Home to a busy cultural scene, Norwich University of the Arts (Norwich Arts) began life in 1845 as the Norwich School of Design, founded by the artists and followers of the Norwich school of painters, a group known internationally for landscape painting. Over the years, visiting teachers and alumni to Norwich University of the Arts have included Lucian Freud, Leslie Davenport and Michael Andrews. A university only since 2012, it is expanding its course offering and adding extra space for teaching, learning and living. The newly added Bank Plain is the university’s 12th campus building — a grade II listed, high-ceilinged former Barclays bank that is being developed into a new home for student services and social spaces. New facilities include an immersive visualisation laboratory and a fully kitted out creative tech lab.

What is Norwich University of the Arts’ reputation?

Norwich Arts, with fewer than 3,000 students, made an impact in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), in which 71 per cent of its work in art and design was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent. The much-improved results, compared with the REF 2014, prompted a 24-place boost for Norwich Arts in our research quality rating, from 86th to 62nd place. 

The university was awarded triple gold — overall and for student experience and outcomes — in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023). Assessors praised its “use of research in relevant disciplines, innovation, scholarship, professional practice and/or employer engagement”. 

Rates of student satisfaction have, however, been changeable in recent years. Although our analysis of the latest National Student Survey shows a 32-place gain for students’ evaluation of the broad experience, it brings Norwich Arts to only a ranking of 76th for this metric. Their feelings about teaching quality are stronger, putting the university at 57th, despite a 12-place decline on this measure. 

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

There are no course closures in 2024 or 2025. The first students of degrees in creative computing; and creative technology and robotics began courses in September 2024. From 2025 there will be business management; electronic music and sound production; esports; marketing; and psychology.

What are Norwich University of the Arts’ entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?

Entry starts from 104 Ucas tariff points and goes up to 120 points. As well as predicted grades, offers to study at Norwich Arts are made on the strength of an applicant’s portfolio and their responses to questions during the admissions process. Norwich Arts does not make contextual offers. The number of applications for places exceeded 3,200 in 2023; 940 students were accepted on to courses, 15 per cent of them through clearing.

What are the graduate prospects?

Our analysis of the latest Graduate Outcomes survey shows that just under 62 per cent of graduates were in high-skilled jobs or postgraduate study 15 months after leaving university — which puts Norwich Arts above all other arts universities for graduate prospects. It compares less favourably with universities in general, placing 122nd out of 131 due to the lower rates of graduate employment early on in creative careers. Norwich Arts fosters wide-ranging industry collaborations to ensure that its courses are professionally relevant and students are supported in securing internships and placements.

What is Norwich University of the Arts campus like?

Based in the city centre, Norwich campus includes the Duke Street Riverside building, which opened in 2021 and has 100 rooms for first-year students above a lecture theatre and state-of-the-art teaching facilities. Film and moving image production; photography; and fashion communication and promotion have benefited from recent investment. The Sir John Hurt Film Studio, named after the actor who was Norwich Arts’ first chancellor, is in a grade II listed building that also houses the School of Architecture and won an award for the design of its renovation. 

Everything you need to know about Norwich University of the Arts’ student life and wellbeing support

Norwich packs plenty of student-friendly entertainment into its compact centre and is one of the safest and greenest cities in the UK .The university’s rich artistic life is enhanced by its East Gallery, in the city centre — a public art space showcasing exhibitions by internationally recognised artists, curators and design practitioners, accompanied by seminars and lectures. Students’ work is showcased on campus for industry experts and potential employers. 

In the absence of its own sports facilities, Norwich Arts students can use the University of East Anglia’s Sportspark, which includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool. 

Student support advisers and external counselling services are available. 

What do the students say?

“Norwich is a small but lively city. Our compact size makes it easy to form relationships and not feel overwhelmed by moving to university. We have an amazing support network ready to help with any issue, big or small.”
Reece Lee, students’ union president of education and representation, and a graduate of acting

What about student accommodation at Norwich University of the Arts?

New halls of residence bring Norwich Arts’ supply of rooms to about 950. The university guarantees accommodation to first-years who want to live in.

How diverse and inclusive is Norwich University of the Arts?

Norwich Arts leads a regional outreach network in partnership with Cambridge, East Anglia, Anglia Ruskin and Suffolk universities. It succeeds in recruiting 16.9 per cent of undergraduates from deprived postcodes (33=), and only eight universities have a higher proportion of disabled students. Overall, however, Norwich Arts ranks 72nd in our social inclusion index for England and Wales.

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Norwich University of the Arts

About 40 to 50 per cent of entrants qualified for financial support in 2024, which includes a contribution towards the cost of materials, equipment and other expenses where a student’s household income is lower than £25,000. The university offers £1,000 a year to undergraduates who are in care or estranged from their parents. Students can access museums and art galleries free of charge.