De Montfort University (DMU) is a UK institution based in the city of Leicester, just east of Birmingham in an area of England known as the Midlands. The exciting city of Leicester was rated fourth by the Top Cities Vibrancy Report 2022, coming out ahead of very popular spots like Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds and London. It’s a great place to live, and students at DMU enjoy all the excitement of the city as they benefit from great teaching standards.
Home to the National Space Centre, the Leicester Museum and the infamous Leicester City football team, this location provides something for everyone. The nightlife is exciting, amenities are everywhere, and best of all? Leicester was recently rated one of the top ten most affordable student cities.
Leicester is a sustainable city that welcomes people from all backgrounds, and De Montfort University is a sustainable institution with development goals that is just as welcoming as the city it’s in. The graduate employment rates at DMU are high, the student support systems cover every possible problem a person could have and the modern technology and facilities push learning standards to another level.
DMU provides great teaching to talented students, and when class is over, these students are close to everything Leicester has to offer, like shopping, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. It’s easy to be enjoying the nightlife one minute and heading back to safe, conveniently located blocks of student accommodation the next.
The art and drama programmes at De Montfort attract creative people, while the leisure facilities, good enough for champions, help athletes to succeed in their sports courses. Flight simulators teach future pilots and experts in the field of medicine teach future doctors. No matter what a student’s interests are, they’ll find the subject for them at DMU, and they’ll get to learn this subject from some great lecturers and tutors.
Every year, 2,700 international students from over 130 countries enrol at DMU to join the rest of the students. They’re supported from the very beginning, helped through the application process, offered scholarships in some cases and cared for until after they’ve graduated (which is when they become a valued member of the DMU alumni network).
The teaching quality at De Montfort is amazing. In 2021, Research Excellence Framework confirmed that over 60 per cent of the teaching provided at DMU should be considered world-leading and internationally excellent. In the same year, Times Higher Education said it was in the top three for teaching excellence in the UK.
This is partly due to DMU’s Education 2030 scheme, which is a student-centred approach to higher education. The scheme allows students to focus on one module at a time, instead of completing several at once, this approach allows for a higher level of understanding. It also allows students to learn in a more personalised way while building a strong university community, as they study alongside the same lecturers and students.
The lecturers at DMU are dedicated to their students and good at what they do, as great rankings and high-quality teaching standards across every course clearly suggest. Some of the academic staff even have National Teaching Fellowships.
There’s also some great research happening at De Montfort. Researcher Deborah Cartmell won a Jim Welsh Award for excellence in adaptation studies, while researcher Anwar Baydoun has been praised by lots of people for his contributions to the field of health and life sciences. For anyone interested in adaptation studies, Professor Cartmell openly welcomes PhD applications and has supervised students to achieve successful academic careers in the UK, the US, Australia and Indonesia.
There’s also a Centre for English Learning at DMU that’s been accredited by the British Council, and an international college that runs in partnership with Oxford International Education. Quality teaching is a priority for De Montfort staff and students, and nothing less is good enough.
DMU entry requirements change depending on which course a potential future student would like to apply for, which level of study they’re entering DMU at (undergraduate or postgraduate) and the strength of their English language skills.
The general entry requirements for DMU at an undergraduate level are simple, students should be able to prove their understanding of English and should have at least 104 tariff points (or the equivalent in an international student’s country of previous education). For foundation degrees, this tariff requirement is lowered to 48 points.
For certain programmes, these tariff points are higher than others. For example, applicants for accounting and business management would need 104 tariff points, but applicants for acting would need 112 tariff points. Plus, other university requirements apply to acting applicants, they have to complete an audition for the course to start their journey with DMU.
For postgraduate applicants, the entry requirements are similar but associated with a different level of education. DMU will ask for proof of all relevant previous university qualifications and eligibility for admission will depend on specific requirements that vary between postgraduate courses.
DMU is in England, and teaching at the institution is delivered in English. This means that every student who enrols at De Montfort needs a good enough level of English understanding to meet the academic demands of their course.
