Leeds Beckett University vs University of Leeds

Leeds Beckett University vs University of Leeds

Leeds Beckett University is a career-focused public university in Leeds, West Yorkshire in the Leeds metropolitan area. It is a medium-sized university with around 17,000 undergraduate students. Admissions are fairly open—Leeds Beckett's acceptance rate is about 75%–80%. The most popular majors are Business & Management Studies, Engineering, Design, Hospitality & Travel, Law, Animation, Mass Communication, IT & Software, Humanities, Science, Architecture, Accounting, Education, Nursing, Medicine & Health Science. Six-year graduation rate is not commonly reported; however, around 94% of graduates are employed or seeking higher education within six months, showing encouraging outcomes. Leeds Beckett graduates still receive a median starting salary of around INR 27,80,000 (around £25,000/year) a decade after graduation.

University of Leeds is a public research university located in Leeds, West Yorkshire in the Leeds metropolitan area. It is a big school with approximately 25,000 undergraduate students in a total enrollment of more than 36,000–39,000. Admissions are competitive—University of Leeds' overall acceptance rate is approximately 59.9%. Popular majors cut across a broad range of high-impact and internationally ranked disciplines such as Geophysics, Geology, Earth Sciences, Development Studies, Petroleum Engineering, Geography, Medicine, Politics & International Studies, Theology, Statistics & Operational Research, Hospitality & Leisure Management, just to name a few. Graduation rate after six years is not given; 96.5% of graduates find employment or are in further study within six months, indicating outstanding graduate outcomes. University of Leeds graduates continue to command a median starting salary of around INR 32,74,000 (roughly £28,000/year) ten years after they graduated.

Overview Comparison
Leeds Beckett UniversityUniversity of Leeds
Collegedunia Score4.1 Out of 105.9 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 101 The Guardian 2026
# 801 Times Higher Education 2026
# 1001 QS World University 2026
# 28 The Guardian 2026
# 86 QS World University 2026
# 118 Times Higher Education 2026
Subject Strength# 801 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2023
# 467 for Medicine by Round University Ranking 2018
# 105 for Law by The Guardian 2026
# 92 for Engineering by QS World University 2025
# 96 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 34 for Law by The Guardian 2026
ProgramsUG Programs -117
PG Programs -76
UG Programs -129
PG Programs -164
Acceptance Rate75.0 %56.7 %
Exam ScoreGMAT-590
GRE-299
IELTS-6
PTE-51
SAT-1270
TOEFL-89
GMAT-600
GRE-299
IELTS-6
PTE-60
SAT-1200
TOEFL-88
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   17810
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  14523
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 878 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   34592
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  35277
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 4236 Per Year
placement (average package)

The average salary of graduates is around $89.1k. 


Graduate Employability Ranking 2023: 52;

University of Leeds is one of the top public universities in Leeds, United Kingdom. It is ranked #86 in QS World University Rankings 2023.

Average Salaries Of :

  • MBA : $91,000 
  • Executive MBA :  $83,000 
  • Masters in Management : $70,000 
  • Doctorate : $64,000 
  • Other Degree  :  $63,000 
  • Bachelor (Other) :  $61,000 

application requirements

Applicants must have a minimum average of 60%

Submit official transcripts

Submit English language proficiency scores

Check program specific requirements

Minimum 60% in bachelors for admission in PG; Letter of Intent, Statement of Purpose, CV, at least 2 references

CollegeDunia Reviews8.2/10 Read 11 reviews7.5/10 Read 56 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 102 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 401 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 11 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 101 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 102 for Business by QS World University 2025
exam scoresIELTS - 6/9PTE - 54/90TOEFL - 79/120GMAT - 600/800IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 64/90TOEFL - 88/120
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
General Facts Comparison
General FactsLeeds Beckett UniversityUniversity of Leeds
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1970
1904
Student:Faculty Ratio20:1
13:1
Male:Female50% Male, 50% Female40% Male, 60% Female
Location Facts

The university campuses comprises a number of locations: City campus, Headingley campus and Carnegie campus. 


Campus is 10 minutes away from Leed’s city center; well-connected with regular public transport services; it has Parkinson Building, Maurice Keyworth Building, Great Hall and Post-war buildings


Library

Sheila Silver Library at City Campus and Headingley Library in the James Graham Building are open 24/7 for Leeds Beckett staff and students. 


5 libraries with 3900 study spaces; Brotherton library: for arts, social sciences, and law; Edward Boyle library: for science and engineering; Health Sciences Library: for medicine and health-related subjects; Laidlaw Library: for group work, bookable space and on-site academic skills support, St James University Hospital Library: supports university’s research & teaching staff, medical & healthcare students and employees of the Hospital trust; 


Campus Life

The university provides plenty of activities and amenities to keep you busy on campus. Whether you're looking to fit some extra study time in at the library, grab lunch with friends or let off some steam in the gym, it has you covered.  All of the university's accommodation is located within easy travelling distance of its campuses, with facilities such as en suite bedrooms, free Wi-Fi, or TVs in the living area. The university has a wide variety of fitness classes to suit all ability levels and goals – all of the fitness classes are included in membership for free! Various type of sports like basketball, football, rugby, athletics, hockey etc are played at the university. 


