Design credentials are front and centre at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), which has produced the world’s first Instagram university prospectus. Applicants can scroll through stories on campus resources to open days (soundtracked with tunes spun by the resident DJ) and on how to apply. This small, specialist institution on the south coast has big ambitions in the creative sectors, as evidenced by the opening of its new School of Arts, Media and Creative Industries Management in September 2024.

What is Arts University Bournemouth’s reputation?

There is close to 150 years’ history behind AUB, which was founded as the Bournemouth Government School of Art in 1880. A university since 2012, it has diversified into a broad spectrum of creative fields within four schools: Arts and Communications; Design and Architecture; and Bournemouth Film School — the largest film school outside of London.

AUB’s research profile is heading upwards: the university achieved an impressive ascent of our research quality index, climbing 14 places following its best outcomes yet in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021). More than 12 per cent of AUB’s research was classified as world-leading or internationally excellent. Architecture and history of art and design were among the strongest subjects.   

Rated silver overall by the Teaching Excellence Framework in 2023 (down from gold in the previous assessment, in 2017), AUB also gained silvers for student experience and student outcomes. In their report the TEF panel praised AUB’s “outstanding ‘learn through doing’ approach, with highly effective feedback and assessment practices tailored to students' learning, progression and attainment”. Campus facilities were found to be “exceptional” and “very positively rated by students”. The assessors also commended AUB’s “effective and relevant engagement with industry and professional stakeholders” — part of the university’s tradition of incorporating input from practising artists and creative professionals. 

However, in the latest National Student Survey (NSS 2024) AUB fell 38 places to 86th for students’ evaluation of teaching quality, and to 102nd for their feelings about the wider experience.

What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available? 

The latest step in its diversification is the launch of degrees in communication design and strategy; creative direction; curation, exhibition and experience design; and events management – all under the auspices of the new School of Arts, Media and Creative Industries Management. New students were welcomed on games art and design; interior architecture and design for health and wellbeing; creative technologies; and design for sustainable futures. From 2025 an online degree in creative writing will be available and the university is also launching its first apprenticeship, in model making. No degrees have been discontinued for 2024 or 2025.

What are Arts University Bournemouth’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?

Degrees start at BBB at A-level, or DMM from a Btec extended diploma — equal to 112 Ucas tariff points. The highest requirements are AAB at A-level, or merit (120 tariff points) from a UAL extended diploma. All courses also accept a pass in a foundation diploma in art and design (80 tariff points for the Level 3 version), which is taken after completing A-levels or equivalent.

Contextual offers, for those who qualify under the university’s criteria, offer up to two grades’ reduction below standard, and benefited 8 per cent of entrants in 2023, with a similar amount via clearing.  

What are the graduate prospects?

All courses other than architecture now have an optional one-year placement opportunity, and practical elements are incorporated to help give students a career edge. In a new initiative, a professional industry patron is dedicated to every undergraduate programme, including input from the Forest Forge Theatre Company in Ringwood, Hampshire; the architect TP Bennett, in London; and the Dutch digital fashion platform the Fabricant.

Nevertheless, institutions with an art and design focus such as AUB tend to occupy the lower ranks of our graduate prospects table, which is based on the proportion of students in highly skilled work or further study 15 months after finishing their degree. At 128th, AUB is fourth from bottom in our table according to the results of the latest Graduate Outcomes survey. 

What is Arts University Bournemouth’s campus like?

Located on the Jurassic Coast between Bournemouth and Poole, AUB’s buildings are painted in pops of bright colour. Teaching is based on a single site and facilities include the CRAB drawing studio, which opened in 2016. Designed by Sir Peter Cook, who studied architecture at the institution — then called the Bournemouth College of Art — it was the first to be built at an art school for more than a century. New fine art studios utilising north-facing light are under construction. The Photography Building has teaching spaces and IT suites, and AUB has its own exhibition space, TheGallery. 

Although all undergraduate courses have their own studio space, students are encouraged to work together across disciplines to help them to pick up the collaborative skills they will need for an arts career. The university has restored the art deco Palace Court Theatre in the town centre to include teaching space alongside the 400-seat auditorium, interval bar and rehearsal studio. 

Everything you need to know about Arts University Bournemouth’s student life and wellbeing support

The university DJ provides the music to a range of social activities and events on campus, and the university’s gallery hosts evolving exhibitions and panel discussions. Students can hit the beach within ten minutes. 

AUB does not have its own sports facilities. Instead students share Bournemouth University’s extensive gym, classes and courts at a subsidised rate. The Home Park halls of residence have an on-site gym. Madeira Road halls have outdoor activities areas and table tennis.

More than 200 AUB staff have been trained in mental health first aid and the university has teamed up with the NHS, Bournemouth University and local charities to offer a range of intervention and support services. These include same-day in-person and online support, and the University Retreat, a new drop-in mental health service for AUB and Bournemouth University students.

What do the students say?

“My experience here has been transformative. Studying at AUB wasn't just about progressing as a dance artist but meeting new people, trying new things, and feeling like I’m in a place where creativity and ‘out of box thinking’ is encouraged and celebrated. AUB is not just about enhancing skill sets; it’s about embracing a lifestyle of artistic expression and personal growth.”
Hannah Malone, students’ union vice-president and dance graduate

What about student accommodation at Arts University Bournemouth?

There are 1,131 study bedrooms and, although AUB does not guarantee a spot, there is sufficient space available for all first-years who want to live in.

How diverse and inclusive is Arts University Bournemouth?

The university’s outreach activities include the Being a Boy scheme for pre-16-year-old pupils, which provides a number of funded places on workshops that explore the themes of masculinity and identity. All Access AUB offers a residential summer school on campus to boost artistic confidence (for those 16 and over). There are one-to-one portfolio tutorials and workshops that offer guidance on the transition to higher education too. Those who complete All Access AUB qualify for additional consideration from the admissions team and a reduced conditional offer up to two grades lower than the published requirements. AUB ranks 73= in our social inclusion index, a 15-place improvement compared with our previous edition.

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Arts University Bournemouth

About a fifth of entrants receive some form of means-tested financial assistance, which is available to students who receive the full maintenance loan. There is pre-enrolment support available to help with travel costs to offer-holder days and transition events; £1,000 rent-reduction bursaries and £300 to put towards career-boosting activities such as conferences, smart clothes or residential training events.