About University for the Creative Arts
University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is a specialist arts university with campuses in Farnham, Epsom, Canterbury, and Rochester, offering studio-based teaching in design, fashion, film, architecture, and creative business.
Key Information
Student Statistics
- • 6,000 total students
- • 1,500 international students
- • 40 student societies
Location
- • Located in Farnham
- • Public university
- • Established 2005
Subject Rankings
Art and Design (2024)
25Fashion and Textiles (2024)
20Film Production (2024)
28Academics & Faculties
Degrees Offered
Foundation, Bachelor, Master, Pre-Master, PhD
Popular Subjects
Graphic DesignFashion DesignAnimationFilm and TV ProductionArchitecture
Student-Staff Ratio
12 : 1
Faculties & Departments
School of Fine Art, Craft and Photography
Fine Art, Photography, Glass, Ceramics, Jewellery
School of Fashion and Textiles
Fashion Design, Fashion Atelier, Textile Design
School of Film, Media and Performing Arts
Animation and Games, Film and TV, Acting and Performance
Business School for the Creative Industries
Creative Business, Marketing, Luxury Brand Management
Entry Requirements
Undergraduate
Academic: BCC-BBB at A-level or IB 28 points; creative portfolio required for most courses
Alternatives: Foundation Diploma in Art & Design, BTEC Extended Diploma DMM, UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
IELTS: 6
R 5.5 / W 5.5 / L 5.5 / S 5.5
TOEFL iBT: 80
Portfolio submission for all studio-based programmes • Interview may be required for competitive courses
Postgraduate
Minimum Qualification: 2:2 honours degree or equivalent with a strong portfolio; industry experience valued
GPA: 0
IELTS: 6.5
R 5.5 / W 5.5 / L 5.5 / S 5.5
TOEFL iBT: 88
Portfolio review and interview for most studio programmes • Research proposal for MPhil/PhD candidates
Fees & Funding
Tuition (International)
- Undergraduate: £14,000
- Postgraduate: £15,000
- Foundation: £15,500
Living Costs (Annual)
- Accommodation: £5,800
- Food: £2,200
- Transport: £800
- Entertainment: £900
- Other: £800
- Total: £10,500
Scholarships
UCA International Scholarship
MeritValue: £3,000 (Tuition fee reduction)
International fee payer • Strong academic profile • Offer holder accepting by May deadline
Creative Excellence Award
MeritValue: £2,000 (Fee reduction)
Outstanding portfolio • AAB or equivalent grades
UCA Progression Bursary
NeedValue: £1,500 (Cash award)
Progressing from UCA foundation course • Low-income household
Campus & Facilities
Falkner Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7DS
The largest UCA campus set in a conservation area, featuring historic studios, fine art workshops, the James Hockey and Foyer galleries, and landscaped grounds.
Size: 8 acres
Facilities
Creative Workshops
3D printing and laser cutting labs, Textile and dye workshops, Photography darkrooms, Sound recording studios
Student Services
UCA Careers and Employability, Student Wellbeing Centre, International Student Support
Libraries
Farnham Library
Specialist art and design collections, silent study zones and digital editing suites
08:00-22:00 in term
Epsom Library
Fashion archives, materials library and group study spaces
08:00-21:00
Sports Facilities
Campus gym partnerships
Discounted memberships at local fitness centres near each campus
Student Services
Careers and Employability
Portfolio reviews, creative industry contacts and freelance workshops
Student Wellbeing
Counselling, disability support and mental health advisers
Accommodation
En-suite self-catered
Modern en-suite rooms at Farnham and Epsom halls close to studios.
Cost: £150 - £200 (per week)
Wi-Fi • Utilities included • Shared kitchen
Distance: On campus or 5 minutes walk
Contract: 40-44 weeks
Studio/large ensuite
Self-contained studios for upper-year and postgraduate students.
Cost: £185 - £240 (per week)
Private kitchenette • En-suite bathroom
Distance: 5-15 minutes walk depending on campus
Contract: 40-50 weeks
International students can apply for halls after accepting an offer; rooms allocated on a first-come basis with priority for first-years.
Arrival welcome, assistance with UK bank accounts and GP registration, and guidance on private rentals near each campus.
Student Life & Support
Clubs & Sports
Clubs: 40
Teams: 10
Cultural Activities
- UCA Graduate Fashion Week — Annually in June
- Student Art Exhibitions at James Hockey Gallery — Monthly throughout term
- Industry Showcase Events — Termly
International Support
- Visa support: Yes
- Language support: Yes
- Orientation: Yes
- Buddy program: Yes
- Contact: international@uca.ac.uk
Health & Wellbeing
- Medical centre: Yes
- Counselling: Yes
- Disability support: Yes
- Emergency: N/A
Careers & Outcomes
Employability Rank
65
Graduate Outcomes
Employed: 86%
Further study: 7%
Unemployed: 4%
Average Salary
£26,000
per year
Top Employers
BBCSkyAlexander McQueenPentagramFramestore
Career Services
- UCA Careers and Employability: Portfolio reviews, creative industry networking events and freelance workshops
- UCA Alumni Network: Mentoring programmes and exhibition opportunities for graduates
Location & Transportation
Nearest Airport
London Gatwick
45 km • 55 minutes by train from Farnham via Guildford
Public Transport
- Rail: Farnham station connects to London Waterloo (55 mins) and Guildford (15 mins); Canterbury campuses near Canterbury West for London St Pancras • £20-£35 return to London
- Bus: Local services connect campus to town centres at Farnham, Epsom and Rochester • £2-£3 per journey
- Coach: National Express services from Canterbury and Epsom to London Victoria and Heathrow • £8-£20 per journey
Local Area
Campuses in attractive Surrey and Kent market towns offering affordable living, creative communities and easy rail links to London.
Cost of Living: Medium
Attractions: Canterbury Cathedral, Farnham Castle, Rochester Castle and Dickens heritage, Epsom Downs Racecourse
Shopping: Farnham high street independents, Canterbury Whitefriars Centre, Epsom Ashley Centre
Entertainment: Farnham Maltings arts venue, Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, Guildford nightlife
Additional Information
Accreditation
Teaching Excellence Framework Silver, Architects Registration Board (ARB) for architecture, Chartered Society of Designers membership routes
Partnerships
- Industry: Creative Skillset — Film and media courses with industry accreditation and placement links
- Corporate: Samsung Design UK — Live briefs and sponsored student projects
Research Highlights
- Crafts Study Centre — World-class archive of British crafts with maker-in-residence programmes (2024)
- Sustainable Design Research — Exploring circular fashion and eco-materials in textile production (2023)
Notable Alumni
- Tracey Emin — Turner Prize-nominated artist and Royal Academician (1986)
- Karen Millen — Fashion designer and founder of Karen Millen brand (1981)
- Zandra Rhodes — Pioneering British fashion designer (1964)
- Roger Dean — Artist and designer known for Yes album artwork (1968)
Metadata
Source: UCA 2025 prospectus, Graduate Outcomes 2023, Surrey and Kent campus guides
Last Updated: 2025-12-03T00:00:00Z
Verified: Yes
Contact Email: international@uca.ac.uk