Leeds Beckett University Speciality : Art & Design
programme: Design

My experience was a mixed bag—some great learning experiences, a few frustrating moments, and a lot of self-driven work.

The good – The best part of the course was the flexibility. We weren’t boxed into one area of digital design, which meant I could explore everything from web design and motion graphics to coding and UX. It was ideal for someone who wanted to experiment and find their niche. Some lecturers were genuinely passionate and helpful, pushing us to refine our ideas and think critically about design. A few really stood out for their industry knowledge and practical approach. Others? Not so much. Some classes felt like they were running on outdated content, which was frustrating in a fast-moving industry. Outside of uni, Leeds was an incredible place to study. Affordable, full of creative events, and a strong digital scene. There were plenty of chances to network or get involved in real-world projects, but you had to go looking for them yourself.

The not so good – the course could have done a much better job of connecting students with industry professionals. There were some guest speakers and the odd live brief, but nothing consistent. A stronger internship or placement system would’ve been a game-changer. While some areas of the course felt cutting-edge, others lagged behind. Certain software and techniques we were taught weren’t industry-standard by the time we graduated, meaning we had to play catch-up on our own. If you were someone who needed a structured, hand-holding approach, this course might have been challenging. A lot of the learning came from pushing yourself outside of class, experimenting, and figuring things out independently.

Would I Recommend It? If you’re self-motivated and want a broad digital design education with room to experiment, Leeds Met was a solid choice. But if you’re looking for a course that’s deeply connected to industry placements and cutting-edge tech, you might find it lacking in some areas. That said, Leeds itself was an amazing place to be a student, and I don’t regret my time there.

Hope this helps future students!