History and heritage

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our people our city

At Leeds Beckett University we are proud of our heritage and our place within the community.

As a modern university we have almost 200 years of history, our activities and endeavours over many years have not only had positive impacts on us as an institution but have also been transformative to the world around us. As an education provider we have a strong history of creating graduates for the future which have been crucial to the economic lifeblood of the city of Leeds. Today we have over 24,000 students in Leeds and 185,000 alumni worldwide. Throughout our history, it is people who have shaped us and who continue to do so today.

We are located across two campuses in Headingley and the city centre. The history of Headingley Campus can be traced back to the Cistercian monks of Kirkstall Abbey in the mid-12th century, through to the landowner and Leeds banker William Beckett, before it became the City of Leeds Training College in 1913. The founding of Leeds Mechanics Institute in 1824 was once housed in what is now the Leeds City Museum, which marks the origins of the modern-day Leeds Beckett University.

Explore our campuses

At Leeds Becket University we are proud of our heritage and our place within the community. We are a modern University with 200 years of History. Let's look at some of the key points that mark our origins.

1752: The Grange - Ivy House Farm
1824: Leeds Mechanics Institute
1897: The Leeds Institute of Science and Art and Literature
1906: Transfer of schools to Leeds Corporation
1907: City of Leeds Training College
1920: Yorkshire Training College of Housecraft
1924: Leeds Law School
1926: Leeds College of Commerce
1927: Leeds College of Art
1933: Carnegie College of Physical Training
1937: Leeds College of Technology
1956: The Leeds Central College
1968: College merger at Beckett Park
1970: Leeds Polytechnic
1976: Leeds Polytechnic grows
1992: Leeds Metropolitan University
2014: Leeds Beckett University
2020: Carnegie School of Sport building
2021: Leeds School of Arts building
2024: Investing in facilities

Our history helps shape our future, and a Leeds Becket University education embeds practical experience alongside academic learning.

Our mission is to ensure we use our knowledge and resources to make a positive and decisive difference to people, communities and organizations now and always.

Our History

Take a look at the history of our institution over the last 200+ years, and how we became the university that we are today.

1752

The Grange

On what is now our Headingley Campus, The Grange was originally a monastic farm that belonged to Kirkstall Abbey. New Grange was rebuilt in 1626 by Benjamin Wade. The present building was designed by Palladian architect James Paine for Walter Wade in 1752. In the 19th century the Beckett family renamed the estate Kirkstall Grange and remodelled parts of the Mansion.
1824

Leeds Mechanics Institute

The Leeds Mechanics’ Institute was founded in 1824 laying the foundations for Leeds Beckett University as we know it today.

A meeting was held in the Court House of Leeds (which stood at the bottom of Park Row). After a year of meeting and proposals the Leeds Mechanics’ Institute came into being on Wednesday 1 December 1824. The institute was located in two rooms in premises on Park Row, a library and a classroom and was primarily concerned with chemistry and other sciences. In 1841 the Institute moved to new premises in South Parade.
1842

The Leeds Mechanics’ Institute and Literary Society

The Leeds Mechanics’ Institute amalgamated with the Leeds Literary Society in 1842 to form the Leeds Mechanics’ Institute and Literary Society. New premises were opened on Cookridge Street in 1868 in a building designed by architect Cuthbert Brodrick. The Institute now housed a Library, a Reading Room, and the Leeds School of Art and Leeds Technical School within its premises.
1897

The Leeds Institute of Science, Art and Literature

In 1897 members of the Institute adopted a new name, the Leeds Institute of Science, Art and Literature, to better reflect the educational activities, which also included the Leeds Boys’ Modern School and Leeds Girls’ Modern School under the umbrella of the Institute. The next year the Leeds School of Music and Commercial Evening School departments were also established.
1906

Transfer of schools to Leeds Corporation

The transfer of the privately funded Leeds Institute of Science, Art and Literature to Leeds Corporation began in 1906. This was in the wake of the 1902 Education Act that created the Leeds Education Authority which took over and expanded the role of the former School Board.
1907

City of Leeds Training College

The City of Leeds Training College was formed in 1907 in temporary accommodation across the city. A permanent college was established on the grounds of Kirkstall Grange, sold to Leeds Education Authority by Lord Grimthorpe. The new college buildings were opened on 13 June 1913 by the President of the Board of Education, J A Pearce. In 1914 almost all the college buildings were transferred to the military for use as a hospital until 1927. The college continued in temporary spaces around Leeds. In 1939 the college campus was again used for military purposes, mainly as a depot and training facility.
1920

