About The University

The University

Education that inspires. Research that changes the world.

The University of Leicester is a leading UK university that delivers high quality research and inspirational teaching. Leicester is the Times Higher Education's University of the Year for 2008-9. The University is ranked 12th out of Britain's 123 universities, Leicester features prominently amongst the world's top 200 institutions.

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

Mission, vision and values of the University

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.

In October 2008 the University was named University of the Year 2008-9 by the Times Higher Education at their annual awards. The judges cited Leicester's ability to "evidence commitment to high quality, a belief in the synergy of teaching and research and a conviction that higher education is a power for good".

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.

Described as a "first class university" Leicester is ranked 12th in the UK out of 113 universities by the UK Complete University Guide published on 24 April 2008. The University performs well in the Guardian University Guide (14th), Times Good University Guide (14th) and Sunday Times University Guide. 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.

History

The University of Leicester is one of the older universities in the country. Founded in 1921 with nine students, the fledgling college gained full degree-awarding powers in 1957 when it was granted its Royal Charter. 

The site for the University was given by a local textile manufacturer, Thomas Fielding Johnson, in order to create a living memorial for those who gave their lives in the First World War. This is reflected in the University motto 'Ut Vitam Habeant' - so that they may have life.

Famous names associated with the University include: Lord Richard and Sir David Attenborough; poet Philip Larkin; authors C.P. Snow, Malcolm Bradbury and Sue Townsend; astronaut Jeff Hoffman; astronomers Patrick Moore and Heather Couper; TV personalities Michael Nicholson and Sue Cook; the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir John Stevens; the Government's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson and comic Bob Mortimer.

Governance

The Government of the University is based on Statutes and Ordinances. The main instruments of government are Council and Senate.

Officers of the University: 
The formal head of the University is the Chancellor, who attends on a number of special occasions, the most important being congregations for the conferment of degrees.

The Vice-Chancellor is the chief academic and executive officer of the University. He is chairman of Senate, and is responsible for maintaining and promoting the efficiency and good order of the University. He is assisted by three Pro-Vice-Chancellors.

The Registrar and Secretary is responsible for providing all the University's administrative services. 

Visitor
Her Majesty The Queen

Chancellor
Sir Peter Williams, CBE, FREng, FRS

Pro-Chancellors
R H Bettles, BDS, DDH, LDS, MCD, DDPH

Vice-Chancellor
Professor R G Burgess, BA, PhD, AcSS

Treasurer
M A Chamberlain, OBE, LLD, FCA

Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor
Professor M P Thompson, LLB, LLM

Pro-Vice-Chancellors
Professor I Postlethwaite, BSc, MA, PhD, FREng, CEng, FIEE, FInstMC, FIEEE

Ms C Fyfe, BA, MA, MBA

Professor D Wynford-Thomas

Graduate Dean
Professor K C Lee, BA, MSc, PhD, FRSA

Registrar and Secretary
D E Hall, BA

Director of Library Services
L Jones, BA, MA, MPA