With a history going as far back as 1846, Leeds Arts University has been helping to cultivate the next generation of creativity in students for over 170 years through its range of creative arts courses. It’s a specialist university, offering just 15 BA (Hons) undergraduate degrees compared to larger institutions that often have a portfolio of hundreds.
This focus is a strength – it allows the university to ensure it puts its efforts (and funding) into a hand-selected range of qualifications, with a greater focus on the quality of each. Students will benefit from expert tuition delivered by teachers with extensive industry experience, in courses that are tailored to allow students to express their own creative abilities.
The university also has a selection of postgraduate and further education courses available for students who wish to continue their studies. In all, there are around 2,500 students attending at any time.
And being based in Leeds, students will join an overall community of 125,000 students, with a thriving and welcoming atmosphere and plenty to keep students entertained both during the day and at night.
Students will also benefit from excellent support, including specific coaching for careers and help dealing with stress, financial concerns or finding accommodation.
The university offers a focused selection of 15 undergraduate degrees:
Each course blends practical, hands-on learning with guidance from expert lecturers who are experienced in helping students to develop their own approaches and styles, in fields that are defined less by hard rules but by the creativity that students can express.
Student reviews have been very positive when discussing how courses are delivered at Leeds Arts University. Students appreciate the industry experience of their tutors, and how the courses deal with students.
Interested? Order a prospectus to find out more about the uni and the courses on offer.
GET PROSPECTUSThe entry requirements for Leeds Arts University depend on what a student chooses to study. Students are able to contact the university directly to find out what they need to achieve to land a place on the course they want. Students are advised to do this at the earliest opportunity so that they can apply in good time having met the minimum criteria.
Requirements may involve a mix of prior qualifications and a portfolio of previous work, while some courses may require students to attend an interview.
Students are encouraged to speak to the university even if they may not meet all of the criteria, as they may be able to discuss potential ways to boost their application or alternative courses that may be more suitable within the university for those that are unsuccessful with their chosen course.
UCAS TARIFF CALCULATORSend a message directly to the uni to learn more about their entry requirements.
ASK A QUESTIONThe majority of Leeds Arts University accommodation is offered to its first-year students undertaking study on an undergraduate degree course. The university ensures that a number of rooms are also allocated to students on foundation diploma courses who are moving from outside the local area.
There are two private accommodation options that partner with Leeds Arts University – Carr Mills and iQ Leeds. These are private buildings that are situated a short walk from the university campus and a quick bus ride from the city centre.
Carr Mills is a modern development with a range of 5-, 6- and 7-bedroom flats. Bedrooms are en-suite, while shared lounges are equipped with TVs (with the license paid for as part of the rent). Wi-Fi and contents insurance is also included. Rooms start at £129 per week.
iQ Leeds is based near the popular student area of Headingley and is also a 10 to 15-minute walk from the university. It consists of shared flats sleeping up to six students, welcoming students from all universities in Leeds – 40 rooms are assigned to Leeds Arts’ students. Wi-Fi and contents insurance is included in the rent, which starts at £145 per week.
The university is well-equipped for every course that it offers. As an institution that has a smaller group of degree options, it is able to focus funding on ensuring that students have the best learning spaces and equipment they need to succeed in their studies.
These include industry standard audio/visual resources, film and photography studios, music studios and resources, 3D resources, print resources, a range of studios for various uses, and social areas for collaborative work and downtime.
Student reviewers were impressed with the variety of facilities available, as well as the quality of what they were using. Students will be able to transfer the skills they learn while at Leeds Arts University straight into the working world as they will often be using the same tools and software as used by businesses.
Find out more about the accommodations and facilities in person at the uni.
BOOK OPEN DAYWhat's it like to study at this institution? Current students and alumni share their opinion...
VIEW 1071 REVIEWS WRITE A REVIEWM Matthew Reviewed 21 Feb 23 Animation BA (Hons) Some of the tutors make it looks like a great place. It can be improved by sending students to work in a relative studio for at least 3... READ FULL REVIEW
L Livi Reviewed 20 Feb 23 It’s a really good campus with quite a lot of study space and an in house cafe which is really helpful when you’re given small breaks during lectures. Its proximity to the city centre means there’s a lot of places to go after lectures and easy opportunities to socialise with classmates. It has a... READ FULL REVIEW
The Student Welfare Team is available to help students access impartial and confidential advice and guidance on a wide range of issues, from personal counselling to finance and budgeting, or finding accommodation.
The service exists to allow students to focus on what matters – their education – rather than worrying about other problems which can distract or cause anxiety. Students are encouraged to use the services as they need them, with an understanding and welcoming approach to put students at ease.
There’s also a study support service, which includes assistance for students with dyslexia or other learning difficulties. This service helps all students who need extra help adapting to the level of study required at university, helping to level the playing field for those that need additional support.
Find out more about the student support offered on the university’s website.
VISIT WEBSITELeeds Arts University can trace its roots back to 1846 after the Leeds Mechanics Institute, which offered drawing classes, merged with the city’s Literary Institute to become Leeds School of Art.
As an institution that specialises in a smaller range of degrees, it plays to its strengths by focusing on a select area and bringing in the best talent to help teach students, as well as putting all funding towards resources that allow arts students to excel. Unlike larger universities that must spread their funding and experience across different areas, Leeds Arts works to provide the best arts qualifications possible.
