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University for the Creative Arts

The University for the Creative Arts is a specialist art and design university in Southern England.

University for the Creative Arts
TypePublic
Established1856; 168 years ago (1856)
2005 (as the University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester)[1]
ChancellorMagdalene Odundo
Vice-ChancellorProfessor Jane Roscoe
Students9,430 (2021–22)
Undergraduates7,685 (2021–22)
Postgraduates1,745 (2021–22)
Other students
1,129 FE (2015–16)[2]
Location
Canterbury, Kent
Epsom and Farnham, Surrey
,
England, UK
AffiliationsGuildHE
Websiteuca.ac.uk

It was formed in 2005 as University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester when the Kent Institute of Art and Design was merged into the Surrey Institute of Art & Design, which already had degree-awarding status;[3] both constituent schools had been formed by merging the local art schools, in Kent and Surrey respectively. It was granted university status in 2008, and the name changed to the present one.[4]

History

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The origin of the University for the Creative Arts lies in the establishment of various small art schools in the English counties of Kent and Surrey in the nineteenth century. In Kent the first of these was Maidstone College of Art, founded in 1867, and in Surrey the Guildford School of Art, founded in 1856. During the second half of the twentieth century many of these small art schools merged, eventually forming Kent Institute of Art & Design in 1987, and Surrey Institute of Art & Design in 1995. These two organisations joined forces in 2005 to become the University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester. In May 2008, the University College for the Creative Arts was granted full university status by the Privy Council, and adopted its current name, the University for the Creative Arts, officially in September 2008.[5] In 2016, it merged with the Open College of the Arts.[4]

Timeline

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  • 1856 – Guildford School of Art is founded as Guildford Working Men's Institution[6]
  • 1866 – Farnham School of Art is founded[7]
  • 1867 – Maidstone College of Art is founded as Maidstone School of Art[8]
  • 1868 – Canterbury College of Art is founded as the Sidney Cooper School of Art[9]
  • 1886 – Medway College of Design is founded as Rochester School of Art[10][11]
  • 1896 – Epsom School of Art & Design is founded as Epsom Technical Institute & School of Art[12]
  • 1969 – Farnham School of Art and Guildford School of Art merge to form West Surrey College of Art & Design[13]
  • 1979 - West Surrey College of Art & Design moves to a single building in Farnham closing Guildford campus [13]
  • 1987 – Canterbury College of Art, Maidstone College of Art and Medway College of Design merge to form Kent Institute of Art & Design[14]
  • 1995 – Epsom School of Art & Design and West Surrey College of Art & Design merge to form Surrey Institute of Art & Design [15]
  • 1999 – Surrey Institute of Art & Design receives University College Title from the Privy Council and is renamed Surrey Institute of Art & Design, University College[16]
  • 2005 – Kent Institute of Art & Design and Surrey Institute of Art & Design, University College merge to form University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone & Rochester [17][18]
  • 2008 – University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone & Rochester receives University Title from the Privy Council and is renamed University for the Creative Arts (UCA) [19]
  • 2012 - Maidstone campus sold to MidKent College with final teaching scheduled for 2014.[20]
  • 2020 – Xiamen University and UCA open The Institute of Creativity and Innovation in China [21]
  • 2023 - Rochester Campus closed[22]

Campuses

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University for the Creative Arts, Epsom campus

UCA has campuses in Canterbury, Epsom and Farnham, plus a teaching base at The Maidstone Studios,[23] and a project and exhibition space in Folkestone Creative Quarter.[24]

It previously had a campus in Maidstone (closed in 2014) and another in Rochester (closed in 2023).[25][26]

The university also validates provision at, or co-delivers courses with, a number of other educational institutions and arts organisations in the UK: Farnham Maltings, London College of Contemporary Arts, London College of Creative Media, London School of Design & Marketing, and London Studio Centre.[27]

UCA works in partnership with several institutions globally, validating courses for: Berlin School Business & Innovation (Germany), Cyprus Academy of Arts (Cyprus), Hong Kong Management Associations (Hong Kong), The Millennium Universal College (Pakistan), and UK Creative Art and Design Centre (South Korea).[27]

In 2019, UCA and Xiamen University partnered to establish the Institute of Creativity and Innovation, with the Institute opening its doors in September 2020.[28]

UCA Canterbury

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UCA Canterbury is home to architecture, interior design, automotive design, industrial and product design, fine art and visual communications courses. Students have on-campus halls of residence in Ian Dury House and off-campus accommodation in the Riverside Student Quarter.[29]

The UCA Doctoral College for creative PhD study is located close to UCA Canterbury at Rochester House.[30]

UCA Epsom

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Creative business, fashion and textiles courses are run from the UCA Epsom campus. Four different accommodation blocks  - Bradford House, Wilberforce Court, Crossways House and Worple Road – are located either next to campus or a ten-minute walk away.[31]

