Leeds Arts University is the only specialist arts university in the North of England, our students 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, musician or filmmaker.
To a great extent, our reputation goes before us: Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth studied here, as did, more recently, Marcus Harvey, Damien Hirst, Danny Sangra and Omar Kashoura. However, we never allow complacency. We work extremely hard to remain a leading centre for arts education, choosing from among the brightest international potential to produce some of the most sought-after creative talents.
We recently received an 87% satisfaction rating in the latest National Student Survey, the highest ranking for any specialist arts university; in the Guardian 2019 League Tables we were ranked number one in the country in the Design & Crafts subject table; and at the Whatuni Awards, we have won Best University Facilities twice in recent years (2014 and 2016) and came second in 2017 and 2018.
Whether you join us to study for a degree, master’s or a further education course (after GCSEs or A levels), you’ll encounter a friendly and supportive environment at Leeds Arts University. Our students settle in quickly, benefiting from the best possible start to their studies.
At Leeds Arts University we pride ourselves on our state-of-the-art resources and libraries. We have won the Whatuni Student Choice Award for Best Facilities three times in six years (2019, 2016 and 2014) and came second in 2017, 2018 and 2020.
All our buildings have been designed and built for specialist arts education, whether this was the Vernon Street art school in 1903 or our latest building at Blenheim Walk which was completed in January of 2019. Dedicated course studios set up to facilitate specialist disciplines are complemented by open working areas designed to enable students across courses to meet up, work and socialise together.
Specialist Resources
Our resources are equipped to industry standards and are run by highly skilled staff who contribute significantly to our teaching. Resources have a drop-in facility so you can carry on working on your own time provided you’ve completed your resource inductions. Our differing facilities are based across our Vernon Street and Blenheim Walk sites. Facilities at Blenheim Walk have been designed to meet the needs of Higher Education students whilst those at Vernon Street are available to Further Education students.
We take great care to manage our resources so that they offer the appropriate support to students at the right level and according to their curriculum needs. You will therefore find differential access to these facilities according to your choice of course.