We are a leading multidisciplinary conservatoire
Leeds Conservatoire is a specialist conservatoire in the UK, delivering expert music and performing arts education to a community of over 1600 students. Our broad offering spans undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses, along with Leeds Junior Conservatoire for young musicians and performers.
Situated in the heart of Leeds’ cultural quarter, Leeds Conservatoire is artistically ambitious, quality-driven and industry-focused, placing strong emphasis on developing career-ready musicians, performers, producers and entrepreneurs.
Leeds has a vibrant music and arts culture, which is evident across the city, both via its strong independent creative scene, and the region’s leading cultural institutions, making it the perfect backdrop to studying creative arts.
The conservatoire also hosts an eclectic, year-round programme of performances and masterclasses, as well as larger scale conferences and events.
A pioneering conservatoire
The conservatoire opened in 1965 as Leeds Music Centre, providing a Light Music course with a significant focus on Jazz. We became Leeds College of Music in 1972 and in 1993 launched the first Jazz degree in Europe. In 2004, we then became the first UK conservatoire to offer Popular Music and Music Production.
We have since broadened our diverse portfolio to include performing arts, launching degrees in Musical Theatre, Acting and Actor Musician. In 2020 we became Leeds Conservatoire – reflecting our expertise and specialist approach to music and drama training.
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An industry-focussed conservatoire
With state-of-the-art facilities, expert staff, and professional opportunities whilst you study, the conservatoire champions relevant and innovative training that equips you with the knowledge and skills to meet the demands of a perpetually evolving industry. We are an All-Steinway School and a Roland Academy in association with Roland UK.
We have strong partnerships to support your study, which offer students opportunities to work with professionals in industry settings, network with peers or perform at high profile events. Our partnerships include Opera North, Backstage Academy, Leeds Playhouse, Red Ladder Theatre Company, Ivors Academy, Sound City Festival, Leeds Festival and the International Songwriting Camp, amongst many others.
Our enterprise department also offers students a range of paid and experiential opportunities, including a Musicians’ Booking Agency, artist and business development support and funding opportunities for promotional assets and additional training.
Leeds Conservatoire alumni enjoy a range of careers in the creative industries as performers, producers, composers, entrepreneurs and more.
See our facilitiesAn accessible conservatoire
Leeds Conservatoire prides itself on making conservatoire education accessible to all. In 2019, we became the first UK conservatoire to remove audition fees for all courses. In addition, we provide travel bursaries to those from low-income households, in order to ensure that our application process is open to all.
In 2018/19, almost half of our students were supported with bursaries during their studies, awarded to those from lower income households, selected based on academic and musical ability.
