Best art universities in UK is an intriguing issue for students and parents at home and abroad. The value of art education cannot be overstated, as the creative industries will contribute £126 billion to the UK economy in 2024. The UK has a thriving art culture, and its colleges are well known for producing talented artists. In addition to providing top-notch instruction, the best art universities in UK give students unmatched access to some of the most significant museums and art galleries in the world.
This blog selects and analyzes top 10 best art universities in UK serving as a comprehensive guide with reasons for studying art in best art universities in UK and tips to apply for best art universities in UK, helping you make the best choice of your educational destination and pursue your academic dream.
Top 10 Best Art Universities In UK
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- QS Ranking: 1
- Students: 2,985
- Tuition and Fees: £16,550
- Entry Requirements: Quality of proposal and practice and readiness to undertake a research degree
- Courses Offered: MA in Service Design, MA in Architecture, MA in Animation
- Key Features: Hosts art and design programs, Home to the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design and Innovation.
The Royal College of Art (RCA) is a public research university and royal college of art in London, United Kingdom, with campuses in South Kensington, Battersea and White City. It is the only entirely postgraduate art and design university in the United Kingdom and top ranked art schools in the world. It offers postgraduate degrees in art and design to students from over 60 countries. In 2024, the RCA was placed first in the art and design subject area in the QS World University Rankings for the tenth year in a row, with an overall score of 98.5/100. The RCA offers a Graduate Diploma pre-masters conversion programme, MA, MRes, MPhil and PhD degrees in twenty-eight subject areas, divided into four schools: architecture, arts & humanities, communication, and design. In addition to formal qualifications the RCA also offers Summer school and Executive education courses throughout the year.
The Royal College of Art and its predecessor schools have numerous notable alumni. Among those who studied in the RCA predecessor bodies in the nineteenth century were Sir George Clausen, Christopher Dresser and Sir Luke Fildes.
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- QS Ranking: 2
- Students: 23,625
- Tuition and Fees: £9,250
- Entry Requirements: At least 1 year’s study at an overseas higher education university, minimum 3.0 GPA, English proficiency test
- Courses Offered: BA Culture, Criticism and Curation, BA Technical Arts for Theatre and Performance, MA in AnimationKey
- Features: The teaching staff includes professional artists, practitioners, designers, critics, and theorists who are experts in their fields.
The University of the Arts London is a public collegiate university in London, England, United Kingdom. It specializes in arts, design, fashion, and the performing arts and is a university of the arts London UK. The university is a federation of six arts colleges: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, the London College of Communication, the London College of Fashion and the Wimbledon College of Arts. The university hosts one of the largest international student bodies out of all universities in the United Kingdom. Chelsea College of Arts and the London College of Fashion share the “Creative Learning in Practice Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning”. The centre is funded by the British government in recognition of the two colleges’ results in developing student learning. The University of the Arts London Students’ Union offers various services to students, including running student-led sports clubs and societies. They also operate arts-based opportunities to students, represent students through six elected Sabbatical Officers, and offer independent advice to members.
Top 3. The Ruskin School of Art (Oxford University)
- Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
- QS Ranking: 97
- Students: 5,645
- Tuition and Fees: £9,250
- Entry Requirements: Three grade As at A-level or equivalent
- Courses Offered: The Ruskin MFA degree, The Ruskin BFA degree
- Key Features: Collaborates with Oxford’s Department of the History of Art, School of Anatomy, Department of Engineering Science, Institute of Archaeology, Ashmolean Museum, Pitt Rivers Museum, and Modern Art Oxford providing students with diverse opportunities for exhibitions, performances, and screenings.
The Ruskin School of Art is the Department of Fine Art at the University of Oxford, England. It is part of Oxford’s Humanities Division. It is one of art colleges in London England and most prestigious art schools in the world. The School was originally founded to encourage artisanship and technical skills. It now provides undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in the production and study of visual art. The subject is taught as a living element of contemporary culture with a broad range of historical and theoretical references. The Ruskin remains at the top of the league tables among art schools in the UK, and was top of its category in the 2024 REF exercise.
- Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
- QS Ranking: 49
- Students: 51,810
- Tuition and Fees: £9,250
- Entry Requirements: Grade 4 or higher in English language and Mathematics, a portfolio of work
- Courses Offered: BA Fine Art , BFA Fine Art
- Key Features: Slade School of Art specialises in Fine Art with two undergraduate programs – the BFA (three-year) and BA (four-year) courses.UCL’s curriculum adapts to contemporary art demands, fostering critical and conceptual skills for success.
University College London is a public research university in London, England. It is a member institution of the federal University of London, and is the second-largest university in the United Kingdom by total enrolment and the largest by postgraduate enrolment. It is one of art schools in Europe and art schools in London. UCL was the first university institution to be established in London, and the first in England to be entirely secular and to admit students regardless of their religion. UCL has many notable alumni, including the founder of Mauritius, the first Prime Minister of Japan, one of the co-discoverers of the structure of DNA, and the members of Coldplay. UCL is ranked as one of the top ten universities in all three of the main UK university league tables. These place more emphasis on teaching and student experience than global rankings, using criteria such as teaching quality and learning resources, entry standards, employment prospects, research quality and dropout rates.
- Location: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
- QS Ranking: 11
- Students: 2,605
- Tuition and Fees: £9,250
- Entry Requirements: Completed online application form, digital portfolio, statement of intent, evidence of academic qualifications, academic references, English proficiency test, & copy of passport
- Courses Offered: Painting/Printmaking, Photography
- Key Features: Largest art and design research community in Scotland with a high academic reputation.GSA has over 75 academic partnerships globally, facilitating staff and student exchanges.
The Glasgow School of Art is a higher education art school based in Glasgow, Scotland, offering undergraduate degrees, post-graduate awards and PhDs in architecture, fine art, and design. It is one of top art colleges and art schools in England. The GSA has been ranked in the top 10 of specialist educational institutions in The Guardian University Guide, ranking it the top specialist visual arts institution in the UK. The Glasgow School of Art is host to a number of high-profile research projects, funded primarily through the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and the Economic and Social Research Council, although other UK research councils have funded projects in the past. The Glasgow School of Art Students’ Association (GSASA) was formed in 1908 and was officially recognized by the GSA in 1948. At the start of each academic year, all students have the option of joining the Students’ Association during enrolment.
Top 6. Goldsmiths, University of London
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- QS Ranking: 18
- Students: 9,350
- Tuition and Fees: £9,250
- Entry Requirements: Completion of three A-levels, international baccalaureate, or equivalent qualification, portfolio of work, IELTS score of 6.5, & English proficiency
- Courses Offered: BA Fine Art, BA Fine Art & History of Art
- Key Features: Access to studio space and industry-standard workshops with the latest laser cutting and 3D modeling technology.
Goldsmiths, University of London, legally the Goldsmiths’ College, is a constituent research university of the University of London. It is one of top art schools in the world and art schools in London UK. It was originally founded in 1891 as The Goldsmiths’ Technical and Recreative Institute by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in New Cross, London. It was renamed Goldsmiths’ College after being acquired by the University of London in 1904, and specializes in the arts, design, computing, humanities and social sciences. The main building on campus, known as the Richard Hoggart Building, was originally opened in 1844 and is the site of the former Royal Naval School.
According to uhomes.com, Goldsmiths ranks 12th in Communication and Media Studies, 15th in Art & Design and is ranked in the top 50 in the areas of Anthropology, Sociology and the Performing Arts. Goldsmiths Research Online is a repository of research publications and other research outputs conducted by academics at Goldsmiths. The repository also holds Goldsmiths’ collection of doctoral theses.
- Location: Newcastle, United Kingdom
- QS Ranking: 151
- Students: 27,850
- Tuition and Fees: £9,250
- Entry Requirements: Qualifications of A/AS levels, international baccalaureate, or Cambridge Pre-U & English language requirements
- Courses Offered: Contemporary and Popular Music, Media and Culture
- Key Features: Visiting Artists Programme enhances learning with superb guest artists.Institute for Creative Arts Practice supports creative practice and interdisciplinary collaboration across the university.
