The city is bursting with activity and inspiration, making it the perfect place to spend your prime years. It’s no surprise that the city’s various universities have spawned a good deal of successful names in sport, film, science, politics and the arts.
While the University of Leeds has attracted its fair share of familiar faces – including Hollywood actor Chris Pine, who recently recounted his experience of living in Hyde Park – Leeds Beckett University has also seen some significant figures grace its corridors.
Here are 11 pictures showcasing some of the most famous alumni to come from the uni, which was previously known as Leeds Metropolitan University and Leeds Polytechnic.
7. Paul Heckingbottom
After his football playing career ended, Paul Heckingbottom, who has previously managed Leeds and currently takes the helm at Sheffield United, took the opportunity to gain an academic understanding of football coaching, to set his CV apart from other managers. He completed his BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching at Leeds Metropolitan University in 2013, followed by an MSc in Sport Coaching in 2016, by which point the university had been renamed Leeds Beckett University. Picture: Simon Bellis / Sportimage Photo: Simon Bellis
8. Kim-Joy
Kim-Joy, who finished second on the Great British Bake Off in 2018, acquired a master's degree in psychology from Leeds Beckett University. She captured the nation's hearts for her quirky concoctions on the Channel 4 show and has since gone on to release three cookbooks. Picture Tony Johnson Photo: Tony Johnson
9. Scritti Politti
While at Leeds Polytechnic, Welshman Green Gartside formed the post-punk band Scritti Politti with schoolmate and friend Nial Jinks and art school friend Tom Morley. Gartside and Morley moved to London where they secured a record deal before subsequent albums featured Gartside with different personnel, with Gartside being the only constant member of the group. Photo: NA
10. Stuart Lancaster
Rugby union legend Stuart Lancaster studied BA (Hons) Human Movement Studies at Leeds Polytechnic. He had a career playing in Wakefield and Leeds before going into coaching and becoming head coach for the England National Team between 2011 and 2015. Photo: Martin Rickett Photo: Martin Rickett
11. Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield graduated from Leeds Beckett University in 2008, achieving a BSc (Hons) in Sport & Exercise Science before returning and graduating with an MA Sport Business degree in 2015 – all alongside his professional rugby career. Since retirement he has also become a prominent fundraiser for charities associated with Motor Neurone Disease in support of his former teammate friend Rob Burrow. Photo: Frank Reid Photo: Frank Reid
12. Alexander Skarsgård
Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård attended Leeds Metropolitan University for six months in 1996 after completing his national service. He has since starred in True Blood, Succession and Big Little Lies, for which he won multiple awards. Photo: Ian West Photo: Ian West