Faith-based support

Groups and societies

We don’t currently have a Bahá'í Society, but our Students’ Union is here to support any students who are interested in creating their own student group. Find out more about how to start a society and the application process. 

Practising your faith in Leicester 

There is a multi-faith room in the Highcross Shopping Centre, which is available to those of all faiths and none, and provides a space to pray, meditate, reflect and find quiet.

More information

For any faith-related queries or further support, please email faith@le.ac.uk.

Groups and societies

We don’t currently have a Buddhist Society, but our Students’ Union is here to support any students who are interested in creating their own student group. Find more information about how to start a society and the application process. 

Practising your faith in Leicester

The Nagarjuna Kadampa Meditation Centre in the city centre includes meditation rooms and the Vegetarian World Peace Cafe. You can find it at 17 Guildhall Lane, Leicester, LE1 5FQ.

There is a multi-faith room in the Highcross Shopping Centre, which is available to those of all faiths and none, and provides a space to pray, meditate, reflect and find quiet.

Festivals and events

To keep up to date with any Buddhist festivals or events taking place within the city, keep checking the Visit Leicester website for more information.

More information

For any faith-related queries or further support, please email faith@le.ac.uk.

Groups and societies

The Students’ Union has a number of faith societies for Christians from a range of churches and traditions. Find more information about the societies, including their contact details and how to join.

Faith spaces at the University of Leicester

The Chaplaincy to the University of Leicester offer spiritual support to all University students and staff. The Chaplaincy is based in The Gatehouse on University road, just across the street from central campus.

There is a Prayer Room upstairs at The Gatehouse. This space is filled with creative prayer stations and is available for individuals or groups to use for prayer, worship or quiet reflection. 

Practising your faith in Leicester

The Chaplaincy team come from different Christian groups and most of them lead churches alongside their chaplaincy role.

For help finding a church in Leicester, exploring Christianity from scratch, or tackling any problems you’re encountering in your faith, please contact the Chaplaincy team (chaplaincy@le.ac.uk) or visit them at The Gatehouse. They will be happy to support you.

There is a multi-faith room in the Highcross Shopping Centre, which is available to those of all faiths and none, and provides a space to pray, meditate, reflect and find quiet.

Festivals and events in Leicester

The Chaplaincy organises regular, fun events throughout the year as well as one-off celebrations to mark key dates in the Christian calendar. Students and staff from all faiths and none are welcome to attend.

To keep up to date with any Christian festivals or events taking place within the city, keep checking the Visit Leicester website for more information.

More information 

For any faith-related queries or further support, you can also email faith@le.ac.uk.

Groups and societies

We have a Hindu Society who host a wide variety of activities and events throughout the year. Find more information about the society, including their contact details and how to join. 

Practising your faith in Leicester

The closest mandir to the University of Leicester campus is Geeta Bhavan, located at 70 Clarendon Park Rd, Leicester, LE2 3AD.

Leicester is also home to one of the biggest mandirs in the country: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, located at 135 Gipsy Lane, Leicester, LE4 6RH.

Shree Jalaram Mandir and the Helping Hands Project provide free food every Thursday between 6.30pm and 7.30pm, located at 85 Narborough Rd, Leicester LE3 0LF.

There is a multi-faith room in the Highcross Shopping Centre, which is available to those of all faiths and none, and provides a space to pray, meditate, reflect and find quiet.

Festivals and events in Leicester

Leicester’s Diwali festival is one of the biggest outside of India. You can also learn more about the history of Diwali in Leicester.

There are usually events taking place in the city throughout the year to mark important events in the Hindu calendar – check out the Visit Leicester website for more information.

More information

For any faith-related queries or further support, please email faith@le.ac.uk.

Groups and societies

The University of Leicester Islamic Society (ULISOC) host a wide variety of educational, social and spiritual activities and events throughout the year. ULISOC have their own website which contains further information, including: a prayer timetable, details of Jumu'ah Salah (Friday prayers), Ramadan on campus, and useful advice.

We also have an AhlulBayt Islamic Society and Muslim Medics Leicester.

Faith spaces at the University of Leicester

Prayer rooms in the Charles Wilson Building

Located on the mezzanine floor of the Charles Wilson building, the Muslim Prayer Room is open to all students and staff.  The Brothers’ prayer room is located immediately to your left, whilst the Sisters’ prayer room is at the end of the corridor on your right. There are separate ablution/wudu facilities for Brothers and Sisters just before the Sisters' prayer room. 

Freemen’s Common prayer rooms

We have Brothers’ and Sisters’ prayer rooms in the Freemen’s Student Village: City Reception building. When you walk through the main entrance, turn left and then right. Keep following the corridor to the right until you reach the prayer facilities.

There are separate ablution/wudu facilities for Brothers and Sisters opposite their respective prayer rooms.

Maurice Shock prayer rooms

Walk through the main Maurice Shock entrance on University Road, and then through the double doors to the left of the lift. Turn immediately left again and you will find the prayer room.

There are ablution/wudu facilities in the female toilets opposite the prayer room and in the male toilets once you walk through the double doors.

