University for the Creative Arts

Overview

UCA (University for the Creative Arts) believes creativity makes global communities more vibrant, innovative and human. For over 160 years, UCA has been a passionate advocate for creative education and research. It is a unique, friendly, and inspiring University with three campuses in the southeast of England.

UCA has a well-established reputation for inspiring creativity to drive change, overcome challenges and improve the lives of others. UCA currently has over 7,000 students from 70 countries. It offers a wide range of course content at the foundation, bachelor's, and master's levels. UCA is also the only business school dedicated to the creative industries. Popular UCA courses include:

• Fashion & Textiles - Fashion Business & Management, Fashion Branding & Communication, Digital Fashion, Fashion Atelier & Tailoring, Textiles

• Film, Media & Performing Arts – Animation, Film Production, Visual Effects, Games Art, Games Design, Composition for Screen, Acting & Performance

• Fine Art & Photography – Fine Art, Ceramics & Glass, Digital Art, Photography, Visual Communications

• Communication – Graphic Design, Illustration, Journalism & Communication, User Experience Design

• Craft & Design – Jewellery & Silversmithing, Ceramic & Glass

• Architecture – Architecture, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Product & Furniture Design, Design for Theatre & Screen, Architectural Technology

• Business School – Advertising, Art, Festivals & Cultural Management, Business & Management, Digital Marketing, Fashion Branding & Communication, Fashion Business Management, Music Business Management, Global Master's in Business & Management, MBA

• Games & Creative Technology – Comic & Concept Art, Games Design, Games Design, Games Development, Web Design & Development, Virtual & Augmented Reality

UCA teaching and learning methods in the UK may differ from those in your country. Courses are 70% practical and aimed at developing your creative skills while improving your business acumen and opportunities for networking and real projects/competitions. UCA will prepare you for a successful career in the creative industry.

Services for International Students

The University for the Creative Arts is committed to helping students achieve the highest level they are capable of. Students will have the opportunity to update and improve academic English skills through attending English Language support classes and tutorials, with staff specialising in the theoretical aspects of the course, which will also help you develop your English Language ability.

If you come from an educational background that is more structured towards direct instruction, you may find the UK learning methods challenging initially. Help and guidance are available to support you with your academic progress, and the University offer students English Language classes, which are tailored to meet the course requirements at each stage of your study at UCA.

Ranking

• 87th in the Times University Guide 2025
• 89th in the Guardian University Guide 2025

UCA was named the highest-placed specialist creative university in all three major UK league tables, and the Business School for the Creative Arts is ranked no.7 in the UK for Business, Management & Marketing (Guardian Guide 2021).

According to REF 2021, UCA is the UK's top specialist art and design university for world-leading research output. Almost a third of UCA’s research outputs are world-leading, and over three-quarters are either world-leading or internationally excellent.

Accommodation

UCA accommodation ranges from on-campus halls of residence to university-managed flats and houses. All accommodation is self-catering, and the majority is in single-study bedrooms. International students are guaranteed a place in UCA-managed accommodation. 

Location

The University of Creative Arts has campuses in Canterbury, Maidstone, and Rochester, located in Kent, about an hour southeast of London, and Epson and Farnham in Surrey, about an hour west of London. Both are within an hour of international airports.