Park Lane College was established in 1966, to provide commercial, secretarial and general education for the citizens of Leeds.

The College also launched a number of other new facilities and departments including the Creative Arts Academy, Hair & Beauty Therapy, the Animal Centre, and the PLCL Business School; it continued this trend with a new School for Entrepreneurship, Financial Services Skills Academy, and Construction provision although the latter has subsequently been closed down.

Partnerships and community organisations enabled the College to meet the needs of socially excluded and other disadvantaged groups.

The College signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ with Leeds Metropolitan University in November 2004, and after this time developed over 21 foundation degrees in subjects such as Animal Health & Welfare, Contemporary Music Production and e-Technology.

Relationships included Leeds Rugby, Bradford City, Radio Aire, the Halifax, Asda, and the Yorkshire Post Newspapers.