Following a rigorous appraisal process and approval by the Privy Council, Leeds Arts University has been granted full university status and will now be the only specialist arts university in the North of England.

Leeds Arts Uni

Founded in 1846 as the Leeds Government School of Art and Design, Leeds Arts University has contributed significantly to the development of art education in Britain and across the world. The University has offered degree level provision for many years, and in 2016 was granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers. Leeds Arts University has been recognised for its industry standard facilities at the Whatuni awards (winners in 2014 and 2016, runner up 2017) and is the highest ranked arts university in the UK for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2017, along with being the highest ranked university in Yorkshire. Leeds Arts University is also the highest ranked arts university in the Guardian University League Tables 2018 for Design & Crafts.

Professor Simone Wonnacott, Vice-Chancellor, Leeds Arts University, said:

“We welcome our university title as an important recognition of over 170 years of leading arts education in the UK. Our staff have worked incredibly hard to support this rigorous process, and I would like to thank them for their continued efforts. This announcement is a significant landmark in our history, and one which recognises our robust governance structure, academic and teaching standards and the facilities supporting the delivery of our higher education programmes.

Leeds Arts University is proud to be the only specialist arts university in the North of England, and we will continue to strive to put ourselves at the forefront of arts education not just in the UK, but worldwide”

Mr Chris Clements, Chair of the Board of Governors, Leeds Arts University, added:

“We are delighted to gain university title, and are proud to be now known as Leeds Arts University. As a specialist arts university we have a strong reputation for delivering excellent teaching in a close-knit creative community, and will continue to nurture this environment in this new phase of growth.”

This announcement is a significant step in the development of Leeds Arts University, which will also see the opening of our new state-of-the-art building expansion, and the introduction of five new creative degree courses, including BA (Hons) FilmmakingBA (Hons) Fashion DesignBA (Hons) Fashion Branding with CommunicationBA (Hons) Comic & Concept Arts and BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance all launching in 2018, along with a new MA in Curation Practices starting in September 2017.