University of Leicester
Leicester, United Kingdom • Founded 1921 • World Rank #382
Updated May 2026
Overview
Established in 1957, the University of Leicester is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the medium city of Leicester (population range of 250,000-499,999 inhabitants), East Midlands.
Officially recognized/chartered by the Privy Council, University of Leicester is a large-sized coeducational UK higher education institution. University of Leicester offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 67-year-old UK higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
University of Leicester also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
University of Leicester's address, phone, email, and social presence. Department-level scholarship enquiries route faster through the specific faculty rather than central admissions.
Academic Details
University of Leicester's institutional metrics — useful for sizing it against other shortlisted universities. The proportion of academic staff with doctorates correlates with research output and graduate-school admissions.
Academic Structures
University of Leicester's organisational chart for teaching: faculties, schools, institutes, and constituent units. Research-intensive universities often add institutes or centres alongside teaching faculties.
Unit 6 items
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Degrees
University of Leicester's degree portfolio is grouped by level below. Each tier reflects different time commitments, academic depth, and career outcomes — useful when matching a programme to your current study stage.
Bachelor's 7 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Arts and Humanities
- Engineering
- Law
- Medicine
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Surgery
Master's 11 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Arts and Humanities
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Geology
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Natural Sciences
- Physics
- Social Sciences
Doctoral 44 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Adult Education
- American Studies
- Ancient Civilizations
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Biology
- Cardiology
- Chemistry
- Civil Security
- Clinical Psychology
- Computer Science
- Criminal Law
- Economics
- Education
- Engineering
- English
- Genetics
- Geography
- Geology
- Health Sciences
- History
- Immunology
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Media Studies
- Medicine
- Modern Languages
- Oncology
- Pharmacy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Religion
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
- Toxicology
- Translation and Interpretation
- Urban Studies
- Writing
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Privy Council.
Arts, Humanities and Law (College) 17 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- American Studies
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Arts and Humanities
- English
- French
- Geography
- German
- Heritage Preservation
- History
- Italian
- Law
- Mathematics
- Modern Languages
- Museum Studies
- Spanish
- Translation and Interpretation
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology (College) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Genetics
- Medicine
- Physiology
- Psychology
- Surgery
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science and Engineering (College) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Astrophysics
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Natural Sciences
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social Sciences (College) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Communication Studies
- Criminology
- Economics
- Education
- Management
- Media Studies
- Political Sciences
- Social Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
University of Leicester's catalogue, searchable by name and grouped by level. Joint programmes with partner institutions appear here but carry dual-credentialing rules worth checking with both bodies.
211 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom
Honours Degree 92 programmes
Showing 10 of 92.
Master's Degree 86 programmes
Showing 10 of 86.
Doctorate 29 programmes
Showing 10 of 29.
Professional Doctorate 2 programmes
How to apply to University of Leicester
A short guide to applying to University of Leicester — five steps covering the path from programme selection to confirmation of receipt.
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1
Browse the programme catalogue
Use the programme finder to browse University of Leicester's 211 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
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2
Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Programme-level requirements at University of Leicester typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
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3
Get your documents ready
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
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4
Apply through the official channel
University of Leicester processes applications through le.ac.uk. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
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5
Reach out and track your application
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +44 (116) 252 2522. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Leicester
Quick answers to the most common questions about University of Leicester — covering location, founding, ranking, programmes, and admissions context.
How old is University of Leicester?
The institution opened in 1921 (approximately 105 years ago).
Where is University of Leicester located?
University of Leicester is located in Leicester, United Kingdom.
What is University of Leicester's control type?
University of Leicester is a public institution.
What is the student enrolment at University of Leicester?
Student enrolment at University of Leicester is around 10,000-14,999.
How is University of Leicester ranked?
University of Leicester holds rank #382 globally and #25 in United Kingdom.
What degrees does University of Leicester offer?
University of Leicester offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
How is University of Leicester organised academically?
University of Leicester has 6 academic units.
Is University of Leicester accredited?
The institution holds recognition from Privy Council.
Where can I learn more about University of Leicester?
University of Leicester's official website is le.ac.uk.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom
Research output among the United Kingdom's top universities sets the publication-and-citation upper bound. Comparing University of Leicester's research output to this benchmark gives a fair institutional read.
Members of European University Association (EUA)
Beyond University of Leicester, these universities also belong to European University Association (EUA) — useful for students who weight inter-institutional partnerships, exchange programmes, or shared accreditation frameworks. Membership networks often translate into practical student benefits.
Faculties at nearby universities
Cross-border or within-state choices: the universities near University of Leicester may fall under different governance, fee structures, or visa rules. Confirm the regulatory context for each option separately.
Where Else to Study Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Programme-led research opportunities for Natural Sciences & Mathematics students differ. Research-active programmes give undergraduates access to active labs; teaching-only programmes do not.
Universities Compared with University of Leicester
Mid-career outcome data (5–10 year post-graduation) is harder to source but more revealing than starting-salary data. Where available for peer institutions, it is worth comparing.
Studying in United Kingdom: guides and resources
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