For international students who don’t qualify for any exceptions, this means taking a test and confirming an English score above a certain level. DMU accepts lots of different test formats, but the IELTS is one of the most popular.
The minimum IELTS overall band score accepted at De Montfort is 5.5, or 5 if a student agrees to complete a six-week pre-sessional English course before classes start (this course extends to 12 weeks for an IELTS score of 4.5). The six-week course and the 12-week course are both held at the DMU International College.
The university admission process for international students at De Montfort is easy. Firstly, students are advised to download the international application form, which can be found on the university website, and fill it out. They will then need to share:
Additionally, as part of their admission, students have to write a 500-word personal statement explaining why they chose DMU, alongside any other information which may support their application (including information about the specific course they’ve chosen to apply for). The above documents then need to be returned to the admissions office with the application form. Students can also choose to apply via UCAS with the code DEM/D26.
Once an application and all the right documents have been submitted, students wait for a response. The university may return a conditional offer of student admission or an unconditional one. Otherwise, the university might offer an applicant a different course, or it might reject the application completely.
An unconditional offer means that a place is reserved, and the student must accept or decline it. If accepted, the student must then pay a holding deposit. This is typically 50 per cent of their total course fees for their first year of study. If an alternative course offer is made, it means that DMU has rejected the application for the applied course but has found another course. It may be a more suitable option for the student based on their application.
The next steps in the admission process for international students include sorting travel and visas, and preparing for a new academic and personal life in a new country. DMU student services are already available at this point, and the admission team should be able to advise.
The yearly fees at DMU are between GBP 14,750 and GBP 15,250. These prices are determined by course. Courses that include a lot of classroom teaching like business and design are the cheaper options, while courses with expensive facilities like laboratories or theatres (engineering, performing arts) cost more. Tuition fees can be paid either online or in person, in a lump sum or in instalments. If a student wants to pay in instalments, they’ll have to pay a deposit first.
For international students, there’s a chance to be awarded help with funding and fees through the DMU International Scholarship. This scholarship reduces fees by GBP 1,500 (after the deposit is paid), though the exact amount can shift from academic year to year. It’s awarded to first years. Five students with impressive sporting talents who compete at high levels can also access university scholarships of up to GBP 6,000.
Alumni get 20 per cent off the price of further studies at DMU, so there’s a lot of incentive for a graduate who enjoyed their time at the university to return for a postgraduate qualification. Plus, thanks to the Leicester Postgrad Partnership, this will also mean 20 per cent off the price of studies at the University of Manchester in the north of England.
In 2010, DMU invested GBP 136 million into the development of its campus. And it shows. Located near the centre of Leicester, the campus includes lots of modern buildings and institutes. These include the newly refurbished Vijay Building, the Hugh Ashton building and its interesting architecture, and the Campus Centre building, home to the DMU student union.
A road known as Mill Lane runs through DMU. The road used to be full of traffic, but now this beautiful walking area has been transformed to create a greener DMU. Right next to the university is the historic Leicester Castle and the Great Hall that’s now the university’s thriving business centre.
There are four main faculties at De Montfort University and many amazing research institutes. Each faculty contains a number of academic units:
DMU is also proud to give students access to the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre, a hub for justice on campus. Students and staff at the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre raise awareness of important social and cultural issues and point out/protest discrimination when they see it happening.
DMU provides everything students need to study comfortably and effectively, from modern lecture theatres and useful library resources to exciting facilities and centres that let students relax and embrace university life between classes.
The libraries of DMU (Kimberlin Library, Eric Wood, The Greenhouse and the Law Library) are open, comfortable and accessible student activity centres. All four are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to ensure students get the most out of their university facilities and are never limited by opening and closing times. Each library has 700 computers and 1,600 places to study.
Some areas in DMU leave room for studying and room for socialising, like the Vijay Patel Building, the Queens Building, the Hawthorn Building, the Hugh Aston Building and the Gateway House. There are plush spaces to plug in and focus or get together and chat in each of them. There are also workspaces in DMU’s Campus Centre.