Yorkshire Training College of Housecraft

The Yorkshire School of Cookery in Leeds was formed in 1874 by the Ladies’ Honorary Council of the Yorkshire Board of Education. It evolved into the Yorkshire Training School of Cookery between 1877 and 1884 and the Yorkshire Training School of Cookery and Domestic Economy 1884 to 1920. The school came to be known as ‘Pud School’, possibly in reference to the legendary Yorkshire Pudding. In 1920 the school gained college status and became the Yorkshire Training College of Housecraft, eventually becoming the Yorkshire College of Education and Home Economics from 1965 to 1970. For many years the college was located on Vernon Road.
1924

Leeds Law School

On 16 September 1924 the Leeds Central School of Commerce opened its doors to a Day Department. Among the subjects to be taught was Commercial Law by M F B (Myles Falcon Downes) Archibald, a Leeds Barrister. Some aspects of commercial law had been taught before 1924 but the formation of the Day Department put it on a firmer footing and thus laid the foundation for the Leeds Law School.
1926

Leeds College of Commerce

In 1926, the Leeds Central School of Commerce was granted college status and became the Leeds College of Commerce. This year marked the incorporation of Commercial Evening Classes into the Leeds Institute of Science, Art and Literature. For a quarter of a century before this, commercial education courses were gradually grouped into the Leeds Central School of Commerce and day courses were established in 1924.
1927

Leeds College of Art

The Leeds School of Art was granted college status in 1927 and became the Leeds College of Art. It first began as the Leeds Government School of Design, opened in 1846, as part of the Leeds Mechanics’ Institute and Literary Society. The school received initial practical and financial help from the School of Design based in London, and subsequently became the Leeds School of Arts in 1856. Leeds College of Art moved from its Vernon Street site to Woodhouse Lane to form part of Leeds Central Colleges in 1969.
1933

Carnegie College of Physical Training

The Carnegie College of Physical Training was opened in 1933 next to the City of Leeds Training College. Its first warden was Ernest Major who created the foundation for its reputation for excellence in sports teaching. In 1947 it was renamed Carnegie College of Physical Education, dropping ‘Training’ for the more academically focussed ‘Education’. During World War Two the college was closed, reopening in 1947.
1937

Leeds College of Technology

The Leeds School of Science was formed as part of the Leeds Mechanics’ Institute and Literary Society in 1868. The school was renamed Leeds Technical School in 1896 and Leeds Technical College in 1927. It became the Leeds College of Technology in 1937. The mechanical engineering department of this this college was the first to move to the new Central Colleges site in 1956.
1956

The Leeds Central Colleges

The Leeds Colleges of Art, Commerce and Technology and the Yorkshire College of Education and Home Economics were gradually brought together on a site just north of Leeds Civic Hall. The first college on site was the Leeds College of Technology with Mechanical Engineering and Building opened by Clement Atlee in 1956. Over the next decade the rest of technology, most of commerce, housecraft and art were accommodated on site.
1968

College merger at Beckett Park

In 1964 the City of Leeds Training College changed its name to the City of Leeds College of Education in response to the Robbins Report (1963). Its neighbour at Beckett Park was the Carnegie College of Physical Education. There was much overlap in the administration and physical spaces shared by the Colleges and in 1968 they formally merged to create the City of Leeds and Carnegie College.
1970

Leeds Polytechnic

In 1966, the White Paper “A Plan for Polytechnics and Other Colleges” began the process of polytechnic creation. Leeds was at a great advantage in this having worked on the concept of a central college for around 40 years. Much of the administrative and campus infrastructure had already been established by the Leeds Central Colleges. In 1970 Leeds Polytechnic came into being. Leeds Polytechnic left the Local Education Authority to become a Higher Education Corporation in 1989.
1976

Leeds Polytechnic grows

The City of Leeds and Carnegie College and the James Graham College (the former Leeds Day Training College created in 1959) joined Leeds Polytechnic in 1976.
1992

Leeds Metropolitan University

Leeds Polytechnic became Leeds Metropolitan University in 1992 with the power to confer its own degrees and other awards. Leslie Wagner was its first Vice Chancellor.
2014

Leeds Beckett University

Leeds Metropolitan University became Leeds Beckett University in 2014 as we know it now, with Professor Susan Price MBE as the first Vice Chancellor, succeeded soon by Professor Peter Slee who continues to lead the university today. The university now has nine major schools, 220,000 alumni across 170 countries, more than 32,000 current students, and over 150 partners and franchise institutions all over the world.

1824

Leeds Mechanics Institute

The Leeds Mechanics’ Institute was founded in 1824 laying the foundations for Leeds Beckett University as we know it today.

