University for the Creative Arts brand mark

University for the Creative Arts

Farnham, United Kingdom • Founded 1866

Updated Sep 2026

Overview

English Name: University for the Creative Arts
Acronyms: UCA
Founded: 1866
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Daily life at University for the Creative Arts
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University for the Creative Arts (UCA) operates across four campuses in Surrey and Kent—Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, and Maidstone Television Studios—as a specialist institution dedicated to creative education and research.

Founded in 1866, UCA offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in architecture, animation, business and management, communications and media, creative technology, crafts, fashion and textiles, film and television, fine art, games, graphic design, illustration, interior and spatial design, marketing, music, performing arts, photography, and product design. The university emphasizes top teaching quality and strong connections with creative sector employers.

It maintains an international presence through the Institute for Creative Innovation in Xiamen, China, and welcomes international students.

Location & Contact

University for the Creative Arts's address, phone, email, and social presence. Department-level scholarship enquiries route faster through the specific faculty rather than central admissions.

Address: Falkner Road
Postal Code: GU9 7DS
Other Sites: Canterbury, Epsom, Rochester
Phone: +44 (1252) 722 441
Social Media:

Academic Details

University for the Creative Arts's institutional metrics and recognition context. Recognition reciprocity matters for credential portability — check whether your home country accepts University for the Creative Arts's qualifications.

Academic Year: September to June
Recognition: Privy Council
Total Students: 15,110
Female Students: 7,725
Academic Staff Range: 200-299

Degrees

Also research degrees from the University of the Arts London

Bachelor's 3 programs

Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.

  • Architecture and Planning
  • Fine Arts
  • Performing Arts
Master's 15 programs

Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.

  • Architecture
  • Art Education
  • Ceramic Art
  • Design
  • Fashion Design
  • Fine Arts
  • Glass Art
  • Graphic Design
  • Interior Design
  • Jewellery Art
  • Management
  • Museum Management
  • Photography
  • Textile Design
  • Town Planning

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Privy Council.

Architecture (School) 4 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Architecture
  • Display and Stage Design
  • Interior Design
  • Town Planning

Common Career Paths

  • Architect
  • Urban Planner
  • Interior Designer

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Communication Design (School) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Advertising and Publicity
  • Graphic Design

Common Career Paths

  • Journalist
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Content Strategist

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Crafts and Design (School) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Ceramic Art
  • Glass Art
  • Jewellery Art

Common Career Paths

  • Designer
  • Creative Director
  • UX Researcher

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Fashion (School) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Fashion Design
  • Textile Design
Film and Media (School) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Acting
  • Cinema and Television
  • Computer Graphics
  • Film
  • Journalism
  • Photography

Common Career Paths

  • Media Producer
  • Content Strategist
  • Broadcast Journalist

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Fine Art (School) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Fine Arts
  • Media Studies

Common Career Paths

  • Artist
  • Curator
  • Art Educator

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Programs Offered

Below are University for the Creative Arts's active programmes grouped by degree level, with search. Use the filter to narrow by keyword and the level groupings to compare options at the same qualification tier.

152 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom

Honours Degree 118 programmes

Showing 10 of 118.

Master of Business Administration 1 programme

Master's Degree 30 programmes

Showing 10 of 30.

Scholarships in United Kingdom

the United Kingdom scholarship listings. Diaspora and heritage-based scholarships are open to students with family ties to the United Kingdom and often have less competition than general awards.

