​An Introduction to Art Schools in the UK
​

  • Are you interested in doing a fine art course?
  • Are you trying to decide which art school to apply to?
  • Do you know what your choice is if you want to do an undergraduate degree or postgraduate course in art and/or design?
This site brings together links to various art schools around the UK. It focuses purely on art schools which offer degrees and courses at an undergraduate level and/or postgraduate level.
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If you know an art school which should be included here please leave a comment.

Image: The Ruskin School of Art at 74 High Street, Oxford - named after John Ruskin

​What is an Art School?
​

Art School offers formal education in different aspects of art and design. How that education is offered depends on the type of art school and its basic philosophy of how to teach art.
An educational institution which primarily offers an education in art - specifically the Visual Arts - is called an Art School.
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In the UK , the term Art School typically only applies to institutions with undergraduate, or graduate or postgraduate programs in the visual arts (ie part of tertiary education). They are places which people go after they leave school to do a fine art degree or similar.
​Art Schools can be part of a bigger University or can be stand-alone institutions. Typically they are the former rather than the latter. In London there is a University which covers several different Art Schools based in London.

There are also Art Schools to which only postgraduates can apply - notably the Royal College of Art and the Royal Academy Schools in the UK

What gets taught at an Art School?

Visual Arts covers drawing, painting, sculpture, graphic design, illustration, photography, installation art and commercial art.Art History might be taught as part of a History faculty

All About Art Schools and Colleges
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Including evaluation of education and courses offering art and design
There are also books which evaluate different courses and institutions
The Guardian - University Guide
The Guardian newspaper provides an in-depth guide to universities each year. Below you can find links to the current relevant pages and the relevant league tables.
Other Ranked League Tables
Other Resources
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Image: Glasgow School of Art - designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Founded in 1911, the College Art Association Promotes excellence in scholarship and teaching in the history and criticism of the visual arts and in creativity and technical skill in the teaching and practices of art. And much, much more.
 HEAP 2018: University Degree Course Offers  by Brian Heap
The only independent reference book - written by the "guru" of university choice - listing the target offers and admissions details for degree subjects at all universities and colleges.

It also offers advice and guidance on the application process

REVISED EACH YEAR
Paperback: 680 pages
Publisher: Trotman Education; 48th edition
Publication Date: 15 May 2017

Rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars
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Postgraduate Art Schools - in London - postgraduate courses ONLY

There are two very eminent art schools in London which are for post-graduates students only. They always look good on a CV! In addition Sotheby's offers Masters degree courses validated by the University of Manchester
Bloomsbury
  • Sotheby's Institute of Art - Masters Programs - Based in Bedford Square in London, it offer four Master's Degree programs in Art Business, Contemporary Art, Fine and Decorative Art and Design, and Modern and Contemporary Asian Art.
REFERENCE:
Kensington Gore
  • Royal College of Art (RCA) - The world's only postgraduate art and design school. The RCA offers 28 distinctive postgraduate programmes across the art and design disciplines.  Staff and alumni comprise an internationally renowned community of artists, designers and academics who play a significant role in the shaping of modern culture.
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Royal College of Art in London - on Kensington Road opposite Hyde Park
Piccadilly
  • RA Schools | Royal Academy of Arts - The country's oldest art school. The Royal Academy Schools is an independent establishment that offers the UK's only FREE three-year, full-time postgraduate fine arts course - with bursary support - for 17 students each year.
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Entrance to the Royal Academy Schools by Dave Fergusson [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The Times Good University Guide 2018 by John O'Leary

REVISED EACH YEAR
This definitive guide is designed for those who are applying to start courses in 2018.
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide has been published every year for the last 23 years.

It helps people choosing which university course to apply to by providing accurate and up-to-date information about British universities. It also contains university and subject league tables - which are widely respected and studied in Britain.
Paperback: 576 pages
Publisher: Times Books
Publication date: 9 Feb. 2017

Rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars
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Undergraduate Art Schools in London - plus some postgraduate courses

There are three universities offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses in different aspects of art in London.
The University of the Arts in London (Arts London) is Europe's largest university for art, design, fashion, communication and the performing arts. It's made up of six art schools in London
  • Camberwell College of Arts,
  • Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design,
  • Chelsea College of Art and Design,
  • London College of Communication,
  • London College of Fashion and
  • Wimbledon College of Art
The University of London has a number of independent colleges offering art:
  • The Courtauld Institute of Art
  • Goldsmiths, University of London
  • Slade School of Art (Part of University College, London)

London Metropolitan University also has an art school
  • The Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design
There are also a number of other Art Schools which offer Diplomas and other courses which fall short of a degree.
Many of these art schools also have evening classes or vacation courses for adult learners
CENTRAL LONDON (inside the Circle Line)

