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University of the Arts London

University of the Arts London

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University of the Arts London
University of the Arts London
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Key stats

Postgraduate student body breakdown
Source: HESA, 2021

  • Study mode: This university
    14%
    Part Time
    86%
    Full Time
  • Study mode: All universities (avg)
    44%
    Part Time
    56%
    Full Time
  • Student nationality
    31%
    UK
    69%
    International
  • Study level
    15,735
    Undergraduate
    4,235
    Postgraduate
  • New students
    55%
    School leavers
    45%
    Mature students
  • 46 th/ 129

    Source: Complete University Guide 2025

    CUG research quality ranking

Overview

University of the Arts London (UAL) is one of the world’s leading and most prestigious arts universities, maintaining an internationally renowned list of alumni. Located in London, it is ideally positioned for students wishing to study a postgraduate qualification and gain valuable connections to a thriving creative sector.

UAL ranks in the top 30 universities in the UK (Complete University Guide, 2025). With modern campus sites spread across the capital city, UAL offers more than 100 taught postgraduate degree courses through its seven specialist colleges and institutes:

  • Camberwell College of Arts
  • Central Saint Martins
  • Chelsea College of Arts
  • London College of Communication
  • London College of Fashion
  • Wimbledon College of Arts
  • UAL Creative Computing Institute.

Courses cover all areas of art and design, with programmes offering a specialised and expert focus. Options include art, design, computing, screen, fashion, communication, media or performing arts.

Postgraduate

With more than 4,200 postgraduate-level students, UAL’s postgraduate community is the largest in Europe. The university encourages postgraduate collaboration and cross-disciplinary practice, while supporting an inclusive and welcoming culture of learning. Postgraduate students form a confident and interconnected network of pioneers and innovators who become the visionary professionals of tomorrow.

The university organises regular postgraduate pop-up events, seminars, screenings, and performances, connecting students with UAL’s expanded networks of alumni and professional partners. Postgraduate students can apply to the university for funding and support with organising academic and cultural events.

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Course and lecturers

Course and lecturers

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UAL’s seven specialist colleges and institutes offer a wide selection of graduate diplomas, master’s degrees and research programmes. Academic staff at the university have a wide variety of interests and expertise, and plenty of real-world experience.

Classes combine theory with practical coursework. Employability is at the heart of every programme, and students benefit from additional support, not only from academic lecturers, but also leading professionals who routinely visit the university to give talks and provide meaningful and modern insights into the creative industry.

Towards the end of their programme, most students undertake a final major project. The nature of this project varies from course to course, but is often a dissertation or research project combining theory and practice.

A number of UAL’s postgraduate courses are available with flexible study options, with some also available at different sites. As such, students are met with a range of options to suit their lifestyle and practical requirements.

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Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Postgraduate entry requirements vary depending on the specific course of study. For all programmes, a relevant honours degree or equivalent academic qualification is usually required.

However, it’s also possible to qualify without an honours degree, or equivalent qualification. If a student is able to demonstrate exceptional ability through their past achievements and experience, it’s possible to be admitted through accreditation of prior (experiential) learning. This is typically achieved through evidence of relevant academic or professional experience, a high-quality personal statement, strong academic or professional references, or a combination of the above.

UAL is interested in attracting the most creative and innovative students, so assessment of portfolio design work, proposals and personal statements is usually a key factor in a successful application, depending on the specific course.

International students may also need to prove their English language proficiency. Entry requirements vary between courses but typically include an overall IELTS score of between 5.0 and 7.5, or an equivalent qualification.

Students can learn more about postgraduate study at UAL, explore types of postgraduate courses, and learn more about requirements and funding options on the university’s website. Students can contact the admissions office if they have further questions.

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Course and lecturers
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Academic strengths

Academic strengths

UAL has built a reputation for teaching excellence across all subject areas of fashion design, media, screen, communications, fine art, music and performing arts. Each of its seven colleges and institutes delivers an extremely high quality of taught education and impactful research across the available postgraduate study options.

UAL is considered amongst the best universities in the world for art and design, and ranks in the top 30 universities overall in the UK (Complete University Guide, 2025). As the largest specialist art and design university in Europe, many regard the university as a superb choice for talented and determined students looking to build a career in art and design.

Students benefit from the university’s industry-leading expertise and top-class learning facilities, priming them to enter the modern workforce and become creative leaders in their fields.

UAL has an impressive list of well-known alumni who have gone on to influence the creative industries in historic ways, and the university continues to influence the future of global industries with its cutting-edge culture and research initiatives.

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Job prospects

Job prospects

UAL has a prestigious reputation and opens doors to networks of working professionals, offering many opportunities for internships and work experience while studying. Its dedicated careers and enterprise service empowers both students and graduates to make a living doing what they love through workshops and events throughout the year.

Furthermore, the graduate employability support team provide tailored, one-to-one support to graduates for up to five years after they complete their studies at UAL. Whether it’s help working out career plans, making applications or acing interviews, they’re on hand to ensure students can achieve their goals.