University’s union has over 300 clubs and societies; Free counseling, mental health support groups, workshops, etc; discounted access to university’s sports center: The Edge; Sports Park Weetwood for outdoor sports; various sports clubs and programs; University has shops, cafes, bars, nightclubs, theatre, spa, hairdressers, bank and a student advice center on-campus


Hostel#Monthly Room - $758
#Self Catered En-Suite Room - $1404
#Catered En-suite Room - $2460
Famous Alumni

Marc Almond – singer-songwriter and musician
David Ball – musician
Alistair Brownlee – triathlete
Lucas Block - Chef
Richard Buck – sprinter
Colin Burgon – politician
Emily Campbell – weightlifter


George Porter (Nobel Prize in Chemistry); Wole Soyinka (Nobel Prize in Literature); Archer John Porter Martin (Nobel Prize in Chemistry); Emma Mackey (actress); Tony Harrison (poet); Alan Yentob (former BBC executive); Piers Sellers (NASA astronaut)


City Life

Leeds is one of the country's largest and fastest-growing cities and has a leading reputation in business, culture and sport. Leeds is well connected, nationally and internationally, with excellent transport links. It’s only 30 minutes from Leeds Bradford international airport and one hour from Manchester airport. The city is well-connected to other parts of the country by rail and you can reach London in just over two hours. In Leeds you can enjoy eating world foods, whatever your budget. Try something new or enjoy old favourites at restaurants, cafes and market stalls around the city. Leeds is a shopper’s paradise. Victorian arcades with quirky individual shops sit alongside the global chain stores you’d expect in any big city. The city centre is compact and easy to walk around. Leeds has several major sports teams. Headingley Carnegie Cricket Ground is just a 30-minute walk from campus and regularly hosts international Test matches and Twenty20 games.


Leeds is the largest city of West Yorkshire in Northern England; located approximately 170 miles north of Central London; 30 minutes away from Leeds Bradford international airport; 1 hour away from Manchester airport; Unemployment rate in 2019 was 4.1%; it is the 8th largest engineering center and 2nd largest printing manufacturing center in UK


Weather
Comparison Notes

Leeds Beckett University vs University of Leeds

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

The University of Leeds is one of the world's top universities with #86 ranking in QS and 123rd ranking in Times Higher Education globally. Leeds Beckett University, is ranked among #1001-1200 in QS ranking and 801–1000th  in Times Higher Education globally. Subject-wise, the University of Leeds stands out in Engineering, Business, Life Sciences, and Arts & Humanities, while Leeds Beckett stands out in Sports Science, Hospitality, Creative Arts, and Professional Studies.

General Information

The University of Leeds is a large Russell Group research-intensive member, with over 39,000 students, providing a broad range of academic subject areas. Leeds Beckett University is a new university, with approximately 23,000 students, that features an applied learning setting and industry-associated teaching. Leeds offers the traditional research-oriented environment, while Beckett is focused on employability and vocational routes.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Leeds Beckett's acceptance rate is about 75%–80% and University of Leeds' overall acceptance rate is approximately 59.9%. Admissions for the University of Leeds are more competitive, with higher entries (usually AAB–ABB at A-levels or equivalent). Leeds Beckett University tends to have more open entry pathways, with a greater range of foundation courses, vocational qualifications, and routes for non-traditional learners. International students in Leeds have higher academic and English language requirements, while Leeds Beckett has more open options and support for applicants.

Research Impact & Facilities

The University of Leeds has a world-leading output in research, with cutting-edge laboratory facilities, research institutes, and one of the largest libraries in the UK. The university is renowned in STEM, medicine, and policy research. Leeds Beckett boasts a smaller-scale research output in applied and practice-led research, with an emphasis in sports science, healthcare, and business innovation. Facilities at Beckett are small-scale and career-relevant, while Leeds boasts large-scale resources across fields.

Cost & Financial Aid

Both are UK public universities, with international tuition fees, but Leeds tends to be more expensive overall with its global reputation. Leeds Beckett fees are relatively lower, which is why more international students can afford it. Both institutions provide scholarships, although the University of Leeds offers more merit-based and research awards, while Beckett focuses on access and widening participation scholarships.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

The University of Leeds has an international alumni community, with graduates performing well in research, academia, business, and global leadership positions. Leeds Beckett alumni perform well in professional contexts in sports, media, business, and public services, echoing the university's emphasis on applied learning. Leeds graduates tend to attain higher mean salaries and more wide-ranging worldwide opportunities, whereas Beckett provides strong career placement into industry-associated areas and strong connections with local employers.