Block 1 modules

This module offers a critical and practical understanding of film, television and art through the work of David Lynch.

You will engage with key works such as Eraserhead, Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks, alongside visual art. You will explore how concepts such as the absurd, the uncanny, the weird and the eerie can help us engage with experimental fiction.

Through a series of workshops, you will examine what defines a "Lynchian" work of art. You will explore how narratives are constructed for film and television. You will also discuss the interpretations of Lynch’s oeuvre within academic discourse. You will draw on frameworks including politics, architecture, gender, race, class, narratology, language and psychoanalysis. This will enable you to situate Lynch’s work within its broader cultural and historical contexts. 

This module is new for 2026 and subject to final approval.

The purpose of this module is to explore the interplay of culture and sustainability, identifying contemporary and future challenges in arts and culture. 

Arts and cultural organisations contribute to communities, regions and national economies in a number of ways. Despite these positive contributions they have been critiqued for practices that are seen as unsustainable. This module will introduce you to the concept of sustainable development, and explore case studies which highlight the challenges and successes as arts and cultural organisations aim to embed sustainability in how they work 

This module is new for 2026 and subject to final approval.

Intercultural skills and awareness are essential in our increasingly globalised lives. This module will introduce key issues and concepts in intercultural studies. You’ll examine these issues from cultural, historical, political and theoretical perspectives. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop your intercultural skills.

The module explores intercultural practices in digital environments. In particular, you’ll consider issues of power, creativity and manipulation.

This module usually includes a walking tour of ‘Little Germany’ in Bradford. During the field trip, you’ll examine the city’s multicultural past and present. 

Read the full description of Intercultural encounters in the module catalogue.

Whether it is natural or digital, we are always surrounded by colours. However, have we ever thought about: What is colour? Do we all see colour in the same way? How to (re)produce colour accurately? Does colour have any effect on our psychological states? Is colour an integrated part of the rules of the universe? Colour is much more complex than its aesthetic side we usually come across. 

This module introduces core knowledge that is the foundation to fully appreciate colours by understanding its formation, technological applications, and historical and cultural origins. Topics to explore include colour vision and deficiency, colour communication and measurement, colour reproduction and management, and colour psychology and meaning.

The module usually includes a field trip to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park or the National Science and Media Museum. 

Read the full description of Introduction to colour in the module catalogue.

Have you ever wondered how special effects are created and produced in films? This module provides an insight into special effects and the opportunity to develop practical filmmaking skills.

You’ll learn how to set up a digital camera, as well as frame and compose shots. You’ll then learn how to record video shots against a green screen in a television studio. With your recorded material you’ll learn how to use professional special effects software to create some animated sequences using your photographs and video shots.

For the Filmmaking module, I enjoyed the practical approach of the classes and the teacher was very kind and helpful.

Read the full description of Introduction to special effects in filmmaking in the module catalogue.

Country houses (stately homes) are one of Britain’s greatest contributions to world culture, but who created them and why? Have they always functioned as ‘containers’ for art collections or have they had deeper meanings and a wider social impact?

Using Yorkshire’s world-class country houses as case studies, this course will introduce you to topics such as the builders of the country house, the rise and fall of the great estates and the ‘upstairs’ lives of the men, women and children who lived in the country house and the ‘downstairs’ world of the men and women who served them. 

​​​​​​Tutor-led visits to houses such as Hardwick Hall, Harewood House and Castle Howard are an important feature of this course. 

Castle Howard was unique and the story behind it was interesting. It is not a place I knew about before taking the module and would have never found out about it on my own.

Read the full description of The English country house in the module catalogue. 

In the next 50 years, we will have to produce more food than we have produced so far in all human history to feed a global population of more than 10 billion. This is against the background of climate change and reduced land for arable cultivation. We also have increasingly limited resources. Plant biotechnology has an important role in meeting these challenges. This module will discuss these challenges to global food security and the potential solutions. This will include the role of genetically modified (GM) plants.

You’ll develop practical skills in the synthesis of a recombinant DNA and insertion into a plant cell. You’ll gain first-hand experience of developing a GM plant and you’ll assess current projects to engineer enhanced crops. You’ll consider their potential to provide greater food security in the decades to come. The module usually includes a field trip to Yara Pocklington or Stockbridge Technology Centre.

Read the full description of Genetic engineering and genetically modified plants in the module catalogue.

This module provides an introduction to the key sectors of the events industry and the value of them to the economy. 

You’ll develop an understanding how the determinants of demand has changed. You’ll explore how this affects the events planning process and the meeting of stakeholder demands and needs. 