AldgateBloomsbury
  • Slade School of Fine Art - The Slade School of Fine Art is an art school with a world leading reputation. It is concerned with contemporary art and the practice, history and theories that inform it. Part of University College, London University based in Bloomsbury.
Chelsea
  • Chelsea College of Art & Design - reputation for excellence in teaching and learning. Part of the University of the Arts London, it's located in central London, opposite Tate Britain. Chelsea offers courses in curating, fine art, graphic design communication, textile design, interior and spatial design.
Kings Cross
  • Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design (CSM) - a world famous college which has developed a reputation for pushing the boundaries of arts, design and performance. Part of the University of the Arts London, the main campus is located in the award-winning Granary Building at the centre of London’s King’s Cross.
The Strand (Somerset House)
  • The Courtauld Institute of Art - the world’s leading centre for the study of the history and conservation of art and architecture. An independent college of the University of London; based at Somerset House and located alongside the Courtauld Gallery, it offers a unique integration of activities, facilities and resources, The Courtauld provides an exceptional environment for research, learning and professional development.
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Chelsea College of Art and Design (North Block)
SOUTH LONDON

Camberwell
  • Camberwell College of Arts - Part of the University of the Arts London, Camberwell specialises in fine art, design and conservation courses. The college is based in south east London.
  New Cross
  • Goldsmith College - Department of Art - A College within the University of London. Based in south east London, it descrobes itself as a close-knit community, a rich academic heritage, a creative powerhouse, a thought-provoking place. The Department of Art specialises in producing, curating and writing on contemporary art practice across a range of media.
Wimbledon
  • Wimbledon College of Art - Part of the University of the Arts London and located in south west London. Wimbledon delivers a range of fine art, theatre and screen courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level. It encourages practical experimentation as a way to learn the skills needed for a successful career in the arts.
A Guide to Uni Life: The one stop guide to what university is REALLY like by Lucy Tobin

This is the REVISED guide to how to:
  • survive life at uni
  • AND have a great time
  • AND get a decent degree.

It's written for all students using the British University system.
The advice comes from students and is for students. It covers:
  • coping with freshers week,
  • paying for university and finding cash to cope with tuition fees
  • practical stuff to do with eating and looking after yourself and your health
  • how to cope with the change in style from school to uni and how to get the work done and cope with exams.

This is Lucy Tobin's first book - about student life - written while she was a student at Oxford University (and first published in 2009). She's now an author or several books and a well regarded reporter!
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Trotman; 1 edition
Publication date: 16 July 2015

Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 111 customer reviews

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Other London Art Schools

There are Art Schools in London which don't offer a full undergraduate or postgraduate programme of courses. However they offer a more specialised course of study and the standard of tuition is still very good

I'm a Visiting Tutor at one of them!
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The Royal Drawing School in Shoreditch
East London - Shoreditch
  • The Royal Drawing School - Founded by the Prince of Wales, the aim of the Royal Drawing School (formerly known as The Prince's Drawing School) is to raise the standard and profile of drawing through teaching and practise. It is one of only a few institutions in the world offering in-depth, quality tuition for those who wish to develop their observation. Located in Shoreditch on the boundary with Hackney in East London - with studios  also at Oxford Street and Trinity Buoy Wharf.

West London - Fulham/Chelsea
  • Heatherley's School of Fine Art - Founded in 1845, The Heatherley School of Fine Art is one of the oldest independent art schools in London, and is among the few art colleges in Britain that focus on portraiture, figurative painting, printmaking, illustration and sculpture. Located in Lots Road, Chelsea.

Art Schools in the South of England

The south of England offers a wide choice of art schools in attractive locations.
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Entrance to the original Falmouth School of Art - now an annexe
SOUTH

Brighton
  • University of Brighton - School of Art - Situated at Grand Parade, right in the centre of Brighton, the School of Art offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in fine art, 3D design and craft, fashion, textiles, graphic design and illustration. 
SOUTH WEST

Bath
  • Bath School of Art and Design - The school has an established, long and successful history as a community recognised for its artistic excellence. Its special location in a world heritage centre enhances opportunities for the school to work in partnership with a wide range of nation
Falmouth
  • Falmouth School of Art - Part of Falmouth University. A college of art, design, media and new media which has been running for over 100 years with a good reputation. Located in Falmouth and committed to studio culture, which encourages both the discipline and supportive peer networks that help sustain successful careers in today's highly competitive creative industries. The Falmouth School of Art includes courses in Illustration, Drawing, Fine Art, Architecture, Contemporary Crafts, and Foundation Diploma in Art & Design.