Cambridge Trust International Scholarship
Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined · Covers Living
Covers tuition fees at the international rate, an annual maintenance stipend, and support towards the student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge, for postgraduate (and some undergraduate) study at Cambridge; there is no separate application form.
Care Experienced Bursary
University funded · Renewable · 1,000 GBP per year · Living Stipend · Covers Living
A yearly bursary of £1,000 for the full length of your course, to help with the general costs of studying and living while at UCA.
Full Fee Payment Discount
University funded · International students · 1,000 GBP per total · Partial Tuition
A £1,000 reduction in tuition fees for international (non-EU) students who pay their fees in full before their CAS is issued.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gates Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined
Funds full-time or part-time PhD study, the one-year MLitt, or (with some exceptions) other one-year postgraduate courses at the University of Cambridge; fee and stipend amounts are set through the University's own student-funding process rather than published on the eligibility page.
Grenfell Tower Scholarship
University funded · Renewable · Full Tuition
A full tuition fee waiver for the whole length of the course, for Category A survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire.
Partner Scholarship
University funded · 500 GBP per total · Partial Tuition
A £500 bursary deducted automatically from tuition fees for students joining UCA from one of its partner schools or colleges.
Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 20,400 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living, Travel
Covers University of Oxford course and college fees, an annual stipend of £20,400 (£1,700 a month, 2025-26 rate), the Oxford application fee, student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs, two economy flights to and from the UK, and a settling-in allowance.
UCA Continuing Performance Scholarships
University funded · International students · Renewable · 4,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A tuition discount of £4,000 per year for international students who continue to pass or exceed their course requirements each year (£2,000 per year for students who joined before September 2025).
UCA Creative Development Scholarships
University funded · International students · 3,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £3,000 deduction from first-year tuition fees, open to all new international applicants.
UCA Creative Europe Scholarship
University funded · International students · Renewable · Partial Tuition
Reduces tuition fees to the UK home student rate for eligible EU nationals starting at UCA in 2026/27.
UCA International PhD Scholarship
University funded · International students · Renewable · Partial Tuition
A tuition discount for new international PhD students: £5,000 off in year one, and £3,000 off in each of years two and three.
UCA Merit Scholarship
University funded · International students · 4,500 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £4,500 deduction from first-year tuition fees for international applicants who exceed the standard entry requirements for their course.
Undergraduate to Masters Scholarship (International)
University funded · International students · Partial Tuition
A tuition discount for international graduates of UCA, LCCA or LCCM (within 5 years) who apply directly to a UCA postgraduate degree: 50% off tuition with a 2:1 or above, or £3,000 off with a 2:2.
Undergraduate to Masters Scholarship (UK)
University funded · Partial Tuition
A tuition discount for UK final-year students or recent graduates of UCA, LCCA or LCCM who progress onto a UCA postgraduate degree in 2026: 50% off tuition with a 2:1 or above, or £1,500 off with a 2:2.
Undergraduate to PhD Scholarship
University funded · Renewable · 2,500 GBP per total · Partial Tuition
A £2,500 tuition discount spread across all years of a UCA PhD, for graduates who achieved a First in their UCA undergraduate degree.
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 18,622 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living
Covers 100% of course fees and a living-cost grant (at least £18,622 a year through the St Antony's College partnership) for the full period of fee liability, plus participation in a tailored leadership programme.

How to apply to University for the Creative Arts

Below is a five-step path through the application process at University for the Creative Arts, useful for first-time applicants and international students.

  1. 1
    Research programmes at University for the Creative Arts

    Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. University for the Creative Arts offers 152 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.

  2. 2
    Review admissions criteria

    Each programme at University for the Creative Arts has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.

  3. 3
    Gather supporting documents

    Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.

  4. 4
    Lodge your application

    Undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS (ucas.com) rather than directly to University for the Creative Arts. Postgraduate applicants apply directly through University for the Creative Arts's own admissions portal at www.uca.ac.uk.

  5. 5
    Confirm receipt and track progress

    After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +44 (1252) 722 441. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about University for the Creative Arts

Common questions students ask about University for the Creative Arts — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.

How old is University for the Creative Arts?

The institution opened in 1866 (approximately 160 years ago).

Where is University for the Creative Arts located?

University for the Creative Arts is located in Farnham, United Kingdom.

Is University for the Creative Arts a public or private institution?

University for the Creative Arts is a public institution.

What is the student enrolment at University for the Creative Arts?

Student enrolment at University for the Creative Arts is around 15,110.

What degrees does University for the Creative Arts offer?

University for the Creative Arts offers bachelor's and master's programmes.

Is University for the Creative Arts officially recognised?

Yes, University for the Creative Arts is recognised by Privy Council.

How do I find University for the Creative Arts online?

You can find University for the Creative Arts online at www.uca.ac.uk.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom

Top universities in the United Kingdom typically offer the most generous institutional scholarships. University for the Creative Arts's scholarship range relative to these benchmarks reflects funding capacity.

Faculties at nearby universities

These universities are located near University for the Creative Arts, listed below for students comparing options by location.

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