The University of Leeds is a Russell Group university with a large, walkable campus in the north of England. This guide draws on conversations with Indian students at Leeds, in gender studies and drug discovery, recorded for AdmitKard's Study Abroad with Piyush channel in 2026, and checks fees and rankings against official pages in October 2026.
- The University of Leeds rose nine places to 77th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, according to its own news page of 1 October 2026
- Its MA Gender Studies lists an international fee of 27,300 pounds for 2027 entry
- Students outside London must show 1,171 pounds a month for visa funds, and the Graduate visa lasts 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027.
Why Do Indian Students Choose the University of Leeds?
The students named its ranking, a very large campus and a lower cost of living than some other cities. A gender studies master's student compared several universities, including York and a London university, then chose Leeds for its modules and its world ranking. Leeds placed 77th in QS 2027.
She said York was her second choice for its department but was more expensive each month. A drug discovery student from Chennai applied to four universities, including Glasgow, Birmingham and Queen Mary, and chose Leeds because its modules matched what he needed. Both advised reading about the teachers and modules on each department's website.
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Leeds lists an international fee of 27,300 pounds for the MA Gender Studies, 2027 entry, for a one-year course. The entry requirement is IELTS 6.5 overall with no component below 6.0. UK students pay 12,600 pounds for the same course. Other courses are priced differently, so check your own course page.
| Course (fees checked Oct 2026) | International fee, 2027 entry | IELTS |
|---|---|---|
| MA Gender Studies (1 year, full-time) | £27,300 | 6.5 overall, 6.0 in each component |
The gender studies student said she received a regional scholarship of 6,000 pounds, which she listed on her visa documents. Scholarships are limited and selective, so check the Leeds scholarship pages for your own course and country.
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The students paid roughly 480 to 700 pounds a month. The drug discovery student paid 121 pounds a week, about 480 pounds a month, for an en-suite room in a five-person flat. The gender studies student paid 184 pounds a week for a private en-suite room in a Unipol building.
- 121 pounds a week (about 480 a month): en-suite room in a five-room flat with a shared kitchen at Lupton Residence, the drug discovery student's accommodation.
- 178 pounds a week, rising to 184 for new students: a private en-suite room in a Unipol building, with a free washer and dryer inside the flat.
- 180 to 190 pounds a week: more luxurious rooms at buildings such as Smax and Blenheim Point.
- 200 to 300 pounds a month: groceries, as estimated by both students.
The gender studies student spent a week researching before she arrived and advised paying a little more for good accommodation, because it shapes your whole experience. Unipol is a university partner, and she also named the Amber booking site. Her flat is a 10 to 15 minute walk from campus.
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Leeds is walkable and sociable but demanding. The gender studies student said the campus is so large that she walks 9,000 to 13,000 steps a day. Student societies include Tamil, Malayalam and Dr B. R. Ambedkar societies, and some cost only 3 pounds a year. In winter the sun sets at about 4pm.
She advised arriving with an open mind about shared kitchens, because flatmates cook foods you may not eat, and she said it is best to respect each other rather than lecture. The students described a diverse city, with many Chinese and Indian students, and friendly people.
Is It Easy to Find a Part-Time Job in Leeds?
The students found it hard to combine work and study. The drug discovery student said his course is too demanding for a part-time job, though friends work in retail. The gender studies student said she struggled to find a job and that many students on loans struggle once they land. You need a National Insurance number first.
She said students fall into three groups: those with family money, those with scholarships, and first-generation students on loans. She advised having good savings before coming, because relying on finding a job quickly is stressful. Your visa approval letter states what work you may do, so read it first.
What Is Studying at the University of Leeds Like?
Both students called the teaching demanding but well supported. The drug discovery student said the first semester is simple if you know the basics, while the second adds animal model studies and a lot of reading. The library is open 24 hours, and students get access to expensive research journals and tools.
The gender studies student studies gender theory within the sociology department. She said classes mix students from different courses, and that learning also happens through classmates, staff and alumni. She added that ChatGPT helped her with everyday tasks, like using appliances, during her first weeks.
How Do You Settle In and Make Friends at Leeds?
The students said to go slowly. Chinese classmates may hold back because of their English, and British students can be reserved, so you may need to start the conversation. The gender studies student said friendships formed by the second semester. Her visa was cancelled, so she arrived on 20 October, four weeks late.
She applied for a super priority visa and said the weeks that followed were painful because everyone else had already settled. Her advice was to take your time and join introduction sessions for societies. Apply for your visa early so you can arrive in time for the start of term.
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The drug discovery student said every job depends on your skills, not the university, and that roles are competitive, so you should aim to be in the top 5 percent. He suggested learning protein engineering and getting an animal study licence. Leeds runs career fairs, and the Graduate visa lets you stay and work.
The Graduate visa lasts 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027, and two years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, or three years with a doctorate. The application fee is 937 pounds plus the health surcharge. Rules can change, so check GOV.UK before you plan around them.