Home › Colleges › UK › University of Leicester
56%
Acceptance rate
~$22k
Tuition / yr
6.5
IELTS required
42%
Intl students
1921
Founded
#301
QS World rank
Strong finance and business programs; Russell Group research focus. This guide covers University of Leicester's courses, fees, English & academic requirements, scholarships, the step-by-step admission process, student-visa and post-study-work rules, and tips to get in — everything in one place.
▶ Predict my admission chances (free)📚 Courses & programs at University of Leicester
University of Leicester is best known for Finance, Business, Research, Genetics & Space. Popular programs for international students include:
- MSc Finance
- MSc Business Management
- MSc Computing
Class profile: Finance professionals, business leaders, research-oriented.
✅ Entry requirements
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 88 |
| PTE Academic | 62 |
| Duolingo English Test | 110 |
| GRE | Not required |
| GMAT (MBA) | Preferred for finance/MBA programs |
| Min GPA / grade | 2:1 (Upper Second) |
| Work experience | Preferred for finance programs |
💡
Below the English score? Don't pay to find out — take a free full-length IELTS mock (or PTE / TOEFL) and see your gap instantly. Full breakdown: IELTS score for University of Leicester.
💰 Fees & cost of studying
| Tuition (international) | ~£17k/yr |
| Application fee | £0 |
| Living costs (est.) | £12,000–15,000/yr (£13,347 for visa) |
| Scholarships | Leicester Merit Scholarship (up to £10k/yr) |
Plan your budget for tuition + living + health insurance + the visa fee. Compare funding with the free scholarship finder.
📝 Step-by-step admission process
- Pick one-year master's programs
- Meet IELTS (6.5–7.5) & 2:1/First equivalent
- Write personal statement + 1–2 references
- Apply directly on university portal (rolling)
- Receive offer (conditional/unconditional)
- Pay deposit → CAS → Student visa
📄 Documents checklist
- Academic transcripts
- Personal Statement
- 1–2 References
- CV
- IELTS UKVI
- Passport
- Financial proof (CAS)
- Degree certificate
🛂 Student visa & post-study work · UK
- Student visa: Student visa (Tier 4)
- Work while studying: 20 hrs/week during term
- Post-study work: Graduate Route: 2 years (3 for PhD)
🎯 Tips & tricks to get admission
- Clear the requirements comfortably. Meet IELTS 6.5+ and the GPA cleanly, then differentiate with a focused SOP and 1–2 strong recommendation letters.
- Write a tailored SOP. Name the exact program and 1–2 professors/labs at University of Leicester and connect your background to them — generic essays are the #1 reason strong profiles get rejected.
- Hit the English score first. University of Leicester needs IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 88 / PTE 62. Take a free full-length mock to find your weakest section before you book the real test.
- Prepare finances early. Budget for tuition (~£17k/yr) plus living costs (£12,000–15,000/yr (£13,347 for visa)); visa officers want clear, stable proof of funds.
- Apply in the right intake. University of Leicester's main intakes are September & January — applying 4–6 months ahead keeps scholarships and on-campus housing open.
📅 Intakes & deadlines
| Intakes | September, January |
| Typical deadline | Rolling |
| Acceptance rate | 56% (moderately selective) |
All figures are indicative and change year to year — always confirm on the official site (le.ac.uk) before applying.
Frequently asked questions
- What IELTS score do I need for University of Leicester?
- University of Leicester typically requires IELTS 6.5 (TOEFL 88, PTE 62). GRE: Not required.
- How much does University of Leicester cost?
- International tuition is approximately ~£17k/yr, plus living costs of £12,000–15,000/yr (£13,347 for visa). Application fee: £0.
- What is the acceptance rate at University of Leicester?
- University of Leicester has an indicative acceptance rate of about 56% (Finance professionals, business leaders, research-oriented).
- What are the intakes and deadlines at University of Leicester?
- Intakes: September, January. Typical deadline: Rolling.
- Is University of Leicester hard to get into?
- University of Leicester is moderately selective, with an indicative acceptance rate of about 56%. A complete application that clearly meets the requirements has a strong chance.
- Does University of Leicester require GRE or GMAT?
- GRE: Not required. GMAT (for MBA): Preferred for finance/MBA programs. Always confirm the exact policy for your specific program on the official site.
- Can I work after studying at University of Leicester?
- Graduate Route: 2 years (3 for PhD) (UK). You can typically also work part-time while studying: 20 hrs/week during term.
- What documents do I need to apply to University of Leicester?
- Typically: Academic transcripts, Personal Statement, 1–2 References, CV, IELTS UKVI, Passport, Financial proof (CAS), Degree certificate. Check program-specific requirements before applying.