The best art colleges in UK: rankings

If you love art and are willing to do whatever it takes to be the best in the world, then these art schools in the UK are the best choice for you.

There is no doubt that the UK is a world leader in art and design studies. The top 2 countries are the best art and design schools in the world, the country where 3 of the top 10 museums in the world are located and the city where the 857 Art Gallery is located.

Average cost of art schools in the UK

There are many things that determine the cost of attending one of these schools. If you are a UK resident, you will pay much less than an EU student or an international student.

In addition, the degree you want to obtain, whether it is a Bachelor's or a Master's degree, is important. Therefore, the average cost of undergraduate study at these art schools in the UK is .

UK residents £9,490
International students £24,060
Consider that the average cost of studying for a Masters degree at these schools is.
UK £13,265
Residents for international students £31,790

Requirements for UK art schools

Each of these art schools in the UK has its own specific entry requirements, but it is listed the standard minimum entry requirements that you will see at all of them. The following are the requirements to obtain a Bachelor's degree.

Complete and submit an application for a Bachelor's degree.
A non-refundable registration fee may be required
Official transcript of the Diploma of Higher Education
Submit a portfolio

If you are a foreign student and English is not your first language, you must submit the results of your English proficiency test in the form of IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo.

Show your latest creative work, whether it is a painting, drawing, photography, sculpture or video (quality is very important here).

If you wish to gain a Masters degree from one of these art schools in the UK, you will need to.

Submit official transcripts from your Bachelor's and other Masters degrees offered by accredited universities.
A representation of your portfolio and you should show your work, whether in the form of images, videos or letters.
Letter of Intent

If you are a foreign student, you will need to provide the results of an English proficiency test if English is not your first language.

Top UK Art Colleges

King's College London, London

King's College London is a public research university and is the fourth oldest university in the UK. It was founded in 1829 by King George IV and Arthur *Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington. The University is part of the elite Russell Group of Universities in the UK and is sponsored by Queen Elizabeth II.

84% of research at King's College London is recognised as 'advanced' or 'international standard' (Research Excellence Framework).

Graduates and teachers have contributed to the discovery of DNA, hepatitis C and the structure of the Higgs boson; pioneered in vitro fertilisation, stem cell cloning and the modern hospice movement; worked on radar, radio, television and hand-held devices.

12 Nobel Prize winners, heads of state, governments and intergovernmental organisations; 19 members of the House of Commons and 17 members of the House of Lords; three Oscar, three Grammy and one Emmy Award winners have been at King's College

KCL graduates include authors Arthur C Clarke, John Keats, Somerset Maugham, Virginia Woolf, Thomas Hardy and the bass guitarist of the band Queen John Deacon.

Manchester School of Art

Located half a mile from the city centre, Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) is an innovative collaboration between Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and the University of Manchester (Uom), uniting two schools of architecture with over 100 years of educational experience to create one of the largest architecture schools in the UK.

The MSA is consistently ranked as one of the best architecture schools in the UK and offers a range of professionally accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. During this time, the MSA has earned a reputation for the diversity, vitality and quality of its students' work and achievements. This is reflected not only in the assessments by professional bodies, the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), but also in the number and variety of external awards won.

The expert, research-active staff provide a rich and stimulating environment at MSA. Many of them are or have been architects and have strong links with the architectural community in Manchester and beyond.

The study of architecture at the MSA is inherently interdisciplinary and broadly conceived, covering areas as diverse as urban design, urban development, ecology and landscape design, and the conservation and management of the historic environment. This research is primarily undertaken within the recently established Manchester Architecture Research Centre (MARC). The centre draws on the broad interdisciplinary research and teaching interests of the School of Environment, Education and Development, the School of Humanities at the University of Manchester and the Manchester School of Art at Manchester Metropolitan University. The opportunities for collaborative architectural research between the two universities are unparalleled, and the involvement of strong architectural researchers strengthens research bids across a range of disciplines.

Their postgraduate research and graduate programmes draw from their research activities and their encourage you to be actively involved in the research culture of the School.

Manchester is a dynamic environment in which to study architecture. The city is a showcase for its recently regenerated and historic environment, much of which has been designed with the involvement of their graduates. The MSA links academic and professional practice in the city and region with a strong international network, providing excellent opportunities for collaboration.

Plymouth College of Art

Founded in 1856, Plymouth College of Art is an art school run by artists and designers for artists and designers.

They are a vibrant, interdisciplinary home for makers and thinkers for whom creating is as important as reading and writing, and for whom the purpose of learning is inseparable from the purpose of living. A place where things are made to happen. To make a difference.