Alongside having its own performance hall named The Venue where students can expect to be entertained regularly, DMU has lots of cafés and dining options. These include Food Village, Riverside Café, Simply Fresh, Coffee House, Coffee Hut and Subway. Students looking for a traditional English experience can even do this on campus with a drink at the Castle Pub.
Further student recreation centres and leisure options at DMU include:
These student activity centres and facilities (and more) are open to every student, with various membership plans available. At the QEII Leisure Centre, plans range from bronze to gold tiers, with the cheapest being GBP 84.00 annually, and the most expensive (which includes a UNIversal gym card) being GBP 184.00 annually.
De Montfort is in a prime location, only a short walk away from Leicester city centre. Since it’s known as one of the UK’s most exciting student cities, there’s a lot of student accommodation in Leicester, but getting the right accommodation can still be quite competitive.
International students who’d like to live in university accommodation will be happy to know that there are nine halls of residence available. Three of these halls are owned and managed by DMU: Bede Hall, New Wharf Hall and Waterways Gardens. There are also five other Leicester accommodation options affiliated with DMU but not managed directly by the institution:
All DMU rooms have en suite bathrooms. Prices range from GBP 95.00 to GBP 154.50 a week depending on room type (students have the option of basic, classic or premium). Rooms are furnished and each university accommodation block has amenities like Wi-Fi, laundry, parking and common recreation areas. Some halls even have communal cinema rooms.
DMU housing prides itself on its security and safety. A helpful tool for students with any concerns would be the DMU website's FAQ page, where students can find information on anything from safety worries to accessible, disability-friendly accommodation.
Privately rented student houses in Leicester are also available. A room in a shared student house would usually cost between GBP 400 and 650 per month, depending on factors like location, the number of students sharing, and so on.
Private renting can be a great way to build independence and really enjoy UK student life, especially for international students who might want to stay in the country after their studies and keep renting. DMU recommends that any student (especially in their first year) considering private rental does lots of research before making any final decisions.
Every person studying at DMU will have access to round-the-clock student support that focuses on a variety of issues, problems and concerns. Students struggling academically have the right to resources that are designed to help them.
These student support programmes can vary from essay writing, research, time management and vocal presentation skills. The university also provides a personal tutor scheme, a chance to receive one-to-one support from a student guide in any areas that feel challenging.
Financial advice is also available from the on-site student finance team. This might take the form of help solving money-related issues or support with better money management. International students get specialist student services, especially as they’re settling in, and disabled students can always turn to the disability advice and support team when they feel they need some extra help.
Further student support services at DMU include a range of mental wellbeing resources. There’s a team at DMU available for talking therapies, as well as a mental health inclusion team and a transitions team for any student struggling to adjust to life at university. DMU doesn’t want any stupid to feel left behind, and the many services provided prevent this possibility.
85 per cent of graduates from De Montfort University are currently employed, and employability is a big focus for the university from day one. Students are encouraged to understand their job prospects and explore their career options before graduation, and they’re helped to develop useful skills for the working world like time management and communication.
At the National Undergraduate Employability Awards in 2021, DMU topped the list of universities that actively help students begin their careers. Plus, the university was ranked seventh in the UK for graduate start-up programmes. Leicester is actually a start-up hotspot in the UK, and the Leicester1000 initiative gives new graduates access to an exciting employer network across the city.
Further employment services from the university include the DMU Partner Programme, which runs alongside courses and helps students develop on the job with institutions across the UK (like Fairfield Business, the Design Academy and London Science and Technology).
DMU Works is yet another career guide that gets students work-ready as they study. It provides placements, internships and work-readiness coaching sessions, as well as offering business visits/tours, enterprise support and research consultancy opportunities. Students who enjoyed all these great career services have gone on to work with the NHS, the BBC, Gucci, Disney and NASA.
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Hotcourses Diversity Index (What is this?)
136 International student nationalities at this university
0.63% International students from USA
601
801
UNDERGRADUATE
£11,631
POSTGRADUATE
£13,618
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