The University was founded as Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland University College in 1921. The site for the University was donated by a local businessman, Thomas Fielding Johnson, in order to create a living memorial for all local people who made sacrifices during the First World War. This is reflected in the University's motto Ut vitam habeant – 'so that they may have life'.

Students were first admitted to the college in 1921, sitting examinations for external degrees awarded of the University of London. In 1927 the institution became University College, Leicester; 30 years later the college was granted its Royal Charter. This gave it the status of a University with the right to award its own degrees.

• 24th in the UK (and 166th in the world) in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings
• 27th-34th in the UK (and 301st-400th in the world) in the Shanghai Ranking
• 31st in the UK (and 242nd in the world) in the QS World University Rankings
• 38th in the Complete University Guide 2021
• 41st in the Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 (paywall protected)
• 84th in the Guardian University Guide 2020
• Awarded Silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
• 76th in the Reuters Top 100 Most Innovative Universities in Europe

President's Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme

This scholarship is for international (non-EU) students beginning a full-time, campus-based, undergraduate degree at Leicester in September 2020.

There is no need to apply for this scholarship. Students who are eligible for the scholarship will be considered automatically as part of the application process. Successful students will be notified when final results are submitted.

Award

The President scholarship award value is £2,500 for students achieving A level grades ABB or their equivalent, or £4,000 for students achieving AAA or the equivalent. This award is for each year of full-time study at the University, up to a maximum of three years.

Eligibility

The scholarship is available to students who achieve the above grades or equivalent and who join any undergraduate degree at the University of Leicester, excluding Medicine.

Indicative grades for International students

Please contact us at scholarships@le.ac.uk and we will be pleased to confirm the grade equivalence required. 

Terms and conditions

• You must be classified as an international student (non-EU) for fee purposes.
• You must be starting a full-time, campus-based undergraduate course commencing in September 2020.
• The scholarship will not apply for periods of industrial placement or overseas exchange, or if you suspend your studies for any reason.
• In accordance with scholarship guidelines, students are allowed to hold only one University of Leicester scholarship, awarded either centrally or by a department. If you are awarded more than one scholarship, you will only receive the higher value award.
• You cannot combine this scholarship with a full scholarship (for tuition fees and living costs) from any other source. You must inform us of any other scholarships/sponsorship currently held, or awarded at a later date. Our scholarship may be adjusted or withdrawn if other sources of funding have been awarded.
• If you have secured an award from a non – University of Leicester scholarship you will still be considered for the President's Undergraduate Scholarship.
• The scholarship is not available to students studying Medicine (MBChB).

For more information, please visit: https://le.ac.uk/study/undergraduates/fees-funding/scholarships-and-discounts/presidents-ug