Student Support

Council Tax Exemption for Students

Households where everyone’s a full-time student do not have to pay Council Tax. If you do get a bill, you can apply for an exemption here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-council-tax-discount

You may need to provide evidence of your student status, which you will receive once you have registered on the course. If you have any questions please contact the PGCE office.

Health Care

Illness can affect any one of us at any time and for this reason the University strongly advises you to register with a doctor in Leicester.  The Victoria Park Health Centre (https://www.victoriaparkhealthcentre.co.uk/) has expertise in student health and has provided medical care to the University’s students for many years. The Health Centre is located conveniently close to the main-campus and registration is free.

If when you come to University you are already under the care of a ‘specialised team’, have a known medical condition including mental health or waiting for an appointment it is still advisable to register at the Victoria Park Health Centre. Soon after arrival, make an appointment to discuss with one of the doctors who will then be in a better position to communicate with the relevant doctors and help you to manage your condition to avoid any unnecessary disruption to your studies. Please take with you information from your current doctor or consultant which includes diagnosis, current management, including medication (provide a certified English translation if the original is not in English). This is essential for international students as some conditions may be managed differently in this country, particularly in relation to medication which may be licensed differently and may need changing to something which is available to prescribe in this country. If you take medication for your condition you must bring 12 weeks supply with you to ensure continuity until the registration process is complete.

More information about registering with a doctor and other health and well-being services can be found by searching on the NHS website.

If you are an overseas student staying in the UK for more than six months, you will have to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your visa application. This entitles you to use the NHS for free, although you will still need to pay some charges – such as prescriptions, eye tests and dental care – in the same way as a UK resident.

Personal Belongings

Your personal belongings are not covered by the University’s insurance.  You are therefore advised to check whether your parents’ or family policies provide adequate protection.  If not, private insurance arrangements should be made. 

A lost property service operates from the Security Lodge, which is situated at the far end of the Fielding Johnson Building on Wyggeston Drive, University entrance No. 1.

Bicycles may be brought onto the main campus but must be placed in the cycle racks provided, and appropriate security measures taken to help to prevent theft and damage. You can find more information along with Cycle storage locations.

Travel Information

Find out more about travel options here: Travel and transport

Student Finance

You can apply for a loan from Student Finance to cover the cost of your tuition fees. Student Finance will pay your course tuition fees directly to the University. You will need to visit https://www.gov.uk/masters-loan/apply to make an application. We encourage you to do this at your earliest convenience. 

If you do not apply for a loan you will be required to pay the tuition fee personally. Please note that you will not be able to start the course until the first instalment has been paid. Information on how to make a payment can be found here:  https://le.ac.uk/study/postgraduates/fees-funding

If you encounter difficulties with your funding application please contact one of the University’s Student Finance Advisers in the Student Welfare service for advice: welfare@le.ac.uk

Please also see our section on Student Wellbeing for additional support.