The facts and figures that support our values

The University of Leicester is a leading UK University committed to international excellence through the creation of world changing research and high quality, inspirational teaching.

Our Standing

The University of Leicester was the THE University of the Year 2008-9. In awarding the title 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 was, said the judges, "elite without being elitist".

We’re highly ranked, consistently in the top 20 of all national tables including:

• 15th in the Guardian
• 15th and top in the region in The Times
• 20th in the Sunday Times
• 20th in the Independent

Leicester is ranked in the top 3% of universities in the world by two international studies:

• Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings 2009
• Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic Ranking of World Universities 2009

Founded in 1921 we received our Royal Charter in 1957.

Leicester is a member of the 1994 Group of internationally renowned universities engaged in leading-edge research and high quality teaching.

High quality research and teaching

• The quality of our teaching is high and, amongst mainstream universities, our students are the most satisfied in England. In 2009 91% of full-time students were satisfied with their programme. The Sunday Times described Leicester as "top... amongst mainstream multi-faculty universities for student satisfaction". 

• The research conducted by the University has the strongest impact of any Midlands university measured by citations per academic. Our citation levels are the 6th highest in the UK relative to size (THE/QS World University Ranking October 8th 2009).

• Leicester’s Quality Related research funding (QR) is the 19th highest of Britain’s 120 universities.

• It was here that DNA Genetic Fingerprinting was invented by Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys.

• Leicester has one of the highest proportions of staff who are research active in the UK, with approximately 93% of staff submitted for the national 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. Of these, Leicester has 87% of research activity deemed by the RAE to be producing internationally significant research.

• Leicester is home to the department with greatest concentration of world class research of any department of any discipline in the UK – in our Department of Museum Studies.

Inclusive and accessible – a diverse University

• Of the Times’ top 20 universities only one, Leicester, meets its government benchmarks for inclusivity amongst state school pupils and lower socio-economic groups.
• Leicester has one of the strongest student completion rates – 91% of our students leave the sector with an award according to government performance indicators.
• The University won the 2009/10 THE Award for Outstanding Student Support.
• A University of 23,000 students, our turnover is in excess £230m per annum. Our turnover has a secondary knock on effect of £350m into the regional economy. Our students’ spending contributes a further £140m directly and indirectly into the economy. In total the University contributes well over £700m of activity annually to the economy.
• The University directly employs over 3,500 people and indirectly supports the employment of just under 3,000 others.