UCA Farnham

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Farnham is the largest of UCA’s campuses. Film, media, visual effects, performing arts, music, fine art, photography, animation, crafts, graphic design, illustration, creative technology, and games courses are taught there. It has two large on-campus halls of residence housing 600 students, called University Walk and Student Village.[32]

In June 2022, UCA Farnham became the headquarters for ISEA International.[33]

Organisation and academic life

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UCA is the third largest provider of design, and creative and performing arts higher education in the UK, with around 5,845 students.[34] It offers courses in a very wide range of architecture, art, crafts, design, fashion, media and performing arts subjects.[35]

Courses are offered at pre-degree further education, undergraduate, taught postgraduate and doctoral levels.[36]

The University is organised into ten academic schools: Business School for the Creative Industries, Canterbury School of Architecture & Design, School of Communications, School of Fashion & Textiles, School of Film, Media & Performing Arts, School of Fine Art, Crafts & Photography, School of Games & Creative Technology, UCA Doctoral College, UCA International College (UCAIC), and Institute of Creativity and Innovation (ICI).[37]

It has eight research centres: Centre for Sustainable Design, Crafts Study Centre, Animation Research Centre, International Textile Research Centre, Audio Research Cluster, Cluster for Cinema/Affect/Place (CCAP), Conflict and the Creative Arts Research Centre, and UCA Innovation Hub.[38]

The UK's first Business School for the Creative Industries is based at UCA Epsom.[39]

Rankings and reputation

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Rankings
National rankings
Complete (2025)[40]85
Guardian (2025)[41]89
Times / Sunday Times (2025)[42]87

Chancellor

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Pro-Chancellors / Chairs of the Board of Governors

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Vice-Chancellors

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  • 2005 – Elaine Thomas[48]
  • 2011 – Simon Ofield-Kerr[49]
  • 2017 – Alan Cooke (Acting)[50]
  • 2017 – Bashir Makhoul[51]
  • 2024 – Professor Jane Roscoe[52]

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

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UCA submitted 115 research outputs to be considered by the expert panel for Art and Design in REF 2021, as well as four impact case studies. REF 2021 ranked 78% of UCA’s research as world-leading (4*) and internationally excellent (3*) for its originality, significance and rigour.[53]

Notable alumni

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Further information: Category:Alumni of the University for the Creative Arts

TV, Film & Entertainment

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Art and Photography

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Fashion and Interior Design

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Writing and Poetry

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  • Nikita Gill, poet, playwright, writer and illustrator
  • Wana Udobang, known as Wana Wana, writer, poet, journalist, filmmaker, and television personality, whose work has appeared on the BBC, Al Jazeera and Huffington Post

Music

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Architecture

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Animation

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Student life

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The Students’ Union at the University of the Creative Arts (UCASU) is open to all students, and has over 20 clubs and societies.[56]

UCASU offers student advice and support, and runs identity communities for those who self-define one or more of the following groups: BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnicities), LGBTQ+, Disabled and Women.[57]

