Academic breadth extends across nine schools at Leeds Beckett, which has two campuses: a spacious site in the Headingley suburb and a City campus in the heart of Leeds. Arts, law, business, and engineering are among its disciplines, but the university’s forte is sport. The world-class Carnegie School of Sport has been a “power behind the podium” for athletes, including triathlete Alex Yee, a 2021 graduate who won an honorary doctorate in 2025. Yee said he was drawn to the university because “I knew the best in the world trained here”.
Beyond sport, students enjoy multicultural Leeds, a city with legendary nightlife and relative affordability. The students’ union venue boasts a fine heritage, having hosted bands including the Sex Pistols, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Radiohead and Coldplay since 1970.
What is Leeds Beckett University’s reputation?
Leeds Beckett edged into the top 100 in our research quality index, moving up three places to 97th based on 53 per cent of work submitted to the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) being rated world-leading or internationally excellent. The university’s best results were in sports sciences, followed by allied health and building subjects.
However, Leeds Beckett was rated only bronze overall in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), down from silver in the previous assessment. Its relatively low rates of continuation and professional-level graduate careers hold it back. For the student experience, the TEF panel awarded Leeds Beckett silver, commending "a supportive learning environment". In our analysis of the latest National Student Survey, it is 39th for the overall student experience and 56th for teaching quality.
The university excels at sport, and its alumni include Sam Quek, the former field hockey player turned TV presenter (sport and exercise science 2010); Lucy Bronze, the England and Chelsea footballer (sports studies, 2013); and the Paralympian cyclist Dame Sarah Storey (sport and exercise science 2000).
Students who dream of joining the list are nurtured by the Leeds Talent Hub, an elite programme run in partnership with British Athletics. Leeds Beckett was 27th overall in the 2024-25 British Universities Colleges and Sport (Bucs) points table — outdoing all but two other modern universities.
What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?
Ending in 2025 are degrees in health and exercise science, broadcast media technologies, creative media technology, hospitality business management with marketing, and sport development. Hospitality business management with marketing closes in 2026.
New for 2026 is an integrated master of architecture degree, as well as degrees in content creation, music business, and fashion communication and content.
What are Leeds Beckett University’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?
Students need a minimum of 104 Ucas tariff points, up to 136 points. Contextual offers are available on many undergraduate programmes for students who meet widening participation criteria.
What are the graduate prospects?
Collaborations with more than 4,000 organisations support the university's ambition to provide graduate talent to the labour market. The rugby league team Leeds Rhinos are a strategic partner of the Carnegie School of Sport, and the university has a longstanding partnership with Disney. Our analysis of the graduate outcomes survey puts Leeds Beckett in 98th place for the proportion of leavers in highly skilled work or postgraduate studies 15 months after finishing their degree.
What is the Leeds Beckett University campus like?
At the 94-acre Headingley campus, the £45 million Carnegie School of Sport offers world-class facilities such as a rooftop sprint track, environmental chambers, research laboratories and a teaching kitchen.
The upgraded Carnegie School of Education provides facilities for students to learn in a Montessori nursery, dedicated spaces for teaching primary maths, art and design, and a science laboratory. Over £3.5 million of Office for Students grant funding has been spent enhancing computing facilities within the grade II listed James Graham building for the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing, creating spacious labs and a learning area with living moss walls.
The Rose Bowl at the heart of the City campus provides a striking modern contrast to the Civic Hall next door. It is the centre for the Business School and the Business Knowledge Exchange Hub. The £80 million School of Arts building has more than 2,500 students on 40 courses in creative technologies, film, music and the performing arts. The Law School has a courtroom and a 60-person lecture theatre. Resources for research and hands-on learning at the School of Health include a biomedical research laboratory and clinical skills suite.
When can I visit?
leedsbeckett.ac.uk
What about student accommodation at Leeds Beckett University?
Leeds Beckett guarantees accommodation to all first-years who make the university their first choice and apply by the deadline, although more than half of undergraduates live at home and commute.
Everything you need to know about Leeds Beckett University’s student life and wellbeing support
Investment in sports facilities continues with two new 3G football pitches and a 3G rugby pitch. Leeds Beckett has partnerships with a wide range of clubs, including Leeds United FC and Yorkshire County Cricket Club. The Athletic Union has 40 sports clubs with more than 80 teams, many of them offering the chance to compete in the Bucs league. Recreational and outdoor activities include tchoukball — an indoor game similar to handball and volleyball — and snow sports. An app allows students to book facilities and also track their fitness and add personal goals.
The School of Arts hosts guest lectures and end-of-year shows.
New multi-faith facilities have been created at both campuses. A multidisciplinary team offers counselling and mental health support. Students can be assigned a specialist mentor who can offer one-to-one support.
What do the students say?
“I love how lively the city is, with so many opportunities to socialise. My course gave me incredible industry connections and the opportunity to do a placement at a tech company in Manchester, and even took me to Denver and San Francisco. Completing my placement gave me clarity and confidence in my career path.”
Jaya Cornish-Frazier, BA marketing and public relations
How diverse and inclusive is Leeds Beckett University?
Ranking 64th in our social inclusion index, Leeds Beckett is 23= for its proportion of white working-class male students, an under-represented group in higher education (6.2 per cent).
Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Leeds Beckett University
About 10 per cent of new entrants receive financial help, such as bursaries for students from low-income and other disadvantaged backgrounds, covering work placements and professional development. There are also some merit-based awards and scholarships administered by the academic schools.
