Universities Scheme

Universities Scheme

The Universities’ Scheme was established in 2005 by the United Grand Lodge of England with the aim of promoting Freemasonry to undergraduates and University members. Aurora Lodge is home to the Universities Scheme in Leeds.

The first University lodge was at Oxford (Apollo University Lodge No357, 1819) then Cambridge (Isaac Newton University Lodge No 859) soon afterwards, but now with the enthusiasm and support of the Assistant Grand Master, the scheme has blossomed with more than 80 lodges participating. In our own province we have been joined by the Lodge of Hope, No 302 in Bradford, and the Lodge of Connaught and Truth No 521 in Huddersfield, as we followed in the footsteps of University of Sheffield Lodge No. 3911. In order to help students who wish to join Freemasonry, a fifty percent reduction in fees has been introduced up to the age of 25, and the required age for initiation (21 years) has always been negotiable, particularly for students.

Undergraduate or graduates in Leeds who are interested to learn more about freemasonry should contact our secretary in the first instance and we will arrange to meet you to explain in greater detail the work of our lodge and Freemasonry in general.

After leaving University, graduates frequently move either back home or to wherever they find work. The Universities Scheme provides introductions to lodges near to the graduates new home, where they can be assured of a warm welcome.

Parents of undergraduates who are freemasons are encouraged to contact the secretary.