Leeds Beckett Student Union

Home to a huge 1,020 capacity venue, located at the City Campus, Leeds Beckett Student Union has hosted some huge artists over the years, including Nirvana, Blur, and Coldplay. It’s also, of course, a central hub for the University’s some-24,000 students, and actively involved in campaigning, advocating and supporting their needs. Offering support, advice, food, drink, and cracking entertainment all in one place, the union puts community organising at its centre, and works alongside organisations like Citizens UK to support campaigns that affect students both on and off campus.

As a student union, it supports big calendar events like Freshers Week and the Union Awards, as well as hosting gigs from big name artists and club events in partnership with the behemoth Leeds event company that is Voodoo. Its venue is home to a full roster of shows, spanning genres from hip hop to indie, rock, dance, pop, folk, and reggae, and its stage has welcomed big names like Bob Marley and the Wailers to Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, The Buzzcocks, Foo Fighters, The Sex Pistols, and Radiohead. It is worth noting that the box office here is only open at show time, but a small number of physical tickets are available to buy at the brilliant Crash Records for those who prefer to pick theirs up in person. 

The union has a bar, The Hive, which is a go to social spot for students on campus. Perfect for doing a bit of work, meeting friends for a drink, or reading a book with a coffee, it is run by the union itself, meaning all the money spent here goes back directly into supporting the students that use it. The Hive is also home to a kitchen serving an inclusive all day menu featuring vegetarian, vegan, halal and gluten free options. Starting with a hearty breakfast, and stretching into classic and big plates, burgers, sandwiches, wings, jacket potatoes, loaded fries, and Nigerian jollof rice, there’s something on offer here for everyone. 

LBSU is also home to a large number of community organisations and societies spanning a huge range of interests and activities. Offering a great way to meet new friends with similar interests at university, these societies also give students the chance to develop new passions and skills alongside their peers. Whether your area of interest is based on academic study, liberation and equality, arts, sport, your faith or nationality, there’s likely a group for you – and if not, students here are invited to start one.