Institution University of Leicester - Leicester

The University
Education that inspires. Research that changes the world.

The University of Leicester is a leading UK University with a proud past and an exciting future. We deliver high quality undergraduate, postgraduate and professional education and create research that has impact internationally.

Our research changes the world. According to Thomson Scientific, Leicester has the tenth highest number of highly cited researchers amongst the UK’s universities. The discovery of DNA Genetic Fingerprinting is our most famous research achievement, but our world class research stretches across the Arts, science, medicine, law, education, biological sciences and social sciences.

The University has the joint highest scores for overall student satisfaction in England amongst mainstream universities (National Student Survey 2007). Leicester's student completion rate amongst the very highest.

Mission Statement
The University of Leicester's Mission Statement


Academic Credentials
The University of Leicester is, according to the Times newspaper "an award winning institution attracting top academics". For three consecutive years the University of Leicester has recorded the highest average score for overall satisfaction amongst mainstream universities in England. Almost three quarters of our subjects are in their subject top 10.

The University was shortlisted by the Sunday Times as University of the Year 2007 and by the Times Higher Education Supplement for its award of University of the Year in 2005 and 2006. The 2006 shortlist of 5 universities reads "Leicester is not the biggest, richest or most famous university in the UK. But by any measure it is one of the best". Leicester was shortlisted for the same award in 2005 and is the only university shortlisted for two consecutive years.

Leicester is a member of the 1994 Group of internationally renowned universities engaged in leading-edge research and high quality teaching. Our research strengths stretch across our five faculties. Over 90% of academic staff are research active. 13 departments gained the 5 or 5* ratings that indicate internationally significant work in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise.

The research conducted by the University has the strongest impact of any Midlands university and the tenth greatest impact amongst universities in England according to the Guardian (30th October 2007) . Overall the University is ranked 20th for its research out of 130 universities.

Leicester is ranked amongst the top 20 universities in the UK by the UK Good University Guide, Sunday Times University Guide and Guardian University Guide (out of 129 institutions). Leicester is one of just 21 UK universities to feature in the world's top 200 universities (joint 16th in the UK and 151st in the world in the Shanghai Jiao Tong Table).

Leicester is home to two prestigious national Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (in Genetics and Geographical Information Science) and plays an important role in a third (Physics).

Teaching in 18 subject areas have been graded as "Excellent" by the Quality Assurance Agency - including 14 successive scores.

Over 19,000 students drawn from 150 countries study with us. We one of the UK's largest provider of distance learning education.

Our graduates are prized by employers and progress into careers as varied as medicine, engineering, financial services, law, computing, sales and marketing, scientific research, public service and teaching.

The Campus
With all teaching buildings within a few minutes walk of each other, Leicester’s compact and friendly campus is an ideal place to be a student. Leicester is in the centre of England close to the M1 and M69 motorways. Leicester railway station is close by and London is just 75 minutes by train.

Supermarkets, a cinema complex, local shops, bars and restaurants are all within walking distance. Set in an elevated position, the campus overlooks Leicester city centre, which is just one mile away. A number of our buildings offer panoramic views of the city and surrounding area. Victoria Park, once the city's racecourse, borders the campus, and is a popular venue for sport and relaxation.

The University's buildings represent over a century of architectural styles which reflect our history and growth. Our first building, the Fielding Johnson, dates from 1837 and is a fine example of late Georgian architecture. Many of the more recent buildings have won architectural awards for design excellence. Most notable is the Engineering Building which was designed by architects Gowan and Stirling in 1963 and is now a grade 2 listed building.