Students vote Leeds third in the UK

The University of Leeds has come third in the UK in a major survey that asks students about their experience while studying.

Leeds is also the highest ranked among the Russell Group of research-intensive universities and scores particularly highly for its campus environment, facilities and extra-curricular activities. 

The Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey goes beyond the usual measures to ask students about the details of university life that matter to them the most. 

“The key is working together. We might have one of the largest campuses in the UK but we foster a small community feel. 

I think it’s something that we do very well indeed, and it’s great to receive this endorsement from our students.” said Professor Tom Ward, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education.

Here is a success story showing how a students from the School of Earth and Environment and the Head of Food Development have helped the University earn its top three spot:

Simon and Felisha

Simon Wood is key to the happy student experience at Leeds: he’s Head of Food Development. 

Linking up with groups around the University he runs food demonstrations, which give students a chance to socialise and to taste homemade food. 

He also designs and develops the food for the student experience on campus, taking account of feedback from students and current food trends. 

Simon’s passion for food, cooking and the University, where he’s worked for 21 years, is obvious. 

“I hope that I can inspire students to give cooking a go if they’ve not tried it much before. 

“I get so much satisfaction from this job, I consider myself very lucky.” 

Open to everyone, food demonstrations particularly provide support to international students. 

The key is working together. We might have one of the largest campuses in the UK but we foster a small community feel. 

I think it’s something that we do very well indeed, and it’s great to receive this endorsement from our students

Felisha Chong signed up to a food demonstration run by the International Student Office in partnership with the Business Confucius Institute and Great Food at Leeds to celebrate Chinese New Year – which had sold out and had a waiting list of 70 people. 

In the first year of a BSc in Sustainability and Environmental Management, she wanted to understand more about the University and to meet new people. 

“Student support at Leeds is really good. Taking part in events like food demonstrations is fun and a good way to feel a part of what is happening at Leeds,” she says. 

This year’s overall score is comprised of scores from the past three years, which has seen Leeds rise from sixth place in 2016, fourth in 2017 and now enters the top three for the first time. 

Further information 

To find out more, contact pressoffice(at)leeds.ac.uk or call 0113 343 4031