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Leeds Arts University

Leeds Arts University
Logo consisting of white script with 1846 year on dark pink irregular-polygon base
Former names
Leeds School of Art
Jacob Kramer College
Leeds College of Art and Design
Leeds College of Art
TypeArts university (HE and FE)
Established1846; 178 years ago (1846)
University status - 2017
ChancellorSkin[1]
Vice-ChancellorProfessor Simone Wonnacott[2][3]
Students2,250 (2022/23)[4]
Undergraduates2,115 (2022/23)[4]
Postgraduates135 (2022/23)[4]
Location
Leeds
,
West Yorkshire
,
United Kingdom

53°48′30″N 1°33′06″W / 53.8084°N 1.5517°W / 53.8084; -1.5517
Websitewww.leeds-art.ac.uk
Rankings
National rankings
Complete (2025)[5]111=
Times / Sunday Times (2025)[6]92
Dedicated Blue plaque at the Vernon Street site

Leeds Arts University is a specialist arts further and higher education institution, based in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, with a main campus opposite the University of Leeds.

History

Main campus in 2018

It was founded in 1846 as the Leeds School of Art. From 1968 to 1993 it was known as Jacob Kramer College, after Jacob Kramer, having lost part of its provision to Leeds Polytechnic (the future Leeds Beckett University). It was known as Leeds College of Art and Design until 2009, and then as Leeds College of Art.[7] In August 2017, the school was granted university status and the name was changed to Leeds Arts University.[8]

Skin, DJ, fashion icon, actress, activist and lead singer of Skunk Anansie, was appointed as the university's chancellor in 2021.[9]

Locations

The University today has city centre sites at Blenheim Walk and at Vernon Street.

Academic profile

Further education courses

  • Extended Diploma in Creative Practice
  • Foundation Diploma in Art & Design - one of the largest in the country, with 280 students validated by the University of the Arts London

Undergraduate courses

  • BA (Hons) Animation
  • BA (Hons) Comic & Concept Art
  • BA (Hons) Creative Advertising
  • BA (Hons) Creative Writing
  • BA (Hons) Fashion Branding with Communication
  • BA (Hons) Fashion Design
  • BA (Hons) Fashion Photography
  • BA (Hons) Filmmaking
  • BA (Hons) Fine Art
  • BA (Hons) Graphic Design
  • BA (Hons) Illustration
  • BA (Hons) Photography
  • BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance
  • BA (Hons) Textile Design
  • BA (Hons) Visual Communication

Postgraduate courses

  • MA Animation
  • MA Creative Practice
  • MA Fine Art
  • MA Graphic Design
  • MA Illustration and Graphic Novel
  • MA Photography

Student body

Like many of the 'traditional' British art schools, it has a modest annual intake, at 2,145 higher education students in 2022/23. Out of 169 UK higher education institutions, it is the 146th largest.[clarification needed]

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ "Skin set to stay as Leeds Arts University Chancellor". www.leeds-art.ac.uk. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  2. ^ "Senior Management Team". www.leeds-art.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  3. ^ [1][dead link]
  4. ^ a b c "Where do HE students study?". Higher Education Statistics Agency. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Complete University Guide 2025". The Complete University Guide. 14 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Good University Guide 2025". The Times. 20 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Leeds College of Art". The Independent. London. 8 July 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2009. It recently changed its name from Leeds College of Art and Design.
  8. ^ "Leeds Arts University Established As Leeds College Of Art Gains University Status!". leeds-art.ac.uk. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  9. ^ "Our Chancellor". www.leeds-art.ac.uk. Leeds Arts University. Retrieved 11 September 2024.