Start dates and application deadlines
Find key information on when you can start your postgraduate research degree and the deadlines for applying.
Start dates
Programmes starting on or after 1 September 2026
Start dates for postgraduate researchers, including visiting postgraduate researchers, are fixed and vary by academic school or faculty. Our entry points are 1 September, 1 October, 1 February and 1 April, though some areas may offer only one or two start dates per year.
October and February are the most common start dates, and most funding opportunities will require an October start. Guidance on areas with restricted start dates is provided here, though please check with the relevant postgraduate research admissions team for further information on available start dates.
Restricted start dates
Start dates depend on your faculty and course, and some have fixed intakes. Check the lists to see which areas have restricted start dates.
Areas offering a 1 October or 1 February intake only
- (with the exception of Accounting and Finance)
Areas offering a 1 October intake only
Areas offering a 1 September or 1 January intake only
Exceptional consideration of alternative start dates
Our start dates are aligned with our larger cohort-based inductions, which strengthen our postgraduate researcher community and provide extensive academic, professional and mutual support and access to resources from the start of your PhD. We encourage all postgraduate researchers to start with their cohort where possible.
Occasionally there may be exceptional circumstances where an applicant is required to start their research degree programme on a different date. If this occurs, a formal request to start on an alternative start date may be considered by the Head of Faculty Graduate School (or their nominee).
Exceptional circumstances that will be considered include, but are not limited to: a scholarship or sponsorship that is available for use on a specific date or range of dates that do not match any of our fixed start dates; availability of appropriate university resources; or extenuating personal circumstances. You should contact your supervisor or admissions team in the first instance for exceptional consideration of an alternative start date.
Delayed arrival
If you experience a delay in arriving to start your studies, we would consider whether this could be accommodated. If this is not possible, it may require you to change to the next available start date. Please contact the relevant postgraduate research admissions team if you have any concerns that you may not be able to arrive on time for your start date.
Application deadlines
We advise you to apply at least four months before your proposed start date. This is to allow sufficient time for us to review your application and undertake any additional checks.
If you are applying for a scholarship or funding opportunity, this may require you to apply for a place of study much earlier and in advance of funding deadlines, which can often be up to 12 months before the proposed start date.
You may also need adequate time to apply for ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance or a Student visa, as well as to make arrangements to travel to Leeds.
We cannot guarantee that we will be able consider applications received after application deadlines and, where there is not sufficient time, we may consider you for the next possible start date instead.
Deadlines for applications to start in the academic year 2026/27 are as follows:
| Start date | Deadline to apply for UK applicants (full-time or part-time) | Deadline to apply for 映客直播 applicants (full-time only) |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 31 May 2026 | 30 April 2026 |
| October 2026 | 30 June 2026 | 31 May 2026 |
| February 2027 | 31 October 2026 | 30 September 2026 |
| April 2027 | 31 December 2026 | 30 November 2026 |
Deadlines for applications to start in the academic year 2027/28 are as follows:
| Start date | Deadline to apply for UK applicants (full-time or part-time) | Deadline to apply for 映客直播 applicants (full-time only) |
|---|---|---|
| September 2027 | 31 May 2027 | 30 April 2027 |
| October 2027 | 30 June 2027 | 31 May 2027 |
| February 2028 | 31 October 2027 | 30 September 2027 |
| April 2028 | 31 December 2027 | 30 November 2027 |
Changing your start date
To request a new start date, you should contact the relevant postgraduate research admissions team. If they are able to accommodate this change then you will receive a new offer letter with your revised start and end date. You will have to accept this new offer and should note that there may be additional conditions applied to any new offer.