Leeds is the most cost effective place to study in Britain and home to the UK's second largest university with 30,500 students from over 130 countries. It is the UK's most important legal centre outside of London and is also the UK's second most important business and financial services centre. The city of Leeds has been voted both the UK's best university destination and sexiest city. The' Rough Guide' says Leeds is the UK's best shopping destination. It is also the UK's most female friendly city, has more public green space per head of population than any other city in the UK and has been voted the best city in the UK to live.

Small in wonder that it is such a popular destination for students from all over the world. However, the richness and diversity, the long tradition and the academic strength of one of the Russell Group universities, the UK's leading research-based universities, cannot be encapsulated in a mere list akin to the latest Top 10 pop hits. To really get to know a destination and a university of this magnitude and stature, you need to visit, to look, to hear and to see for yourself. Sadly, a weekend away in the UK to attend an Open Day, for example, is beyond the means of most of us and impractical due to work and study commitments anyway.

A decent second best would be to hear first hand from their staff exactly what it's like to study at the University of Leeds, what range of subjects is available at Undergraduate or Post-graduate levels, what are the academic and social support systems that help ensure students succeed. But exactly how often does a top UK university find its way to Sri Lanka to hold an Open Evening, you ask? Well, thanks to its unique partnership with 11 of the UK's top universities, one college right here in Colombo has the connections to successfully invite such a university to come and tell us what it has to offer.

Whether you are considering the UK for a first degree or for post-graduate study, for direct entry after A/Levels or for advanced entry based on qualifications gained here in Sri Lanka; whether you are a student wondering where in the world to undertake your studies or a parent anxious to ensure your child makes a choice that will lead him or her down the path to success, Wednesday 29 April is a date to put into your diary. At 6pm on Wednesday 29 April, at 308-310 RA De Mel Mawatha in downtown Colombo 03, staff from the University of Leeds including the Director and the Regional Manager of University of Leeds South Asia Office are holding an Open Evening for potential students of all subjects and all levels, as well as parents and all interested parties such as Guidance staff from schools and colleges.

Places are limited and advance registration is strongly recommended. Ensure you seize this rare opportunity to learn at first hand what one of the UK's top Russell group universities can offer to you or your child - call 0777 66 22 55 or 0777 73 00 73. Choosing a university is too important to leave to chance, come and get the facts and have all of your questions answered at 6pm on Wednesday 29 April, at 308-310 RA De Mel Mawatha.