From September 2027, Norwich University of the Arts offers the world's only current opportunity to study for undergraduate degrees jointly awarded with the Royal College of Art. The Royal College of Art has been ranked the world's number one art and design university in the QS Subject Rankings for 12 consecutive years.
Norwich is the UK's number one specialist creative arts university outside London (Complete University Guide 2027,). It is also the only specialist creative arts university to achieve Triple Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework and holds a five-star QS Stars rating for Teaching.
Norwich believes the future belongs to creative thinkers. Courses range across art and design, fashion, film and music, acting, business, psychology, marketing and computing, all designed to build real-world skills. Through hands-on, project-based learning with no exams, students experience an education that is inspiring, practical and focused on their future.
Career preparation lies at the heart of all courses through award-winning careers advice, live industry briefs, projects with industry partners, networking events, visiting professionals, and accreditation. Students develop a creative mindset, and start their career with the skills employers value most.
Nearly 3,000 students from more than 40 countries make up a close, diverse community. The university's city centre campus is in Norwich—named The Sunday Times Best Place to Live 2026. Safe, friendly and affordable, the city offers independent shops, cafes, galleries, theatres and one of the UK's best live music scenes. It's a place where students are surrounded by people who share their drive to learn, invent and imagine.
Norwich graduates go on to shape creative industries around the world. They include Turner Prize nominee Glenn Brown, Batman comic artist Brian Bolland and Monty Python songwriter Neil Innes, alongside BAFTA winners, Graduate Fashion Week winners and D&AD Pencil recipients.
Read honest reviews from real students at this uni
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4.4The historic Bank Plain building is one of the largest dedicated creative spaces at a UK university. Once a bank, it is being transformed into a centre for student life and ambitious creative work, bringing together the canteen, Students' Union Hub, student support services, a project hall and a commuter kitchen.
Elsewhere on campus, the Virtual Production Studio provides a specialist environment for immersive filmmaking, real-time visualisation and interactive media. Equipped with Sony cameras, LED volumes and industry-standard production tools, it supports every stage of a project, from pre-visualisation to full-scale virtual shoots.
Other facilities include:
4.2Every first-year student is guaranteed a safe, affordable and secure home ready for them at Norwich.
Close to campus and suited to all budgets, students typically live in single, en-suite bedrooms, arranged in shared flats with communal lounge and kitchen facilities. Individual studio flats are also available.
Alternatively, students can rent privately. The accommodation office can advise on various matters, including suitable landlords, shared housing options and budgeting.
The entry requirements for undergraduate courses at Norwich University of the Arts vary, but most require students, at a minimum to have achieved one of the following:
There may be other requirements as part of the application process, including the provision of a development portfolio of prior work, in-person audition, or an optional portfolio review. Students will be advised on this element of the process when they apply for their course.
Students are advised to check the specific entry requirements for their chosen course prior to application. Undergraduate mature students who are not applying directly from A-level (or equivalent) study are encouraged to contact the university to find out more about alternative eligibility requirements.
English language requirements
International students may have to prove their English language proficiency. The English language requirement for most courses at Norwich University of the Arts, is a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0, with no lower than 5.5 in any band, or an equivalent qualification.
Students seeking to make their university experience more affordable may qualify for a scholarship, bursary or financial award. These can be awarded based on either merit-based or means-tested criteria, and there are various options available which prospective students can explore while making an application.
Depending on the specific award, students will need to either prove their financial need or demonstrate how they meet the individual requirements in order to be eligible.
Scholarships and bursaries are in high demand, so not every applicant will be successful, even if they meet the requirements. Students should give the best account of themselves and submit any applications in a timely manner to have the best chance of success.
Scholarships, bursaries, awards, and prizes are usually non-repayable payments that may be made directly to the student or to the university to partially cover tuition or accommodation costs.
The university charges tuition fees annually to students, with different rates for UK and international students. The annual tuition fees for full-time undergraduate students starting in 2026 are:
Costs may vary for some courses.
Practical and project-based
Norwich University of the Arts offers courses across a range of subject areas including art, design and fashion, media, acting, business, psychology and computing. The undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, integrated foundation year courses and sandwich year options are practical and project-based, designed to help students build real-world skills and prepare them for their future career.
A mixture of on-site and online delivery means the approach to learning and teaching reflects the type of interaction that's typical in many industries and helps prepare students for the workplace. Courses include both individual and collaborative projects, and collaboration between students across different subject areas is highly encouraged. The curriculum is carefully structured so that each unit builds the knowledge and skills gained in the previous one.
