OpenFieldLeeds Arts University Vice-Chancellor's International Postgraduate Scholarship
Merit-based international award granting substantial tuition fee reductions to talented overseas creative practitioners entering taught master's degree courses.
Leeds Arts University: Creative Practice, Digital Fashion & Fine Art Guide
Established in 1846 as the Leeds Government School of Art and Design, Leeds Arts University is the only specialist arts university in the North of England. Famous for cultivating generation-defining artists and designers (including Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, and Damien Hirst), the university provides world-class studio facilities, printmaking workshops, digital fashion suites, and postgraduate creative practice research.
Verified degree programs and opportunities
Review checked academic pathways and funding options below:
MA Creative Practice in Contemporary Art, Fashion and Design
One-year intensive interdisciplinary master's degree fostering experimental studio practice across sculpture, digital media, printmaking, and spatial installation.
Yorkshire Contemporary Art & Materiality Practice-Led Doctoral Studentship
Three-year practice-led doctoral research studentship investigating sustainable bioplastics, reclaimed pigments, and ecological ethics in contemporary sculpture.
Leeds Arts University Digital Media and Virtual Curatorial Research Grant
Funded research project evaluating spatial augmented reality installations, digital artwork preservation, and hybrid virtual gallery engagement.
Northern UK Creative Agency and Fashion House Studio Residency
Six-month creative residency placed with premier British fashion labels, textile mills, and creative branding consultancies in Leeds and London.
Leeds Arts Postdoctoral Fellow in Sustainable Textile Design and Materiality
Two-year postdoctoral research appointment examining circular fiber recycling, natural bio-dyeing chemistries, and sustainable supply chains in British fashion.
Barbara Hepworth Memorial Young Artist Bursary
Commemorative memorial award honoring alumnus Barbara Hepworth, granting material stipends and gallery exhibition space to exceptional emerging artists.
Admissions, language requirements & application process
- Master's admission eligibility
- Accredited UK 2:1 honours degree (or international equivalent with minimum 60% or 3.0/4.0 GPA) in an art, design, architecture, or creative media discipline, plus a comprehensive creative portfolio.
- Doctoral admission eligibility
- Direct collaborative doctoral research programs facilitated in partnership with the University of Leeds and the Yorkshire Doctoral Training Partnership.
- Language proficiency
- Academic IELTS 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each individual component), Cambridge C1 Advanced, or Pearson PTE 56.
- Research statement / Proposal
- Required for MA applicants: 1,000-word creative proposal outlining practice-led research themes, conceptual framework, and proposed studio methodology.
- Application fee
- £0 application fee for direct online postgraduate applications.
- Required documentation
- Certified undergraduate diploma and academic transcripts, digital visual portfolio (15-20 images or video showreel), curriculum vitae, and two academic/creative reference letters.
Tuition fees and verified scholarship systems
Tuition at Leeds Arts University is £9,250 per year for UK domestic students and £17,500 to £18,500 per year for international postgraduate students. Leeds Arts University offers International Vice-Chancellor's Postgraduate Scholarships providing up to £3,000 in tuition reductions.
Verified faculty profiles and research leaders
Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at Leeds Arts University:
Prof. Simone Wonnacott
Vice-Chancellor & Higher Arts Education Strategist · Higher Arts Education Governance, Creative Economy Strategy, Curricular Innovation, Specialist Institutions
Dr. Catriona McAra
University Curator and Research Fellow in Modern and Contemporary Art · Surrealism, Feminist Art History, Contemporary Curatorial Practice, Sculptural Aesthetics
Prof. Randall Whittaker
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Academic & Creative Pedagogy Fellow · Art and Design Pedagogy, Creative Industry Partnerships, Quality Enhancement, Practice-Led Research
Important verification note
Facts reflect official Leeds Arts University documentation reviewed 2026-10-15. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.
Reviewed 2026-10-15 · Editorial standards · Report an issue