Innovation in the creative arts is often a youth-driven process, and many graduates go on to take prominent roles in prestigious companies such as Chanel and Vogue within a short time of leaving university. Many UAL graduates have won prestigious awards, including British Fashion Designer of the Year, Jerwood Photography Award and even the coveted Turner Prize.

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Academic strengths
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Student life

Student life

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The students’ union (Arts SU) focuses on supporting and representing the student body. It organises regular events and activities to enhance the university experience, and runs Made in Arts London, a professional development programme to help promote and sell students’ work.

Arts SU organises a wide selection of clubs and societies for all interests. These range from course-specific and creative groups to social and welfare societies. UAL also has a small but active community of sports clubs, including basketball and badminton teams, and climbing and dance societies.

London is one of the world’s major creative hubs, alive with culture, and students quickly discover how many opportunities can be found in its vast and diverse urban landscape. In their free time, students enjoy innovative exhibitions, underground parties, secret events, hidden bars and late-night revelry.

London has a higher student population than any other city globally. It’s a place where dozens of nationalities interact across markets, businesses, venues and neighbourhoods to constantly create new styles of music, fashion and food.

Students benefit from countless opportunities to expand their networks. World-famous galleries and museums provide an abundance of inspiration, with some of the largest and most unique collections found anywhere in the world.

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Accommodation & facilities

Accommodation & facilities

Accommodation

Postgraduate students can live in any of UAL’s 15 halls of residence. All halls are an easy commute to university sites, either on foot or via nearby transport links.

Many of the UAL halls offer en-suite rooms, with some providing studios. Facilities depend on the location, but always include Wi-Fi, on-site laundry, wheelchair access and a common room.

Prices vary but typically range from £166 to £481 per week for the 2024/25 academic year. A limited number of partially funded rooms are available at some locations.

Students can also opt to rent privately nearby. The university is able to provide residential support and guidance in this regard.

Facilities

All of UAL’s six colleges and its Creative Computing Institute have specialist facilities tailored to their subject areas, including a range of workshops, studios, theatre spaces and more, giving students the best learning environment possible.

Colleges also have their own libraries, with study spaces and archives, along with canteens for dining, and shops for essential supplies.

All facilities are industry standard. This means they’re as good as what students will use in their future careers, ensuring that everyone has the resources they need to fulfil their potential.

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Student life
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Student support

Student support

UAL considers the security and wellbeing of its student community to be a top priority. As a result, it has invested in support services to ensure that students at all levels of study are able to confidently achieve continued academic and personal growth.

UAL’s student advice service offers free and confidential support and is available to all students. Services cover a variety of areas including health and wellbeing, careers and employability guidance, academic support, financial advice, disability services and multi-faith chaplaincy.

Students can access the student advice service any day between Monday and Friday, between the hours of 10am and 4pm. They can choose to have an in-person chat, speak on the phone, or get help online through a dedicated enquiry form.

UAL’s Postgraduate Community hosts regular events which encourage students on both taught and research degrees to broaden their horizons, develop new skills, expand their social and professional networks, and add value to their university experience.

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Scholarships/Bursaries

Scholarships/Bursaries

UAL understands that studying a postgraduate degree in London is a significant investment and is committed to providing financial support wherever possible. Its expansive network of alumni and professional donors provide funding for scholarships and bursaries, awarded for both merit and need-based criteria.

Options include:

  • UAL Home Postgraduate Scholarship – a £7,000 fee waiver awarded for a full-time or part-time taught master’s course. 185 scholarships available.
  • UAL International Postgraduate Scholarship – a £7,000 fee waiver awarded for a full-time or part-time taught master’s course. Up to 215 scholarships are available.
  • International Postgraduate Scholarship and accommodation award – covers the total cost of tuition fees as well as accommodation at one of UAL’s halls of residence. It can also be used towards general living costs. Up to 4 scholarships valued at £50,000 are available.

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Study options

Study options

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UAL offers more than 100 taught postgraduate programmes across its six colleges and Creative Computing Institute.

Rigorous curricula are developed in collaboration with leading industry experts, encouraging students to push their creative boundaries, discover different methods of working and explore new ideas and themes. Research and theory complement the practical work involved and incorporate access to UAL’s industry-standard workshops and equipment.

Students enjoy opportunities to expand their creative network through conversations with guest lecturers and professional tutors, who offer contacts for internships and industry placement work.

UAL conducts ground-breaking creative research work with a firm focus on innovation and experimentation. There are currently over 250 research students at the university.

Postgraduate applicants have many opportunities to complete both theory and practice-based research programmes, leading to MPhil or PhD qualifications. These are available in any subject area as self-directed study with the support of an experienced supervisory team.

Students can study a PhD as a distance learner but must be in London for a minimum of three weeks per year.

Distance learning options are available for some courses, allowing students to organise a master’s-level degree course around existing commitments. Consequently, UAL’s high-quality curriculum is available to students all over the world, expanding the university’s creative community.

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