University of Leeds

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

The University of Leeds is a public research university in Leeds, West Yorkshire, founded in 1874 as the Yorkshire College of Science. It later merged with the Leeds School of Medicine and joined the federal Victoria University in 1887 before receiving its own royal charter in 1904. The university grew alongside Leeds’s industrial expansion, becoming known for engineering, science, medicine and textile studies. It is one of the largest and most popular universities in the UK, receiving over 68,000 undergraduate applications each year. In 2023–24, it had an income of £1.05 billion and remains part of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. The institution has expanded through various partnerships and has undergone major rebranding efforts. Notable alumni include UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly, astronaut Piers Sellers and several Nobel laureates. Today, the university hosts more than 36,000 students, contributes significantly to the local economy, and maintains a global reputation, ranking around 86th worldwide in 2022.