University of the Arts London
Six London art, design, fashion and media colleges, Central Saint Martins among them, where your portfolio decides.
- Students
- 20,785
- International
- 59%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 11.4:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £30,890
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1986
About UAL
University of the Arts London brings together six colleges whose histories, the university says, go back to 1842: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. They were grouped as the London Institute in 1986, gained degree-awarding powers in 1993 and took the UAL name in 2004. The university has almost 23,000 students from 130 countries, and THE's 2026 data puts the international share at about 59%.
Each college keeps its own identity and campus across London, from Central Saint Martins in the converted Granary Building at King's Cross to London College of Communication at Elephant and Castle. Courses span fine art, fashion, graphic and communication design, illustration, animation, games, film, photography, journalism and performance, and UAL says it is ranked second in the world for Art and Design.
Admission is driven by creative work rather than grades alone. Many BA courses ask for a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design or equivalent, and practice-based courses assess a digital portfolio requested after you apply. It suits applicants who already make work and want to develop it inside London's creative industries.
Primus inter artifices
“First among artists” — university motto
Why students choose UAL
Central Saint Martins' BA Fashion Design, with Womenswear, Menswear, Knit, Print and Communication pathways, trained designers including Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and Stella McCartney.
UAL says it is ranked second in the world for Art and Design (QS World University Rankings by Subject).
Six colleges across London let you choose a campus and teaching culture, from King's Cross to Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon.
Home undergraduates who receive maximum government maintenance funding get a £1,500 UAL Bursary automatically, with no competitive element.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
UAL does not publish an overall offer rate on the pages reviewed. Selection on practice-based courses is decided largely by portfolio: for Central Saint Martins BA Fashion Design and BA Fine Art, A-levels and the IB are accepted only alongside a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design or equivalent, and CSM says a very high proportion of successful BA Graphic Communication Design applicants have completed a Foundation Diploma.
Typical entry requirements
| Foundation Diploma in Art and Design | A pass is the standard route for many BA courses, e.g. CSM BA Fashion Design and BA Fine Art (Level 3 or 4, or EU/international equivalent), plus portfolio assessment |
|---|---|
| A-levels | Varies by course: LCC BA Animation asks for 96 UCAS tariff points (A-levels at grade C or above); CSM BA Graphic Communication Design accepts two A-levels at C or above; CSM Fashion Design and Fine Art accept A-levels only together with a Foundation Diploma |
| BTEC / UAL Extended Diploma | MPP in a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Pass in the UAL Extended Diploma for many CSM courses; MMM (BTEC) or Merit (UAL) for LCC BA Animation |
| IB Diploma | 24 points for courses such as LCC BA Animation and CSM BA Graphic Communication Design; CSM Fashion Design and Fine Art accept the IB only with a Foundation Diploma |
| GCSEs | Three GCSE passes at grade 4 (C) or above |
| English language | IELTS 6 Undergraduate courses such as CSM BA Fashion Design: IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; see UAL's main English language requirements page for other tests. |
Deadlines
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal consideration deadline for 2027 entry. UAL's own apply page was still showing the 2026-entry date (14 January 2026) when checked; some courses accept applications after the deadline.
- UCAS last date before Clearing Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027, 18:00 UK time
Applications received after this are entered into Clearing, which opens on 2 July 2027; places depend on availability.
The 13 January 2027 and 30 June 2027 dates are the UCAS deadlines for 2027 entry; UAL's course pages say applications for 2027/28 open in autumn 2026. UAL has no courses with a 15 October deadline. Portfolio requests follow after the UCAS application.
How to apply
All applicants apply through UCAS (UAL's institution code is U65) with a personal statement (three questions, 4,000 characters) and a reference. For practice-based courses UAL then requests a digital portfolio by email, uploaded to its PebblePad portfolio tool, and some courses set a written or video task.
What admissions looks for
- The ability to work imaginatively and creatively, experiment, and take informed risks (CSM BA Fashion Design selection criteria).
- A range of skills and technical abilities shown through a portfolio that follows design development from research to finished solutions.
- Research skills, critical reflection and awareness of the cultural context of your work.
- Commitment and motivation: developing your own ideas, collaborating and showing initiative.
Tips for applying to UAL
- 1 Build your portfolio from 3 to 5 projects, in landscape pages with short annotations, and start and end with your strongest work.
- 2 For CSM fashion and fine art, plan on a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design: A-levels or the IB alone are not accepted for those BAs.
- 3 Check whether your application will be flagged under UAL's Contextual Admissions process, which asks academics to consider your circumstances when assessing your work.
- 4 UK applicants visiting an open event can check eligibility for the UAL Travel Bursary, which covers mainland train or air travel.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in GBP
Full-time Home undergraduates who receive the maximum government maintenance funding (from SFE, SAAS, SFNI or SFW) get a £1,500 UAL Bursary, assessed automatically (SAAS students send their funding letter) and paid in December, with no competitive element (2026/27 terms). UAL also offers scholarships searchable by fee status, subject and college, including awards open to international undergraduates, and a hardship fund.