The module includes a field trip to a local events venue.

Read the full description of An introduction to global events management in the module catalogue.

This module offers you the opportunity to use the Business School’s Behaviour Lab, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to apply behavioural sciences in your studies and research. It covers essential theories and concepts to help you develop a career in behavioural sciences, whether in business, public policy, research or consultancy.

The module provides practical experience in designing interventions, analysing data and applying theories to real-world challenges through case studies and lab-based learning.

You will gain an understanding of behavioural science, enhance your practical skills, foster research competence, and develop the critical thinking and analytical skills needed to interpret behavioural data and make recommendations for changing individual and organisational behaviour. Additionally, you will understand the ethical and practical considerations involved in conducting behavioural research and interventions.  

The module usually includes a field trip to Manchester United.

Read the full description of Behavioural science for business in the module catalogue.

Are you interested in exploring the key functions of management? Do you want to learn about the challenges managers face and develop your management skills? This module introduces some of the key concepts and theories in the field of management.

You’ll explore the evolution of management schools of thought and explore essential tasks such as planning, organising, staffing, controlling and leading. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your management skills by taking on management tasks as a team and presenting a group project.

The module usually includes a field trip to Manchester United. This module is particularly suitable for students who have no previous experience of studying management.

I enjoyed the diversity within the modules. The content was taught in a student-friendly way and the field trips made it possible to get an even better insight.

Read the full description of Management in organisations in the module catalogue.

This module provides an introduction to the key concepts within the sports business environment. You’ll consider the wider sports industry and the Sports Business Ecosystem will be used to frame understanding.  

You’ll be able to demonstrate an awareness of the extent of the contemporary sports business environment. You’ll explore challenges to organisations within the global sports business environment. You’ll examine the role of major stakeholders from a marketing perspective, particularly around sponsorship and fan engagement.

The module includes a field trip to a local sports venue.

Read the full description of Sports business and marketing in the module catalogue.

Fluid dynamics lies at the heart of many societal and industrial challenges. It has practical application in the engineering and physical sciences. Fluid dynamics also has applications in geophysical, astrophysical, environmental and biomedical regimes.   

This module will pair lectures with hands-on experiments and workshops. You’ll explore many different aspects of fluid behaviour. This will include laminar flow, vortices and turbulence. You’ll also examine a variety of fluid states, such as droplets, non-Newtonian fluids and creeping flows.  

You’ll have the opportunity to learn from experts in the Leeds Institute for Fluid Dynamics. This module will encourage you to think about the many ways in which fluids affect our lives. The module usually includes a field trip to the Tees Barrage.

Read the full description of Fluid dynamics in theory and practice in the module catalogue.

This module offers a hands-on, project-based introduction to computer architecture and low-level programming. Using simulation tools, you’ll design and simulate a working microprocessor from the ground up, starting with basic logic gates and building up to a fully functional Central Processing Unit (CPU) capable of running programs. 

Topics include: 

• digital logic and architecture: constructing core components like logic gates, ALUs, registers, and memory

• microprocessor design and simulation: developing and testing a custom CPU architecture

• machine-level programming: writing and executing programs in assembly language

• system integration: exploring how hardware and software interact at the lowest level. 

By the end of the module, you’ll have practical experience in both processor design and assembly programming, gaining a deep understanding of how computers work, from silicon to software. 

This module is new for 2026 and subject to final approval.

Do you have an interest in the sciences and want to learn more about how the natural world works? Are you interested in scientific discovery and applying practical skills to solve global issues? Are you keen to see how fundamental principles of mathematics and physical science continue to affect and shape the world we live in?

This module gives an introduction to a range of sciences. Topics include atmospheric changes, chaos theory, the mathematics of voting systems and estimation. The module usually includes a field trip to a science museum such as Magna in Sheffield or the Life Science Centre in Newcastle.

You’ll develop your science journalism and scientific writing skills. You’ll also gain practical scientific skills in world-class facilities and laboratories. Students enrolled on the module will need to create a FutureLearn account.

The professors for the natural sciences courses were amazing. They were a really memorable highlight of my Leeds experience. 

Read the full description of Natural sciences in the module catalogue.

This module delves into the essential concepts and processes of Earth Science, which are fundamental to human life and technological advancement. It covers the theory of plate tectonics, the structure of the Earth, and the impact of geological events like volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

You will learn to identify geological materials, and understand their formation and their modern-day applications. The course also explores Earth history, palaeoecology, and evolution, providing insights into past environments and ecosystems.

