The University of Leicester is a leading UK University committed to international excellence through the creation of world changing research and high quality, inspirational teaching. Leicester is the most socially inclusive of Britain's top-20 leading universities. Our Standing The University of Leicester was the THE University of the Year 2008-9. In awarding the title the judges cited Leicester’s ability to “evidence commitment to high quality, a belief in the synergy of teaching and research and a conviction that higher education is a power for good”. Leicester was, said the judges, "elite without being elitist". We’re highly ranked in the UK, consistently in the top 20 of major national tables including: • 17th in the Guardian (and 12th, 15th and 14th in previous 3 tables) • 14th in the Times Higher Table of Tables • 17th in The Times (and 15th, 14th, 14th in the previous 3 tables) Founded in 1921 we received our Royal Charter in 1957. Leicester is a member of the 1994 Group of internationally renowned universities engaged in leading-edge research and high quality teaching.