University for the Creative Arts
Farnham, United Kingdom
- Cost of Living£ 17,352
- Tuition Fee From£ 11,700
- Country Rank#141
- Batch Strength5,119
- Global Diversity12.6%
- Gender Ratio35:63
Overview
About
Located in Farnham, south of England, the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) specialises in art and design. When the Kent Institute of Art and Design merged with the Surrey Institute of Art & Design, which already had degree-granting status, it was created in 2005 as University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone, and Rochester. Both constituent schools were created by joining the local art schools in Kent and Surrey, respectively. In 2008, it received university status, and the current name was adopted. It united with the Open College of the Arts in 2016. UCA Epsom is home to the first Business School for Creative Industries in the UK.
UCA is the second-largest supplier of creative arts education in the UK and provides degrees in a huge variety of architecture, art, design, fashion, media, and performing arts areas. Pre-degree, post-secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels of education all provide courses for students to pick from. The Business School, Canterbury School of Architecture, Crafts & Design, Fashion & Textiles, Film, Media & Performing Arts, Fine Art, Photography and Visual Communication, and Further Education make up the university's seven academic schools. It has five research centres, which are the Center for Digital Scholarship, the Center for Sustainable Design, the Center for Crafts Study, the Center for Fine Art & Photography Research, and the International Textile Research Center.
In addition to having campuses in Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, and Rochester, UCA also maintains educational facilities at The Royal School of Needlework, The Maidstone Studios, and Folkestone Creative Quarter. It once had a campus in Maidstone, but that location was shut down in 2014. Other educational institutions and arts organizations in the UK and abroad that the university collaborates with to conduct courses include Farnham Maltings, Laine Theatre Arts, London School of Design & Marketing, Millennium Performing Arts, Turner Contemporary, and the MIT Institute of Design. The Open College of the Arts joined UCA on November 1st, 2016. This was built upon a near-functional connection made in 2010.
Ranking
The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is a specialised institution dedicated to arts education, boasting multiple campuses across South East England in Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, and Rochester. Renowned for its diverse array of creative programmes, UCA excels in fields such as Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Fine Art, Photography, Animation, Film Production, and Architecture. The university's emphasis on practical learning and strong industry connections prepares students for successful careers in creative industries. Looking at recent rankings, UCA's position has fluctuated. In the Complete University Guide for 2025, UCA ranks 85th among UK universities, showing a slight improvement from its 87th position in 2024. However, this represents a decline from its 74th place in 2023. Similarly, The Guardian's 2024 ranking places UCA at 71st, marking a significant drop from its 49th position in 2023 and 32nd in 2022. Despite these ranking changes, UCA continues to be recognised for its specialised focus on creative arts education.
University For The Creative Arts - The Guardian Ranking 2024
In The Guardian's 2024 ranking, the University for the Creative Arts is positioned 71st among UK universities, a decline from 49th in 2023 and 32nd in 2022.
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
University |
32 |
49 |
71 |
University For The Creative Arts - The Complete University Guide Ranking 2025
In the Complete University Guide ranking for 2025, the University for the Creative Arts is ranked 85th among UK universities, improving slightly from 87th in 2024 but down from 74th in 2023.
Ranked by |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
UK University |
74 |
87 |
85 |
University For The Creative Arts - QS Ranking 2024
Ranked by |
2022 |
2024 |
Art and Design |
151 |
101 |
Learn More About: University For The Creative Arts’s Admission
University For The Creative Arts - The Guardian Ranking 2024
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Architecture |
7 |
15 |
36 |
Business and Management |
8 |
13 |
23 |
Journalism |
5 |
4 |
- |
Media and Film Studies |
48 |
- |
- |
University For The Creative Arts - The Complete University Guide Ranking 2025
Ranked by |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Architecture |
25 |
48 |
42 |
Art and Design |
59 |
64 |
67 |
Business and Management Studies UK |
53 |
54 |
58 |
Communication and Media Studies |
40 |
76 |
- |
Computer Science |
- |
104 |
116 |
Course Rankings
B.A.
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
The Complete University Guide - Art and Design |
63 |
59 |
64 |
B.Arch
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
The Guardian - Architecture |
7 |
15 |
36 |
The Complete University Guide - Architecture |
33 |
25 |
48 |
B.E. / B.Tech
Ranked by |
2024 |
The Complete University Guide - Computer Science |
104 |
Learn More About: University For The Creative Arts’s Courses
B.J.M.C.
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
The Guardian - Media and Film Studies |
48 |
- |
- |
The Guardian - Journalism |
5 |
4 |
- |
The Complete University Guide - Communication and Media Studies |
58 |
40 |
76 |
BBA
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
The Guardian - Business and Management |
8 |
13 |
23 |
The Complete University Guide - Business and Management Studies UK |
85 |
53 |
54 |
M.A.
