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.
1. Leeds Beckett Alumni
Famous faces in the fields of politics, sport, acting and television have studied at Leeds Beckett University. Photo: National World
2. Alistair Brownlee
Two time Olympic gold medal winning triathlete Alistair Brownlee studied Sports Science and Physiology at the University of Leeds, where he gained his degree in 2010., before going on to complete an MSc in Finance in 2013 at Leeds Metropolitan University. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) Photo: Alex Livesey
3. Ricky Wilson and Andrew White
Ricky Wilson (centre) and guitarist Andrew White (far right) both studied at Leeds Metropolitan University, during which time they met Nick Hodgson and went on to form a band that would later become the Kaiser Chiefs. The band became renowned locally for their energetic live shows and the release of their debut album 'Employment' in 2005 quickly made them one of the country's biggest acts. Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
4. Lucy Bronze
Before she and the rest of the England Women's Football team did the country proud by winning the European Championship in 2022, esteemed right back Lucy Bronze studied a sports science degree at Leeds Metropolitan University. Lucy wrote her dissertation on ACL injuries in women's sport and earned money on the side by working at Dominos Pizza. Photo: Andrew Matthews
5. Kim Leadbeater MP
Kim Leadbeater MP graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in health-related exercise and fitness from Leeds Beckett University in 2005. She became the MP for Batley and Spen in 2021, five years after her sister Jo Cox was murdered while acting as the MP for the same seat. Photo: Jim Fitton Photo: Jim Fitton
6. Soft Cell
Soft Cell members Marc Almond and David Ball set up the group in 1978 after meeting at Leeds Polytechnic. The synthpop duo would go on to have worldwide success with their cover of 'Tainted Love'. Photo: Andrew Whitton Photo: Andrew Whitton