University of East Anglia
A 1960s parkland campus in Norwich that pioneered creative writing and climate science in the UK.
- Students
- 16,240
- International
- 26%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 13.2:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £24,250
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1963
About UEA
The University of East Anglia opened in 1963 as one of the UK's plate glass universities, on a 360-acre parkland campus west of Norwich. Architect Denys Lasdun designed its concrete teaching wall and the stepped Ziggurat residences, and the campus runs down to a lake, the University Broad. UEA now has four faculties and sits within Norwich Research Park, alongside the John Innes Centre, the Quadram Institute, the Earlham Institute and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
UEA pioneered two things in UK higher education: creative writing, through the master's course founded by Malcolm Bradbury and Angus Wilson around 1970, and climate science, through the Climatic Research Unit founded in 1972. Its alumni include Nobel laureates Kazuo Ishiguro and Sir Paul Nurse, and the campus is home to the Sainsbury Centre, an art museum designed by Norman Foster.
UEA suits students who want a self-contained, green campus with a strong community feel and a small, liveable city next door. Typical 2027 offers range from ABB (Environmental Sciences, Economics) to AAA (English Literature with Creative Writing, Medicine), with contextual offers for eligible applicants from England.
Do Different
University motto
Why students choose UEA
English Literature with Creative Writing builds on UEA's creative writing master's, a groundbreaking course when it began around 1970, whose graduates include Kazuo Ishiguro and Ian McEwan.
Environmental Sciences is taught by a school linked to the Climatic Research Unit, one of the world's leading centres for climate change research.
First-year students who make UEA their firm choice and meet their offer conditions are guaranteed a room in University-managed residences, and international-fee students are guaranteed accommodation for their whole degree.
The 360-acre campus has held a Green Flag Award for seven years running and includes the Sainsbury Centre art museum and the Sportspark.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
UEA does not publish an overall offer rate. Medicine is the most competitive course, with 192 UK and 13 international places for 2027 entry (subject to confirmation).
Typical entry requirements
| A-levels | 2027 entry: AAA including English Literature or a related subject (English Literature with Creative Writing), AAA including Biology or Chemistry (Medicine), AAB (Law), ABB (Economics), ABB including a science or related subject (Environmental Sciences); contextual offers typically one or two grades lower, e.g. ABB, BBB or BBC |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | 34 points with HL 6 in English, History, Global Politics or Psychology (English Literature with Creative Writing), 33 (Law), 32 (Economics; Environmental Sciences with HL 5 in a relevant subject) |
| English language | IELTS 6 IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for courses such as English Literature with Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, Law and Economics; Medicine requires IELTS 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each component (or GCSE English Language grade 7). |
Deadlines
- UCAS (Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary) Non-binding Next deadline · In 9 days15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
Medicine MBBS (A100); the UCAT must be taken before applying.
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
Equal consideration deadline for all other courses.
- UCAS last date before Clearing Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027, 18:00 UK time
Applications received by this date are sent to universities if courses still have places; after it, applications go into Clearing.
UCAS dates for 2027 entry. To be prioritised for accommodation (and, for international students, CAS letters), apply for accommodation and pay any deposit by 30 April.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS. Applicants living in England are automatically considered for contextual offers; GCSE and subject requirements still apply. Some courses interview or audition. Medicine applicants must take the UCAT and are ranked by UCAT score for interview; contextual data is not used in Medicine screening.
What admissions looks for
- Grades meeting the typical offer, including required subjects such as English Literature for creative writing or a science for Environmental Sciences.
- GCSE and subject requirements, which remain in place even for contextual offers.
- For Medicine, a strong UCAT score, relevant GCSEs and performance at interview, where the UCAT situational judgement score is included.
- Potential to succeed, which UEA assesses using contextual information for applicants from England.
Tips for applying to UEA
- 1 Applicants from England don't need to apply for a contextual offer: UEA checks eligibility automatically and may reduce the grades asked for.
- 2 For Medicine, sit the UCAT early: UEA has no cut-off score, but it ranks applicants for interview by overall UCAT score.
- 3 Make UEA your firm choice to be covered by the first-year accommodation guarantee, and apply for accommodation (and pay any course deposit) by 30 April for priority allocation.
- 4 Use the UEA scholarships finder to search for scholarships for UK, EU and international students.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
UEA offers bursaries for UK students and scholarships for UK, EU and international students, searchable through its scholarships finder. UEA accommodation includes bills and needs no deposit, and the university estimates living expenses at £1,171 a month.