Past students include Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Marcus Harvey, Damien Hirst, Danny Sangra and Omar Kashoura. In the 1950s, it helped revolutionise art teaching in the UK, being one of the institutions that pioneered the Basic Design Course.
Leeds Arts University Students’ Union represents students and organises events and activities, as well as negotiating deals with local retailers. Events that are organised include induction events when students first arrive, helping them to acclimatise not only to Leeds Arts but also to university life in general.
The students’ union has a number of responsibilities. Students who feel they need additional support with their studies can seek independent advice and representation from the SU. It also manages the administration of the various clubs and societies that students can join during their time at Leeds Arts.
Many of the university’s student reviews are incredibly positive about the warm welcome that students got from the students’ union, and they praised the range of events and societies on offer.
Leeds Arts University Students’ Union co-ordinates clubs and societies including a film society, book club, Afro Caribbean and life drawing. Students are offered the opportunity to join these societies to explore their hobbies, meet new people from diverse backgrounds, or find peers that share their interests and form lifelong friendships.
Time is allocated each week to allow students to explore these clubs and societies, ensuring that students aren’t burned out by enjoying the social side of university alongside their education.
Students who can’t find a society that they wish to join are welcome to start their own – the university provides a Society Formation Pack online that’s easy to fill out, and then once approved following a review process the society is ready to open to others.
Student reviewers say that they are pleased with the range of clubs and societies available and enjoy those they are a part of.
Students who decide to study at Leeds Arts University will be choosing one of England’s liveliest cities – one that they will share with a student community of 125,000 across multiple institutions. Student life in Leeds is rich and varied, with plenty of great things to see and do.
This includes a huge range of bars, pubs and nightclubs offering evening entertainment to all, whether students prefer a quiet drink and a quiz night, or a full-blown night out. There are also plenty of restaurants, shops, live theatre shows, cinemas and more for daytime entertainment, including the flagship Harvey Nichols store. Leeds is also home to Premier League team Leeds United, and every year it hosts the incredible Leeds Festival of music.
Many media firms have set up in Leeds, giving students a ton of opportunities for work experience and for potential careers once their qualification has ended.
See the campus and city for yourself in person by booking an open day place.
BOOK OPEN DAYThe university puts a lot of work into preparing students for life beyond their qualification. As well as teaching the core knowledge of their field, tutors also help to develop ‘soft’ skills such as problem solving, project management and time management, so that they are ready to step into the world of work and succeed upon graduation.
Students, as well as those who have recently graduated, are able to access a careers portal which contains a list of job opportunities in the creative industries. Students can access these services, along with others, for up to five years after they finish their studies.
There are also one-to-one coaching sessions that students can book onto at any time during their studies for careers guidance and advice – whether students have a goal in mind or are completely lost on their future plans.
The university provides cash bursaries for new entrants whose family income is below £25,000 per annum. This cash bursary increases for each of the student's years at Leeds Arts.
Leeds Arts University also offers a one-off cash scholarship (only in the first year) to students who progress from one of the University’s further education courses onto one of the university’s undergraduate courses.
Students who have accepted a place at Leeds Arts University can also apply for Skin’s Chancellor Scholarships, which were set up by the university’s Chancellor, rock star Skin, of Skunk Anansie. Three scholarships are available each year.
Students can visit the university’s website to find out about current scholarships and bursaries.
UK and EU students will pay £9,250 per year to study at Leeds Arts University, while international students will pay £16,000 per year (or £17,100 for the BMus Popular Music Performance). These are the current fees for 2022/23 and may rise each year.
Students from the UK can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their fees. This loan is not means tested and will pay the full amount of tuition fees directly to the university. Students will then only repay this loan when they start earning a salary that meets the minimum level as set by the Student Loans Company alongside the government.
Students may also be able to apply for a means-tested loan to cover the cost of living at university. This will depend on the annual income of the student’s household and follows the same rules as the tuition fee loan for repayment.
Send a message directly to the uni to learn more about their scholarships and bursaries.
ASK A QUESTION
As well as a wide range of courses, studying at Leeds Arts University offers you loads of opportunities to boost your CV thanks to the careers department. You might even have the chance to do a work placement or sandwich year during your degree.
As well as providing you with opportunities to develop academically and professionally, you'll have a wide range of clubs and societies to join. You'll be able to pick up a new hobby and make loads of new friends by joining some of the clubs and societies on offer at Leeds Arts University.
The world is your oyster! Of course, the exact options open to you will depend on which subject you choose to study. Employers often look to hire graduates, so you can be sure that your degree will give you a wider range of employment opportunities.
No matter what degree you choose, however, you'll have option of going on to further study. If you want to keep studying, your undergraduate degree will enable you to go on to a master's degree or even a PhD.
If you opt to live in uni halls, you'll benefit from free WiFi and all-inclusive rent. Rent for uni halls also includes security and maintenance, so you can be sure you'll be well-looked after. There are several accessible rooms available, which are adapted for disabled students.
Halls also have communal areas such as kitchen facilities where you can meet your flatmates over a cup of tea. You'll also have access to dining facilities where you can share a meal with other students in your accommodation.
