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The overall ranking is decided by students from this institution rating them in a 2026 Whatuni review. This forms the basis of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs for short).
4.03.220 Student reviews
Sort:Latest reviewsHonestly wish I could say this uni was a good experience. Wish I could transfer elsewhere but circumstances. Not at all disability or autism friendly as they advertise themselves and the complaints process is frankly a joke. Student services are a mixed bag, best thing about the college by far is the library staff, who don't recieve the funding or recognition they should. Same story with learning support, they've been amazing but are spread so thinly their hands are tied a lot of the time. Living in Hartlepool is relatively cheap, student accommodation is average, Costume, Illustration and some other buildings are very close to town but quite far from the main building which makes you feel quite unable to build a strong community. It's a really poor area though and the staff don't seem to care about integrating or being part of the wider community. Very us vs them mentality. Tutor actually described locals really negatively a few times, no wonder a lot of them thing we're stuck up. Overall not the worst uni as long as you don't belong to any minority groups, don't have disabilities/learning difficulties and don't need any extra help or support.
25-34 years
First gen student
The course staff and technicians are helpful and supportive, always willing to go above and beyond to meet students needs.
For me, the textiles and surface design course is amazing! The staff are very supportive, friendly and are very knowledgeable with industry experience. Throughout the three year course they help prepare us for industry and support us to find jobs. We get taught both traditional and digital techniques throughout the course which teaches you everything you need to know for industry, the course is very suited for industry and could not recommend more if you have an interest for fashion, interiors, gift etc. On a personal note I have thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this course and I am so pleased I chose the Northern school of art as the advantaged far outweigh any negatives (if there are any). Although this is a small university, its facilities are amazing which makes the opportunity for accessing all facilities easy and gaining access to the lectures is far easier compared to the bigger universities.
I had such a lovely experience at this university, the lecturers and technicians are always there to help you! The facilities are brilliant with industry-standard equipment and plenty of space to work in and around studio spaces! I would recommend this uni for any creative like me!
45-54 years
First gen student
Best bits, all of it! I've loved the facilities, the openness and availability of lecturers and technicians and the friendliness of the School. The opening hours of the school are great and the on site cafe is good too. The School is situated in the creative part of town with plenty of bars and restaurants around and is close to the train station. The technicians have their own specialisms but work across different areas if you want to try something out or if you need help with something such as woodwork, pottery or photography, which is really helpful.
25-34 years
First gen student
Fantastic University for creatives in the North East. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at The Northern School of Art and feel that it has equipped me with the knowledge, skills and confidence for a career within the textiles industry. The lecturers and technicians are super friendly and helpful with lots of industry knowledge and experience. Lecturers are constantly around to offer support and one to ones whenever you need, and make you feel super comfortable. Throughout my time in the course we had the opportunity to take part in two live assignments with industry, one with greetings uk and another with The Bowes Museum. We also have the opportunity to showcase our work to industry at the end of the three years at New Designers in London. The facilities within the uni are outstanding and student’s have access to the amazing print rooms whenever they like, this is a huge perk to going to a smaller university. Overall I have loved my experience here and I would recommend it to anyone thinking of going!
I’m currently still studying at The Northern School of Art and I absolutely love it! I completed my undergraduate degree in Textiles and Surface Design and it was such an incredible course to learn traditional and modern approaches to print and design. I was able to experiment and learn lots of new and exciting techniques that have benefitted me so much in my current endeavours! Not to mention the amazing support of staff and peers, creating such a lovely and friendly environment to express urself however you chose! There’s so many opportunities to get involved with, alongside incredible facilities and equipment provided by the uni. I couldn’t recommend studying somewhere more!
I came to this uni in 2nd year as a direct entry student and it was the best decision I ever made! My education, skills and knowledge really progressed since transferring and it is such a welcoming, friendly and creative environment.
I found the undergraduate degree course very interesting and really useful towards my development as a textile artist. I wouldn’t have found the direction I have now headed in without having studied textiles and surface design there. All of the tutors and technicians are very friendly and approachable, really good to bounce ideas off and get feedback on work.
I studied there for 3 years and learnt a lot about the textiles industry. My tutors all work in design and often exhibited their own work which was really inspiring. I got to take part in trade fairs and was offered a work experience in London. The facilities are amazing and the technician were soooooo helpful. I loved printing and printed lengths of fabric for my degree show- all in repeat which I didn’t think I could ever do. Thank you Northern school of art I love every minute!
Extremely lack to support, no student life at all etc avoid this uni
18-24 years
First gen student
Overall experience good, area could have been better for social life, can't complain
my experience at the uni was unsatisfactory I feel like I’ve have not gained anything from the experience, it feels like a major waste of time, with the uni holding no consideration at all.
Overall- very happy. I felt I learnt a lot more because it was a small uni with lots more time actually speaking to tutors. Helped that it was just a creative uni. Staff are great. Programme was great. I’m currently working at a small agency on placement.
As said before, my experience so far has been challenging but the support of tutors and peers in my class has been great. They've helped me cope being far away from home and have also really helped me with understanding the structure of the work required and how the lessons usually pan out with workshops, group critiques and other formats of receiving feedback.
Has been an experience that always pushes me to do better, constantly learning new information and techniques whilst making new friends and enjoying the course thourally. I like the structure of the modules, scattered rather than one big assignment as it encourages you to do better and improve once given feedback from the previous module.
I love uni. I’m having the time of my life and I’m so glad I chose CCAD. I went to another institution before that was quite frankly a joke; so when I moved here it was so nice and reassuring to find myself in a professional work environment surrounded by nice people and supportive staff.
I love it it's been a great experience as I live a long way from the uni so It was new for me as I had move away from home. The uni is like a big family and are always willing the help. I have not only learned new skills from doing a textile degree but also life skills and connections that will follow me with what I want to do in the future.
4.0
The Northern school of art is in Hartlepool. The worst place in the united kingdom. It is filled with tweakers and trash on the street. There is 0 nightlife (unless you want to dance with drug fueled middled aged men). The student union is non existent and the relatively no student life. It’s like living on your own as an old sad woman. If the people in uni like you, it can be sufferable. As the uni is so small, it is possible to have a large group of friends and know practically everyone. BUT if someone decides that you have made a mistake, everyone will know (and hate you forever.) The facilities are hidden away and practically inaccessible, making creativity hard to attain. The lectures live by a ‘no hand holding’ way of teaching, which could theoretically work in a different insitition, BUT in a university of this size, we need extra support and guidance and it would be quite nice to have a useful lecture now and again. If i was you, i would save your money - and go to a University where there is a better quality of life and way better support and teaching. Avoid.
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