Leeds College of Art

Summary

Mission

“To
continue to provide a distinctive education in art, design and the
crafts, enabling our students to progress to, and through successful
careers.”

International role

Apart
from Erasmus bi-lateral agreements and exchanges with institutions in
France and Finland, (Turku University in Finland, the École Supérieure
des Arts Appliqués Duperré and the École Supérieure des Arts Appliqués
et du Textile, in Roubaix, northern France) - the College is a founder
member of a network called: GIDE (Group for International Design
Education).
GIDE is an international consortium of higher-education design schools,
which work together to enrich the experience of students in the areas
of interior architecture, three-dimensional design and
interdisciplinary art and design. The group consists of five main
partner schools; in the UK, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Belgium; as
well as ‘guest’ members in Scotland, Slovenia and the Netherlands. GIDE
has a long history at Leeds College of Art, beginning with exchanges of
students and teaching staff as long ago as 1995.
The programme has developed considerably since then. Currently,
students from BA (Hons) courses at Leeds College of Art participate in
an annual study trip to one of the partner schools, where they attend
lectures and workshops to determine a theme/topic for a design brief.
Each design school sets their brief within this theme and students then
commence work on it for about twelve weeks, after which a selection of
the best at each school, is made by staff. These works are then
exhibited at another of the partner schools, together with the selected
works from each of the other countries. This makes for a truly
international, public exhibition. Sometimes the project is supported by
private sponsors who may have an interest in the outcomes of the design
brief and are prepared to offer money in the form of prizes.
Because a similar project is being run in each design school - at the
same time and for a similar duration, - it is possible for students to
apply through the Erasmus scheme to complete their project at any one
of these institutions, supported in part, by a grant from Erasmus. One
of our overall aims is to promote student mobility across the European
Community, particularly to help raise awareness of cultural diversity,
but also to provide an international forum for debate and discussion on
a wide range of topical, global themes. The work of staff and students
is documented throughout this annual cycle and a printed publication is
produced and distributed to all those involved.

National role

Leeds
College of Art plays an important role in developing the next
generation of creative individuals to contribute to the Creative
Industries regionally, nationally and internationally. It has forged
strong and productive links with partners in education including the
Open University, the Council for Higher Education in Art and Design,
Guild HE, the National Arts Learning Network, the University of the
Arts London, the West Yorkshire Lifelong Learning Network, Aim Higher,
Leeds City Council, Leeds Schools, the Higher Education Academy Subject
Centre for Art, Design and Media, United Kingdom Arts and Design
Institutions Association, the University of Leeds, Leeds College of
Music and The Sorrell Foundation. Further relationships exist with
specialist subject associations involved with Fashion, Textiles and
Fine Art. The College is well connected with local and regional based
businesses involved with the creative industries, providing work
placement and employment opportunities to students.

Main focus

Art and Design

Education

Faculties and departments

Faculty of Fine Art & Design
Faculty of Media and Design Communication
Faculty of Further Education

Bachelor level programs

Faculty of Fine Art & Design - BA(Hons) in:
Fashion Design (3 years full time)
Interdisciplinary Art & Design (3 years full time)
Fine Art (3 years full time)
Interior Design (3 years full time)
Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Design (3 years full time)

Faculty of Media and Design Communication - BA(Hons) in:
Graphic Design (3 years full time)
Visual Communication (3 years full time)

Foundation Degrees in:
Photography (2 years full time)
Creative Advertising (2 years full time)
Furniture Making (2 years full time)
Digital Film, Games & Animation (2 years full time)

Master level programs

n/a

Research

Research activity and main areas

Yes, the college has a dedicated research coordinator, who assists staff in
developing their research into art and design pedagogy. The college
also hosts regular conferences with an Art and Design Pedagogy theme.
In particular the college supports two main themes of research.
Art and Design Practice and Pedagogy: Art and Design History and
Pedagogy:

Doctorate level programs

n/a

Exchange

Subject areas for exchange students

Fashion /Visual Communication/Graphics/Interdisciplinary/Interior/Textiles & Surface Pattern/Creative Advertising

Application deadlines

Term 1: June 1st
Term 2: Nov 1st
Term 3: 1st March

Teaching languages

English

Semester dates

Three terms
21 September – 19 December
11 January – 25 March
19 April – 19 June

Cost of living per month (studying and living)

6-800 Euros