Arts University Bournemouth

Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) was founded in 1880 and is regarded as one of the UK’s foremost specialist institutions for higher education. The university has a particular focus on the arts and creative industry and excels in combining a student’s creative talent with the drive and skills they need to succeed professionally.

The university prides itself on cultivating a vibrant and welcoming community of creatives and innovative collaborators. Host to more than 3,000 students on its campus every year, including 150 postgraduate students, this shared commitment to the arts allows the university to foster an environment where boundaries can be pushed, beliefs and practices can be challenged, and conventions can be tested.

AUB offers a range of postgraduate and short professional courses, as well as creative Master’s courses, including Animation Production, Design, Illustration, Architecture, Photography, Painting, Film, Historical Costume and Digital Fashion Innovation.

AUB also offers supervision for students who wish to undertake a research degree (MPhil/PhD). All research degrees at AUB are validated by the University of the Arts London (UAL).

The university has been awarded Gold by the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for delivering consistently outstanding teaching and learning outcomes for its students. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF), over 40% of AUB’s university research was deemed to be ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world-leading’.

Reviews:

“It's great. I'm definitely in the right place, studying what I want to do as a career. I've found like-minded people too that I feel I can relate to compared to people from home.”

“I've really enjoyed and will be sad to leave. It has helped me meet many people and improved my skills a lot since being here.”

“Overall, it has been good and i am glad that I decided to come to this University. I have met new people and made lifetime friends. The course has taught me a lot and I will be taking that into my life and learning from it as life goes on.”

Employment and careers success are built into the fabric of courses at AUB, with 93.5% employment rate after degree completion, according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey.

In most courses, students work towards building a portfolio of work through practical assignments. They are offered the chance to work on ‘live brief’ projects and are encouraged to enter major competitions to help them stand out in industry and gain recognition for their work.

Business and entrepreneurship skills are also taught as fundamental parts of many courses. This means that AUB students are not only taught subject-specific knowledge, but they also learn about the transferable skills and attitude needed to succeed in the workplace.

AUB’s Careers and Employability Service helps students to prepare for and pursue a career in the creative industries. Providing one-to-one advice, sessions for CV writing and interview preparation, and skills development in self-promotion, networking, and self-employment/freelancing.

Reviews:

“Always talks and lectures which is brilliant. They are available for everybody.”

“They encouraged us in second year to apply for internships by having a semester based on building and designing our portfolio websites”

“There are always lectures with industry professionals.”

AUB fosters an interdisciplinary learning environment that celebrates ideas and empowers students to collaborate with other artists and performers. Courses are delivered through a range of methods and are designed to offer students opportunities to:

• Interrogate existing ways of working.
• Take creative risks by exploring original ideas and techniques.
• Confidently gain a deeper understanding of their subject.
• Develop practical skills to an advanced level.

Course lecturers are experts in art, design, and media, bringing years of industry experience into a unique and creative academic environment. The university’s Industry Secondment scheme enables AUB staff to undertake work placements with leading companies, actively engaging with industry to ensure that all teaching is reflective of current industry practice.

AUB also hosts several visiting industry professionals and practitioners to share their industry experience with students.

Reviews:

“I like how hands on the lecturers can be with us, it feels like they really want to help us succeed.”

“The course encourages engagement with other student for artistic inspiration as well as social positives.”

“We have small course therefore this allows us to get the most out of our learning as you can ask many questions in each session and also get one to one time with your tutors to discuss assignments.”

The AUB Students’ Union is run by a team of democratically elected student officers, whose primary role is to ensure that all students have the best possible experience while studying at AUB.

The AUBSU team ensures that the student voice is heard and works to enact changes that enrich and improve the life of students. This includes but is not limited to, running and supporting the Course Rep scheme, offering impartial advice on any issues students might face, organizing regular calendar of fun social events for students to get involved with, such as club nights, quiz nights, and market days.

The team also support student-led sports clubs and societies and charity fundraising through the raising and giving (RAG) campaign, while also providing volunteering opportunities throughout the year. They work hard to encourage students to be more environmentally aware, running a number of green initiatives and achieving the Green Impact: Excellent award.

Reviews:

“They represent our students well and are always asking for ways in which facilities and things can be improved. They often hold events throughout the year that students have requested.”

“I like their Instagram account. They are very active which is good.”

“Students’ union is very hand on in creating a safe and inclusive environment, they ensure that students have a voice when they want to discuss something about the university.”

AUB offers two halls of residence for MA students.

Across the October intake, MA students can apply for en-suite rooms at Madeira Road (Lansdowne). Students applying for the February intake can find en-suite and studio rooms on the Campus Halls (AUB Campus). 

All rooms and studios are for single occupancy and have wired and Wi-Fi internet access. On site, students have access to laundry facilities, lockable mailboxes, bike storage and reception/security on site 24-hours a day.

The Unibus service provides regular direct buses between AUB Campus and the Lansdowne. Travel to campus (approximately 2.5 miles away) takes 15 minutes by bus or bike; all halls have secure bike storage.

Bookings for halls of residence open in advance, and students are able to select their chosen halls of residence and room type. Please note that rooms are limited and not guaranteed.

Students can contact the university’s Student Services team, who are on hand to offer advice and guidance on accommodation issues.

State-of-the-art spaces at AUB include:

Drawing Studio: purpose-built to provide a space rich in natural light for artists, animators, costume designers and architects.

Theatre and Dance Studio: Facilities in this purpose-built studio include Harlequin sprung dance floors and industry-standard lighting, audio and visual equipment.

Printroom and Passiv Haus: Catering to students studying fine art, illustration, graphic design and fashion

MoDiP: The Museum of Design in Plastics (MoDiP) is the UK’s leading research facility for the study of plastics in design.

TheGallery: TheGallery works in collaboration with AUB and hosts many exhibitions to inspire students and offers a platform for students and local, national and international artists.

Bournemouth Film School: One of the oldest film schools in the UK and the largest outside London.

The Library: AUB’s library holds a wide range of print and online resources to support students’ learning, plus a variety of independent and group study spaces.

Reviews:

“Great environment and facilities, such as a 3D workshop with helpful technicians.”

“Excellent. They really think about being eco-friendly.”

“The studios, cameras, equipment and library facilities are brilliant. I am thoroughly enjoying using them.”

Bournemouth has everything students need to live their best lives – and then some! There’s so much to see and do; the hardest part is knowing where to start.

Located on the south coast of the UK, Bournemouth is most famous for its glorious, award-winning beaches. Students can soak up the sun and the fun of the pier on Bournemouth’s main beach or hit the surf nearby. Further afield, students can explore the beautiful Brownsea Island, the famous Jurassic coast, or the serene New Forest National Park.

Closer to home, Bournemouth’s bustling town centre has plenty to keep shopping enthusiasts happy, with a wide range of high street chains and independent boutiques. The town centre is also home to a multiplex cinema and plenty of parks and gardens to relax in.

Home to three universities, Bournemouth has a buzzing nightlife scene with plenty of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The town also has a vibrant artistic and cultural calendar, with a wide array of events held throughout the year.

Reviews:

“The campus itself is situated next to a doctor’s and a dentist which is useful.”

“There has always been a lot on offer in the way of activities and events both within the uni and within Bournemouth.”

“university is not far from the town centre”

Clubs and societies are a great way for students to network outside of the classroom and to explore new skills and experiences. AUBSU runs a number of sports clubs: badminton, boxing, climbing, fencing, football, netball, rugby, surfing, tae kwon do and volleyball. They also run a host of societies, covering hobbies and special interests like cosplay, dance, debating and philosophy, games, sculpting and writing.

AUB has a number of networks run via the SU, including a mature student network, an environmentalist network, and an LGBT+ network. All clubs, societies, and networks are open to all students, including postgraduates. Membership is either free or offered at a low-cost fee and there’s no pressure to attend every session or event.

Reviews:

“There's a large variety in societies and very simple to set up a new one as the large range of facilities can accommodate them.”

“many opportunities and events to get involved with.”

AUB takes the welfare of its students seriously and has a number of support services to help students with any issue they may face during their time studying.

The Student Services team is on-hand to provide advice and guidance on a range of student issues. Senior Wellbeing Officers offer a daily drop-in service, where they can provide guidance on practical strategies for managing issues and can refer students to local NHS mental health services.

AUB also offers a Student Counselling Service, students can book private sessions with a BACP accredited therapist, who will help students work through their problems in a confidential and non-judgmental manner.

Students with physical disabilities and learning difficulties are fully supported by the AUB support team to fulfil their requirements.

AUB also has an on-campus GP and nurse, who students can book appointments with during term time, and a dedicated Faith and Reflection Centre offering a Chaplaincy service for people of all faiths or none.

Reviews:

“If you are in need of extra guidance or help, it is always available.”

“Very good and its widely acknowledged by students that support is encouraged”

“Was struggling but my tutors gave me the support I needed which made me more confident about passing the course.”

Fees for the Master of Architecture (full-time) for the academic year are:

• Home students: £9,250 per year
• Channel Island/Isle of Man students: £9,250 per year
• International/EU students: £18,500 per year

Fees for all other master’s courses for the academic year are as follows:

Full-time (per year)

• Home students: £8,000
• Channel Island/Isle of Man students: £18,500
• International/EU students: £18,500

Part-time (per year)

• Home students: £4,000
• Channel Island/Isle of Man students: £9,250
• International/EU students: £9,250

All UK, EU, and International students who gained their undergraduate degree at AUB will be eligible for a 20% discount on their postgraduate fees (except Master of Architecture). Full-time International students can get a 10% discount for early payment of annual fees.

Fees for Research Degrees are as follows:

• Home students: £5,610 per year full-time
• Home students: £2,805 per year part-time
• International/EU students: £20,110 per year full-time

AUB offers a scholarship for academic achievement. Applicants with a 2:1 degree may be eligible for a 10% discount off the course fees. The university also offers a scholarship for relevant experience, and applicants who don’t have a degree but are applying with relevant work experience may be eligible for a 10% discount on course fees.

For international students, AUB offers International Excellence Scholarships, worth £5,000 each. These scholarships recognise artistic merit and will be awarded by the course leader on each of the university’s MA courses.

AUB has been a leading specialist education provider for the arts and creative industries for 140 years.

The university has a strong reputation for delivering highly skilled, work-ready graduates through initiatives including ‘live briefs’, project-based work, and active cross-department collaborations.

Academic staff are experts in their fields, and often undertake industry secondments in order to ensure their knowledge and teaching is current and relevant to industry.

AUB was awarded Gold by the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for ‘delivering consistently outstanding teaching and learning outcomes for students’ and over 40% of the university’s research was deemed to be ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world-leading’.

Applicants will usually need to have a BA (Hons) degree at 2:1 or equivalent. However, the university does consider applicants who do not have a 2.1 in their first degree, and encourages applications from talented people, regardless of their educational background.

Arts University Bournemouth will consider other qualifications and relevant work experience that demonstrates sufficient knowledge and skills to be able to fulfil the objectives of the course.

Applications are welcomed from those with work experience, rather than a degree, which demonstrates appropriate knowledge and skills to study at postgraduate level. As part of the application process, applicants may need to attend an interview and submit a portfolio of work that demonstrates their skills.

AUB offers a Master of Research (MRes Arts) course designed for students who wish to study at master’s level with an independent project as part of their course. This helps students develop their research skills and provides a stepping-stone towards doctoral study. The course combines a programme of taught modules with an independent research project of the student’s own design.

The university also offers a range of MPhil and PhD research degrees.

Research degrees are awarded and validated through the university’s partnership with University of the Arts London. Students will spend three separate weeks at the University of the Arts London Research Network (RNUAL) in London as part of their degree.

The university has a number of research networks, including Black Mirror, Stitching Together and AUB Human, which connect artists and creative practitioners from various disciplines.

AUB offers a range of Master’s programmes:

• MA Animation Production
• MA Design and Innovation
• MA Film Practice
• MA Graphic Design
• MA Illustration
• Master of Architecture (Part 2 ARB/RIBA)
• MA Photography
• MA Digital Fashion Innovation
• MA Historical Costume
• MA Painting
• MRes Arts (Master of Research)

Courses can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis on campus.

The university offers distinctive and exciting opportunities for students to engage with their subject area and professional discipline. Students are actively encouraged to interrogate their existing practices and take creative risks by exploring new ideas and methods. Courses are designed to challenge students and to support the development of their skills and understanding at an advanced level.

Course lecturers are experts in art, design, and media and are supported by the university to remain active in industry, through professional secondments. This ensures that teaching is up-to-date and highly relevant.

AUB doesn’t currently offer any courses delivered via distance learning. The university's objective is for students to become part of a community of creative practitioners. Instead of 'doing their own thing', students actively collaborate as part of a whole.

With such a heavy focus on creative collaboration, given the nature of the courses and subject matter, distance learning is not a viable study mode. Despite this, the university is committed to ensuring that students from every lifestyle and background can achieve their creative potential, which is reflected through the wide range of courses, accommodation options and support services available.

For 140 years, Arts University Bournemouth has been one of the UK’s leading specialist higher education institutions, focusing on the arts and creative industries.

AUB’s mission is simple: to turn creativity into careers, and its postgraduate courses and teaching style reflect this mission. Students work as part of a close-knit creative community, where they are encouraged to collaborate with other emerging artists, designers and filmmakers – generating a network that can extend beyond the course and into the workplace.

Students have access to facilities and equipment that is on par, or even ahead of, industry standard. They are actively encouraged to enter projects into major national and international competitions to help them stand out amongst their peers.

Business and entrepreneurship skills are also a key part of course curriculums and students graduate not only with subject-specific knowledge, but transferable skills and attitudes they need to succeed in the workplace.