Documents
A valid passport is required for citizens of all countries entering the UK. Citizens of certain countries and territories may also require a visa. To find out if you need a visa and how to apply, visit this UK government site: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa. We advise you to contact the British Embassy or High Commission in your country for complete and official instructions on the specific visa regulations and application procedures that apply to you. Further information on the standard visitor visa (this will be suitable for most visitors) can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa/overview.
Air
Leicester is conveniently located in the centre of England and is within easy reach of several major airports.
- Birmingham Airport: Birmingham Airport is only one hour away from Leicester and serves over 180 destinations. Many flights from long-haul destinations have a stopover in hubs such as Amsterdam, Paris or Dubai. There are convenient rail services or airport taxis from Birmingham International to Leicester.
- Heathrow Airport: Heathrow is the largest UK airport serving over 180 destinations in over 90 countries. It is located 15 miles to the south of London and there is a direct bus service from Heathrow to Leicester.
- Gatwick Airport: Gatwick is the second largest airport in the UK and operates flights to over 200 destinations. There is a direct bus service from Gatwick to Leicester.
- Stansted Airport: Stansted offers flights to and from over 140 destinations in over 30 countries and there is a direct rail service to Leicester.
- London Luton Airport: Luton airport has flights going to several destinations across the globe and there are convenient rail services from Luton Airport to Leicester (via Luton Airport Parkway).
- East Midlands Airport: East Midlands Airport is the closest airport to the city of Leicester; however, it only operates flights to and from a select number of countries (mainly within Europe). Skylink buses take passengers to and from Leicester every 30 minutes during the day and once an hour at night.
Airport Taxis
These companies provide service to most of the above airports from and to Leicester:
Train
There are direct train services from London Stansted and London Luton airports. From Birmingham International Airport you can travel by train to Leicester, but you will need to change trains at Birmingham New Street station. Information about train times can be found on the National Rail Enquiries website or on Trainline.
There are also direct trains from London St Pancras, meaning that you can travel from Brussels or Paris on the Eurostar with just one change of train.
Once you have arrived at the train station in Leicester, it is a short 15-20 minute walk (left) up London Road and then right on University Road to the University.
Coach
For most airports, Leicester can be accessed by a National Express coach which can be booked at: http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx.
If you are travelling to Leicester by bus or coach, you will arrive at St Margaret’s Bus Station in the city centre. For Buses in Leicester consult Leicester Travelling by bus and Arriva Bus in Leicester.
Road
The University’s postcode is LE1 7RH. You can access the campus via University Road. Parking on campus is very limited but there are several car parks nearby. For those with accommodation in Leicester, please leave your car at the accommodation and use public transport services.
Should you require a taxi to the University the following providers can be used:
- ABC Taxis Leicester Office – 0116 255 5111
- Swift Fox Cabs – 0116 26 28 222
- Queens Taxis- 0116 2701700
- Club Taxis- 0116 2313001
- Hansom – 0116 2333333
- ADT – 0116 2555222
- Uber
- There are also taxi ranks / Hackney cabs outside of the Train station and St Margaret’s bus station.
Foot
You can get to the University on foot from the train station in 15 minutes, by turning left outside the station, walking up London Road and then turning right along University Road. From the railway station you can also catch the number 48 bus service which runs from outside the station to the University.
There is a taxi rank at the railway station. The fare should be between £5 and £12.
The train station is located on the edge of the City Centre, by walking to the end of Granby Street and turning right onto St Georges Way, you should quickly come to the train station which is almost directly opposite.