Arts and culture continue to thrive at the north of England’s only specialist arts institution. The university, which has its own gallery and a graduate show, was founded in 1846 as the Leeds College of Art, whose illustrious alumni include the sculptors Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth and the artist Damien Hirst. There is an arts and cultural slant to student societies too, among them life drawing, zine making and open-mike nights. This year students will benefit from an extension to the Blenheim Walk building, with a new café, informal work areas, a roof garden and a 24-hour student hub. The number of bike facilities have been increased and the number of trees on the city-centre campus have been tripled.

What is Leeds Arts University’s reputation? 

Leeds Arts University is a relatively small university, with about 2,000 undergraduates. It is expanding its course offering in line with growing its student numbers and has been building a research culture. It showcased its work for the first time in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), and entered at the foot of our research rankings (131st), but some work within the history of art, design and architecture was recognised as world-leading.

Rated triple silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), Leeds Arts drew praise for its “physical and virtual learning resources that are tailored and used effectively to support outstanding teaching and learning”, which were deemed an “outstanding-quality feature”. The TEF panel noted “very high rates of successful progression rates” of Leeds Arts’ students and courses, a comment supported by the university’s commendable record on student retention, with a continuation rate of 96.6 per cent.

Students are usually pretty content: only four years ago the university was in the top 20 for their evaluation of teaching quality, as expressed in the National Student Survey (NSS), and is in the upper half of UK universities for both teaching quality and the broad undergraduate experience in our analysis of the NSS.

What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?

The first undergraduates of new degrees in music production; games art; games design; and acting for screen began their courses in 2024.

What are Leeds Arts University’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?

Courses demand from 104 up to 120 Ucas tariff points. More than 700 new undergraduates were accepted on to courses in 2023 out of over 5,100 applications — double the number in 2014, though fewer than the previous two years.

What are the graduate prospects?

Students help build their portfolios through live briefs and opportunities to show their work at trade fairs, studios and in galleries, and students start selling their art at the students’ union’s market, performing at the annual winter party and providing event photography. A roster of career-focused events at the university includes prizes and commissions awarded by creative industry employers, which have included Paramount+, Overdue for Paris Fashion Week, Hallmark, and Clothsurgeon of Savile Row. 

A well-established guest speaker programme aims to broaden students’ perspectives and has included the artist Jake Chapman, screenwriter Russell T Davies, and Frances Morris, the director emerita of Tate Modern. Graduates can apply for funded studio and project spaces in Leeds. Job prospects soon after graduation are always a challenge for art and design specialisms. According to our analysis tracking those in highly skilled work or postgraduate study after 15 months, Leeds Arts is fourth from bottom among UK universities.

What is Leeds Arts University's campus like?

University life is based on the Blenheim Walk campus, a ten-minute walk from the city centre, which has studios for film, music and photography, as well as a 230-seat auditorium, enhanced fashion design studios, sound booths and a specialist arts library. Professional-standard equipment includes large-format digital printers, 3D scanners and industrial-grade machinery for working with wood, metal and plastics.

Everything you need to know about Leeds Arts University's student life and wellbeing support

The city of Leeds is home to five universities and renowned for its vibrant nightlife. Leeds Arts’ small size makes for a sense of closeness on campus and a holistic approach to supporting students, who can access support from one-to-one meetings with welfare advisers, mental health advisers or counsellors. There are workshops conceived especially for creative students and compassion-focused art psychotherapy is offered. 

Students are encouraged to develop an ethical understanding of consent via Consent Collective, which also looks at power and equality. 

Leeds Arts does not have its own sports facilities but students can use those at leisure centres nearby. The university fields two teams that compete in local leagues: football and netball. Yoga, Pilates and other fitness classes are also offered and the running club stretches its legs around West Yorkshire.

What do the students say? 

“Leeds Arts is a close-knit community filled with vibrant students. Being all on one campus, you get to meet, network and collaborate. The classes are never overcrowded, so your lecturers get to know you and your practice. The city celebrates the arts and gives you the opportunities to grow as a creative.”
Zainab Nadeem, Leeds Arts students’ union president

What about student accommodation in Leeds Arts University?

Halls are owned and managed privately, and students deal directly with the provider. There are enough places to house all first-years, though the university only makes a guarantee to international students who apply by the deadline.

How diverse and inclusive is Leeds Arts University?

Leeds Arts sits at 60th in our social inclusion index, with 95.1 per cent of the intake from non-selective state schools (38th). Reaffirming its commitment to widening participation, Leeds Arts’s Creative Pathways Programme is a sustained scheme with partner schools. It joins an established roster of activities that include Easter and summer schools on campus and a free after-school art club. 

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Leeds Arts University

Skin’s Chancellor Scholarship of £3,000 per year for three years is named in honour of the university’s first chancellor, Skin — the lead singer of Skunk Anansie, who first came to Leeds Arts as a guest speaker. The scholarship is awarded to two UK students and one international student each year. The Creative Practice Support Bursary adds up to £1,100, paid in three instalments over three years to those from low-income households. Care leavers and those estranged from their family qualify for £3,000 per year bursaries. 

There is also a £500 scholarship, for the first year only, for those who progress from one of the university’s further education courses to one of its degrees.