Celebrating
the class
of 1997

Parkinson Building tower

Forever Leeds

Leeds will always be part of your story and we're proud you are part of ours. Enjoy a step back in time with our tribute to life at Leeds 25 years ago. What memories will flood back to you?

While you're here, be sure to try our quiz to see how much you remember from your Leeds days.

So, what happened in 1997?

You graduated from Leeds. Tony Blair's New Labour won by a landslide. We dialled up and browsed the web on Netscape. China took sovereignty of Hong Kong and Diana, Princess of Wales, died.

Her death led to Elton John's Candle in the Wind topping the singles charts, followed by Aqua's Barbie Girl and I’ll Be Missing You by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans. And, do you remember Ginger Spice wearing the iconic Union Jack dress to the Brits? 1997 also marked the last time the UK won the Eurovision Song Contest — with Love Shine a Light by Katrina and the Waves.

Just as summer term was coming to an end, a novel about a wizard called Harry Potter appeared in print. Top films for the year included Jerry Maguire and the star-studded Mars Attack. The Teletubbies, a bizarre group of four colourful characters, enraptured toddlers — and students returning home from all-night revels.

Chelsea beat Middlesbrough in the FA Cup final, Pete Sampras and Martina Hingis ruled Wimbledon's centre court and Australia took home The Ashes, again.

2 women talking on stairs surrounded by trees

Try our quiz

A close up of Parkinson Building tower, showing the clock. Blue sky in the background..

Have a go at our simple quiz about when you studied at Leeds. Don't worry — there are no exam-style questions or time limits!

You'll see the answers once you click submit.

2 people dressed as dinosaurs walk past Parkinson steps
students reading and sitting on benches in front of red brick walk
2 students walking through Clothworkers' arch

Student life

Collage of many student headshots of Leeds students from 1997

Your time at Leeds

In 1997, our campus was home to 19,625 full-time students and 2,280 part-time students students. Now, more than 39,000 students study here, including more than 36,500 studying full-time, 2,400 part-time and 10,700 postgraduates.

See if you spot some familiar faces.

Portrait image of a woman with a long fringe
Two teams playing field hockey
Black and white photo of a lady with a big white teddy bear on her shoulders
Three students talking to each other around a table
Item 1 of 4
Portrait image of a woman with a long fringe
Two teams playing field hockey
Black and white photo of a lady with a big white teddy bear on her shoulders
Three students talking to each other around a table
Two ladies with curly hair wearing fluffy red noses
A group of women in a night club smiling and poses for a photo
A man standing at a bar ordering a drink
Students posing next to a soapbox racing car
Item 1 of 4
Two ladies with curly hair wearing fluffy red noses
A group of women in a night club smiling and poses for a photo
A man standing at a bar ordering a drink
Students posing next to a soapbox racing car
A man ordering two pints of beer at a bar
A group of men sat around a table drinking pints of beer.
People working at a bank of old computers
A woman standing for a photo at the entrance to the great hall at the university of leeds
Item 1 of 4
A man ordering two pints of beer at a bar
A group of men sat around a table drinking pints of beer.
People working at a bank of old computers
A woman standing for a photo at the entrance to the great hall at the university of leeds
A science student conducting an experiment
A man holding a white t-shirt that reads Leeds University Squash Club
Two women in an orchestra playing clarinets
Two women posing for a fashion shoot
Item 1 of 4
A science student conducting an experiment
A man holding a white t-shirt that reads Leeds University Squash Club
Two women in an orchestra playing clarinets
Two women posing for a fashion shoot
A group photo of the 1997 dentistry graduates in a lecture theatre. Wearing their gowns and green hoods.
University of Leeds ultimate frisbee champions posing for a team photo
A man dressed as a clown standing next to a woman. Both are holding three coloured rings.
Three student mechanics working on a car engine
Item 1 of 4
A group photo of the 1997 dentistry graduates in a lecture theatre. Wearing their gowns and green hoods.
University of Leeds ultimate frisbee champions posing for a team photo
A man dressed as a clown standing next to a woman. Both are holding three coloured rings.
Three student mechanics working on a car engine
Student laughing in the School of English
Black and white photo of the audience at the Leeds University Union AGM 1997
Students changing class on Red Route
Students studying in the Brotherton Library
Item 1 of 4
Student laughing in the School of English
Black and white photo of the audience at the Leeds University Union AGM 1997
Students changing class on Red Route
Students studying in the Brotherton Library
Two men looking at a map on a computer screen
Engineering students in hard hats and equipment
A black and white photos of students on a trip to a bath tub factory in 1997
Two women wearing sunglasses and posing for a fashion shoot
Item 1 of 4
Two men looking at a map on a computer screen
Engineering students in hard hats and equipment
A black and white photos of students on a trip to a bath tub factory in 1997
Two women wearing sunglasses and posing for a fashion shoot
A student with short hair sat on a wall underneath a tree
Students and academics sat working in the philosophy department common room
A group of students hanging out on a staircase with a large glass entrance behind them
A large room of computers with students working at each one
Item 1 of 4
A student with short hair sat on a wall underneath a tree
Students and academics sat working in the philosophy department common room
A group of students hanging out on a staircase with a large glass entrance behind them
A large room of computers with students working at each one
A student from civil engineering working on a piece of equipment
A group of students running through a field. Some are wearing hats and gloves.
Devonshire Hall halls of residence. A grand hall with grey brickwork and ivy growing up the side.
A group of graduates from biological sciences wearing their graduation gowns with green hoods.
Item 1 of 4
A student from civil engineering working on a piece of equipment
A group of students running through a field. Some are wearing hats and gloves.
Devonshire Hall halls of residence. A grand hall with grey brickwork and ivy growing up the side.
A group of graduates from biological sciences wearing their graduation gowns with green hoods.
Two students sitting on lawn in Chancellors Court
Biology student looking at specimin
students sitting and standing behind spring flowers
Mathematics tutorial
Item 1 of 4
Two students sitting on lawn in Chancellors Court
Biology student looking at specimin
students sitting and standing behind spring flowers
Mathematics tutorial
A groups of graduates from electronic and electrical engineering. They are wearing their graduation gowns and green hoods, holding their certificates.
A woman in a blue jumper posing for a photograph holding a newspaper
A man wearing a white suit and a woman wearing a yellow jacket pose for a fashion shoot
A copy of the flyer for the 1997 Leeds University Union graduation ball.
Item 1 of 4
A groups of graduates from electronic and electrical engineering. They are wearing their graduation gowns and green hoods, holding their certificates.
A woman in a blue jumper posing for a photograph holding a newspaper
A man wearing a white suit and a woman wearing a yellow jacket pose for a fashion shoot
A copy of the flyer for the 1997 Leeds University Union graduation ball.
A woman in a red t-shirt holding out her arm whilst dancing in a studio
Black and white photo of three mechanical engineering students posing in the frame of a formula one racing car
Two rugby teams, one in green and purple, the other in yellow and black, standing for a line-out
A man stood in front of a wire fence with Yorkshire written on a building behind him.
Item 1 of 4
A woman in a red t-shirt holding out her arm whilst dancing in a studio
Black and white photo of three mechanical engineering students posing in the frame of a formula one racing car
Two rugby teams, one in green and purple, the other in yellow and black, standing for a line-out
A man stood in front of a wire fence with Yorkshire written on a building behind him.

