History of Creation
Founded in 1921 as a living memorial to those who fell in the First World War, Leicester University carries a motto that translates to “So that they may have life”—a commitment to enlightenment and rigorous inquiry. When it received its Royal Charter in 1957, the transformation was complete: what began as a tribute evolved into one of Britain’s leading research hubs, maintaining its distinctive heritage across nearly a century of academic excellence.
Academic Structure of Leicester University
Students can choose from over 350 programs distributed across three core colleges:
- Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology;
- Science and Engineering;
- Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
This interdisciplinary framework encourages deep exploration while emphasizing practical application. The approach has yielded particularly strong results in Clinical Sciences and Health (ranked 101-125 globally), Arts and Humanities (126-150), Life Sciences (151-175), and Education (151-175), where research connects directly with real-world challenges.
Rankings and Recognition
Positioned at 191st globally in the Times Higher Education rankings, Leicester University demonstrates consistent strength among the world’s top institutions. Its trajectory includes being named University of the Year by THE in 2008 and shortlisted again in 2024, reflecting sustained commitment rather than fleeting success. The university has also earned the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher Education three times and secured 72nd place in the 2024 Impact Rankings.
Student Life
With 14,825 students—38% from international backgrounds—Leicester University maintains a 14:1 student-to-staff ratio that enables personalized attention throughout each academic journey. The city itself ranks among Britain’s most affordable, offering economical accommodation alongside reasonable costs for dining and daily necessities, which makes studying here both academically rewarding and financially sensible for students managing budgets while pursuing degrees.
Campus and City
Leicester University’s main campus sits in the heart of a city with the East Midlands’ highest proportion of residents under 19. Spanning 69 acres of parkland and green spaces, it provides natural settings for studying or recreation without leaving the urban environment. The city itself thrives on ethnic diversity and affordability, creating an atmosphere where students from different corners of the globe find both welcome and opportunity.
