Students seeking a fully creative university experience should look no further than the University for the Creative Arts.
With picturesque campuses across the south east of England, UCA provides access to state-of-the-art creative facilities, inspiring local surroundings and the freedom for students to express themselves creatively amongst like-minded peers.
New students join a vibrant community of artists, crafters and visionary thinkers, studying in an environment that encourages creative innovation. No matter how big or bold ideas may be, at UCA students will be guided to transform sparks of creativity into meaningful projects, while forging a pathway to a rewarding creative career along the way.
Students will discover a wide range of specialist creative subjects within the Arts, Business and Technology sectors. Whether looking to begin their creative journey with a pre-degree or undergraduate course or hone their skills at postgraduate level, students can find the course for them at UCA.
Reviews:
“I’m doing the BA Fashion in the Epsom campus- it’s a sweet and calm lil town and I love that! I love the course and genuinely feel like I’m really learning. no really bad aspects that I can think of!”
“I felt encouragement, patience, and enthusiasm.”
“Very good university with tutors that push you to make your best work.”
University for the Creative Arts offers over 100 creative degree courses.
Their vibrant campuses in Canterbury, Epsom, and Farnham are each home to a different set of specialist subjects. And thanks to partnerships with Maidstone Television Studios and the Institute of Creativity and Innovation in Xiamen, China, there are even more focused creative routes available to choose from.
Courses will a large practical component, with teaching delivered through hands-on workshops, thought-provoking seminars and lectures, and supportive tutorials. Depending on students’ chosen course, they could be assessed through independent project work, practical research, digital assignments, presentations or industry-style briefs.
Many courses encourage students to complete work experience within their chosen creative industry, as well as offering a chance to study abroad for a year. With all of this available, as well as the ability to work collaboratively on projects with other creative courses, UCA has everything to help students prepare for life after their qualification.
Students at UCA benefit from the knowledge and experience of their tutors, who help them to realise their ideas in a rigorous and encouraging environment. UCA’s academics come from all walks of life with a huge variety of experience in the creative sector. This will give students the confidence that they’ll not only learn more about their chosen creative subject when they leave, but also be ready to take on the world.
Reviews:
“The curriculum is excellent.”
“I started my course online then moved to in person and found that the quality of teaching is the exact same. we have plenty of actual class learning time and so much communication with the tutors. it feels like one big happy family”
“Tutors are really engaged and respectful.”
Interested? Order a prospectus to find out more about the uni and the courses on offer.
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Entry requirements differ depending on the course and study mode that students are applying for. Prospective students can find the specific entry requirements for their chosen course on the university website, or they can contact the UCA Admissions Team to ask any questions they may have.
For certain courses, students may be required to attend an interview or audition or demonstrate experience in a relevant field. Some courses may also require submission of a portfolio or body of work for consideration. Full details are provided on each course’s page on the university website, so that students know what to expect when they apply.
International students may be asked to provide evidence of a basic level of English-language proficiency before the start of the course, as all courses at UCA are taught and assessed in English.
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 who apply before the January UCAS deadline are guaranteed placement by the university in either halls of residence or private accommodation, so that they can focus on preparing for their life at university without the worry of securing an accommodation contract
Second and third-year students can find accommodation from the local private rental sector. The university’s dedicated accommodation office is always on-hand to give advice around finding accommodation in the local area, help identifying reputable landlords, and guidance on how to handle any problems that may arise.
UCA’s campuses have dedicated creative and technical facilities tailored to each of their specialist subject areas. Students are not just restricted to those of the discipline they study - students at UCA can use all the creative workshops on campus to support their studies with help on-hand from a friendly team of technicians.
From animation suites to kilns and looms, TV production studios to virtual reality labs, laser cutting and 3D printers, students have everything they need for academic and creative success.
The university is continually updating its infrastructure and resources to ensure students have access to industry-standard creative environments, furnished with the latest equipment and technologies. Students will learn using the same equipment that they would likely use in the professional world, ensuring that they graduate fully prepared to launch their career.
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 684 REVIEWS WRITE A REVIEWLL LIS LILY Reviewed 24 Aug 23 Fashion Design BA (Hons) I had a rlly good experience with all of my tutors on the course. They are very supportive, esp the year one lead. However, uca’s ridiculously slow in replying emails, management and arrangements, eg, for general requests, grades updates are an absolute chaos. :) some short-sighted classmates are... READ FULL REVIEW
SR Student Reviewer Reviewed 28 Jun 23 Illustration (with Professional Practice Year) BA (Hons) The Uni is OK, not enough facilities in the 'studios' - more like classrooms - not all of them have a sink. There were 4 Macs to share in one studio between 59 students! And no Macs in other 'studios'. The location is good, near town and there is an art shop in... READ FULL REVIEW
The dedicated support staff within UCA’s Student Services department ensure that every student has someone to go to in times of need. This team is there to help, advise and guide students through numerous aspects of the university experience, and can refer individuals to specialist support services where required.