In the news

Roger Stevens building with walkway in the sky

The mid to late 90s marked an expansion in student numbers across the country. The Vice-Chancellor of our University, Professor Alan Wilson, led us through a time when UK higher education faced financial pressures and the prospect of tuition fees.

Two teams playing rugby

From 1993 to 2000, our athletes ruled the Christie Cup. The Cup, the second oldest university sport competition in the country, still pits Leeds against the universities of Manchester and Liverpool. The rivalry remains intense.

New Biological Sciences Building

We opened the new Biological Sciences Building, which became known as the Miall Building after the Yorkshire College’s first Professor of Biology, Louis Compton Miall FRS.

A larger, modernised Edward Boyle Library opened in May 1997 — just in time for summer examinations and end of year assignments. (Teaching ended on 16 May and assessments ended on 27 June.)

This era saw the advent of digital learning, with students welcomed into the University’s first ‘virtual building’. Our online Nathan Bodington Building used “the internet as a learning resource for students and staff which they can access whenever and wherever is most convenient to them.”

Among other features, students could submit assignments online.

What we were reading

Do you remember reading the free newspaper, Leeds Student?

Back in 1997, David Smith (English and Sociology 1996) edited the paper and Naga Munchetty (English 1997) reported the news. The experience opened the doors to success in journalism. David is now the Guardian's Washington DC Bureau Chief and Naga hosts BBC Breakfast.

Leeds Student article by David Smith

Guardian writer David Smith

Guardian writer David Smith

Leeds Student headline saying students are badly dressed, badley smelling and badly behaved
Advert for Luckys takeaway
Naga Munchetty, reporter for Leeds Student

Naga Munchetty disguised as a newspaper seller

Naga Munchetty disguised as a newspaper seller

Leeds Student headline Now Get Out with cross through photo of John Major
Leeds Student article calling for University Challenge participants. Photo of Jeremy Paxman
Top ten house music list
Colour advert for University of Leeds graduation ball
Advert for Chill out Week in LUU from Leeds Student newspaper
future of computing article
Leeds Student about graduation ball
Chemistry demonstration by Mike Hoyland
article about graduate jobs
Photo of student at a library sit-in
Leeds Student cartoon The best years of your life? Probably
advert for student bedroom
article about Kenickie with photo
Leeds Student student wearing sportswear
end of only fools and horses
letter to the editor
Busa cricket report
Leeds Student cartoon showing studying and pub
article about Tom Cruise
Leeds Student advert for STA Travel with flight prices
advert for pizza milano
short article about exams
advert for union AGM
advert for Leeds Student writers
Leeds Student article about LSR radio
Leeds Student advert for Wilkinsons shop with prices of wares
Advert for LUU Women's forum
article about visa cash facility in LUU
student housing week
film sequels in 1997
article and photo of Edward Boyle Library extension
article about the change of Nursing to the School of Healthcare Studies
article about Kevin Keegan
advert for ski holiday
Chris evans and the BBC
Leeds Student for Hyde Park Picture House
Leeds Student advert for Christmas dinner at Headingley pavilion
Leeds Student advert for house for rent in Regent Park Terrace
Leeds Student photo of a woman sitting in summer dress
article about drug vote
Leeds Student advert for Kashmir restaurant opposite Parkinson steps
Dale Winton in advert
cinema listings
Leeds Student article about students wearing label clothing
Leeds Student photo showing students protesting tuition fees
Opening of new computer cluster called the Houldsworth cluster
New building
physics building rename
Leeds Student advert about clearing rubbish when moving out of house
Item 1 of 53
Leeds Student article by David Smith