Newcastle University is a public research university based in Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England. It is a royal college of art and one of top ranked art schools in the world. It has overseas campuses in Singapore and Malaysia. The university is a red brick university and a member of the Russell Group, an association of research-intensive UK universities. The university subdivides into three faculties: the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; the Faculty of Medical Sciences; and the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering. The university offers around 175 full-time undergraduate degree programmes in a wide range of subject areas spanning arts, sciences, engineering and medicine, together with approximately 340 postgraduate taught and research programmes across a range of disciplines. The university describes itself as a civic university, with a role to play in society by bringing its research to bear on issues faced by communities. The university is a member of the Russell Group of the UK’s research-intensive universities. It is ranked in the top 200 of most world rankings, and in the top 40 of most UK rankings.
- Location: Loughborough, United Kingdom
- QS Ranking: 27
- Students: 19,435
- Tuition and Fees: £9,250
- Entry Requirements: Qualifications of A/AS levels, international baccalaureate, or Cambridge Pre-U & English language requirements
- Courses Offered: Drama BA (Hons) degree
- Key Features: All Creative Arts undergraduates can include a work placement or study abroad year, which helps explore career paths, network, and broaden cultural horizons. Recent placements include Mondelez, The Walt Disney Company, H&M, Suzie Turner, The MTC, and Debenhams.
Loughborough University is a public research university in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It is a royal college of art and one of top ranked art schools in the world. The university has 20 academic departments and over 100 research groups, institutes and centres currently divided between nine schools. Previously the departments and research institutes had been split between three faculties: Science, Engineering and Social Science & Humanities. Loughborough was named University of the Year 2024 in The Times and Sunday Times University Good University Guide. Loughborough is one of only four universities, along with Bath, Oxford and St Andrews, to have won the title twice.
- Location: Lancaster, United Kingdom
- QS Ranking: 51
- Students: 18,165
- Tuition and Fees: £9,250
- Entry Requirements: A Level ABB, IELTS 6.5 overall, portfolio of work, international baccalaureate, & BTEC Distinction
- Courses Offered: MA, Arts Management, MA, Film Studies
- Key Features: Lancaster excels in fine art, offering students a chance to merge Fine Art Practice with Art History/Theory at a high level.
Lancaster University is a public research university in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. Lancaster is a residential collegiate university; the colleges are weakly autonomous. It is a royal college of art and one of top ranked art schools in the world. The eight undergraduate colleges are named after places in the historic county of Lancashire, and each has its own campus residence blocks, common rooms, administrative staff and bars. Lancaster is a member of the N8 Group of research universities, which also includes the universities of Durham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York. The university is divided into four faculties. Each faculty is led by a Dean, and each academic department by a Head of department. Lancaster University has a vast selection of arts societies across campus in the areas of performance, media and music.
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
- QS Ranking: 27
- Students: 3,365
- Tuition and Fees: £9,250
- Entry Requirements: SQA Highers, A Levels ABB, portfolio of work, & English proficiency
- Courses Offered: Fine Art – MA (Hons), Intermedia – BA (Hons), Painting – BA (Hons), Sculpture – BA (Hons)
- Key Features: Provides faculties in Animation studios, digital film editing suites, fashion workshops, foundry, and casting rooms, jewellery and silversmithing workshops, painting studios, printmaking suites, performance costume workshops, sculpture court.
Edinburgh College of Art is one of eleven schools in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Edinburgh. It is a royal college of art and one of top ranked art schools in the world. Tracing its history back to 1760, it provides higher education in art and design, architecture, history of art, and music disciplines for over three thousand students and is at the forefront of research and research – led teaching in the creative arts, humanities, and creative technologies. ECA comprises five subject areas: School of Art, Reid School of Music, School of Design, School of History of Art, and Edinburgh School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture. ECA is mainly located in the Old Town of Edinburgh, overlooking the Grassmarket; the Lauriston Place campus is located in the University of Edinburgh’s Central Area Campus, not far from George Square.
Reasons For Studying in Best Art Universities in UK
- World-class Institutions
Not only does the UK have some of the best and most internationally renowned creative schools in the world, but each one has unique courses that help you grow and develop as an artist. Both traditional universities and creatively focused institutions exist and offer a variety of courses and specialisms.
