The capital’s home for creative courses has a reputation for producing Turner prize nominees and winners. Its prestigious credentials are burnished further by its ranking in the global QS index at second in the world for art and design for seven years running, which has helped to drive record demand to study at the arts institution.
A university since 2003, UAL is made up of six colleges, each with its own identity: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, Wimbledon College of Arts, and London College of Fashion, now based at the East Bank of London cultural quarter in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
UAL colleges also offer students unrivalled access to the city’s rich cultural life, from galleries, shopping and street food to bars and nightclubs.
What is UAL’s reputation?
UAL made by far the largest submission for art and design in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) to rank in the top 50 (47th) in our research quality index. Eighty-five per cent of its work was judged to be world-leading or internationally excellent. On the global stage, its second place for art and design is behind only the Royal College of Art, a postgraduate institution.
Developing a site at Lime Grove in Shepherd’s Bush for its pre-degree and foundation programmes in art, media, design and fashion has freed up the space to accommodate 3,000 more students at the university, which is already the largest in Europe dedicated to fashion, art, design and the performing arts.
The 2025 launch of UAL Online, offering online, part-time degrees with multiple entry points throughout the year and no campus attendance, should raise student numbers further still.
However, UAL slipped from silver to bronze overall in the latest national Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023). Student outcomes were graded silver; the student experience bronze, although the panel noted “research in relevant disciplines, innovation, scholarship, professional practice and employer engagement that contributes to a very high quality academic experience for students”.
Tepid feedback from undergraduates in the National Student Survey underscores the bronze rating. In our previous edition, UAL placed outside the top 100 for teaching quality (104th) and the broader student experience (113th). This year it has improved, in 89= and 97th positions respectively.
What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?
There are new courses in sound arts: experimental music, and sound arts: design, which welcomed their first students this year at London College of Communication. The cordwainers footwear degree at London College of Fashion has been withdrawn.
What are UAL’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?
UAL asks for 64-136 Ucas tariff points and applicants may need to submit a portfolio. After a bumper recruitment year in 2024, only 5 per cent of entrants secured a place through clearing. However, UAL’s contextual admissions process identifies eligible students and flags their application so their personal circumstances are considered. This system benefited almost half (46 per cent) of admissions in 2024.
What are the graduate prospects?
UAL is working hard to improve notoriously tough employment rates for creative graduates. The university is towards the bottom of our analysis of the proportion of graduates in highly skilled work or further study after 15 months, ranking 124th.
Links with global brands are built into the curriculum via live briefs, work placements and other project-based work. And there are long-term partnerships with companies including Microsoft, Google, LVMH and Kering (owner of Gucci, Saint Laurent and other top fashion brands).
UAL’s recruitment service, Arts Temps, teams up with employers to find temporary jobs for students in the creative and non-creative sectors. There are incubator spaces across campus, and the university takes pride in the high number of entrepreneurs it produces.
What is UAL’s campus like?
Students are based at the six colleges across London, including the £200 million Central Saint Martins campus at King’s Cross and the £216 million London College of Fashion waterfront campus in east London. London College of Communication is at Elephant and Castle and Camberwell College of Arts occupies the eponymous south London neighbourhood along with the Creative Computing Institute. UAL also encompasses institutes of Decolonising Arts; Fashion, Textiles and Technology; and Storytelling — although these do not offer undergraduate programmes.
When can I visit?
arts.ac.uk
Everything you need to know about UAL’s student life and wellbeing support
Student societies proliferate under the Arts SU banner, covering interests across culture, faith, creativity and academia. Students can keep up with UAL’s rolling programme of exhibitions, seminars, workshops and more via its “What’s On” events listing.
The students’ union runs weekly traditional sports clubs such as rugby, football, basketball and hockey, as well as less competitive activities including yoga. Varsity is the biggest event in the sporting calendar at UAL, pitting its sports teams against those of its rival’s, Goldsmiths, University of London.
In-person and online counselling sessions are available and there is a 24-hour mental health support line, as well as urgent care for emergencies.
What do the students say?
“Highlights for me have been meeting diverse staff and students from many creative fields, the freedom of the project briefs, great facilities and supportive staff, as well as visiting top art galleries and the best shows. I have the confidence that it’s possible to continue doing what I like in ‘the real world’. The Careers and Employability services have been helpful with understanding the business side of things, like pricing, CVs and portfolios.”
Nerijus Malinauskas, 2025 BA (Hons) Illustration, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL
What about student accommodation at UAL?
Expensive London rents require UAL students to dig deep: the cheapest accommodation is a twin room at Portland House, which costs £167.50 a week, rising to £393 a week.
First-year international students on a full-time course are guaranteed accommodation, and under-18s and disabled students are prioritised. All other rooms are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
How diverse and inclusive is UAL?
This year it has plunged to 86th from 48th in our social inclusion ranking. Insights, UAL’s outreach programme, targets London students aged 16 and above from disadvantaged backgrounds and offers Saturday clubs for year 10 students.
Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at UAL
The £1,400-a-year UAL bursary is awarded to UK students who receive a full maintenance grant. There is also a range of donor-funded course-related scholarships.
The UAL Hardship Fund supports UK-based and international students with payments from £500 to £5,000-plus.
