University of Leicester archives

The University Archives contain the institutional records of the University of Leicester and its predecessor and affiliated bodies. It is material created or gathered by staff, students and alumni that reflect what the University has done over time. 

The University was founded in 1921 as Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland University College by local residents who wanted it to stand as a memorial to those who had served in the First World War.

In 1927, after it became University College, Leicester, students sat the examinations for external degrees of the University of London. The Working Men's College founded by Reverend David Vaughan in 1862 merged with the University College 1929 to provide extra-mural classes. In 1957 the college was granted its Royal Charter, and has since then had the status of a University with the right to award its own degrees. For more on our history, please see the University History Project pages.

How to search the University Archive

You can search descriptions of the contents of the University Archives via our archives catalogue. Please be aware that not all of the archive has been catalogued, so please contact us if you are unable to locate what you are looking for.

We aim to catalogue everything to a useful level of detail but not every name or event recorded is indexed. You may need to think about the records which hold the kind of information that you are looking for, and search for the series of records instead of individual names.

The records that are used the most include minute books; press cuttings books; photographs; and publications, including prospectuses, degree ceremony programmes, staff and student handbooks and newsletters.

Selected material has been digitised, including photographs and copies of official publications. You can access these on our Special Collections Online website. 

How to access the University Archive

Our rare books and archives are open to all and can be consulted in the Special Collections reading room. Find out how to book your place and order material.

Certificates and transcripts

Replacement degree certificates and transcripts can be requested from our Information Hub. For further information, please email studentservices@le.ac.uk or phone 0116 252 2448.