The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) welcomes “the weird, the wonderful, and everything in between”, according to its student union president Cassie de St Croix. With campuses in Canterbury, Epsom and Farnham, UCA puts the creativity into the commuter belt. One of the seven specialist arts universities in our league table, UCA's course offering covers all things creative-industry related, from fine art to virtual and immersive reality, interior design to silversmithing. UCA’s ten-year history can be traced back to a number of small arts schools in Kent and Surrey, whose alumni include Tracey Emin and Dame Zandra Rhodes. Rhodes is UCA’s chancellor emerita.

A concerted effort to boost employability — a known struggle in the creative industries — is behind UCA’s recent guarantee of work placements (from a fortnight to a year) for all undergraduates. The Business School for the Creative Industries — the first of its kind in the country — offers degrees such as event and promotion management; and international buying and merchandising. 

What is the University for the Creative Arts’ reputation?

UCA’s performance in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) far outdid its results in the previous national assessment in 2014, triggering a 56-place rise up our research quality index to 56. The submission included entries relating to sculpture, ceramics, photographic collections, films, essays and books. Overall, 78 per cent of the work was rated world-leading or internationally excellent.

Only five years ago UCA was in the top 30 of our academic rankings, but declining rates of student satisfaction have had a negative impact on its position. The slide continues: results from the latest National Student Survey (NSS 2024) send UCA plummeting 65 places to 98th based on feedback about teaching quality. Responses about the wider undergraduate experience put UCA in 125th place, falling 22 places year-on-year. In our main academic table, UCA has lost ground by 14 places and is now 73rd.

UCA achieved silver overall in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), down from gold in the previous assessment in 2017, along with silvers for the student experience and student outcomes. The TEF assessors praised UCA for its use of “scholarship, professional practice and engagement with external professional networks to contribute to a very high-quality academic experience”, and said the university “clearly articulates the range [of] educational gains it intends its students to achieve, and why these are highly relevant to its students and their future ambitions”. UCA is known for employing staff who are practitioners, and its staff-student ratio is in the top ten.

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

UCA Rochester — formerly the Medway School of Arts — closed in 2023. Its courses have shifted to new sites in Farnham, Canterbury and Epsom. Degrees in body art (histories, cultures and practices) and fashion (millinery, accessories and shoe design) launch in 2025.

What are the the University for the Creative Arts’ entry requirements – and my chances of getting in?

Standard requirements vary between 32 Ucas tariff points for entry on to integrated foundation year courses up to 128 points for architecture. In addition to grades, the university assesses portfolios and auditions. Applications and new student enrolments increased in 2023, including greater interest from international students, and just 3 per cent of entrants gained their place at UCA through clearing.    

What are the graduate prospects?

Industry links proliferate, such as a partnership with the National Theatre and an acting course that is accredited by Spotlight and Equity UK. TV production students have the unique opportunity to study “on set” at Maidstone Television Studios. Communications courses involve work on live briefs, and past clients have included Great Ormond Street Hospital and the advertising company Ogilvy. However, UCA has dropped one place to return to the bottom of our graduate prospects  index, with 56.8 per cent of former students in highly skilled work or postgraduate study within 15 months of finishing their degree.

What is the University for the Creative Arts campus like?

The expanded Epsom campus has two new satellite buildings: a multimillion-pound project has converted the Wells Building and Parkside House into teaching studios, workshops, staff offices and break-out areas. The School of Communications opened in 2022 at UCA Farnham, along with the £2 million School of Games and Creative Technology, bringing together courses in journalism, graphic design, illustration and user experience design. Facilities include a virtual production studio, green screen and filming studios, and a stop-motion animation studio. It consolidates the university’s strong reputation in the industry, and graduates of the university’s film production degree have worked on Harry Potter and Mission: Impossible films. 

The Canterbury School of Architecture — one of only two British architecture faculties remaining within a specialist art and design institution — promotes collaboration between student architects, designers and fine artists. The UCA Canterbury campus also hosts degree courses in fine art, interior design, graphic design, and illustration and animation. It has studios for artwork, including print, sculpture and paint, as well as facilities for photography.

Everything you need to know about the University for the Creative Arts’ student life and wellbeing support

The students’ union offers clubs and societies to join, as well as opportunities for students to sell their work at art markets throughout the year. UCA is packed with arts and cultural facilities, from workshops and studios for students’ use, to its galleries, which are open to the public. For social life, Farnham has plenty of market-town charm, with student-friendly pubs. The Epsom campus has a lot going on — day or night — and is the closest to London, while historic Canterbury has a big student population (including those of neighbouring Kent and Canterbury Christ Church universities).

There are no sports facilities, but the students’ union operates a variety of clubs including cheerleading, football and rugby. 

Students in need of support are offered a wellbeing check-in, from which point they can be signposted to self-help support or access services, including a referral to UCA’s counsellors or to external services. A 24/7 service offering “in the moment” help via WhatsApp or online, and an online Report + Support platform where students can anonymously report incidents and request help, are among further supports. Mandatory e-learning modules on safeguarding, sexual consent and bystander training are part of the induction process.

What do the students say?

“UCA is home to a variety of highly specialist facilities to enrich and further your creative education, with a huge range of courses to choose from. Each campus has a strong identity and close-knit community. UCA champions diversity and encourages people to be their most authentic selves, supporting you every step of the way.”
Cassie de St Croix, a student union president and illustration and animation graduate 

What about student accommodation at the University for the Creative Arts?

There are 1,149 bed spaces spread across its three campuses — not quite sufficient for it to guarantee accommodation to all first-years, but students who apply before the deadline should expect to secure a place.

How diverse and inclusive is the University for the Creative Arts?

The university has a network of industry professionals and creative workshop tutors who run activities for schools and colleges. A cultural ambassadors’ programme appeals to those considering a return to study  —  and UCA is in the top 20 for recruitment of mature students (56.6 per cent, 15th). It has risen 16 places to 12th place overall for social inclusion. Help with travel and equipment is available for students. 

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at the University for the Creative Arts

Financial support includes up to three Sir Ray Tindle scholarships — named after the newspaper and radio entrepreneur — which provide £1,500 per year for students on media courses. The Elaine Thomas bursary for care leavers is of the same value. The Grenfell Tower Scholarship offers a full fee waiver to survivors of the 2017 fire in London. One student per course is picked to win the UK Excellence Scholarship — worth £1,500 off the first year’s tuition fees.