For student Nicole Duhaney, this was an opportunity to use her experience as a professional makeup artist along with her degree learnings. Bringing together a team of five LBU students, Behind the Bloom was established to bring their Blossom Beau makeup masterclass event, where proceeds of the event will support Be More Dandelion, a charity dedicated to rebuilding confidence in women who have survived domestic abuse. After establishing the idea, the team, made up of five Event Management students, decided to apply for the Fast Forward 15 University Challenge, which involved submitting an idea and developing it into a structured, pitch-ready concept. If Behind the Bloom is selected as one of the top two teams, they will be invited to London for a final awards ceremony on 3 July. With only a few teams shortlisted for the initial stages, the students receive mentorship and industry training to deliver their event, with the winning team receiving a prize of 1000 - plus the chance to have exclusive mentoring by industry professionals. The team comprises of: Nicole Duhaneyas Event Lead Faith Adams as Operational Manager Izzy Varney as Creative Lead Ruby Crane is responsible for Marketing Operations Maddy Precious is leading on Event Styling Nicole said: "Being selected for the programme in the first place was a huge honour for us as a team, especially given the level of competition, and it really validated the strength of our idea. "It has encouraged us to approach the project in a far more entrepreneurial way, considering everything from branding and audience engagement to logistics, budgeting and long-term potential. "It's been a really valuable experience in terms of collaboration, leadership, and delivering a professional-standard event." Blossom Beau: Macys Makeup Masterclass Taking place on Sunday 26 April at Lazy Lounge, Leeds, the ticketed event invites attendees to build confidence when using makeup, from how to choose the right products to mastering techniques. Led by Macy Jade MUA, the event also includes a welcome drink, buffet, curated goodie bags and raffle prizes, with all profits being donated to the Be More Dandelion charity. Follow and support the team on their Instagram channel.
Leeds Beckett University has once again been recognised among the world's top institutions, securing a place in the top 100 globally for sports-related and hospitality and leisure management subjects in the QS World University Rankings 2026. This marks the sixth consecutive year that these subjects have achieved this ranking. The QS World University Rankings are an internationally respected system designed to guide prospective students in choosing the best universities for their chosen fields. The 2026 edition is based on an analysis of over 18,300 university programmed taken at more than 1,700 universities around the world in 55 academic disciplines. Rankings are determined using five key indicators, including academic reputation, employer reputation and international research networks. In addition to its top 100 rankings, Leeds Beckett University holds a coveted 5-star 'excellent' rating from QS Stars, a system that assesses teaching quality, employability and internationalisation among other factors. Peter Mackreth, Dean of the Carnegie School of Sport at Leeds Beckett University, said: "We're delighted to have maintained our position in the top 100 universities for both sports-related and hospitality and leisure management subjects. The ranking is recognition of the continued impact our work has, through our graduates in their careers, our research and the industry partnerships we have to underpin our portfolio." Ben Sowter, QS Senior Vice President, said: "The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 highlight a global higher education landscape that is becoming both more competitive and more specialised. Institutions are increasingly building global reputations through targeted subject excellence, research collaboration and industry engagement. This year's results show that strategic investment in specific disciplines - not just overall institutional strength - is becoming a defining feature of how universities compete and gain international recognition." Find more information about the QS World University Rankings on the Top Universities website.