7 Best Art Universities in UK

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Many dreams of becoming artists but need to figure out where to start. Read our list of best art schools in the United Kingdom.

Introduction

They say that art is in the eye of the beholder. However, some people have more keen eyes for it than others, as well as a better understanding and appreciation for its value. When it comes to art and design, one person’s masterpiece is another person’s trash can with lipstick on it—or so we’re told by people who hate art. I’m here to tell you otherwise: certain schools in the UK take education seriously when teaching their students how to create meaningful works of beauty and craftsmanship.

 

University of the Arts London

University of the Arts London

University of the Arts London (UAL) is a university in London, England, specializing in art, design, fashion, and the performing arts. It was formed on 1 August 2016 from the merger of the University of the Arts London and the London College of Communication (LCC). The former South Bank campus has now been redeveloped as part of that institution. A report scoping the value of arts, culture, and heritage can be articulated through a capitalization model published today on the Government’s Culture and heritage Capital portal. Dr. Patrycjka Kaszynska, the senior research fellow at UAL, led it. Ual is “the world’s biggest factory for making trouble” (Grayson Perry, chancellor). They are one university made up of six colleges and 19,000+ Students from everywhere, and they are the top two in the world for art and design (QS World University rankings 2022).

Address: 272 High Holborn London WC1V 7EY
Contact: 01732 365555
Website:  https://www.arts.ac.uk/

 

University for the Creative Arts

.University for the Creative Arts

University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is an English university with campuses in Farnham, Canterbury, and Epsom. The university was established in 1896 as the Camberwell School of Art. At UCA, creativity is not just about what they do – it’s also about how they do it. That’s why they’ve built a campus where everyone can thrive. From their award-winning design studios to their state-of-the-art facilities, they provide everything you need to make your ideas happen. And because they know that success comes from collaboration, they encourage students to work together and share knowledge. So whether they’re working on a project with friends, learning new skills through industry placements, or developing their business ideas, they help them achieve their goals. Because if you’re going to create something great, you need to start somewhere.

Contact: +44 (0)1227 817 302
Website:  https://www.uca.ac.uk/

 

Royal College of Art

Royal College of Art

The Royal College of Arts offers a wide range of courses designed to help you develop your skills and knowledge in areas such as graphic design, illustration, photography, fashion, film, animation, digital media, sculpture, painting, printmaking, drawing, writing, performance, music, theatre, dance and much more. So whether you’re interested in furthering your existing studies or starting an entirely new course, they can offer something to suit your needs. You’ll find everything you need to know about their practices and how to apply on their website.

Address: Woo Building Howie Street, London SW11 4AY
Contact: +44 (0)1227 817 302
Website:  https://www.rca.ac.uk/

 

Kingston University

Kingston University

Kingston University is a public research university in Kingston upon Thames, southwest London, with its main campus situated upon the River Thames. It is ranked among the top universities in London and the South East by The Complete University Guide. In 2019 it was ranked 9th in England according to the Complete University Guide (St Andrews and Oxford tied for 1st). It was founded as Kingston Technical Institute in 1899. They are an art college where workshops and studios offer creative freedom and opportunity for students and staff to collaborate and share ideas. Their riverside campus is home to exhibitions, galleries, and events, bringing together an active and creative student body who are vibrant and constantly evolving. All of the courses at Kingston School of Art have practice as their core, whether that is the practical application of making, thinking, and making together or the critical examination of the role of the past. They encourage and enable experimentalism, skill development, and dialogue around the importance of their history, of what it means to be human, and how they can expand their collective creativity by combining innovative ideas and rigorous academic thought.

Address: River House 53–57 High Street Kingston upon Thames
Contact: +44 (0)203 510 0746
Website:  https://www.kingston.ac.uk/

 

Norwich University of the Arts

Norwich University of the Arts

Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) is a public university based on a single site in central Norwich, England. It comprises six schools across multiple disciplines, including art & design; architecture & planning; creative industries; fashion & textiles management[, and journalism & media studies. They also offer extensive art, design, architecture, and film & TV production courses. In addition, their dedicated studios and workshops provide opportunities to learn new skills and develop existing ones. A vibrant and supportive environment where students can grow and thrive.

Address: 3-7 Redwell Street, Norwich NR2 4SN United Kingdom
Contact: +44 (0) 1603 610561
Website:  https://www.nua.ac.uk/

 

University of Southampton

University of Southampton

The University of Southampton is a public research university in Southampton, England. It was founded as University College Southampton in 1823 and merged with the University of Portsmouth in 2012. Join their community of experts, students, and researchers at Southampton. As a leading global institution, their expert academics and a broad range of courses will help you reach your goals. They create new knowledge to find solutions to the most significant challenges facing humankind. Their people inspire and enable each other to apply their knowledge to improve lives. They are committed to excellence in all they do, using their insight and creativity to solve the most complex social and environmental issues. Their impact stems from their combined power of expertise, innovation, and collaboration; their people harness this to impact society. They strive for greater inclusion within their community; diversity is a strength. They work together to inspire others to join them in improving the world around them. Through partnerships, they aim to encourage local and global communities to act and innovate to change the world for good.

Address: University of Southampton University Road Southampton SO17 1BJ
Contact: +44 (0) 1603 610561
Website:  https://www.southampton.ac.uk/

 

 LEEDS ARTS UNIVERSITY

 LEEDS ARTS UNIVERSITY

Leeds Arts University, also known as Leeds College of Art, is one of the largest universities in the UK. It is one of the UK’s top universities for art and design. Their students benefit from a supportive community, a vibrant campus life, and excellent facilities. They also get to study alongside some of the world’s finest artists and designers – including Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Marcus Harvey, Damien Hurst, Danny Sangra, and Omer Kashoura. But they never let themselves rest on their laurels. They continue to innovate and develop new teaching and learning methods to stay ahead of the curve.

Address: LEEDSWEST YORKSHIRELS2 9AQ
Contact: 0113 202 8000
Website:   https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/

 

Conclusion

If you’re looking to study art and design in the UK, then these are the top 7 universities for you. With world-class facilities and a focus on creativity and innovation, these institutions offer an unparalleled experience. From fine art to graphic design, there’s something for everyone!