- Profound Cultural Connotation
From London to Liverpool, the United Kingdom is full of cities with thriving art and culture sectors. Students can rest assured that wherever they choose to study, this country offers a vast array of museums, galleries, and theatres to fully immerse them in the art you feel passionate about. Furthermore, the UK is known for its world-famous festivals that not only celebrate music, but art, theatre, comedy, and more.
- Wide Creative Career Opportunities
The UK has been a hotspot for creative excellence for centuries, from the Beatles to Banksy to Vivienne Westwood. This paved a pathway for the world’s best creative industries for creative professionals in art, theatre, television, and advertising. Art and design courses in the UK allow you to follow a similar path, experiencing many of the things about the UK that made these great minds so successful.
- Art in Culture
Art is an integral part of British culture, from your traditional paintings to cutting edge design in a variety of mediums. UK is a nation that celebrates artistic expression and prides itself on supporting the arts and ensuring there is enough funding for both the general public and children of all ages to learn about and create art.
- Access to Art
The UK is host to thousands of art galleries, displaying exhibits of both iconic and newer pieces.
- Flourishing Passion
Inspiration and passion are two things that are very important to artists. You’ll be able to find artistic expression anywhere and everywhere if you choose to study art in the UK.
Tips To Apply For Best Art Universities in UK
- Make An Application
Once you’ve found your ideal college course, you can apply to the relevant institution by submitting an online application, which typically includes a personal statement.
- Attend An Interview
The college may then invite you to interview so you can meet your prospective tutors and discuss your career plans.
- Take Some Skill Tests
You may be asked to take a number of short online tests to gauge your current abilities in core subjects such as English, maths and possibly information and communications technology.
- Receive An Offer
If your application is successful and the college believes it’s the right course for you, you’ll receive a conditional offer along with further information on how to enrol.
Ranking Of Best Art Universities In UK
- Top 1. Royal College of Art (RCA)
- Top 2. University of the Arts London (UAL)
- Top 3. The Ruskin School of Art (Oxford University)
- Top 4. University College London
- Top 5. Glasgow School of Art
- Top 6. Goldsmiths, University of London
- Top 7. Newcastle University
- Top 8. Loughborough University
- Top 9. Lancaster University
- Top 10. Edinburgh College of Art
Conclusion
Top 10 best art universities in UK are selected and analyzed in this comprehensive blog with reasons for studying art in best art universities in UK and tips to apply for best art universities in UK, helping you make the best choice of your educational destination and pursue your academic dream.
After you have been admitted in best art universities in UK, accommodation is the first and foremost thing. uhomes.com is a platform providing affordable, reliable and comfortable student accommodation in UK.
FAQ
Some of the hardest and best art schools in UK, due to their prestige and competitive admission processes, include Royal College of Art, Glasgow School of Art, and Edinburgh College of Art.
Yes, having an art career can be rewarding, but it depends on personal passion, dedication, and adaptability. Art careers offer creative freedom and the opportunity to work in diverse fields such as fine arts, design, animation, and digital media.
A typical Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in the UK lasts three years for full-time students. For postgraduate study, a Master of Arts (MA) typically takes one to two years depending on whether it is pursued full-time or part-time.
Digital art, animation, and graphic design are highly in demand, especially with the rise of digital marketing and entertainment. Additionally, fields like UX/UI design, game design, and illustration are growing rapidly.
Focus on showcasing a variety of skills, including drawing, painting, digital work, and 3D modeling (if relevant). Your portfolio should demonstrate creativity, technical ability, and a clear personal style. Art schools in UK often look for progression and experimentation, so include process sketches and works in progress.
Here are the top 8 courses in the UK for arts students that will help you to excel in your career in the United Kingdom.
- English Literature.
- Fine Arts.
- Business Studies.
- Performing Arts.
- Creative Writing.
- History of Art.
- Media Studies.
- Fashion Design.
London is one of the most popular destinations in the world for studying art and design. It is a leader in creativity, innovation, and research, which is why thousands of international students choose to study here every year.
