Leeds Conservatoire

• Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, England,
• Age of students: from 16 years old,
• Type of study: blended,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Year founded: 1965.

• Location: United Kingdom,
• Focus: music and performing arts,
• Study levels: bachelor's and master's degrees.

Leeds Conservatoire is a specialized conservatory in the United Kingdom that provides professional education in the field of music and performing arts. The university offers bachelor's and master's degree courses. In addition, the Leeds Conservatoire has the Leeds Conservatoire Junior Conservatory for young musicians and performers. The Conservatory is focused on quality, on the modern music industry, with a special focus on developing students' readiness for careers as musicians, performers, producers and entrepreneurs.

The institution became Leeds College of Music in 1972. It adopted the name Leeds Conservatoire in 2020.

Students can expect a high level of study in their chosen subject, regardless of discipline: this will enable them to pursue a successful career in performance, composition, producing, or performing arts.

The faculty are top-notch experts in their field who provide students with a wealth of experience and technical capabilities. Leeds Conservatoire guarantees students comprehensive support and individual education.

The conservatoire offers one-to-one tuition. Faculty members continue to work as musicians, actors, authors and researchers. Visiting professors and professionals from the music and theater industries regularly teach at the conservatoire. Dedicated teams help students use virtual learning environments, video sharing software and augmented reality. The enterprise department supports artistic and business projects and offers funding for promotional materials and additional training. In the Rewind project, performers, composers and Music Production students work together to create professional audio and video recordings of live performances. Drama students work on productions with guest directors, choreographers and musical directors.

Crosswire Sessions are recorded by Music Production students and staff. The videos introduce students' work to music industry professionals. The Students' Union has an open-door policy for support and advice. Elected student representatives serve on conservatoire committees and protect students' interests.

• In 2026, the jazz department won the Jazz Education Award at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards,
• A 2023 graduate of the undergraduate jazz program won Jazz Newcomer of the Year at the 2026 Parliamentary Jazz Awards,
• Leeds Contemporary Singers, a nine-member group that grew out of the conservatoire's choir, won BBC One's Pitch Battle in 2017,
• LC Pop Choir competed in the final of How Sweet The Sound at the Royal Albert Hall in 2024 and appeared on Britain's Got Talent in 2025,
• Rock, Paper, Scissors, a film that a 2021 Film Music graduate worked on, won a BAFTA in the Best British Short Film category. The graduate's score for the film received a Best Score nomination at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards. The graduate's achievements also include third place for Bunnyhood in La Cinef at the Festival de Cannes,
• A Music Production graduate worked with the BBC, Channel 4 and NBC. Their music was used in coverage of the NFL, Super Bowl and Olympic Games,
• A conservatoire graduate opened the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards 2022 and won the VEGA Rising Star Award,
• The British Library archived a conservatoire graduate's underwater recordings of gray seal vocalizations in the Hebrides. The recordings were used in the award-winning Gaelic documentary Iorram (Boat Song).

In 2019, Leeds Conservatoire partnered with Opera North.

In 1993, the conservatoire launched Europe's first jazz degree. In 2004, it became the first UK conservatoire to offer Popular Music and Music Production programs. In 2019, Leeds Conservatoire became the first UK conservatoire to eliminate audition charges for all programs.

First-year students can apply for residency at either Joseph Stones House (operated by Unite Students) or One Mill Street (operated by Unipol).

• Joseph Stones House is located directly above the Conservatory building in St. Peter's Square. The residence is equipped with apartments with a shared kitchen and living quarters - in total, Joseph Stones House is equipped with 190 study bedrooms with their own bathrooms. In addition to shared apartments, there are several studios that are great for students who prefer to live separately, on their own,
• One Mill Street is a large, modern building just around the corner from Leeds Conservatoire and can be reached on foot in about four minutes. Here students are offered standard rooms in apartments with 5 bedrooms. In the bedroom there are: a large bed, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, a bedside table, a bookcase, a desk and a chair. Bathrooms (2 shared by 5 rooms): bathtub and shower, toilet, sink, mirror and heated towel rail. The kitchen-living room (shared by 5 rooms) includes: washing machine, fridge freezer, oven, ironing board, vacuum cleaner, TV, chairs, table, cupboards.

