Celebrating 100 years

In 1921 we welcomed our first students. Our university had been founded in Leicester, funded by local people, as a living memorial to honour those who made sacrifices during the Great War. So that they may have life.

In academic year 2021/22 we celebrated 100 years since those first students started. Current students, alumni, current and former staff and the local community came together to mark this moment, to reflect on our past, and look ahead. The future is ours to change.

Commemorate our Centenary with a selection of clothing and gifts

Our Centenary year

For 100 years, our researchers have changed the way we view our world

100 years of inspiring students

Explore 100 years of change

Let our interactive timeline guide you through 100 years of our history.

Wall of wishes

Staff, students and alumni helped us celebrate our 100th birthday by sharing their own messages of support or memories of the University.

Our 100

Learn about ‘Our 100’ – 100 things that define our past, present, and future, as nominated by our community.

Our history

Learn more about our 100 year history, our campus, our people and our connection with the Attenborough family.

Stories from our Centenary

Read about the people, the places and the moments that have shaped the University of Leicester during our first century.

Events

Throughout our centenary year, we opened, launched, presented, discussed, sponsored and celebrated.

Archiving our Centenary

Explore our extensive collection of rare books, manuscripts, historical photographs, and personal archives.

Centenary Gallery

 View our gallery of images from our centenary celebrations.

ESA astronaut Major Tim Peake at the launch event for Space Park Leicester. Information about this image

14/3/22 - ESA astronaut Major Tim Peake at the launch event for Space Park Leicester.

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ESA astronaut Major Tim Peake at the launch event for Space Park Leicester.
Major Tim Peake with pupils from two Leicester schools at the launch of Space Park Leicester.
Participants gather for group photo at Centenary Scholars reception.
Participants pose for photo at Centenary Scholars reception.
Nishan Canagarajah and Peter Soulsby pose with opening plaque in Percy Gee building
Exterior of Percy gee building
VC Nishan looks at poppy wreath
People stand in silence for 2 minute silence on 11/11
Michael Attenborough and wife Karen outside his grandfather's house
Michael Attenborough in Attenborough Arts Centre
4/10/2021 - VC Nishan Canagarajah and student union president Rhiannon Jenkins plant a tree at our centenary celebrations
4/10/21 - a group of students take a selfie in front of our Big 100 on campus for our centenary
2/10/2021 - Poetry in Motion perform at the ChangeMakers Centenary Festival

Since our founding, the University of Leicester has always been about our place, our people and our purpose. We want our centenary to be a chance to pause and celebrate these, reflect on our past and also be a time to look forward.

Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor

So that they may have life: a film

The University was founded as a living memorial. This short film tells the story of our founding through the words of Dr Astley Clarke, our first benefactor.

Centenary merchandise

Commemorate our 100th anniversary with our selection of clothing and gifts.

Zipped hoodie

Sweatshirt

Jute shopper

Umbrella

Centenary merchandise
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