A meeting was held in the Court House of Leeds (which stood at the bottom of Park Row). After a year of meeting and proposals the Leeds Mechanics’ Institute came into being on Wednesday 1 December 1824. The institute was located in two rooms in premises on Park Row, a library and a classroom and was primarily concerned with chemistry and other sciences. In 1841 the Institute moved to new premises in South Parade.
1897

The Leeds Institute of Science, Art and Literature

In 1897 members of the Institute adopted a new name, the Leeds Institute of Science, Art and Literature, to better reflect the educational activities, which also included the Leeds Boys’ Modern School and Leeds Girls’ Modern School under the umbrella of the Institute. The next year the Leeds School of Music and Commercial Evening School departments were also established.
1907

City of Leeds Training College

The City of Leeds Training College was formed in 1907 in temporary accommodation across the city. A permanent college was established on the grounds of Kirkstall Grange, sold to Leeds Education Authority by Lord Grimthorpe. The new college buildings were opened on 13 June 1913 by the President of the Board of Education, J A Pearce. In 1914 almost all the college buildings were transferred to the military for use as a hospital until 1927. The college continued in temporary spaces around Leeds. In 1939 the college campus was again used for military purposes, mainly as a depot and training facility.
1924

Leeds Law School

On 16 September 1924 the Leeds Central School of Commerce opened its doors to a Day Department. Among the subjects to be taught was Commercial Law by M F B (Myles Falcon Downes) Archibald, a Leeds Barrister. Some aspects of commercial law had been taught before 1924 but the formation of the Day Department put it on a firmer footing and thus laid the foundation for the Leeds Law School.
1927

Leeds College of Art

The Leeds School of Art was granted college status in 1927 and became the Leeds College of Art. It first began as the Leeds Government School of Design, opened in 1846, as part of the Leeds Mechanics’ Institute and Literary Society. The school received initial practical and financial help from the School of Design based in London, and subsequently became the Leeds School of Arts in 1856. Leeds College of Art moved from its Vernon Street site to Woodhouse Lane to form part of Leeds Central Colleges in 1969.
1937

Leeds College of Technology

The Leeds School of Science was formed as part of the Leeds Mechanics’ Institute and Literary Society in 1868. The school was renamed Leeds Technical School in 1896 and Leeds Technical College in 1927. It became the Leeds College of Technology in 1937. The mechanical engineering department of this this college was the first to move to the new Central Colleges site in 1956.
1968

College merger at Beckett Park

In 1964 the City of Leeds Training College changed its name to the City of Leeds College of Education in response to the Robbins Report (1963). Its neighbour at Beckett Park was the Carnegie College of Physical Education. There was much overlap in the administration and physical spaces shared by the Colleges and in 1968 they formally merged to create the City of Leeds and Carnegie College.
1976

Leeds Polytechnic grows

The City of Leeds and Carnegie College and the James Graham College (the former Leeds Day Training College created in 1959) joined Leeds Polytechnic in 1976.
2014

Leeds Beckett University

Leeds Metropolitan University became Leeds Beckett University in 2014 as we know it now, with Professor Susan Price MBE as the first Vice Chancellor, succeeded soon by Professor Peter Slee who continues to lead the university today. The university now has nine major schools, 220,000 alumni across 170 countries, more than 32,000 current students, and over 150 partners and franchise institutions all over the world.

1752

The Grange

On what is now our Headingley Campus, The Grange was originally a monastic farm that belonged to Kirkstall Abbey. New Grange was rebuilt in 1626 by Benjamin Wade. The present building was designed by Palladian architect James Paine for Walter Wade in 1752. In the 19th century the Beckett family renamed the estate Kirkstall Grange and remodelled parts of the Mansion.
1842

The Leeds Mechanics’ Institute and Literary Society

The Leeds Mechanics’ Institute amalgamated with the Leeds Literary Society in 1842 to form the Leeds Mechanics’ Institute and Literary Society. New premises were opened on Cookridge Street in 1868 in a building designed by architect Cuthbert Brodrick. The Institute now housed a Library, a Reading Room, and the Leeds School of Art and Leeds Technical School within its premises.
1906

Transfer of schools to Leeds Corporation

The transfer of the privately funded Leeds Institute of Science, Art and Literature to Leeds Corporation began in 1906. This was in the wake of the 1902 Education Act that created the Leeds Education Authority which took over and expanded the role of the former School Board.
1920

