University of Leicester

08/09/2026

News | Leicester's cardiovascular research hub shines spotlight on life-saving innovations

👉 https://le.ac.uk/news/2026/september/cardiovascular-conference-leicester-bhf

The latest medical innovations in cardiovascular research have been showcased by the British Heart Foundation Leicester Centre of Research Excellence.

The centre was launched by the University last year following a multi-million pound funding boost from BHF and the University.
Based at Glenfield Hospital it supports ground-breaking studies into the causes of common and rare cardiovascular diseases, as well as refining appropriate treatment and interventions.

On Monday staff and students gathered for its annual conference to hear expert speakers share their knowledge and research and take part in panel discussions and interactive workshops.

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07/09/2026

Choosing a university is about more than selecting a course, it's about finding a place where you can thrive academically, personally and professionally.

Here are five reasons to join us at our Open Day this Saturday:

1️You can meet our current students and hear about their experiences
2️Chat with world-leading academics about your subject area
3️Explore our two accommodation sites: The City and The Village
4️Discover opportunities beyond your studies
5️Learn about our support services available every step of the way

Join us on Saturday and see why Leicester could feel like home for you.

Book your place: le.ac.uk/open-days

06/09/2026

Today’s the day 🌿

The Botanic Garden is ready for our Community Festival, with live music, food, crafts, family activities, talks, a mini market and plenty of time to explore the gardens.

There’s also the chance to see Gardeners’ World presenter Nick Bailey’s new World Food Garden and hear Great British Bake Off finalist Dr Josh Smalley explore Leicestershire’s brewing heritage.

📅 Today, Sunday 6 September, 11am–4pm

🎟️ Important: tickets must be booked online before you arrive. There will be NO tickets available on the gate.

So, if you’ve been thinking about coming, now’s the time to book:
https://shop.le.ac.uk/product-catalogue/community-festival-at-the-botanic-garden/community-festival-at-the-botanic-garden/community-festival-at-the-botanic-garden

Please use designated University parking where possible and help us be considerate of local residents.

05/09/2026

News | University of Leicester observations help reveal mysterious shape in Saturn’s clouds

👉 https://le.ac.uk/news/2026/august/observations-mysterious-shape-saturn-clouds

An international team of scientists has discovered a mysterious ten-sided structure, known as a decagon, in the atmosphere of the ringed planet Saturn.

By using the Hubble Space Telescope, images from amateur astronomers and observations by a University of Leicester scientist, they have revealed the presence of a wave around the planet’s South Pole that is a near twin of a long-lived hexagonal structure at its North Pole.

The details of the discovery have been published in the journal Science Advances today (2 September) and add to the continuing mystery of atmospheric phenomena on the gas giants of our Solar System.

When the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft flew past Saturn in 1980 and 1981, one of their many discoveries was the presence, within the planet’s clouds, of a hexagonal wave encircling its north pole. The hexagon has persisted to this day, for more than one Saturnian year (which is equivalent to about 30 Earth years). Despite the symmetry in the distribution of winds and atmospheric dynamics across the planet, in all the years since then, no similar structure had been observed in the southern hemisphere.

Ten-sided structure known as a decagon identified at Saturn’s South Pole in images from Hubble Space Telescope and from amateur astronomer, with University of Leicester scientist providing vital data

05/09/2026

Two years ago, the Jo Williams Clinic opened its doors at the University of Leicester.

Since then, the clinic has seen 1,464 clients across 4,860 appointments and classes.

The team now offers a growing range of services, including:

• 1:1 physiotherapy assessments in musculoskeletal and neurological care
• Sports massage every Thursday afternoon
• A monthly paediatric clinic for under-16s
• Weekly gait, falls and mobility, Pilates and Dose of Dance classes

The clinic is also developing a new antenatal class with our midwifery team, launching in October, alongside 1:1 assessments where needed.

It’s not just patients who benefit. Students from healthcare, medicine and pharmacy have also gained valuable clinical experience through the clinic.

And we’ve welcomed two new members to the team, Jo and Olivia, who have joined us in reception.

A big thank you to everyone who has helped the Jo Williams Clinic grow over the past two years, and to every patient and family who has been part of it.

With World Physical Therapy Day coming up on Tuesday 8 September, it’s a particularly fitting time to mark two years of the clinic.

04/09/2026

🚀 The launch of the Leverhulme Centre for Humanity and Space was just the beginning.

We’re continuing to introduce some of the people behind the Centre and the research helping us understand humanity’s future in space.

Meet four more of the researchers and associates shaping its work: Zoe Swann Baillie PhD, Dr Eleanor S Armstrong, Dr Scott Davidson and Rossana Deplano.

Swipe through to find out more about their research and the questions they’re exploring.

04/09/2026

Leicester Pride celebrations return on Saturday 5 September.

• Celebrations will be taking place from 1pm - 9pm at Abbey Park.
• Free bus services are running throughout the day from The Rainbow & Dove bar.
• The 1.7-mile parade route begins at Curve Theatre at 12pm, marching through The Lanes, Jubilee Square and along High Street before proceeding to Abbey Park at around 1pm.

Leicester Pride will be hosting a variety of entertainment and attractions suitable for all ages, alongside bountiful selections of food and drink, market stalls, fairground rides, live music, and a firework display and much more.

Patrick Ward, EDI Engagement and Data Officer, and part of the coordinating committee for the University’s contributions to the celebrations, said: “Leicester Pride is a wonderful opportunity for the city to showcase its beautiful diversity and culture of acceptance, by celebrating the LGBT+ community here in the city and wider East Midlands.
“The immense support from staff and students in ensuring the University’s contributions towards the celebrations each year is a wonderful demonstration of our collective commitment and as champions for change.
“Pride is a great opportunity for both the city and its community to come together in celebration of the progress we’ve made, while continuing championing for LGBT+ equity.”

04/09/2026

You can read about a university online.

You can compare courses, look around accommodation, watch campus tours and spend a very long time scrolling through university social media.

But eventually, it helps to see the place for yourself.

Walk around campus. Explore your subject. Meet current students and academics. Ask the questions you’ve been wondering about. Get a feel for Leicester and what everyday life here could actually look like.

Most importantly, see whether you can picture yourself here.

Our next Open Day is Saturday 12 September.

Book your place: le.ac.uk/open-days

03/09/2026

It’s happening 🚀

The launch of the Leverhulme Centre for Humanity and Space has started at Space Park Leicester.

The new Centre brings together researchers across the arts, humanities and social sciences to look at the human side of space exploration, including how we’ll live and work in space, how space is governed, and how different people and communities experience it.

We’re starting the day in the planetarium. Quite an appropriate setting.

Find out more about the Leverhulme Centre for Humanity and Space 👉 https://le.ac.uk/research/centres/humanity-space

03/09/2026

Fantastic news for our University community!

We've been shortlisted in two categories at the Times Higher Education Awards 2026:

🏆 Outstanding Support for Students
🏆 Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year

These nominations recognise the dedication of colleagues across our University who help create an exceptional student experience and support the next generation of researchers.

Thank you to everyone who helps make Leicester such a welcoming, supportive and inclusive place to study.

Read more here 👇
https://le.ac.uk/news/2026/september/university-leicester-double-shortlisting-times-higher-education-awards-2026