At Joseph Stones House, 152 rooms are available to Leeds Conservatoire students. Standard rooms have a bed, desk, chairs, mirror, wardrobe and under-bed storage. Kitchens shared by 3–7 rooms have cooking hobs, an oven, a fridge freezer and a microwave. Studios have a private kitchen with the same appliances.

Four rooms are partly accessible to students with limited mobility, and another six are in apartments with fewer residents. One of the five studios is partly accessible to students with limited mobility but is not fully wheelchair accessible. A separate studio can accommodate a couple. Students provide their own bedding, towels, dishes, cutlery and cooking utensils. The Accommodation Team helps students find suitable accommodation in Leeds.

The conservatoire's Café:Bar sells food and drinks.

The city centre is home to modern theatre venues such as the Leeds Playhouse, the Leeds Grand Theatre, the City Varieties Music Hall and the Carriageworks. Leeds is home to prestigious troupes: Opera North, Northern Ballet, Yorkshire Dance, Phoenix Dance Theatre, Northern School of Contemporary Dance and Red Ladder Theatre Company, which offer a rich cultural programme throughout the year with performances by world-renowned performers.

In addition to its rich theatrical life, the city will surprise you with its gastronomic tastes. Everyone will find something new and delicious! Street kitchens are constantly changing, great coffee is brewed and international dishes are prepared.

Students at Leeds Conservatoire will find something to do at any time of the day or night. The city has one of the best art scenes of the Henry Moore Institute, many cinemas show cinema classics and new releases.

Those who like to stroll through the shops also have something to do: Leeds is not only a creative city, but also a place where famous clothing brands are gathered.

With a varied calendar of events, including the Alternative Music Giants Festival, the International Film Festival, the Piano Festival, the West Indies Carnival, and more, students will not be bored throughout the academic year.

The Students' Union organizes Fresher’s week, charity fundraisers, gigs, sports and themed events, and supports student projects. Students can join or start societies, clubs and performance groups. In the 2025/26 academic year, these included the Afro-Caribbean Society, Chinese Society, Christian Union, Gaming Society, Women's Society, Commonground Neurodiversity Group, Fashion Society, Book Club Society, LCSU Radio and LCSU Magazine Society.

Extracurricular ensemble projects are open to students in all programs and take place outside scheduled classes:

• LC Pop Choir brings together students and alumni to perform original arrangements of gospel, rock and pop music,
• The Chamber Orchestra introduces instrumentalists to orchestral repertoire,
• The Wind Ensemble offers woodwind, brass and percussion students experience playing together,
• The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra brings experienced players together to perform challenging contemporary repertoire,
• The New Music Collective performs contemporary avant-garde music, including student compositions,
• The Folk Ensemble is open to students studying folk and other genres. It is the conservatoire's only ensemble without an audition. Rehearsals take place in the early evening as the group prepares for the Crossroads concert held each term.

Students' Union ensembles regularly tour Europe, including Germany, The Netherlands and the Czech Republic. Students perform at the conservatoire's regular showcase nights and at Brudenell Social Club, Belgrave Music Hall and Oporto.

Performances, masterclasses and conferences take place throughout the year. The Venue hosts lunchtime chamber concerts on Wednesdays, and the International Chamber Series runs throughout the year. An end-of-year gala features students from different areas of study. Crosswire concerts bring together Popular Music and Music Production, while the monthly B-Side jazz night at Café:Bar features students, staff and alumni and offers audiences access to the jazz vinyl archive.

• The conservatoire is a Roland Academy in association with Roland UK,
• Its partners include Orchestras Live and Black Lives in Music,
• The conservatoire works with Backstage Academy and Ivors Academy,
• Its professional production music platform is open to all students and graduates,
• The conservatoire's own Leeds Conservatoire Agency offers students and graduates paid performances and opportunities to gain practical experience throughout the year.