UCASU runs events at Glasshouse on the Farnham campus.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The University's History – UCA: University for the Creative Arts". University for the Creative Arts. 2008. Archived from the original on 18 September 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2008.
  2. ^ "Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2016" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  3. ^ [s.n.] (2007). University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester Archived 20 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. ISBN 9781844828029.
  4. ^ a b University for the Creative Arts Archived 20 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Accessed January 2018.
  5. ^ See David Haste, The Art Schools of Kent (London: Werther Press, 2013)
  6. ^ "Guildford School of Art Archive". Archives.ucreative.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Uni town status to lead to college expansion". Altonherald.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Maidstone College". Socialarchive.iath.virginia.edu. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  9. ^ "Canterbury College – UCA Archives". Ucaarchives.wordpress.com. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  10. ^ "Art Schools – UCA Archives". Ucaarchives.wordpress.com. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  11. ^ "IBEC – INDONESIA BRITAIN EDUCATION CENTRE » Contact Us". Ibec.or.id. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  12. ^ "Epsom and Ewell Technical Institute and School of Art Archive Catalogue". Epsomandwellhistoryexplorer.org.uk. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  13. ^ a b "NSEAD – International Journal of Art & Design Education". Nsead.org. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  14. ^ Wignall, Alice (1 June 2004). "What it's like to work at..." The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 May 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  15. ^ "West Surrey College of Art and Design". Socialarchive.iath.virginia.edu. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  16. ^ "Seven crowned with university college title". Timeshighereducation.com. 26 March 1999. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  17. ^ MacLeod, Donald (10 May 2005). "Art colleges to merge in push for university status". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 May 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  18. ^ "University College for the Creative Arts". The Guardian. 30 April 2008. Archived from the original on 19 May 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  19. ^ "Uni town status to lead to college expansion". Bordonherald.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  20. ^ Cole, Angela (18 November 2012). "End of an artistic era as University for the Creative Arts in Maidstone prepares to pack up brushes for last time". Kent Online. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  21. ^ Arts, University for the Creative. "UCA launches Institute for Creativity + Innovation | University for the Creative Arts". University for the Creative Arts - UCA. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  22. ^ Wightman-Stone, Danielle (1 July 2021). "University for the Creative Arts to close Rochester campus". Fashion United. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  23. ^ "UCA – Top specialist arts uni for student satisfaction". UCA. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  24. ^ "University for the Creative Arts". Creativequarterfolkestone.org.uk. 1 July 2013. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  25. ^ "End of an artistic era as University for the Creative Arts in Maidstone prepares to pack up brushes for last time". Kent Online. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  26. ^ Arts, University for the Creative. "A new chapter for UCA | University for the Creative Arts". University for the Creative Arts - UCA. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  27. ^ a b Arts, University for the Creative. "Partnerships | University for the Creative Arts". University for the Creative Arts - UCA. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  28. ^ "About ICI-INSTITUTE OF CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION XIAMEN UNIVERSITY". ici.xmu.edu.cn. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  29. ^ Arts, University for the Creative. "UCA Canterbury | University for the Creative Arts". University for the Creative Arts - UCA. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  30. ^ Arts, University for the Creative. "Doctoral College | University for the Creative Arts". University for the Creative Arts - UCA. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  31. ^ Arts, University for the Creative. "UCA Epsom | University for the Creative Arts". University for the Creative Arts - UCA. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  32. ^ Arts, University for the Creative. "UCA Farnham | University for the Creative Arts". University for the Creative Arts - UCA. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  33. ^ Arts, University for the Creative. "UCA becomes the new HQ for ISEA International | University for the Creative Arts". University for the Creative Arts - UCA. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  34. ^ "Table 49 - HE student enrolments by HE provider and subject of study 2019/20 to 2021/22 | HESA". www.hesa.ac.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  35. ^ Arts, University for the Creative. "Courses by Subject | University for the Creative Arts". University for the Creative Arts - UCA. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  36. ^ "University for the Creative Arts – Levels of study – UCA". University for the Creative Arts. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  37. ^ "UCA Schools". Schools.ucreative.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  38. ^ Arts, University for the Creative. "Research Centres | University for the Creative Arts". University for the Creative Arts - UCA. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  39. ^ "University for the Creative Arts - Business School - UCA". Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  40. ^ "Complete University Guide 2025". The Complete University Guide. 14 May 2024.
  41. ^ "Guardian University Guide 2025". The Guardian. 7 September 2024.
  42. ^ "Good University Guide 2025". The Times. 20 September 2024.
  43. ^ "BBC NEWS – UK – England – Designer is university chancellor". News.bbc.co.uk. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  44. ^ Amy Fleming (18 April 2018). Top of the pots: the smashing rise of ceramics Archived 18 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine. The Guardian. Accessed September 2018.
  45. ^ "BBC News Online – Grossman heads up uni governors". News.bbc.co.uk. 17 September 2008. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  46. ^ "Rob Taylor, Author at The Financial Services Forum". Thefsforum.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  47. ^ Hollick, Cheryl (4 August 2020). "The University for the Creative Arts appoints Jeremy Sandelson as Chair". Saxton Bampfylde - Global Executive Search & Leadership Consulting. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  48. ^ "UCA vice chancellor Elaine Thomas in Honours list". Bbc.co.uk. 11 June 2011. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  49. ^ "University to keep community links in Kent and Surrey". Bbc.co.uk. 10 October 2011. Archived from the original on 30 November 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  50. ^ "UCA – COOKE Alan". Uca.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  51. ^ "UCA appoints Professor Bashir Makhoul as Vice-Chancellor". Universitybusiness.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  52. ^ Arts, University for the Creative. "Professor Jane Roscoe announced as UCA's new President & Vice-Chancellor | University for the Creative Arts". University for the Creative Arts - UCA. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  53. ^ "University for the Creative Arts : Results and submissions : REF 2021". results2021.ref.ac.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  54. ^ Pagnelli, Joe (16 August 2022). "Photographing himself in a pink bear suit helped this man find 'happy memories' after a break up and now his pictures sell for up to £40k". Yahoo! Life.
  55. ^ Arts, University for the Creative. "UCA celebrates fifty years of animation | University for the Creative Arts". University for the Creative Arts - UCA. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  56. ^ "Clubs & Societies". ucasu.com. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  57. ^ "Identity Communities". ucasu.com. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
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