International Welcome

This section explains the range of international welcome support that is available to students, before and when they arrive in Leeds. 

This information was updated on 18 July 2022.

International arrival and orientation support is open to new students and postgraduate researchers coming to Leeds from outside the UK (whether their fee status is international or home). International Student Office leads the delivery of International Welcome services, working in collaboration with other key teams for international students, and partners across the University.

Welcome information before and after arriving in Leeds

Pre-arrival information

Our Prepare for Leeds pages host information to help students prepare for their journey to Leeds, including travel, arrival, what to bring and immigration information. The University’s Welcome Guide provides all students with information to help them prepare and get started in Leeds.

Students can also attend pre-departure events hosted by the International Office.

Arriving and settling in

International students can be signposted to our Your First Weeks in Leeds pages, where there is information on start-up tasks to complete, as well details about International Orientation. 

Enquiry handling support

The Student Information Service can help international students with preparation and settling in enquiries.

Contact for students: studentinfo@leeds.ac.uk 

International arrival support services

We offer arrival support services to help students have a smooth arrival and settling in experience in Leeds. Our arrival support services include:

1. A pick-up service from Leeds Bradford Airport and Manchester Airport to our University campus – this service must be booked at least five days before arrival.
2. A welcome food box that they can book to receive on arrival.

Please note our airport pick-up and food box services are only offered to new students coming to Leeds for the first time. Services are ongoing through the summer, into term one and at other key times. Find out more about how students can book our arrival services.

International Orientation

International Orientation is designed to help international students make a good start in Leeds. Orientation sessions cover important start-up, safety, and immigration information, as well as providing ideas for self-care while adapting to culture and lifestyle changes, and opportunities to make the most of the overall experience of being an international student in Leeds. Students can also participate in tours and social events to help them explore campus and the city, meet new people and make friends. 

Students arriving over the summer 

We work with the Language Centre and Leeds International Summer School to provide welcome and orientation activities for students arriving in Leeds in the summer.  

Students arriving in September 

International Orientation week is on 19 – 23 September 2022, with the main in-person orientation sessions  on 22 and 23 September. The full programme will be available on students.leeds.ac.uk/orientation in August 2022. 

Students arriving at other times 

We also offer orientation for students arriving at other times, including late arrivals. If you have  students arriving outside of main arrival periods, please contact internationalwelcome@leeds.ac.uk to discuss any orientation requirements.

Peer and social support

New students can chat to current student ambassadors from our Link to Leeds team online before they travel and when they arrive.

Students can also sign up to the University Buddy Scheme, which is open to all new and returning students of any study level. 

A team of student hosts also supports students’ welcome experience, through activities including: 

• Welcome Lounge – a drop in social space during main welcome periods
• Global Café - every Monday 5:30-7:30pm in Common Ground in the Leeds University Union, and every weekday from 19 – 30 September. Global Café is for everyone from everywhere! A weekly opportunity for students and postgraduate researchers to meet new people from all over the world, relax with friends, have great conversations, and enjoy free refreshments. Global Café hosts welcome newcomers and help everyone have a lovely Monday evening.
• Activities for students participating in the University Buddy Scheme 

Text to signpost International Welcome services to students

If you need to include signposting information in emails or communications to students or postgraduate researchers, please use or adapt this text:

If you’re coming to Leeds from outside the UK, visit our Prepare for Leeds webpages for essential information to help you plan your journey. You’ll also find information about when to arrive, what to bring with you, and how to book arrival support, including our airport pick-up service from Leeds Bradford Airport and Manchester Airport. Please complete the international arrival form as soon as you have booked your flight, and at least five days before you arrive. 

When you arrive, our International Orientation programme will help you settle in and our friendly Student Information Service can help you with any questions. You’ll be able to join orientation sessions, tours and social events to help you feel at home and meet new people. Make sure you also check our information about processes to complete during your first weeks in Leeds.  

If you have questions about preparing to travel to Leeds or what to do when you arrive, please email studentinfo@leeds.ac.uk