Practising your faith in Leicester

• Muslim Welfare House (Darul Sunnah) is a community mosque based very close to the University of Leicester. It is located at 174-176, Welford Rd, Leicester, LE2 6BD
• The City Retreat is in the city centre, open to men and women, and convenient if you need a place to pray while in town. It is located at 70 Church Gate, Leicester, LE1 4AL
• Other nearby mosques include:
  • Markaz Quba (Islamic Centre), located at 21 Tichborne St, Leicester, LE2 0NQ
  • Leicester Islamic Centre, located at Conduit St, Leicester, LE2 0JN
  • Masjid Umar, located at 5-7 Evington Drive, Leicester, LE5 5PF

There is a multi-faith room in the Highcross Shopping Centre, which is available to those of all faiths and none, and provides a space to pray, meditate, reflect and find quiet.

The University of Leicester Islamic Society also have a comprehensive list of local masjids, as well as a list of local restaurants that serve halal food.

Festivals and events in Leicester

Twice a year, the Eid Festival is held on Victoria Park, right next to the University’s central campus. Find out more about the event.

More information

For any faith-related queries or further support, please email faith@le.ac.uk.

Groups and societies

We don’t currently have a Jain Society, but our Students’ Union is here to support any students who are interested in creating their own student group. Find out more about how to start a society and the application process. 

Practising your faith in Leicester

Find out more about the Jain Centre Leicester, located at 32 Oxford St, Leicester, LE1 5XU.

There is a multi-faith room in the Highcross Shopping Centre, which is available to those of all faiths and none, and provides a space to pray, meditate, reflect and find quiet.

Festivals and events

The Jain Centre hosts a monthly Satsang as well as other events. Find out more about the events.

Leicester’s Diwali festival is one of the biggest outside of India. You can also learn more about the history of Diwali in Leicester.

More information

For any faith-related queries or further support, please email faith@le.ac.uk.

Groups and societies

We have a Jewish Society (JSOC), who organise a variety of events throughout the year for students to get involved in. Find out more about the society, including their contact details and how to join.

Practising your faith in Leicester

• Leicester Hebrew Congregation was founded in the 19th Century and is a short 15-minute walk from the University’s central campus. The Synagogue is open and welcoming to all members of the Jewish community and runs regular services. You can also book a visit to the Synagogue’s Heritage Centre to learn more about the history of the Jewish community in Leicester. They are located at Highfield St, Leicester, LE2 1AD
• Chabad of Leicester is here to support Jewish students in Leicester and offer them a home away from home. They also offer a kosher food order service (some kosher products are also always in Sainsbury’s in Oadby and at Ocado.com).
• Leicester Progression Jewish Congregation (Neve Shalom), located at 24 Avenue Rd, Leicester, LE2 3EA.

There is a multi-faith room in the Highcross Shopping Centre, which is available to those of all faiths and none, and provides a space to pray, meditate, reflect and find quiet.

Festivals and events

Chabad of Leicester invites students to join them for Friday night dinners and to celebrate Jewish holidays with them in a family setting.

More information

For any faith-related queries or further support, please email faith@le.ac.uk.

Groups and societies

We have a Krishna Consciousness Society who host a wide variety of activities and events throughout the year. Find out more about the society, including their contact details and how to join.

Practising your faith in Leicester

Find out more about ISKCON Leicester, located at 31, Granby Street, Leicester, LE1 6EJ.

There is a multi-faith room in the Highcross Shopping Centre, which is available to those of all faiths and none, and provides a space to pray, meditate, reflect and find quiet.

Festivals and events

ISKCON Leicester hosts a mix of weekly events and festivals throughout the year.

Leicester’s Diwali festival is one of the biggest outside of India. You can also learn more about the history of Diwali in Leicester.

More information

For any faith-related queries or further support, please email faith@le.ac.uk.

Groups and societies

We have a Sikh Society who a wide variety and events throughout the year. Find out more about the society, including their contact details and how to join.

Practising your faith in Leicester

• Guru Panth Parkash Gurdwara (13-minute walk from campus), 19 Ashford Road, Leicester, LE2 6AA
• Guru Amar Das Gurdwara (11-minute walk from campus), 219-227 Clarendon Park Road, Leicester, LE2 3AN
• Shri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji Gurdwara (24-minute walk from the Village Hub at Oadby Student Village), 48 Kenilworth Drive, Oadby, Leicester, LE2 5LG
• Guru Nanak Gurdwara (located in the city centre), Holy Bones, Leicester, LE1 4LJ

There is a multi-faith room in the Highcross Shopping Centre, which is available to those of all faiths and none, and provides a space to pray, meditate, reflect and find quiet.

Festivals and events

There are usually events taking place in the city throughout the year to mark important events in the Sikh calendar – check out the Visit Leicester website and the Leicester Museums and Galleries website for more information.

Leicester’s Diwali festival is one of the biggest outside of India. You can also learn more about the history of Diwali in Leicester.

More information

For any faith-related queries or further support, please email faith@le.ac.uk.