Introduction and Strategic Aim

Leeds Conservatoire

Established in 1965 as Leeds Music Centre, we have evolved into the largest UK conservatoire by student numbers. We offer the broadest range of genres of any conservatoire in Europe, reflecting our expertise and specialist approach to music and performing arts training.

A History of Innovation

The conservatoire has a pioneering history, launching the first Jazz degree in Europe in 1993 and becoming the first UK conservatoire to offer Popular Music and Music Production in 2004. In 2020, we changed our name to Leeds Conservatoire as we launched a suite of drama courses.

Strategic Aims and Inclusive Approach

Leeds Conservatoire's strategic aims are built around Equity, Academic Community, and Sustainability. These themes foster an inclusive environment that supports diversity, encourages academic inquiry and artistic experimentation, and contributes significantly to the sustainability of the arts.

A strong commitment to widening access is evident in our admissions process. Leeds Conservatoire was the first UK conservatoire to remove all audition fees and refund travel expenses for applicants from access target backgrounds, ensuring that talent, not financial position, determines admission. We're also a member of Go Higher West Yorkshire, a regional consortia supporting progression to higher education and part of the OfS Uni Connect Programme.

Industry-Focused Training and Future-Ready Graduates

Learning and teaching at Leeds Conservatoire are characterised by inspirational training from expert practitioners, complemented by workshops and masterclasses from world-leading visiting artists. Students benefit from industry-standard facilities, a curriculum designed around industry practice, and access to a wealth of professional partners.

The conservatoire's programmes offer intensive training to develop an elite level of specialism while celebrating individuality. The goal isn't to prepare graduates for a specific career path but to nurture their independence, equipping them with the contemporary skills, experiences, and confidence to forge their own way and even "create the industries of the future" within the creative sector.