The University for the Creative Arts serves as a dynamic hub for artistic higher education, providing students with the essential facilities and technology to stimulate their creativity. With craft workshops, film production studios, and a dedicated art space, UCA is a reservoir of resources for students to explore their ideas. It's a realm where opportunities flourish, innovation blossoms, and connections with like-minded individuals thrive. Alumni have successfully collaborated with industry giants such as Netflix and Zizzi, created household name animations, and initiated entrepreneurial ventures that redefine the creative landscape. Whether through winning awards or by simply being the birthplace of a beloved Netflix show, UCA stands as a remarkable hub for students to become the artists, performers, writers, filmmakers, and designers of the future.
With picturesque campuses across the southeast of England, UCA provides access to state-of-the-art facilities, inspiring local surroundings, and the freedom for students to express themselves through developing their craft and artistic identity amongst like-minded peers.
The university offers a specialised platform of higher education courses within subject areas of Arts, Business and Technology. Students have a variety of course types to choose from, including pre-degree or undergraduate programmes, with options to continue their creative journey in greater depth at postgraduate level. UCA is the ideal place for students to hone their skills and find their artistic voice in a connected and interdisciplinary learning environment.
UCA is a university purposely built for the creative arts, business and technology. Its courses offer a variety of creative skills, with subjects ranging from animation and architecture to games technology and fashion design. The university also offers several different levels of courses, including pre-degree courses, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.
Many courses encourage and support work experience within specific creative industries and even offer the chance for students to study abroad for a year, gaining international experience and the opportunity to build a truly global network of creative contacts. With all of this at their fingertips, and the ability to work collaboratively on projects with other courses, the University for the Creative Arts has everything to help its students prepare for life after graduation.
The university uses the UCAS points system for entry and the majority of courses require a portfolio. Although grades are important, the university also values individual creativity, which is why a portfolio is an integral part of the application package.
Interested? Order a prospectus to find out more about the uni and the courses on offer.
GET PROSPECTUSUCA offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree options spanning a wide range of creative subject areas. Entry requirements differ depending on the course and study mode that is being applied to, and prospective applicants are encouraged to find detailed information on specific course pages on the university website.
Applications can be made online through the UCAS website. As a specialist university offering creative courses, UCA typically asks for extra content or portfolio work in addition to A-level results to assess the suitability of each student for their chosen course. Certain courses may require the attendance of an interview where candidates present a portfolio or perform an audition. For advice on what to include in a portfolio, prospective students can visit the university’s portfolio advice page.
International students may be asked to provide evidence of a basic level of English language proficiency before the start of the course. These typically include assessment systems like IELTS or TOEFL, and detailed information is available online.
UCAS TARIFF CALCULATORSend a message directly to the uni to learn more about their entry requirements.
ASK A QUESTIONHalls of residence accommodation options are offered to first year students at UCA’s campuses in Canterbury, Epsom, and Farnham. Housing consists of shared apartments with a communal living and kitchen area.
All first-year students can find accommodation from the local private rental sector. The university’s dedicated accommodation office is always on-hand to help identifying reputable landlords and offer guidance on how to handle any problems that may arise.
UCA has four campuses located across Surrey and Kent.
UCA Farnham is packed with all the specialist facilities needed to make incredible things, from ceramics and metalwork to films and animation.
The Epsom campus is close to the centre of town, and is home to UCA’s fashion degrees as well as the Business School for the Creative Industries – the first of its kind in the UK.
UCA Canterbury campus is located on the edge of this historical city and host courses within architecture, spatial design, fine art and visual communications.
Maidstone TV Studios is the UK’s largest independent TV studio facility. In this professional environment students have the chance to work on high-profile TV shows and network with leading industry professionals.
Find out more about the accommodations and facilities in person at the uni.
BOOK OPEN DAYWhat's it like to study at this institution? Current students and alumni share their opinion...
VIEW 205 REVIEWS WRITE A REVIEWSR Student Reviewer Reviewed 24 Aug 24 Animation BA (Hons) This place has utterly failed to support me in my studies. The studios and facilities are fantastic - they dont teach you how to use them.... READ FULL REVIEW
N noname Reviewed 31 May 24 Fashion Image & Styling BA (Hons) UCA has good facilities, and the smallness of the uni does bring students together and makes student life feel a little less overwhelming; however, the teaching standards are not up to what they should be. Lectures and classes will occasionally be well planned and... READ FULL REVIEW
Students are never alone at UCA – whether they need help settling in, assistance with their studies, counselling, or even advice on managing finances, the university’s student services department is here to provide year-round support and guidance. UCA is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment, where students are able to pursue their creative goals while having the resources and opportunities to develop themselves personally.