Art Schools in the Midlands

Birmingham
  • Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD) - one of the largest faculties of art, design and media education in the United Kingdom. BIAD is the Faculty of Arts Design and Media at the Birmingham City University. BIAD is one of Britain’s leading providers of talented professionals to the cultural and creative industries
Leicester
  • De Montfort University (DMU) - Fine Art - located in Leicester, UK. The DMU website contains information about DMU, listings of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, business and community services and details of our research.Doesn't give the appearance of being very art-oriented (i.e. much more difficult to navigate to couse details than other universities)
Oxford
  • The Ruskin School of Art, Oxford University - The Ruskin, as it is known, is the Fine Art Department of the University of Oxford. The school attracts students from all kinds of backgrounds who are seriously interested and engaged in art. It offers a BFA, MFA, DPhil and short courses. It provides an exceptional teaching and research environment that enables cutting-edge contemporary artists, art historians and art theorists to work closely together in a world-leading, research-intensive university.
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74 High Street, Oxford - home of the Ruskin School of Art

Art Schools in the North of England

Art Schools can be found in both Manchester and Liverpool in the North West. There are three centres for art education at a degree level in the North East - in Leeds, Newcastle and Cleveland
WEST OF PENNINES

Manchester
  • Manchester School of Art - Manchester Metropolitan University - It's the second oldest design school in Britain and one of the largest providers of art and design courses in the UK. Originally established to provide design training to the manufacturing industries, the School of Art is a pioneer of art and design education in the UK and celebrates its 180th Anniversary in 2018.
Liverpool
EAST OF PENNINES

Hartlepool
  • Cleveland College of Art and Design | Northern School of Art - The only specialist art and design college in the North East offering further and higher education courses. Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD) has been awarded Gold by the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) in recognition of its outstanding quality of teaching.
Leeds
  • School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies | Leeds University - an internationally recognised leader in research and research-led teaching in the History of Art, Museum Studies, Cultural Studies and Fine Art. Offers a unique combination of programmes centred on the encounter between historical, cultural and theoretical analysis, museum and heritage studies and fine art practice.
Newcastle
  • School of Arts and Cultures - Newcastle University - Fine Art at Newcastle University is ranked first in The Sunday Times 2017 University Guide. Home to some of the best researchers and artists working in the UK and across the globe. Full range of both traditional and emerging studio-based practices

Art Schools in Wales

Three centres for art education in Wales - at Aberystwyth , Cardiff and Wrexham
Aberystwyth
  • Aberystwyth University School of Art - Ranked top 3 in the UK for Fine Arts and  have also achieved 97% overall student satisfaction in National Student Survey.  Degree programmes include Fine Art, Art History and Creative Arts.
Cardiff
  • Cardiff School of Art & Design - home to 1200 students. Courses have been designed to enable you to make choices about how you want your talent to develop. 
Wrexham
  • north wales school of art & design - The School states that it has an international reputation for innovation and excellence which is demonstrated by the number and range of prizes won by the School's students in national and international competitions, including the prestigious D&A
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The School of Art occupies one the finest examples of architecture in Aberystwyth. The Edward Davies Building, a listed building that celebrated its centenary in 2007

Art Schools in Scotland

Centres for higher education in art and design in Scotland include: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee
Aberdeen
  • RGU: Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen, Scotland - .Gray's School of Art provides an important focal point in the creative culture of Aberdeen and Scotland. Gray's is an intimate, collaborative learning community in which you will be tutored by practicing artists, designers and researchers of national and international standing.
Dundee
  • Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design - Scotland’s top school of art and design in the Complete University Guide 2018. Part of Dundee University which was named The Times & Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year in each of the last two years. Duncan of Jordanstone is one of the few art and design institutions in the UK that is part of a world class University, renowned for its pioneering research and creative practice.
Picture
Main Entrance to Duncan of Jordanstone on Perth Road. The Matthew Building is to the left and the Crawford Building is to the right.
Edinburgh
  • Edinburgh College of Art - eca - Located in the Old Town. Has an international reputation as one of the most successful independent art colleges in the UK. This reputation derives from the highest quality of experience for our students and staff
  • Leith School of Art: An Edinburgh Art College - Central Edinburgh Art school offering foundation, full-time and part-time courses. Courses run in the summer and at the weekend or in the evening during term time. It's an independent art school and aims to keep class sizes small, and have good staff/student ratios. Student teaching hours are high, with all studio time being tutored.
Glasgow
  • Glasgow School of Art - The Glasgow School of Art is internationally recognised as one of Britain's foremost higher education institutions for the study and advancement of fine art, design and architecture. GSA ranks in the top 20 in the world, and 5th in the UK for art and design in the 2017 QS World University Rankings of top universities
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Glasgow School of Art - prior to the fire