The University of Leeds is a public research university in Leeds, West Yorkshire, and a member of the Russell Group.[1][2] It rose nine places to 77th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and is 12th among the 93 UK institutions evaluated.[3] More than 14,400 of its students are international, from 137 countries.[2]
Leeds’s course pages now show fees for entry in September 2027: UK students pay £10,050 a year, and international fees are set per course, for example £27,300 for English Literature BA, £33,700 for Computer Science BSc and £50,500 for Medicine and Surgery MBChB.[4][5][6] We could not read a 2026/27 undergraduate fee table. Applications for full-time courses go through UCAS.[7]
Key facts
| Official name | University of Leeds |
| Location | Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9JT, England[2] |
| Type | Public research university; Russell Group member[1] |
| Founded | 1904 (Royal Charter, King Edward VII); origins in the Leeds School of Medicine (1831) and the Yorkshire College of Science (1874)[8] |
| Students | 34,580 in 2024/25 (Wikipedia, citing national statistics), of whom 26,155 undergraduates and 8,425 postgraduates[1] |
| International students | More than 14,400 from 137 countries (page without a date)[2] |
| Faculties | Seven faculties, including Arts, Humanities and Cultures; Biological Sciences; Engineering and Physical Sciences; Environment; Medicine and Health; Social Sciences; and Leeds University Business School[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 77th in the world, 12th in the UK (of 93 evaluated)[3] |
| Undergraduate tuition, UK students, 2027/28 | £10,050 per year[4] |
| Undergraduate tuition, international students, 2027 entry (examples) | £27,300 (English Literature BA) · £33,700 (Computer Science BSc) · £50,500 (Medicine and Surgery MBChB), per year[4] |
| Undergraduate application | Through UCAS for full-time courses, also for international students[7] |
| English language, undergraduate | IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each component as a general minimum; many courses set more[9] |
| English language, Masters | IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in each component as a general minimum[9] |
| Official website | leeds.ac.uk |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About the University of Leeds
The University of Leeds was founded in 1904, but its origins go back to the Leeds School of Medicine, founded in 1831, and the Yorkshire College of Science, founded in 1874. The two merged in 1884 and in 1887 joined the federal Victoria University with colleges in Manchester and Liverpool. In 1904 King Edward VII granted Leeds its own charter as an independent university.[8]
Wikipedia, citing national statistics, reports 34,580 students in 2024/25, of whom 26,155 undergraduates and 8,425 postgraduates.[1] The university states that more than 14,400 international students from 137 countries study there.[2] Its schools and institutes are arranged in seven faculties.[1]
How is the University of Leeds ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027 Leeds rose nine places to 77th in the world. It is 12th among the 93 UK institutions evaluated, up one place, and remains in the global top 100 for the ninth successive year. The university describes this as its second-highest position ever in the ranking.[3]
Our UK table has listed Leeds at world rank 86 and in 12th place within the UK; the QS 2027 position is 77th worldwide and 12th in the UK. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. See the UK ranking and how we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Leeds?
Leeds is organised in seven faculties:[1]
- Arts, Humanities and Cultures
- Biological Sciences
- Engineering and Physical Sciences
- Environment
- Medicine and Health
- Social Sciences
- Leeds University Business School
Course pages list single and joint honours degrees, integrated Masters, part-time courses and degrees with a foundation year.[7] Examples include English Literature BA, Computer Science BSc, International Business and Finance BSc and Medicine and Surgery MBChB.[4][5][6] International students who do not meet the entry requirements can use the International Foundation Year, which the university describes as a first year preparing for a Leeds undergraduate degree.[2]
How much does the University of Leeds cost?