Services offered at the university include:
UCA has a network of specialist teams based at each of its campuses to help, advise and guide students through numerous aspects of the university experience, and can also refer students to specialist services where required. Additionally, the university’s alumni community can be reached by current students to provide advice, and professional connections.
Find out more about the student support offered on the university’s website.
VISIT WEBSITEUCA is a purpose-built university specialising in subjects within the creative arts, business, and technology sectors. Its courses offer a variety of creative skills, with subjects ranging from animation and architecture to games technology and fashion design.
The university has been recently recognised for the quality of its teaching in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), where it received a Silver rating for the quality of its teaching for both student experience and student outcomes.
UCA was especially commended for its commitment to staff professional development and academic practice, and TEF identified aspects of the university’s teaching, assessment and feedback, course content and delivery, and student engagement as being of particularly high calibre.
Many UCA courses encourage and support work experience within each student’s chosen creative industry and even offer the chance for them to study abroad for a year. With all of this at their fingertips, and the ability to work collaboratively on projects with other courses, UCA has everything to help its creative community of students prepare for life after competing their qualification.
At each campus there’s a branch of the UCA Student’s Union, a student-run organisation that represents the voice of its membership, campaigns for student issues, and organises the annual fresher’s week as well as a unique calendar of social events throughout the year.
University is where students meet like-minded people who become friends for life, and UCA’s many clubs and societies are a great place for new students to find them. The students union host a number of identity communities, clubs, and societies – from K-Pop dance to film societies, life drawing and cheerleading – so there’s truly something for everyone.
Each of the university’s four campuses are in towns and cities with their own unique charms. Whether it’s the bustling city of Canterbury close to the Kent coast, homely craft town of Farnham nestled in the natural Surrey Hills, or the market town of Epsom where London’s just a short train ride away, there’s options for all personalities.
See the campus and city for yourself in person by booking an open day place.
BOOK OPEN DAYStudents at UCA benefit from working alongside practising artists and industry leaders, giving them access to a wealth of personal knowledge, experience, and professional mentorship. Additionally, the university’s careers advisors are able to provide individual support and attention to help every student set out on a career that is just right for their goals and aspirations. University advisors will share their in-depth knowledge and experience of the professional creative sectors, that UCA graduates enter after completing their course.
They’ll show students how to build their professional profile, make the most of industry contacts, and are there to provide ongoing support when graduates take that leap into industry.
The university is continually updating its courses and resources to ensure students have access to industry-standard creative environments, furnished with the latest equipment and technologies. Students will learn to use equipment that will be relevant later in their career, ensuring that each graduate is fully prepared to launch a career after leaving university.
UCA believes that access to higher education should remain as accessible as possible to students from all walks of life, and from any economic background.
The university offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to help students maintain financial stability throughout their studies. Current and incoming undergraduate students may be eligible for one of these scholarship offers, and are encouraged to visit the university website for further details.
Tuition fees will vary depending on a few factors, including country of residence and whether the chosen course is full-time or part-time.
As an illustrative example, UK undergraduate students will pay £9,250 per academic year, while international students will pay £15,540. These fees are accurate for 2025/26 but may rise in the future.
To help afford university education, UK and EU students can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the costs. This loan only becomes repayable once graduate reach a minimum salary level when employed in the future, with repayments calculated automatically as a percentage of money earned above the threshold. Full information is available online.
Send a message directly to the uni to learn more about their scholarships and bursaries.
ASK A QUESTION
You'll be shocked by the number of clubs and societies on offer at University for the Creative Arts. There's something for everyone! As well as being able to pick different clubs and societies, most courses let you choose modules at different points through your degree.
As well as personalising your course through optional modules, you may have the chance to do a work placement during your studies. Developing your professional skills through work placements is a great way to add to your CV and boost your employability.
If you want a job you love (and who doesn't?), getting a job in a field you're passionate about is a great place to start. By studying a subject you really enjoy, you'll be qualified for a range of jobs relating to that subject, which you'll hopefully love.
For those who aren't ready to give up on education after an undergraduate degree, you'll have the opportunity to progress to postgraduate study such as a master's or even a PhD.
University for the Creative Arts's accommodation is designed to be as straightforward and stress-free as possible. All your bills are included in your rent, you'll have free WiFi and your rent also includes security and maintenance.
You'll have access to communal areas like kitchen and dining facilities, where you can socialise with other students you're living with. Disabled students will find several rooms adapted in accessible halls to suit a range of access requirements.