Leeds Conservatoire is located in the heart of Leeds' cultural district. The Conservatory has modern bright classrooms for lectures and practical classes. In addition to the main classrooms, the Leeds Conservatoire has equipped:

• Theatre and Dance Facilities: Musical theatre, acting and musician-acting students have access to the Conservatory's specially equipped dance and drama halls at Playhouse Square,
• Studios, DJ Suite, and Mac Labs, where students can use standard recording and mixing studios,
• Musician Rehearsal Rooms: Music students have access to a range of orchestra rooms, ensemble rooms, and rehearsal rooms,
• Steinway piano. Leeds Conservatoire is the only English conservatory to have the status of an All-Steinway School,
• Library and Jazz Archives. The specialty library offers access to extensive online and physical music and drama resources, a diverse learning environment,
• The Venue. The state-of-the-art auditorium with 350 seats is a flexible space. The hall is equipped with theatrical lighting and sound equipment, a powerful projection on a large screen with an electric drive, and there are also two Steinway Model D concert grand pianos,
• Concert hall: accommodates up to 120 people, equipped with a built-in audio system and a powerful projector, and a Steinway Model D concert grand piano.

Students can borrow instruments and equipment for recording, mixing and rehearsals seven days a week during term time. The conservatoire is a 15–20-minute walk (0.8 miles) from Leeds Train Station. Leeds Central Bus & Coach Station is two minutes away on foot. There is no on-campus car parking, including accessible spaces.

The academic year at Leeds Conservatoire lasts from September to June, the year is divided into 2 semesters, with holidays in between.

Additional costs:

• Registration fee,
• Deposit,
• Visa fee,
• Migration,
• Transfer,
• Residence,
• Nutrition,
• Educational materials and stationery,
• Exams,
• Personal expenses,
• Activities and excursions.

An advance rent payment is required when booking Joseph Stones House. A television license is required for equipment that receives television broadcasts in a student's room.

During term time, St Peter's Square is open from 7:30AM to midnight on weekdays, from 8:30AM to 5:00PM on Saturdays and from 9:00AM to 5:00PM on Sundays. Playhouse Square and Mabgate are open from 8:00AM to 9:00PM on weekdays.

To be admitted to Leeds Conservatoire, a candidate needs to take the following steps:

• Apply for selected courses. Important: Applications for most courses are submitted in September of the current year for the next academic year.
• Interview or audition: You can do it in person or online.
• Offer for a place. If the candidate receives an offer, it will be either conditional, based on the applicant's fulfillment of certain entry requirements, or unconditional.
• Accept the offer. When the candidate is familiar with all the options, it will be necessary to contact UCAS to accept the offer of the Conservatory. If the offer is conditional, then it is necessary to fulfill a number of entrance requirements that will be put forward by the university.
• Seat confirmation. The candidate will be notified that they meet all the requirements for admission to Leeds Conservatoire. You can get ready to move!

Today, about 1500 people study at Leeds Conservatoire.

Leeds Conservatoire has partnerships with local, national and international music and performing arts organizations: Opera North, Leeds Playhouse, Red Ladder Theatre Company, MediaTracks and International Songwriting Camp. This provides students with various opportunities to develop their skills through collaborations, workshops, and international teaching.

Around 93% of Leeds Conservatoire graduates in the UK find a job or continue their studies within 15 months of graduation (according to DHLE data for 2022).

A candidate applying to the Leeds Conservatoire must demonstrate their English language proficiency in order to be eligible for a place. English Language Tests Accepted:

• IELTS / IELTS Academic Exam for UKVI,
• TOEFL iBT,
• Pearson PTE Academic / Pearson PTE Academic UKVI,
• Cambridge C1 Advanced,
• LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2,
• Trinity College London – Integrated English Language Proficiency (ISE II or ISE III).

Leeds Conservatoire provides a number of additional scholarships and grants to guarantee tuition to every applicant whose application is approved. Types of scholarships:

• Payment of travel to the audition (scholarship for applicants),
• Start-up fund for the accommodation of applicants,
• Scholarship of the Leeds Conservatory,
• Scholarship of the Leeds Conservatory for advanced education in postgraduate studies,
• Leverhulme Trust Arts Scholarship,
• Ruben Vincent Trombone Scholarship,
• Leeds Cathedral Scholarships,
• Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Scholarship (Bachelor of Musical Theatre),
• Additional sources of funding: third-party grants, scholarships, assistance from various foundations, etc.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision