Norwich University of the Arts

Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) has been providing highly innovative, practical-based education in the arts, media, and design since its founding in 1845. It has built a reputation for being ambitious and progressive and for providing a space in which its diverse student community can pursue their creative passions.

Postgraduate students at NUA are stimulated and encouraged to reach their full potential, to be forward-thinking, and to use their creativity to shape their own careers. They are supported in conducting individual research and to develop their creative skills at an advanced level.

Taught postgraduate courses available are:

• MA Communication Design
• MA Curation
• MA Fashion
• MA Fine Art
• MA Games
• MA Moving Image and Sound
• MA Photography
• MA Textile Design
• MA Performing Arts Enterprise 
• MA Textile Design

In addition, the university encourages applications from students wishing to undertake a research degree in artistic disciplines.

The university’s taught postgraduate courses are vocational in nature and students are encouraged to develop their creative ideas through practical projects and to develop their own portfolio. One of the defining characteristics of the Master’s programmes is working with creatives from other disciplines – mirroring what postgraduates will experience in the workplace.

The university holds a high reputation for its courses, and has been recognised for its high-quality teaching, having been awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework. The university also has impressive facilities for students to take advantage of. These include a photography studio, Macs equipped with industry standard software, a 3D workshop, a film studio, and a fashion workshop.

The university has many talented creatives in their alumni, many of which have gone on to do great things. These include Turner Prize nominee Glenn Brown, BAFTA winners, GFW winners, D&AD Pencils, Monty Python writer Neil Innes, and Batman comic artist Brian Bolland.

All postgraduate courses at NUA are designed with employability in mind and the university works closely with employers in the industry to ensure that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to be competitive in the job market. During their course, students are also visited by specialists in their field of study who provide inspiration and advice about their future.

The dedicated team in the university’s Ideas Factory are on hand to support students’ career objectives, with specialist, one-to-one advice and guidance on finding a job or starting a business. With their support, students can take part in the NUA PROF\LE scheme in which students can learn specific employment-based skills (CV writing etc.) and track work experience undertaken or experience gained of using specific tools and equipment.

Students interested in academic careers could be eligible to apply for graduate academic assistant roles. These paid roles help interested postgraduate students gain experience of working in a higher education environment with the emphasis on enhancing student experience.

NUA graduates have gone on to enjoy successful careers in leading museums, design agencies, game development companies, film production studios, and fashion houses across the world. Many students have been honoured at the highest level of their industries, including winning BAFTAs and being nominated for Oscars.

There are nine taught postgraduate courses available to study at NUA in the subjects including Curation, Fashion, Fine Art, Photography, and Textile Design. In addition, students can apply to complete a research degree at the university.

All taught postgraduate courses can either be studied full-time or part-time, except MA Games which is full-time only. During the course, students will be inspired to embrace new ideas and develop their practical skills using cutting-edge equipment. They are challenged to push their boundaries and acquire a deeper understanding of the complexities of their chosen discipline.

Students are supported in self-directed study, conducting independent projects and exploring new knowledge and skills. This includes a Masters Project which culminates in a public exhibition. There are no exams; instead, students are assessed on the quality of their work during the course.

Courses are led by passionate lecturers, who are practicing artists and designers themselves. They have in-depth industry experience and will share their insights with students to help them achieve their goals. The quality of their academic tutelage is such that NUA was awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework.

Postgraduate students also have the chance to meet with visiting lecturers and industry professionals, including acclaimed photographers, movie-makers, fashion designers, and video games designers.

The Students' Union is an organisation that is independent from the university but works in partnership with it to ensure students have a say in the running and decision-making process. The union’s president sits on the university’s Board of Governors and represents the student voice on important issues at the highest level.

The union team is also made up of Student Representatives from each year group and course, who are democratically elected each year. These representatives work closely with course leaders and tutors, providing a link between them and the student community as a whole. They provide feedback, voice concerns, suggest course improvements, and work with course leaders to enact changes students want to see.  Every student is eligible to become a Student Representative and doing so can gain valuable experience and skills for their CV.

In addition to being the voice of students, the Students’ Union team also work hard to ensure students’ time at NUA is the best it can be. They manage all of the university’s clubs and societies and offer free, confidential, and unbiased advice and support on a range of academic and welfare issues. They also publish the university’s official magazine, Storehouse, which showcases students’ work.

While the university only offers conditional housing to undergraduate students, there are many options for postgraduate students, with Norwich being one of the safest and affordable cities to live in the UK. There are properties of all sizes and distance from the university to suit all budgets, with average rental costs for private accommodation coming in between £280 and £320 per week (excluding utility bills).

The university provides a list of safe, approved rental flats and houses in the area, as well as providing information on its website on how to find a property. Students can join the Sharer’s List on the university’s pre-enrolment portal and can also join the university’s Facebook page to find other students to share accommodation with.

For more information on where to start looking, see the university's online housing guide.

NUA’s award-winning campus provides an inspirational environment in which students can pursue their passions and fulfil their potential. The campus is spread over 11 beautifully designed buildings - from the medieval to the contemporary - all equipped with innovatie technology and plenty of natural light.

The university’s specialist studios and workshops contain plenty of cutting-edge facilities, including:

• Digital dark rooms with Apple iMac workstations and the latest media software
• 3D Workshop with sculpture workshop, foundry, mould-making, wood, and plastics fabrication
• Sound studio
• Architecture studios
• 2D/3D Animation Studio
• Drawing studio
• Film studio
• Laser cutting workshops
• Fashion workshop with industrial sewing machines, professional mannequins and digital design workshops

The university even has its own East Gallery in the city centre, which showcases modern and contemporary art from around the world and provides a great way for MA Curation students to gain experience. In addition, the university’s library contains a vast collection of books, journals, exhibition catalogues and much more, to support student’s independent study and research.

An NUA shop and NUA café are also on campus, with the latter serving up tasty treats throughout the day.

Norwich has been voted as one of the best small cities in the world, and it’s also one of the greenest, safest, and most affordable cities in the UK. The city offers plenty to occupy students in their downtime from studying, from independent art galleries and museums to one of Europe’s largest open-air markets – all within walking distance of the campus. The city also plays host to numerous festivals, including the famous Norfolk and Norwich Festival.

In the evening, students can enjoy soaking up the atmosphere in the city and finding out one of the reasons it is so popular, with everything from bars and pubs to restaurants and live music venues on offer.

Norwich itself isn’t too far away from two areas of outstanding natural beauty - the beautiful Broads and the idyllic North Norfolk coast, with its miles and miles of beautiful beaches. While London is under two hours on the train – making for a perfect day trip during the weekends.

Norwich is more than just a great place to live; it’s also a great place to start a career. The city is home to a multitude of creative and digital businesses, including design studios and production companies – perfect for students looking to enter these industries.

NUA’s Students’ Union is there to help make students’ experience the best it can be. To this end, they support and manage over 20 clubs and societies, ranging from sports activities to cultural-related groups. Sports clubs include Basketball, Football, Netball, and Rugby. Societies include BAME Society, Comic Society, Donor Society, Harry Potter Society, Vegan Society, and Womanist Society.

All societies are full inclusive - anyone can join, regardless of skill and they can be joined at any time of the academic year. Most are free to join too (though some sports clubs require a membership fee to cover the cost of hiring sports facilities). If students can’t find a club or society that interests them, they can begin their own – and apply to the NUA Students’ Union for help and support.

There are also opportunities to get involved with initiatives such as the university magazine, Storehouse, which is created solely by students, allowing them to showcase their talents to other students and also future employers.

During their time studying, students receive plenty of help and guidance to ensure they are happy, healthy, and able to achieve their full academic potential. The university has a number of dedicated student support departments, covering issues such as accommodation, student finance, disability, and academic support. There is also a dedicated team in the university’s Ideas Factory, who provide students with specialised, personalised advice and guidance on finding a job or starting a business.

The university also offers a free, unbiased, and completely confidential counseling service for students through The Norwich Centre, where students can speak to fully-trained, BACP accredited counsellors. While the university does not provide an on-campus health centre, students can register at a medical practice near campus.

The Students' Union also provides impartial and confidential help, support and advice on everything concerning a student’s education and general welfare. There’s an open-door policy in place so students can go in at any time rather than having to make an appointment.

UK or ‘Home’ students enrolling on a full-time taught postgraduate degree in 2021/22 will pay fees of £8,500 per year.

UK or ‘Home’ students enrolling on a part-time taught postgraduate degree in 2021/22 will pay fees of £5,310 per year.

 UK or ‘Home’ students enrolling on a full-time research degree in 2021/22 will pay fees of £5,400 per year.

UK or ‘Home’ students enrolling on a part-time research degree in 2021/22 will pay fees of £2,700 per year.

‘Overseas’ students enrolling on a full-time taught postgraduate degree in 2021/22 will pay fees of £15,900 per year.

‘Overseas’ students enrolling on a full-time research degree in 2021/22 will pay fees of £16,000 per year.

All alumni of NUA, plus all members of NUA staff and staff from feeder institutions are eligible for a £1,000 discount on a postgraduate degree.

UK and EU citizens are eligible to apply for a government loan from the UK government of up to £11,222 towards fees and/or living costs on both full and part-time Master’s programmes. The government is introducing new loans of up to £26,445 to contribute to the cost of doctoral study in time for the 2020/2021 academic year. Find out more about UK PhD Loans.

The university offers a range of scholarships and bursaries for home and international students. For more information, head to their website.

BAFTA Scholarships

Students applying for the MA Moving Image and Sound course may be eligible for an award of up to £12,000 to cover their course fees. In addition to the financial award, students who receive this scholarship will also have access to an industry mentor and will be invited to BAFTA events.

Dubery and Brogden Scholarships

Postgraduate students studying Fine Art, Illustration, Textile Design, and Fashion may be eligible for a scholarship worth £2,500 to cover their course fees.

The Bishop’s Art Prize

All final-year postgraduate (and undergraduate) students are welcome to submit a piece of creative work. All pieces are judged and shortlisted pieces are exhibited in public. There is a prize of £1,000 for the winner, while the runner-up will get £500 and the student in third place will get £250.

For a full list of all scholarships and prizes awarded to students, the eligibility criteria for each, and how to apply, please see the university’s website.

NUA’s academic excellence crosses many disciplines. The high-quality teaching and graduate outcomes has led them to be the recipient of the Gold award in the Teaching Excellence Framework. There are, however, several areas where they stand out:

Curation

The MA Curation programme has strong links with the industry, including Tate, Arts Council Collection, and Norwich Castle museum and Gallery, as well as having its own East Gallery for students to work in and develop their skills.

During their time studying, students will also work with curators as part of a mentoring scheme, giving them one-on-one time engaging with professionals from the industry.

Fine Art

NUA is renowned for being one of the leading providers of fine art education in the UK, with graduates going on to win awards such as the Jerwood Drawing Prize and Bloomberg New Contemporaries.

During their time studying, students will benefit from NUA's strong links with galleries, museums, and festivals, and they will be given the opportunity to specialise in many areas, including photography, painting, and printmaking, and be supported throughout their work by visiting artist lecturers.

Design

NUA is recognised as a centre for design education excellence. In 2020 NUA was ranked second in the world in the Design Education Institution category at the World Brand Design Society awards – in recognition of its high standards of design teaching.  NUA’s design students have also won coveted awards such as the RSA Howarth Award.

Applicants wishing to study a full-time or part-time Master’s degree at NUA will typically need to have an undergraduate qualification at  2:1 or higher (or international equivalent). This qualification should be in a related subject to their chosen Master’s course.

If students don’t have this, they may still be accepted onto their chosen course, provided that can provide evidence of their capability to study at Master’s level – through a portfolio of creative work.

Applicants wishing to study a research degree at NUA will be expected to have a BA (Hons) / BSc degree of 2:1, plus an MA in a relevant subject area. Students who do not meet these expectations may still be considered, provided they can provide evidence of other relevant qualifications or professional experience. Students will need to submit an application which provides details of their qualifications, plus two references and a 1,000-word outline of their research proposal.

Check the university’s website for more information on the different postgraduate courses on offer at NUA and the specific entry requirements.

The university welcomes applications from students wishing to undertake a written research degree in art, design, and media related subject areas. All research degree opportunities are offered in partnership with the University of the Arts London, meaning there are plenty of opportunities for collaborative research between students at both universities.

While these degrees are written research degrees, they still require students to undertake an element of practical work, which will be assessed alongside their written thesis.

Students will spend the majority of their studies working independently on their chosen research subject area; however, they will also attend regular seminar and training events held both in Norwich and London – giving them the chance to meet other people in the learning community.

Students will also have access to NUA’s specialist learning facilities and technical resources, a year-round programme of exhibitions, and personalised support and guidance from a supervisor.

What's more, NUA has an international reputation for research in Art and Design Interpretation and Curation, and Moving Image and Sound. The university’s output was ranked World-leading and Internationally Excellent in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014).

There are nine taught postgraduate courses offered at NUA in subjects covering the arts, design, and media. Courses are available on a full- and part-time basis (with the exception of the MA Games).

Teaching is delivered through a mix of channels, including lectures, seminars, as well as individual and group tutorials. Each course is split into two components: Core Units and Award-specific units, with teaching broken down into three 14-week teaching blocks throughout the year. 

Through the two Award-specific units, students will be supported by their expert tutors in developing their knowledge and skills at an advanced level and in acquiring new skills. In their first year, students will also study a Research into Practice (core) module, where they will learn practice-based research methods relating to their discipline.

Alongside this, students will spend much of their time conducting independent projects in the Self-negotiated Study (core) module. Within this, students will be given the opportunity to work with industry practitioners and will be inspired and challenged to experiment with new methods of working and with new technologies. In the final year, students will undertake a Master Project (core), which is a major independent project that climaxes with a public exhibition of their work.

Assessment is done through the practical work in the students’ portfolio. Alongside this, students will write up evaluations and reflective journals on their work each term.

Norwich University of the Arts does not currently offer any distance courses due to the nature of the practical programmes and the need for students to be able to access the learning facilities on campus.

However, the university offers most courses on a part-time basis (with courses studied over 84 weeks instead of 42 weeks full-time). Studying part-time will mean there’s still the option for students to gain their postgraduate qualification while undertaking a job or family commitments.

NUA is an ambitious and forward-thinking university with a rich history of providing arts-based education for over 170 years. It is recognised as a leader and a centre for excellence in arts and design education.

Students who undertake a postgraduate course at NUA will leave with an in-depth critical understand of their subject, plus a professional portfolio that shows a high standard of skill and a complex understanding of their discipline.

The university’s postgraduate courses are delivered by expert practitioners, who will challenge and inspire students to push their creative boundaries and explore new ideas, new technologies, and new ways of working – with the aim of finding their artistic voice and developing the pieces that showcase it. There are also numerous opportunities for students to engage with industry professionals.

All courses at NUA are vocational in nature, with plenty of practical project-based work. Students are also actively encouraged to cross-collaborate with other students, not just those on their course, but from the wider student community. This is to ensure students have the practical and interpersonal skills they need to succeed in the world of work.

Supporting this learning are the university’s world-class teaching facilities. Students will have access to a wide array of cutting-edge digital and technological equipment in a dedicated studio and workshop spaces.