- £1,171 per month
- Estimated living expenses (UEA estimate)
- 192 UK, 13 international
- Medicine places for 2027 entry
Academics
English Literature with Creative Writing (BA)
AAA or contextual ABB; builds on the creative writing tradition of Malcolm Bradbury and Angus Wilson.
Environmental Sciences (BSc/MSci)
Linked to the Climatic Research Unit; ABB including a relevant science, international fee £29,300 (2027/28).
Medicine (MBBS)
Norwich Medical School, opened in 2002, with teaching linked to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on the research park; AAA and UCAT.
Law (LLB)
AAB or contextual BBB; UEA Law School is based in Earlham Hall, a 17th-century house that was the university's first administrative centre.
Economics (BSc)
ABB or contextual BBC, 32 IB points; international fee £24,250 (2027/28).
Research
- The Climatic Research Unit, founded in 1972, is one of the leading institutions studying natural and human-driven climate change.
- UEA is part of Norwich Research Park, with the John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute, Earlham Institute and the Sainsbury Laboratory.
- UEA-linked scientists include Nobel laureates Sir Paul Nurse and Michael Houghton, co-discoverer of hepatitis C.
- 91% of UEA's research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2021, according to the university.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
UEA says it is in the UK top 25 for employability in 2026 and top 20 for work experience (Rate My Placement 2026), and holds TEF Silver (2023).
Student life
UEA is a classic campus university: over 3,600 student rooms sit on the 360-acre site, with woodland, lakes and nature trails between teaching buildings, and bills included in rent. The Students' Union runs a wide range of clubs and societies, the LCR music venue hosts touring bands, and the student newspaper Concrete covers news and culture. The Sportspark, with an Olympic-sized pool, is one of the UK's most successful community sports facilities, and the Sainsbury Centre art museum is on campus.
- The Ziggurats, Denys Lasdun's stepped 1960s residences, are an architectural landmark.
- The LCR music venue on campus hosts touring bands.
- Concrete, the student newspaper, is produced entirely by students.
- Green Flag Award for the campus for seven consecutive years.
Housing. First-years who make UEA their firm choice and meet their offer conditions by 1 September are guaranteed a room in University-owned or managed residences (not necessarily a single room or preferred type); international-fee students are guaranteed accommodation for their whole undergraduate degree (terms for September 2026 entry).
Location
Norwich is a medieval city in Norfolk, in the east of England, which The Times named the best place to live in the UK in 2026. The campus lies west of the city centre, and the Norfolk Broads National Park and the coast are within reach. UEA estimates student living expenses at about £1,171 a month.
Nearest airport: Norwich Airport (NWI)
Notable alumni
- KI Kazuo IshiguroNovelist, 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature; MA in creative writing
- IM Ian McEwanNovelist, Booker Prize winner; creative writing MA
- SP Sir Paul NurseGeneticist, 2001 Nobel Prize in Medicine; PhD 1973
- MH Michael HoughtonCo-discoverer of hepatitis C, 2020 Nobel Prize in Medicine; BSc 1972
- AE Anne EnrightNovelist, 2007 Booker Prize; MA 1988
- SG Sarah GilbertVaccinologist, co-developer of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
- MS Matt SmithActor; BA 2005
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need for UEA?
Typical 2027 offers range from ABB (Economics, Environmental Sciences) through AAB (Law) to AAA (English Literature with Creative Writing, Medicine). Contextual offers can be one or two grades lower for eligible applicants from England.
Does UEA require the UCAT for Medicine?
Yes. You must sit the UCAT in the year you apply; UEA has no cut-off but ranks applicants for interview by UCAT score. The UCAS deadline is 15 October 2026.
How much does UEA cost for international students?
For 2027/28, course pages list £24,250 for courses such as Law, Economics and English Literature with Creative Writing, and £29,300 for Environmental Sciences.
Is accommodation guaranteed at UEA?
Yes, for first-years who make UEA their firm choice and meet their offer conditions: the guarantee is for a room in University-owned or managed residences. Students with international fee status are guaranteed accommodation for the whole of their undergraduate degree.
Is UEA good for creative writing?
UEA's creative writing master's, set up around 1970 by Malcolm Bradbury and Angus Wilson, was a groundbreaking initiative in the UK, and its writers include Kazuo Ishiguro, Ian McEwan and Anne Enright. Undergraduates can study English Literature with Creative Writing (AAA).
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.
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