OUGD502 - Studio Brief 02 - Brief History of the University

The college was first founded in 1846 when the Leeds Mechanics Institute merged with the Literart Institute to become Leeds School of Art. The college began at Vernon Street in 1903, whereby the university and courses were heavily influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement. Two of the most notable alumni Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth enrolled in 1919 and 1920.

In 1950, the Basic Design course was produced and a more scientific approach towards design was encouraged in students in order to gain some capacity for constructive criticism and understanding.
Between 1968 and 93, the college was named Jacob Kramer College after one of the leading alumni who was famous for his oil paintings.

In 2017, the college was granted university status, becoming Leeds Arts University and making them the only specialist arts university in the North of England.