Key topics include the principles of stratigraphy, the concept of geological or “deep” time, and major events in the development of life on Earth. Practical training in palaeontology will enable you to identify and describe major fossil groups, enhancing your understanding of the geological record and global changes.  

Read the full description of Earthquakes, volcanoes and dinosaurs: an introduction to earth science in the module catalogue.

To achieve UK and global net zero targets, we must explore clean, sustainable energy sources. This module focuses on geothermal energy, which provides sustainable energy, cooling and long-term heat storage. As a rapidly growing industry, geothermal energy is crucial for the global transition to clean, localised energy.

You will examine the origins, importance and regulation of geothermal energy. Through a holistic approach integrating earth sciences, engineering and social sciences, you will explore various geothermal settings, including urban environments like the University of Leeds Geothermal Living Lab, high-temperature volcanic areas such as Krafla in Iceland, and large basin systems in the USA. You will also discuss policies for sustainable energy sources and their storage.  

Read the full description of Geothermal and sustainable energy for the future in the module catalogue.

You probably know where your mobile phone was made, but do you know where it goes when you throw it “away”. This module delves into the concept of waste and wasting, examining its significance, origins, and impacts. You will investigate various forms of waste, including food, electronics, clothing, plastic and nuclear, as dynamic cultural, historical, economic and political phenomena.

Using multidisciplinary approaches like social and environmental justice, political ecologies and zero-waste philosophies, you will understand waste’s role in our lives and its environmental and ethical intersections.

By examining diverse geographies of waste, from informal recyclers in the Americas to waste exports in Africa and Asia, and reuse initiatives in Europe, you will be equipped to tackle the multifaceted challenges of waste in various contexts.

Read the full description of Rethinking waste: exploring development, environment, and culture in the module catalogue. 

Explore the world of medical imaging and discover how cutting-edge technology supports the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease in modern healthcare.

This module offers an introduction to the science behind medical imaging and its clinical applications, including the growing role of artificial intelligence in hospitals. You’ll learn about a range of imaging techniques, from how X-rays and ultrasound images are produced to the differences between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans. Through interactive sessions and hands-on activities, you’ll gain insight into the physics and technology that underpin these essential tools in medicine. The module also includes a field trip to a state-of-the-art research facility. 

This module is new for 2026 and subject to final approval.

The leadership and management of sport and physical activity has never been more important. With growing levels of inactivity and the impact of COVID-19 on activity behaviours, the ability to develop and lead effective interventions is crucial. This module considers how leadership is a critical element to developing projects and working in teams.

You’ll reflect on and understand your own leadership skills and how they are transferable to a real-life project situation. The module will also focus the issues facing sport, physical activity and outdoor education and provide you with the opportunity to develop a researched intervention to tackle a specific issue.

You’ll work in collaboration with peers to develop intervention ideas and to test your leadership skills in a range of engaging team-based challenges and activities. The module usually includes a field trip to the Yorkshire Dales.

Through this module, I had the opportunity not only to experience British culture and the British way of life, but also to explore my potential and try new things.

Read the full description of Developing leadership through sport in the module catalogue.

Law is a diverse and stimulating discipline which is integral to everyday life. Every person in society has experience of how the law affects their lives. From crime and policing to the courtroom, or from banking to individual rights. This module provides the fundamentals of knowledge and an introduction to the English Legal System.

It examines a range of core subject areas of law, such as human rights, constitutional and criminal. Practical activities will include statute-building, debates on law and ethics and mooting.

This module usually includes a trip to the Yorkshire Law and Order Museum in Ripon, a stunning city in North Yorkshire. This module is suitable for students studying law or related social sciences subjects.

This module gave me the full experience that I imagined before I came here. I also liked the subject since I am also studying law which is why I’m fascinated wtih how the law works here in the UK.

Read the full description on The path to justice in the module catalogue.

What is the relationship between wealth and poverty? How did the current global hierarchy of wealth and power come about? Are countries in the Global North powerful because they dominated, plundered and exploited the Global South? The module analyses the profound socio-economic and political effects of European colonialism.

You’ll explore the impact of these factors on the making of the modern world, study key drivers and repercussions of colonialism in the Americas, Asia and Africa and develop an understanding of related features of the global political economy. 

The module usually includes a field trip to the People’s History Museum in Manchester and a walking tour.

This module gave me the chance to learn about British history and culture, understand different teaching models and make some good friends around the world! Moreover, it also enabled me to improve my independence and creativity.

Read the full description on Wealth and poverty in the module catalogue.