Guardian writer David Smith

Guardian writer David Smith

Leeds Student headline saying students are badly dressed, badley smelling and badly behaved
Advert for Luckys takeaway
Naga Munchetty, reporter for Leeds Student

Naga Munchetty disguised as a newspaper seller

Naga Munchetty disguised as a newspaper seller

Leeds Student headline Now Get Out with cross through photo of John Major
Leeds Student article calling for University Challenge participants. Photo of Jeremy Paxman
Top ten house music list
Colour advert for University of Leeds graduation ball
Advert for Chill out Week in LUU from Leeds Student newspaper
future of computing article
Leeds Student about graduation ball
Chemistry demonstration by Mike Hoyland
article about graduate jobs
Photo of student at a library sit-in
Leeds Student cartoon The best years of your life? Probably
advert for student bedroom
article about Kenickie with photo
Leeds Student student wearing sportswear
end of only fools and horses
letter to the editor
Busa cricket report
Leeds Student cartoon showing studying and pub
article about Tom Cruise
Leeds Student advert for STA Travel with flight prices
advert for pizza milano
short article about exams
advert for union AGM
advert for Leeds Student writers
Leeds Student article about LSR radio
Leeds Student advert for Wilkinsons shop with prices of wares
Advert for LUU Women's forum
article about visa cash facility in LUU
student housing week
film sequels in 1997
article and photo of Edward Boyle Library extension
article about the change of Nursing to the School of Healthcare Studies
article about Kevin Keegan
advert for ski holiday
Chris evans and the BBC
Leeds Student for Hyde Park Picture House
Leeds Student advert for Christmas dinner at Headingley pavilion
Leeds Student advert for house for rent in Regent Park Terrace
Leeds Student photo of a woman sitting in summer dress
article about drug vote
Leeds Student advert for Kashmir restaurant opposite Parkinson steps
Dale Winton in advert
cinema listings
Leeds Student article about students wearing label clothing
Leeds Student photo showing students protesting tuition fees
Opening of new computer cluster called the Houldsworth cluster
New building
physics building rename
Leeds Student advert about clearing rubbish when moving out of house

They saw the future

Back of 3 graduates in robes walking toward Clothworkers arch
Leeds Student article about the expensive future for students due to tuition fees

Many things sure have changed over the past 25 years. Tuition fees and increases to the cost of living mean that today’s university students have higher outgoings than you did back in 1997. This has the greatest impact on students from less advantaged backgrounds.

Did you know that more than 17,000 Leeds alumni have made donations to support students through their studies at Leeds? Find out more about the impact of this support.

Who was here in 1997

Open iron gates with view of Leeds Union behind

What are your classmates doing now?

Ben Ib (Fine Art 1997) Creative director; director, music videos; CG artist

  • Ben Roberts (English 1997) CEO, British Film Institute
  • Andy Jones (Medicine 1997) CEO, Ramsay Healthcare
  • Mark Gibson (MSc Earth Sciences 1997) Chief Operating Officer, Cordoba Minerals
  • Naga Munchetty (English 1997) Presenter, BBC Breakfast, BBC 5 Live
  • Nancy Carroll (Fine Art 1997) Actor, Royal Shakespeare Company, lead in ITV's Murder in Provence
  • David Moss (Mathematics 1997) Alastair Bathgate (MBA 1997) – Cofounders, Advisors, Blue Prism
  • Martin Forbes (Business 1997) CEO, Cox Automotive
  • Sid Lal (MSc Mechanical Engineering 1997) Managing Director, Eicher Motors, Royal Enfield motorcycles
  • Mansoor Abulhoul (Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies 1997) United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the United Kingdom

    • See who else studied at Leeds.

    Alumni website

    Please remember to check for news, events and ways to stay involved with your University at leeds.ac.uk/alumni

    With thanks to alumni contributions, Leeds Student newspaper and Special Collections in the University of Leeds library.

    Forever Leeds

    312,000 alumni
    197 countries
    One global community



    Never miss a moment. Stay in touch and watch out for our emails.
    Update your details

    Two students, sat by a window. One is using a mobile phone and the other learning using a tablet.
    TopBuilt with Shorthand