sure you stand out for the right reasons.” – Oliver James Llewellyn, 2010 Leeds graduate, BSc Chemistry

Since 1904, the University of Leeds has heavily invested in knowledge and opportunity. Hosting a diverse population of over 33,000 students, the institution is well known as one of the largest higher education providers in the UK, promising strength and vigour through a varied course portfolio that covers the full scope of academic disciplines.

Named University of the Year 2017, Leeds is a popular choice for students around the globe, also standing as a noted pool of talent for graduate employers. On top of this, the institution ranks among the Top 10 Universities in the UK according to The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, cementing its status as one of the nation’s most desirable international study destinations.

Hannah, a recent university graduate, claims that living in Leeds gave her the best three years of her life. She says the University represents the ultimate “balance between campus and city”, while the campus itself, she states, sits “right in the heart of everything”.

“I absolutely fell in love with the city of Leeds on my open day, and haven’t looked back,” says Rachel, a fellow student. “It’s got a winning combination of some of the best nightlife in the UK, the friendliest people in the world, and a plethora of shops, restaurants and bars,” she adds, highlighting that the affordability of vibrant life in Leeds is what keeps students coming back, year after year.

But as an esteemed Russell Group member and representative of an elite academic reputation, it is clear that the University of Leeds perfectly blends academic prowess with an unbeatable student experience.

In the most recent Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), the University achieved a gold-star standard – the highest possible award. The TEF was implemented this year by the Department of Education, and has since been used to assess teaching in higher education at undergraduate level.

Harnessing data from student satisfaction ratings, retention rates and graduate employment figures, the TEF panel concluded that the University offers “consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students” and is certainly among the “highest quality” of education to be found in the UK.

“Leeds achieves excellent student education and an outstanding all-round experience, which is reflected across a raft of measures, including a 90 percent satisfaction rate in the National Student Survey and a top five position in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2017,” says Sir Alan Langlands, Vice-Chancellor.

“The Times and Sunday Times also singled us out for prioritising students’ needs first to last when they named us University of the Year 2017 in the Good University Guide,” he adds. “We welcome the TEF’s focus on teaching excellence, graduate employability and widening access, and are pleased to have received a gold rating, although we will always strive to improve further.”

On top of teaching excellence, the University is powered by outstanding research capabilities. Building on existing expertise and dedication to interdisciplinary engagement, the institution will continue to make huge investments in staff and facilities over the next five years – including 250 early academic fellowships.

The TEF rating also touched on the high-calibre research activities found at Leeds, with its research-focused teaching ensuring students are “frequently engaged with developments from the forefront of research, scholarship or practice”.

Abbie Melvin, a recent History graduate, enthused that “the University is incredibly supportive. I always felt there was someone for me to talk to if I was struggling, or people that I could ask for help.”

At the Brotherton Library, Abbie had access to “amazing 17th/18th century sources.” “I utilised these in my dissertation,” she says, “and was then able to go to London independently and analyse 19th century textbooks.”

“Lecturers were always available to discuss our findings, and we were encouraged to work with our peers. This improved my team work skills, and also led to making some great friends.”

Isobel Fortune, who spent a year studying abroad at University of Queensland in Brisbane, believes the scholarship programmes are a great incentive for students, and perhaps account “for why the university is such a high standard.” Isobel is now in the final year of an Environmental Science degree. She said that having the opportunity to study abroad has enabled her “to utilise skills learnt at Leeds in a new and exciting environment.”

According to Isobel, the School of Earth and Environment send round weekly newsletters informing students about “possible internships within the School or research projects [they] can get involved in over summer, which can even be paid!”

One reason why graduate employers actively recruit University of Leeds students’, is due to their exposure to and engagement with cutting-edge research which helps distinguish them from their peers. Leeds students are known to take charge of their learning ventures, developing a unique global outlook that prepares them for the professional world.

The University’s blend of world-class teaching and high-impact research allows international students to become part of the fight against some of the greatest challenges the modern world has known. Here at Leeds, you will gain insight to the intricacies of economies and society in an increasingly globalised world, elevating your knowledge, expertise, and thus your employability at one of the top universities in the world.

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