Yorkshire Training College of Housecraft

The Yorkshire School of Cookery in Leeds was formed in 1874 by the Ladies’ Honorary Council of the Yorkshire Board of Education. It evolved into the Yorkshire Training School of Cookery between 1877 and 1884 and the Yorkshire Training School of Cookery and Domestic Economy 1884 to 1920. The school came to be known as ‘Pud School’, possibly in reference to the legendary Yorkshire Pudding. In 1920 the school gained college status and became the Yorkshire Training College of Housecraft, eventually becoming the Yorkshire College of Education and Home Economics from 1965 to 1970. For many years the college was located on Vernon Road.
1926

Leeds College of Commerce

In 1926, the Leeds Central School of Commerce was granted college status and became the Leeds College of Commerce. This year marked the incorporation of Commercial Evening Classes into the Leeds Institute of Science, Art and Literature. For a quarter of a century before this, commercial education courses were gradually grouped into the Leeds Central School of Commerce and day courses were established in 1924.
1933

Carnegie College of Physical Training

The Carnegie College of Physical Training was opened in 1933 next to the City of Leeds Training College. Its first warden was Ernest Major who created the foundation for its reputation for excellence in sports teaching. In 1947 it was renamed Carnegie College of Physical Education, dropping ‘Training’ for the more academically focussed ‘Education’. During World War Two the college was closed, reopening in 1947.
1956

The Leeds Central Colleges

The Leeds Colleges of Art, Commerce and Technology and the Yorkshire College of Education and Home Economics were gradually brought together on a site just north of Leeds Civic Hall. The first college on site was the Leeds College of Technology with Mechanical Engineering and Building opened by Clement Atlee in 1956. Over the next decade the rest of technology, most of commerce, housecraft and art were accommodated on site.
1970

Leeds Polytechnic

In 1966, the White Paper “A Plan for Polytechnics and Other Colleges” began the process of polytechnic creation. Leeds was at a great advantage in this having worked on the concept of a central college for around 40 years. Much of the administrative and campus infrastructure had already been established by the Leeds Central Colleges. In 1970 Leeds Polytechnic came into being. Leeds Polytechnic left the Local Education Authority to become a Higher Education Corporation in 1989.
1992

Leeds Metropolitan University

Leeds Polytechnic became Leeds Metropolitan University in 1992 with the power to confer its own degrees and other awards. Leslie Wagner was its first Vice Chancellor.

Our Alumni

Over the years, our graduates have changed the world. They've helped to shape our society. They've come from 148 countries around the world to learn and grow.

Among our 185,000-strong alumni community, we’re proud to boast some truly outstanding individuals, including:

Britain’s most determined female Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey
80s band Soft Cell’s singer, Marc Almond OBE
Game of Thrones cinematographer, Fabian Wagner
Designer of the London Olympic Torch, Edward Barber OBE

Visit our Alumni page

Chelsea Galpin

Class of 2015 - Public Relations with Marketing

Chelsea has been a Communications Officer at the Motor Neurone Disease Association since September 2015.

Read Chelsea's story

Paul Heckingbottom

Class of 2013 - Sports Coaching

Within four months of being appointed caretaker boss of Barnsley in February 2016, Paul had guided the Tykes from 12th place in League One, to promotion to the Championship League.

Read Paul's story

Jenni outside the Commonwealth Games in Australia

Jenni Rishworth

Class of 2012 - Sports Event Management

Jenni Rishworth put her knowledge and skills to use on the world stage when she worked as a Spectator Services Venue Manager in the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast.

Read Jenni's story

Jennifer in front of her Jerk Chicken sign

Jennifer Ardene

Class of 2016 - Accounting & Finance

Just two years after graduating, Jennifer was running her own business based in Leeds.

Read Jennifer's story

Simon Hill

Class of 2010 - Music Technology

After graduating in 2010 with a first from Leeds Beckett University, Simon has worked on projects including Les Miserables.

Read Simon's story

our university campus developments

With a population of 28,000 students and 3,200 staff, we're one of the biggest employers in Leeds. We play a vital role in transforming the lives and prospects of thousands of individuals and organisations every year.

Our graduates bring much-needed skills to the local economy, from teachers and nurses to lawyers and engineers. Our mission is to ensure we use our knowledge and resources to make a positive and decisive difference to people, communities and organisations.

Creating inspirational teaching and learning environments for our students and staff is key to this.

Over the next five years, we'll be investing £200m in campus developments, which covers a wide range of projects across our campuses. These are significant developments. They'll enhance and improve the infrastructure, and provide state-of-the-art facilities for our students, staff and partners.

Leeds Beckett University's new £80m Leeds School of Arts building - Architects fly-through Leeds Beckett University is currently developing a new Leeds School of Arts building which will be home to many of our courses in the Leeds School of Arts. The £80m development features a host of world-class facilities, including a theatre, a Dolby Atmos movie cinema, and specialist studios for fashion, music, film and television.