Discover how Residence Life is here for you

Residence Life at the University of Leeds is all about making your experience in halls the best it can be. Living in Residence gives you the freedom to live on your own, while still having the support you need to successfully transition to university life. Our goal is to provide a supportive environment where you can form your own identity, gain independence, and become a socially responsible, engaged member of the community. The halls experience will empower you to become the best version of yourself.

Community

Halls are designed to be inclusive, welcoming spaces where everyone feels they belong. You’ll meet people from different backgrounds, take part in shared activities, and build friendships that can last long after you move out. By getting involved and looking out for one another, you help create a positive, respectful community where everyone can thrive.

Identity

University is a time of discovery, and halls give you the space to explore who you are. Whether you’re trying new things, developing your interests, or figuring out what matters most to you, this is your chance to grow in confidence and define your own values. We’re here to support you as you shape your identity and purpose.

Life Skills

Living independently is a big step, and halls are a great place to learn as you go. From managing your time and wellbeing to handling everyday responsibilities, you’ll develop the resilience and practical skills that will support you throughout university and beyond. Halls offer a safe environment to learn, make mistakes, and build the confidence you need for life after university.

Responsibility

Being part of a community means understanding the impact you have on the people and spaces around you. In halls, you’ll learn the importance of respect, accountability, and making choices that contribute to a positive environment. By taking responsibility for yourself and your surroundings, you help create a community everyone can be proud of.

We know that moving to University can be a big life change, which is why we offer you a warm welcome to University life with our programme of intake events and activities. These range from welcome BBQs and walking tours of Leeds to group trips to activities like bowling, crazy golf and pet therapy.

We want you to love both your University experience and your time in Leeds, which is why we’re here to run events and activities to help make your time in halls unforgettable.

Residence Life events 

Throughout the year our Residence Life Team runs events to help you settle in and ensure you have a positive experience in halls! These events give you the chance to try new activities, learn new skills and meet other people with similar interests. In the past we’ve had llamas and alpacas visit our halls, taken trips across Yorkshire, had sports days and football events and we even put on a quiz with Shaun Wallace from The Chase! 

As well as this, we encourage you to join the Residence Life Social Committee at your halls. These committees provide an opportunity for you to plan and run events in your building for your fellow residents. You’ll work with a budget and develop key professional skills including leadership, teamwork, event planning and more!

Residence Life support 

We want you to love your time in halls and we know that at times  everyone needs a bit of help, so we ensure there is always support available whenever you need it. Each hall has a Residence Life Warden and a team of Residence Life Assistant who are there to help with any issues you may have during term time.  

Residence Life Assistants are there to provide advice, guidance and support during your time in halls. If you do have any problems, your Residence Life Assistants or Warden will work with you to solve them and help you to develop essential life skills such as managing conflict.

When you move into halls, you’ll be given the mobile number of the Residence Life Assistants (RLAs) at your hall – our RLAs are experienced students who live in at most sites. You can speak to them about any issues affecting your halls experience and wellbeing, or even if you’re just locked out!  

Altogether the support from Residence Life ensures that in term time there’s someone on hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you need them. 

Helping you grow

We are committed to making sure your time in halls supports every part of your university journey. You’ll be part of a welcoming, inclusive community where you can build meaningful connections and feel a real sense of belonging. Living in halls also gives you the space to explore your identity, understand what matters to you, and grow in confidence as you settle into university life.

You’ll develop important life skills that help you manage day‑to‑day responsibilities, overcome challenges, and prepare for whatever comes next, whether that’s your studies, future career, or life beyond university. At the same time, you’ll learn what it means to be a responsible member of your community, making choices that contribute to a positive and respectful environment for everyone.

We offer you lots of chances to join in with the wider University community such as Leeds University Union (LUU), as well as with the local Leeds community through volunteering activities. We’ll also help you to learn about living independently if you’re planning on moving into private rented accommodation after your time with us.

Viewing in China? Watch Welcome to Residence Life at Leeds on Bilibili