About the Leeds Curriculum

The Leeds Curriculum aims to produce graduates who stand out as a result of the knowledge, skills and attributes they have gained.  

Their ability to talk clearly and confidently about their experiences also makes our graduates distinctive and is complemented by co-curricular learning opportunities through LeedsforLife. 

The Leeds Curriculum

Research-Based Learning

Joining an academic community, a student begins their undergraduate journey learning about the latest research. As they progress through their programme, they will develop skills and knowledge and ultimately experience research first-hand in their final year project, supervised by staff who themselves are engaged in cutting-edge research.

Programme threads

Each programme incorporates the following:  

• Employability - raising awareness of key attributes and skills and developing these to help our students realise their career aspirations.
• Global and cultural insight - there will be opportunities to engage with and value multiple perspectives (social, geographic, political, economic, legal, environmental and technological) and acknowledging and appreciating diversity.
• Ethics and responsibility - engaging with ethical issues to demonstrate how to act responsibly and professionally and to make informed decisions.

Broadening through Discovery Themes

Broadening enables students to explore key questions that will affect their future lives. It develops intellectual flexibility and enables them to compete and contribute in the workplace and wider society and have further opportunities to enrich their education, for example, through study abroad and work experience. Students can broaden their intellectual horizons within or outside their degree programme(s) by studying modules within ten interdisciplinary Discovery Themes.

Discovery Themes

There are hundreds of discovery modules available. These are grouped into Discovery Themes and associated sub-themes, bringing together related teaching from across the University. Students will benefit from this coordinated and structured means to broadening their learning. They can choose modules which might explore a specific subject, issue or skill within or beyond their chosen subject. The Leeds for Life website gives further guidance to students.