Experienced staff and expert technicians
Students are taught by knowledgeable and experienced staff who are passionate about their subject areas and committed to helping students succeed. Expert technicians will also guide students through the array of tools, technologies and processes used in industry, helping to refine and advance practical skills.
Visiting professionals and industry trends
Students also gain valuable insight from visiting professionals who share their experience of current industry practice. The diverse programme of guest speakers includes business leaders, film and video game makers, actors, photographers, performers and creatives from London fashion houses and global design agencies, giving students a direct view of the latest trends and opportunities in the creative industries.
Students are encouraged to debate, develop, experiment and reflect on their ideas, recognising that there is no single path to success.
Norwich University of the Arts has been awarded the highest accolade possible in the most recent Teaching Excellence Framework (2023): triple gold. This includes a gold status in the overall rating, student experience, and student outcomes.
As a result, Norwich is the only university that specialises in creative arts and design to have achieved this triple-gold status, and one of just 15% of the 175 institutions in the UK. By being recognised across both the student experience and outcomes, and overall, in this way, the university demonstrates it is committed to giving students an excellent education and a fantastic basis for their future careers.
Norwich is also recognised nationally for the quality of its creative education Norwich is the UK's number one specialist creative arts university outside London. It also holds a prestigious five-star QS Stars rating for Teaching
The university fosters a strong sense of community, where students are known by name and supported by lecturers and staff. Students join a welcoming environment that brings together people from a wide range of ages, backgrounds and experiences, creating a collaborative and inclusive learning community.
Students are encouraged to take part in competitions and explore external opportunities to develop their skills and creativity. Norwich students have achieved significant recognition, including:
Norwich is also recognised internationally for its digital media training. In 2025, The Rookies identified Norwich as a Rookies Certified School, a certification assessed by industry experts that recognises institutions preparing artists for careers in the creative industries.
The University's campus sits at the heart of Norwich. Safe, friendly and affordable, the city combines independent shops and cafes with galleries, museums, theatres, live music and a vibrant food scene. With plenty of green space and something new to discover around every corner, Norwich is an inspiring place to call home.
Run by students for students, there's over 30 clubs and societies to take part in, from football and netball to Dungeons & Dragons and film. It's a great way for students to meet others with similar interests and make the most of their time at uni.
Students can also contribute to Storehouse, the university's official magazine, designed and developed by students for students.
4.0Students automatically become a member of Norwich University of the Arts Students' Union (SU). Independent from the university, the SU works to improve education, run events and make social change. Students will find lots of support staff and elected reps, all dedicated to making their time at the university the very best it can be.
4.2Whatever life throws at students, the university is here to support them. Starting at university can be a daunting experience, but students can be confident that the team will help at every step of the way. This includes general learning support, study and academic support workshops, drop-in sessions, and online resources. Students can reach out to the team for help on a wide range of issues, including finance, wellbeing, accommodation and more.
There's also a dedicated team with experience in providing support for students with disabilities, long-term medical conditions and specific learning differences.
Careers support
Alongside the experience and expertise of academic staff, who bring a wealth of industry experience, students also receive support from the university's dedicated business and employability team, which is on hand to offer specialist careers advice.
Students can participate in Norwich University of the Arts' award-winning PROFILE scheme, where they learn specific employment-based skills valued by employers and gain essential job-hunting skills, such as CV writing and interview techniques. Students can use the platform to track work experience undertaken, alongside experience gained using specific tools and equipment.
3.9Live course projects
The university partners with industry to allow students to work on authentic, real-world projects at a variety of scales, offering valuable experience.
Networking opportunities
The university runs various networking events as well as hosting workshops and panels with industry leaders, so that students can develop not just their practical skills but also their entrepreneurial skillsets too. Students can undertake placements and internships, or take part in projects and competitions that connect them to the real world.
Industry links and accreditation
All of the university's courses benefit from its professional network, industry panels and guest lecturers. Many of the courses offered at the university are recognised by official bodies within their respective industries, including The Independent Games Developers' Association, the Association of Photographers, and more.
Diploma in Creative Professional Development
Several of the undergraduate degrees offered at Norwich University of the Arts have the option of an extra one-year Level 5 Diploma. This offers further opportunities for professional development, including a structured learning programme alongside more work placements.
Alumni
Norwich's alumni network includes a vibrant and creative community, consisting of critically acclaimed talent such as performers, artists, designers and thought leaders. The university's graduates have a reputation for excellent, reinforced by the various industry prizes and notable projects they have achieved. The university's alumni include:
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