About Leeds Arts University

Students at Leeds Arts University enjoy a small, close-knit community in a creative atmosphere where anything feels possible. We believe this is the best environment in which to grow as an artist, designer, writer, musician or filmmaker.

We have built an international reputation as the only specialist arts university in the North of England. The entire University is dedicated to the study of creative subjects across a range of postgraduate, undergraduate and further education courses. There’s a real-life feel to studying with us. You’ll have countless opportunities to learn from, network with, and work for some of the best names in your chosen field, thanks to our contacts within industry and practising creatives. Tutors are often practicing artists, musicians, writers or designers in their own right, and can provide students with in-depth knowledge of specialist fields of artistic practice.

Image of a student in a lab at Leeds Arts University

Join our creative community

Every student at Leeds Arts University is studying a creative subject! You’ll be immersed in an inspiring atmosphere and will have opportunities to collaborate with others whose specialism lies outside of your own - from filmmakers to fashion designers, photographers to musicians, artists to designers; anything feels possible here.

On campus, our students’ union co-ordinates clubs and societies to cater for all interests. Students are also encouraged and support to start their own societies to share their specialist interests with others. Our diverse student body encompasses creatives from across the globe, from India to Iceland, Spain to Hong Kong, each bringing with them their own individual perspective, skills and potential.

Real world experience

We do everything to enable your future success. This means maximising your contact both with industry and practising creatives. We offer you the chance to take part in live briefs, performances, competitions, and work experience as relevant, as well as developing your core business, entrepreneurial and professional skills. You’ll learn through a combination of theory and application of practical skills, using specialist equipment and facilities supervised by expert technicians. Live industry briefs are incorporated into course modules when possible to set students up for working in industry.

All our undergraduate BA (Hons) and BMus (Hons) degrees are three years long, and include the option to take an additional placement year. Also known as a sandwich year, work placement, or year in industry this provides a fantastic opportunity to gain practical experience in the creative industries before you graduate.

Award winning facilities

Leeds is considered one of the UK’s best student cities, and at Leeds Arts University you’ll be studying right in the heart of it. Higher Education students are based at our Blenheim Walk campus, just a short walk from the city centre in the heart of the university district.

You’ll have access to industry-standard workshops and equipment relevant to your course area, including printmaking, digital print, ceramics and glass, wood, metals and plastics, 3D printers, photographic lighting studios, filmmaking studios, analogue/digital recording studios and an auditorium. Students also have access to computer suites with networks of Apple Mac computers with industry-standard software for a wide range of creative applications and a specialist arts library which includes including special collections of artists’ books, photobooks and illustrated books as well as the University archive. In 2024 we added an extension to our building, providing a roof garden, more studios, informal working spaces, café facilities, and a 24hr student hub providing additional opportunities to study and socialise.

Information for teachers and advisers

Here at Leeds Arts University, we are keen to work with secondary schools and further education colleges to support your students in navigating their journey into higher education. We hope to increase awareness and understanding of the range of opportunities in the creative industries and the steps to get there. We offer a range of activities to best support your institution, staff and students, from in-school talks, informative campus tours and creative workshops, to attendance at your higher education fairs.

We have a dynamic programme of activities on offer such as:

Introduction to Leeds Arts University
Course specific talks
Is Higher Education for you?
Campus Visits
Preparing for arts university

If you would like to get in touch to discuss any of the activities we offer, please contact our Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer Lauren Butcher, at: [email protected]

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Undergraduate Open Day Leeds Arts University Coming to an open day is the best way to get a feel of what it would be like to study at Leeds Arts University. Wednesday, June 18, 2025

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Leeds Arts University is a dedicated creative arts university in the UK, the only one in the North of England, with a rich history of over 175 years of specialist teaching. With access to superb facilities and expert staff, the University offers an excellent environment in which to study courses across art, design, media, fashion, performance and much more, opening up a myriad of collaborative opportunities.