At the time of checking (9 November 2026), the university’s undergraduate fee page and course pages show fees for entry in September 2027, not for 2026/27. We therefore give the figures with their year.
| Course (2027 entry) | UK students, 2027/28 | International students |
|---|---|---|
| English Literature BA | £10,050 | £27,300 per year |
| Computer Science BSc | £10,050 | £33,700 per year |
| Medicine and Surgery MBChB | £10,050 | £50,500 per year |
The university says fees for UK undergraduates starting in 2027/28 are £10,050 and that international fees are set on each course page. The international fee applies for each year of full-time study and stays the same for the whole course.[10] The three courses above are examples, not the lowest or highest fee at Leeds.[4][5][6] The fee covers tuition, exam costs and membership of the students’ union, and is higher than the UK fee because it is not subsidised by the UK government.[10]
For a study abroad or work placement year the reduced international fee in 2027/28 is £4,575.[10] Masters fees are also set per course, and international applicants needing a Student visa pay a tuition fee deposit.[11]
Tuition is only part of the bill: for rent and living costs, see our UK guide.
How do you apply to the University of Leeds?
For full-time undergraduate courses you apply online through UCAS. International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students, and the university offers support from its overseas teams. The application includes a reference from your current or most recent school or college.[7] The course page shows the UCAS course code, for example G400 for Computer Science BSc or A100 for Medicine and Surgery MBChB.[5][6]
Foundation routes have their own application; the international pages also link separate applications for Masters, research degrees, English pre-sessionals, exchange and the summer school.[12]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by course. Check the dates on the course page and on UCAS before you apply.
Which English level do you need?
Leeds states its English requirements in IELTS terms and accepts IELTS Academic and IELTS Academic for UKVI taken at a test centre. The result must not be more than two years old at the course start date and must come from a single test, or a single test plus a One Skill Retake.[9]
| Level | General minimum | Example of a higher course requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.0 overall, no less than 5.5 in each component | English Literature BA: 6.5 overall, 6.0 in each component; Medicine and Surgery MBChB: 7.5 overall, 7.5 in Spoken English |
| Masters | 6.5 overall, no less than 6.0 in each component | See the course page |
The minimums come from the international entry-requirements page;[9] the examples come from the course pages.[4][6] Other tests such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and LanguageCert are accepted at set scores, and pre-sessional English courses can help you reach the level.[9]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are the University of Leeds’s tuition fees for international students?
What is the UK (Home) fee at the University of Leeds?
£10,050 per year for UK undergraduates starting in 2027/28.[10]
How is the University of Leeds ranked?
It is 77th in the world and 12th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[3]
How do I apply to the University of Leeds as an international undergraduate?
Apply online through UCAS, the same way as UK students.[7]
What IELTS score does the University of Leeds require?
The general minimum for undergraduate degrees is 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each component, and for Masters degrees 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each. Many courses require more.[9]
More about studying in United Kingdom (UK)
- United Kingdom (UK): best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in United Kingdom (UK)
- Durham University
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- Queen Mary University of London
- University College London (UCL)
- University of Birmingham
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Exeter
- University of Glasgow
- University of Manchester
- University of Nottingham
- University of Oxford
- University of Sheffield
- University of Southampton
- University of Warwick
- University of York
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: University of Leeds (type, faculties; student figures cite national statistics for 2024/25)
[2] University of Leeds: International students (page without a date; footer gives the postal address)
[3] University of Leeds: Leeds strengthens global top 100 position (dated 18 June 2026)
[4] University of Leeds: English Literature BA (course page) (start date September 2027; page without a date)
[5] University of Leeds: Computer Science BSc (course page) (start date September 2027; page without a date)
[6] University of Leeds: Medicine and Surgery MBChB (course page) (start date September 2027; page without a date)
[7] University of Leeds: Your guide to applying (undergraduate) (page without a date)
[8] University of Leeds: Our history (page without a date)
[9] University of Leeds: Entry requirements for international students (page without a date; mentions tests taken from 21 January 2026)
[10] University of Leeds: Undergraduate fees (page without a date; refers to 2027/28)
[11] University of Leeds: Masters fees (page without a date)
[12] University of Leeds: How to apply (international students) (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.