Ranked by |
2022 |
2024 |
QS - Art and Design |
151 |
101 |
Architecture & Planning
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
The Guardian - Architecture |
7 |
15 |
36 |
The Complete University Guide - Architecture |
33 |
25 |
48 |
Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing )
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
QS - Art and Design |
151 |
- |
101 |
The Complete University Guide - Art and Design |
63 |
59 |
64 |
Business & Management Studies
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
The Guardian - Business and Management |
8 |
13 |
23 |
The Complete University Guide - Business and Management Studies UK |
85 |
53 |
54 |
Mass Communication & Media
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
The Guardian - Media and Film Studies |
48 |
- |
- |
The Guardian - Journalism |
5 |
4 |
- |
The Complete University Guide - Communication and Media Studies |
58 |
40 |
76 |
Science
Ranked by |
2024 |
The Complete University Guide - Computer Science |
104 |
Computer Science
Ranked by |
2024 |
The Complete University Guide - Computer Science |
104 |
Journalism
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
The Guardian - Journalism |
5 |
4 |
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2024
-
-
2023
-
-
2022
-
-
2021
-
-
Facilities
At UCA, they’re committed to assisting students in bringing their imaginative ideas to life; through both skilled instruction and the substantial facilities and resources to which students have full access. At the university, students can learn more about what each of the campuses has to offer, from Rochester's cutting-edge Gerber suites to Farnham's traditional craft workshops. Additionally, students also get a chance to discover details about libraries and other services that will support them while they're a student at UCA. The campuses of UCA are bursting with all the resources a student requires to help them with their work, from modern computer equipment and roomy studios to age-old craft stores and dyeing facilities. There are also stocked art stores and equipment rentals on every campus. Here are some of the University for the Creative Arts facilities -
Libraries
The four campus libraries at UCA offer much more than just book checkout services. They serve as peaceful study spaces away from residences, resource centres for the university’s student support services, and locations to find historical information, rare broadcasts, and literature. Each of the campuses has a library that is fully stocked with everything students could possibly need for both their academic work and everyday university living. Students can conduct research for their studies or for their own personal interests in a variety of methods. Here are the various resources the university has at their libraries -
- Academic Support
- Archives and Special Collections
- Artists' books
- Books Databases
- Dissertations and Theses
- Images Journals
- Moving images
- VADS
- UCARO
Student Services:
At UCA, students will never feel alone. Whether they need aid with moving in, academic support, counselling, or even financial guidance, the student services department is always there to lend a helping hand. Students can find information on upcoming events, connections to the more specialised support services that may be relevant to them, and all of the contact information on the university’s website. During their time at the university, there are several ways that student services may support them, whether it's with their schoolwork or other life difficulties through services such as -
- Counselling
- Report + Support
- Campus buddy scheme
- PAL (Peer Assisted Learning)
- Peer mentoring
- Academic support
- Advice & Finance
- Wellbeing
- Faith and Religion
- Specialist Support Services
Faith Services:
UCA is a fantastic place to study, work, or visit because of the wide diversity of faiths, views, and cultures represented in the student body. Students observe and learn that the university values the contributions that individuals with other faiths, ideologies, and cultural backgrounds make more than just tolerance or even respect. The university is more interested in an individual's character and aspirations than in what they are.
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
Acceptance Rate
The University of the Creative Arts acceptance rate is 77%. This indicates that the university accepts 77 students out of 100 applicants. Students applying here have to present good grades and needed documents to get in.
Entry Requirements
The student body at UCA is multicultural and international. Both the university's application portal and the UCAS portal are available to applicants. Students who are just applying to UCA or to a postgraduate programme must submit an online application directly to the university. For students applying through the UCAS application, they must pay an application fee of GBP 24. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible by students. The deadline for UCAS's equal consideration programme is in January. The following University for the Creative Arts entry requirements will be required at the time of admission -
Application Portal |
UG: UCAS PG: University website |
Acceptance Rate |
77% |
English Language Requirement |
IELTS: 6.0 for undergraduate programmes and 6.5 for postgraduate programmes
Duolingo: Minimum score of 105 for undergraduate programmes and 115 for postgraduate programmes. |
Additional Documents |
|
Fees
At the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, UCA offers more than 120 courses. The university also collaborates on a wide range of academic projects with academic institutions throughout the globe, including the MIT School of Design and the London School of Marketing and Design. The university charges an average annual tuition of £16,950. Here is the University for the Creative Arts fees -
- Animation & Design: £13,740 - £17,500
- Architecture & Real Estate: £16,250 - £17,500
- Law & Legal Studies: £11,700 - £17,500
- Psychology: £17,500
Placements
Within six months of graduation, 96.9% of UCA graduates find employment. Graduates make an average of GBP 18,000 per year. Students can access career services from the university three years after they graduate. Companies including Michael Kors, Pandora, L'Oreal, Urban Outfitters, and Burberry have approached the university about hiring alumni from its business school. The University for Creative Arts Placement, Career and Employability office assists students by scheduling appointments, arranging attendance at lectures, workshops, and events, posting about open positions, etc.
Scholarship
These are the scholarships available for students at the University for the Creative Arts:
Name Of The Scholarship |
Grant |
Sir Ray Tindle Scholarship |
1,000 GBP |
Elfriede Windsor Scholarship |
5,000 GBP |
Nick Jack Scholarship |
5,000 GBP |
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the University For The Creative Arts (UCA) . For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student accommodations in Farnham near University for the Creative Arts that are fully equipped for your needs. Student accommodation near University For The Creative Arts offers a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from an array of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are inexpensive and fully furnished with 24/7 staff support.
Cost of Living
The University for the Creative Arts is located in Surrey. Living in Surrey is fairly cheaper compared to other cities in the UK. Let us see the breakdown of costs in the table below!
Particulars |
Cost (Monthly) |
Off-Campus Accommodation |
£ 800 |
On-Campus Accommodation |
£ 660 |
Transportation |
£ 100 |
Food Cost |
£ 360 |
Entertainment |
£ 36 |
Groceries |
£ 48 |
Clothes |
£ 102 |
Total Cost of Living with Off Campus Accommodation |
£ 1446 |
Total Cost of Living with On Campus Accommodation |
£ 1306 |
Annual Cost of Living |
£ 17352 |