- £1,500, paid in December to eligible students receiving maximum government funding (2026/27)
- UAL Bursary (Home undergraduates)
- £4,000 to secure a place
- International tuition deposit
- £1,955 (2026/27)
- Sandwich (placement) year fee, Home students
Academics
BA Fashion Design (Central Saint Martins)
Five pathways (Womenswear, Menswear, Knit, Print, Communication); entry via Foundation Diploma plus portfolio.
BA Fine Art (Central Saint Martins)
Four studio pathways (2D, 3D, 4D, XD) in the Granary Building at King's Cross, with exhibition partners such as the British Library and Tate.
BA Graphic Communication Design (Central Saint Martins, W215)
Portfolio-assessed; a very high proportion of successful applicants have completed a Foundation Diploma.
BA Animation (London College of Communication)
Takes applicants straight from A-levels (96 UCAS points) as well as from a Foundation Diploma; new students join LCC's new building in Elephant & Castle.
BA Fashion Design Technology (London College of Fashion)
Womenswear and Menswear pathways at UAL's specialist fashion college.
Research
- UAL runs specialist research centres and institutes, including the Decolonising Arts Institute.
- Four UAL students were selected for the British Council Venice Biennale Fellowship 2026 at the 61st International Art Exhibition.
- Central Saint Martins moved to a purpose-built complex around the Granary Building at King's Cross in 2011.
Schools & faculties
- Camberwell College of Arts
- Central Saint Martins
- Chelsea College of Arts
- London College of Communication
- London College of Fashion
- Wimbledon College of Arts
Student life
UAL is not a single campus: students belong to one of six colleges spread across London and share university-wide services such as halls, careers support and scholarships. UAL halls include Archwood House and Gardens House in Camberwell, Emily Bowes Court near Tottenham Hale and the Glassyard Building in Stockwell, each chosen for links to particular colleges. Priority for halls goes to students who have disclosed a disability or health condition and those under 18. The Careers service runs UAL Arts Temps and support for selling work, freelancing and starting a business.
- Six colleges, each with its own campus, culture and degree shows.
- UAL Arts Temps and freelance and business support through UAL Careers.
- Students from 130 countries.
- Halls in Camberwell, Stockwell and North London, with priority for under-18s and students with disabilities or health conditions.
Housing. UAL offers places in its halls of residence (booking needs an 8-digit student ID and a £500 deposit); it prioritises students under 18 and those who have disclosed a disability or health condition, rather than guaranteeing all first-years a room.
Location
UAL's colleges are spread across London, from King's Cross and Elephant and Castle to Chelsea, Camberwell and Wimbledon, so where you live and study depends on your college. Central Saint Martins is in the Granary Building at King's Cross, near the British Library and the Wellcome Collection, while London College of Communication is building a new home in Elephant & Castle. London is expensive: UAL's Dean of Students estimates average living costs of £19,750 a year, before tuition.
Notable alumni
- AM Alexander McQueenFashion designer; MA in fashion at Central Saint Martins
- JG John GallianoFashion designer; first-class degree in Fashion Design from Central Saint Martins (1984)
- SM Stella McCartneyFashion designer; studied fashion design at Central Saint Martins, graduating in 1995
- JC Jarvis CockerPulp frontman; studied Fine Art and Film at Saint Martin's School of Art, graduating in 1991
- CO Chris OfiliTurner Prize-winning painter (1998); studied at Chelsea School of Art 1988-1991
- SM Steve McQueenArtist and Oscar-winning film director; studied Art and Design at Chelsea College of Arts
- PB Pierce BrosnanActor; began training in commercial illustration at Saint Martin's School of Art (no degree) and then trained for three years at Drama Centre London (both now part of Central Saint Martins)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a portfolio to get into UAL?
Most practice-based courses ask for a digital portfolio, which UAL requests by email after you apply through UCAS. It should include work from 3 to 5 projects.
Can I get into Central Saint Martins with A-levels?
For BA Fashion Design and BA Fine Art, A-levels and the IB are accepted only together with a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design or equivalent; some other UAL courses, such as LCC BA Animation, accept A-levels directly.
How much does UAL cost for international students?
£30,890 a year for international undergraduates starting in 2026/27, with a £4,000 deposit to secure a place; 2027/28 fees had not been published. UAL estimates London living costs at £19,750 a year.
What is the UAL application deadline for 2027 entry?
Apply through UCAS by 13 January 2027 for equal consideration; applications for 2027/28 open in autumn 2026 and some courses accept later applications.
What IELTS score does UAL require?
IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each skill for undergraduate courses such as CSM BA Fashion Design.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to UAL in the QS World University Rankings 2027.