They’ve been the training grounds for Hollywood stars, Olympic champions, and even the leader of the country.
Whether they were navigating the library at the University of Leeds, honing their craft at Leeds Beckett, or getting creative at Leeds Arts University, these famous faces all called the city home during their formative years.
From 80s synth-pop icons who met their bandmates in student unions to a current Prime Minister who spent his weekends in Hyde Park, the city’s alumni list is as diverse as it is impressive.
Many of these stars have even credited their time in West Yorkshire, and the occasional attempt at the legendary Otley Run, with shaping the careers that eventually made them household names - including Chris Pine, who has previously shared fond memories of his time in the city.
Here are 15 famous faces you (probably) didn’t know studied in Leeds.
13. Naga Munchetty (University of Leeds)
The BBC Breakfast journalist graduated in 1997 with a degree in English Literature and Language. She lived in the student hub of Hyde Park while learning the skills that would lead her to the top of British broadcasting. | Getty Images
14. Keely Hodgkinson (Leeds Beckett University)
The 800m Olympic gold medallist is one of the city's most recent success stories. She balanced her world-class training with a Criminology degree, graduating in 2021 before conquering the athletics world. | Getty Images
15. Alice Levine (University of Leeds)
The broadcaster and podcaster was incredibly active in the university's student TV station (LSTV) while studying English, a background that launched her career at BBC Radio 1 and on My Dad Wrote a Porno. | Michael Loccisano/Getty