University of Leeds

University of Leeds

The University of Leeds, established in 1904 but dating back to 1831 with the founding of its precursor, the Leeds School of Medicine and the Yorkshire College of Science in 1874, is one of the largest single-campus universities in the UK. Built on a philosophy of access for all, these days it is considered among the world’s top 100 universities.

Academic Highlights

The University of Leeds has strengths in traditional disciplines – more students study languages and physical sciences here than anywhere else in the UK – while also offering diverse specialities such as colour chemistry, aviation technology and fire engineering. The medical school is widely held to be one of the best in Europe.

Location

The campus grounds occupy almost 500 hectares of land within walking distance of the Leeds city centre. It compromises an eclectic mixture of Gothic revival, art deco, brutalist and postmodern buildings and since 2008 has engaged in a wave of modern expansion.

Did you know?

Leeds is a student town, with an estimated 250,000 students attending around half a dozen tertiary institutions. The University of Leeds hosts around 6,000 international students each year.

Language of Instruction

English

Program Duration

1 semester

Academic Level

Undergraduate, Postgraduate

Minimum Result Required

Partner entry requirement of 2.8

Previous Round Cut-off (WAM (%) or GPA)75% WAM

Anticipated Places in Semester 1, 2027

15 places

Exchange Availability

Red

Eligible Monash Campus

Monash Australia, Monash Malaysia

Agreement Scope

All Faculties

Handbook/Catalogue

Module and Programme Catalogue When viewing the Catalogue, exchange students can request to take any module listed in the module catalogue as being “suitable for incoming study abroad (isa)” but check your academic subject requirements for the departments of interest.

Medicine and Dentistry modules are not open to exchange students from Monash.

Due to an increase in demand for places, Leeds have advised that students wanting to take units in the School of Media and Communication must be studying a major of Media and Communication (or similar).

You will need to click on each of the modules to find out when it is taught as you cannot search by specific semesters.

Students cannot study a “Semester 1 and 2” module if they are going to Leeds for one semester only as these are full-year modules.

Most modules in the following schools are “Semester 1 and 2” modules:

  • Chemical and Process Engineering (CAPE)
  • Design (Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing modules)
  • Electronic and Electrical Engineering (ELEC)
  • Healthcare (HECS)
  • Mechanical Engineering (MECH and PDES)

Full-time Credit Load Equivalents

Semester

Min. 18 Monash points

Max. 24 Monash points

N/A

60 credits

Year

Min. 36 Monash points

Max. 48 Monash points

N/A

120 credits

Academic Calendar

Leeds Autumn semester (Monash Semester 2): late September – mid-December
Leeds Spring semester (Monash Semester 1): late-January – early-May

Leeds Academic Year

Accounting

Banking and finance

Biological sciences

Biomedical sciences

Business law and taxation

Chemistry

Chinese languages and culture studies

Communications and media studies

Criminology

Design

Earth, atmosphere and environmental sciences

Econometrics and business statistics

Economics

Education - early childhood

Education - primary schooling

Education - secondary schooling

Engineering – chemical

Engineering – civil

Engineering - electrical/ computer systems

Engineering - materials science

Engineering - mechanical / aerospace

Film and screen studies

Fine art

French language and culture studies

German language and culture studies

History

Human geography

Information technology

Italian language and culture studies

Japanese language and culture studies

Journalism

Law

Linguistics

Literary studies

Management

Marketing

Mathematical sciences

Music performance and composition

Philosophy

Physics and astronomy

Politics and international relations

Psychological sciences

Religious studies

Science

Spanish and Latin American languages and culture studies

Social work

Sociology

Theatre and performance

Note

  • The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
  • Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.

Accommodation

Accommodation is guaranteed for all incoming exchange students, provided applications are handed in before the deadline.  Read the University's web pages about accommodation for more information.

Visas

Non-UK or European Union citizens must have a valid student visa to undertake an exchange period.  To apply, you will need a visa support letter - Confirmation of Acceptance - from the University.  If studying for more than six months, then a Tier 4 (general) student visa will likely be required.  If studying for less than six months, a short-term study visa may be the alternative. The short-term study visa is the simpler and cheaper option for entering the UK, however, it cannot be extended and no work can be undertaken (paid or unpaid) while in the UK.

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you may also need to meet UK Border Agency language requirements. Be sure to check the requirements.

For more information on student visas, read the web pages of the UK Government's GOV.UK Visa and immigration web pages.

Leeds offers further guidance on visas for exchange students.

Health and insurance

If you're studying in the UK for more than six months, you will likely be on a Tier 4 (general) student visa and so need to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge in order to access free health services under the National Health Service (NHS) once inside the UK.  Students studying for less than six months are strongly recommended to have comprehensive health insurance.

Leeds provides advice on health care including insurance.

When travelling on a Monash Abroad approved program, you are automatically covered under the Monash University Student Travel Insurance policy.  This will provide cover to and from your exchange.

Orientation and extra-curricular 

Leeds organises an orientation program for exchange students before the semester starts. If you arrive in Leeds on the designated arrival days, you can arrange to be met by the Leeds Welcome team at the airport or the train station. Before you arrive there is a program called Link to Leeds, where you can ask current local students questions about student life.  The University has a vibrant campus life, with many events, sport and fitness programs,

Cost of living

Leeds provides some information on the cost of living for students.

Funding

For information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.

Important notes

Due to the popularity of this partner institution, for semester 1, 2026 onwards Monash students can only apply to study here on exchange for one semester.

Year-long modules are only available for students who are completing the full academic year (September to June) at Leeds.  It is not possible to complete only one semester (either the first or the second) or a year-long module.  This applies to all subject areas.

To begin your application and study plan, click the button below.

Apply here

Have you been to the University of Leeds and want to share your experience? 
Let us know about your exchange via this survey form and your testimonial could be shown here!

Greta Walters
Bachelor of Arts/Laws
Semester 1, 2017
Studied: Arts/law units

Study Experience

I studied law and arts electives while on exchange. I was lucky enough to take a unit called "Sustainable Consumption" from the School of Environments, which was different from the Arts units offered at Monash University. I am very interested in sustainable development and international affairs, so it was exciting to have this opportunity to take a unit that aligned with my interests and could be the basis of a career in this field.

Culture

Leeds is a student city, with numerous universities and a young population, so there was always a great nightlife scene and fun activities to do. It's also much smaller than Melbourne, and I loved being able to get around just by walking or relying on public transport, rather than needing a car.

Benefits of going on exchange

It was a great break from my long double degree of Arts/Law. I was burnt out after 4 years of study, so I needed a change of pace and different environment. Exchange was a great way to do this, while keeping on track with my course progression.

Career Benefits

Studying overseas has allowed me to learn about different legal systems in foreign jurisdictions, which may be useful in my career. It shows future employers that I can be resilient in facing challenges, and am willing to give new things a go. It has also given me an edge when applying for global companies, as it shows that I am interested in stepping out of my comfort zone and would potentially be interested in working in an overseas office.

Money and Budgeting

While abroad, I didn't purchase any textbooks for my units, as I wanted to wait to talk with my lecturers to see if it was necessary (which it wasn't). I also rarely ate out, and instead cooked meals in the student dorms to save money. It's actually surprisingly easy to save money while overseas.

Top tips

  • Live in a student dorm, and make good friends with you flatmates (because chances are, you'll spend most of your time with them).
  • Sign up to clubs and activities as soon as you arrive.
  • Make the most of the opportunity to make friends with people from all over the world (it's sad to leave them, but visiting them is a good excuse to travel again!