There are student support teams at all campuses, who offer services including free and confidential counselling, academic guidance, accommodation advice, financial services, disability support, and health and wellbeing support.
Students are actively encouraged to contact the support services as they require them and can either visit in person or get in touch via email or phone, if that is more comfortable. The services teams are there to allow students to remove unwanted distractions and help them focus on their primary goal of achieving a quality education.
Reviews:
“Good staff support.”
Find out more about the student support offered on the university’s website.
VISIT WEBSITEUCA is a specialist creative arts university that gives students the freedom to develop their own personal style, instead of limiting their imagination within conventional metrics of success. This freedom to create is built upon a firm foundation of knowledge and experience, shared by the university’s inspirational teaching staff who inform and guide each individual student’s creative journey.
Students benefit from having access to the best tools, equipment, and resources to build their craft, and develop a rich portfolio of work which will take them further into their professional development.
Collaboration between students is encouraged, and the university acts as a melting pot for students with many different stories to tell, from all over with world, and from all areas of the creative spectrum.
The UCA Students’ Union (UCASU) is an organisation run by elected student members. The union works hard to represent the university community, as well as co-ordinating a timetable of events and activities throughout the academic year. With a lively social calendar and an on-site venue, UCA students can look forward to freshers’ events, workshop activities, quiz nights, social meetups, and much more.
The Students’ Union team are a friendly and approachable first point of contact for any student who needs advice, guidance, or someone to talk with about a range of topics, from academic issues to personal support, accommodation advice, leadership opportunities, and even funding for creative projects. Alongside this, the SU is responsible for the running and administration of the clubs and societies open to students.
Social and recreational life is a large part of the university experience, and UCA has an active community of clubs, societies and communities which bring plenty of opportunities for new and returning students to try something new.
Students can learn a new skill, meet with others who share cultural or other interests, or develop an existing hobby, all while socialising with like-minded individuals and building friendships which often last a lifetime.
There is a wide range of sports clubs and special interest societies to choose from. The university offers everything from rugby to photography, football to life drawing, anime to creative writing. Students who cannot find an existing club to join that suits them, or have a particular passion not covered by the current clubs offered, are also able to start a new society with support from UCASU.
Each of the three campuses are situated within easy reach of local amenities – so no matter where students ultimately study, they will enjoy a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.
UCA Canterbury
Canterbury is a bustling historic student city, with many local exhibitions and creative spaces as part of Kent’s vibrant international art scene. Students can enjoy established community links, with venues such as the Turner Contemporary Gallery nearby.
UCA Epsom
Popular with professionals, students, and families alike, Epsom is a welcoming and sociable town, located at the edge of the Surrey Hills. Only a stone’s throw from London, it's the perfect place to live and study.
UCA Farnham
Farnham is a 5-minute stroll from campus, and students can easily discover what this beautiful town has to offer. It’s a pretty Georgian market town with quaint cobbled streets, a variety of independent shops and a rich arts scene, nestled in the beautiful Surrey countryside.
Reviews:
“Overall a nice quiet town to live in. Loads of nice people.”
“Very close to the uni, don't have to travel far, like 4 minutes.”
See the campus and city for yourself in person by booking an open day place.
BOOK OPEN DAYThe UK’s creative industries are growing faster than the UK economy as a whole, employing over 1.9 million people. There is an abundance of careers available for well-trained and hard-working creatives, and UCA ensures that its graduates are fully prepared for life after university.
Students develop a comprehensive knowledge base in their subject area and a versatile hands-on education that ensures they have the transferable skills to succeed in any working environment. Course content is designed in collaboration with leading experts, and the university also offers options for study and work abroad. This helps to build experience and broaden horizons, as well as enhancing a student’s CV and job application credentials.
Whether a current student or UCA graduate, the university has a dedicated careers teams that can provide advice and guidance into starting a fulfilling career in the creative industries.
Reviews:
“Perfect work placement and quality.”
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 programme of scholarships and bursaries to ensure the financial stability of all students, and to give motivated and hardworking students an opportunity to subsidise the cost of study. Undergraduate students may be eligible for one of the many scholarships on offer and are encouraged to check online for full details.
These bursaries are awarded for a variety of criteria, including levelling the playing field for students applying from a poorer financial background, and those that reward and encourage gifted students to apply. Students are encouraged to consider their application carefully as there is often competition for awards.
Tuition fees for students applying to UCA will vary depending on their country of residence and whether they are applying for a full-time or part-time course.
As an illustrative example, UK undergraduate students will pay £9,250 per academic year in tuition fees, while international students will pay £15,540. These fees are accurate for 2022/23 but may rise in future.
To help students afford their university education, those from the UK and EU can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the costs. This loan only becomes repayable once the student has reached a minimum salary level when they are employed in future, with repayments calculated as a percentage of the money earned above that threshold.
Support services are on hand at the university to help students who have concerns about budgeting or other financial matters.
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.