They believe that quality life education in contemporary art practice is a creative catalyst for personal, professional and cultural transformation.

Social justice, through community impact and social mobility, and creative learning, through pedagogical innovation, are part of the DNA and at the heart of everything they do.

They provide a platform, a crucible, a space where people come together to explore new horizons and push the boundaries of creative practice.

Together they imagine, experiment, think, learn, create things and make things happen. Whatever you want to do, wherever you want to go, the journey starts here and never stops.

Their working environment is widely regarded as one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems of materials, techniques, processes, practices, art forms and ideas you will find in the form of an art college.

While others are narrowing the scope and ecology of the learning environment, they have invested heavily in the digital and analogue dimensions - because they believe that learning spaces offer or withdraw the possibility of learning.

They are committed to making a difference in everything they do.

In response to the continuing push to marginalise the creative arts in mainstream education in the UK, they set up the Plymouth College of Creative Arts and built the Red House in an inner-city area of severe social and economic deprivation. Together they have built a progressive continuum of creative learning and practice that extends from the early years to Masters level postgraduate study, research and professional practice.

In 2016, Plymouth College of Art was ranked in the top 15 higher education institutions nationally for having the highest level of female membership in its governing body.

In 2016/17, Plymouth College of Art had the highest proportion of full-time entrants aged under 21 who entered higher education for the first time from communities with low participation rates in higher education.

In 2017, they were awarded the Social Enterprise Gold Medal in recognition of the systemic commitment to community engagement and creating positive social change. In 2018, they were ranked fifth among UK higher education institutions for class equality and access to higher education.

This year, in partnership with the Millfields Trust, they set up Makers HQ, a fashion manufacturing business, as a Community Interest Company (Cic) to drive community regeneration, increase retention of highly skilled graduates and reinvigorate fashion manufacturing in the South West.

Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts

The Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts (CSVPA) opened in Cambridge in 1985. The school's second campus operates in London. CSVPA offers programmes for international students at different levels: Foundation and Pre-Masters, BA and MA, and Academic English programmes. Students can study painting, photography, 3D modelling, fashion history and all areas of design, from graphics and animation to fashion design.

The school is valued for its individual approach to each student, as there are only around 300 people studying here. Students study in small groups, which enables them to receive adequate support from teachers and curators and to consult with them individually at all times, which helps to reveal and realise creative potential.

After completing the CSVPA programme, students continue their education at the UK and world-leading universities including the Royal Academy of Music, Royal Northern College of Music, RADA, LAMDA, LIPA, Bristol Old Vic. Graduates work at Burberry, Christian Dior, Adidas, Nike, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Centurion, ASOS, Starbucks and other world famous brands.

The School's programmes are approved and accredited by prestigious educational institutions such as University of the Arts London, Falmouth University and Trinity College. The school also works with the prestigious international publisher Hearst Magazines, which publishes magazines such as ELLE, Harper's Bazaar, Esquire and Cosmopolitan.

Graduates of the school have become leading designers for internationally renowned brands, creating unique creative ideas and becoming winners of prestigious competitions and awards in the arts. Among them.

Scott Walker is an artist, graphic designer and illustrator who has won various awards in the field of art and has designed for Amazon, Chevrolet, Nike and Starbucks.
Laura Harvey - fashion designer (Boden, Burberry, Joules).
Reo Ma - stylist and fashion designer, creator and owner of his own label "Reo Ma".
Jessica Pryterch - artist, fashion designer, develops designs for Hello Kitty, New Look, Paper Doll, ASOS.
Ruyuki Yamaga is a designer who initially worked for Broadcast, Personal Point and Crazy before creating the design concept for RiBo fashion and clothing company.
Fei Huang is an artist and designer who has won the Fashion Week Fashion Photography Award.

Royal College Of Art

The Royal College Of Art, which graduated with a Masters degree only, is located close to London's main attractions, Royal Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. The multi-storey brown building is built in a constructivist style with beautiful views from the windows, of which there are incredibly many. Thus, the lecture theatre on the top floor overlooks the magnificent monument to Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria.

The Royal Academy of Arts began relatively recently: the official opening took place in 1967. "The main objective of this educational institution is to provide students with a high level of education, transferring knowledge that will enable them to become true professionals in the field of fine art. All this is achieved through continuous education , conducting scientific research and mutual cooperation with business and industry," says the statutes of the Academy, adopted in the same year.

The prerequisites for the emergence of an art university to educate future critics, artists, designers and historians of fashion emerged in the mid-nineteenth century. In 1837, the Government College of Design was founded, which later became the National College of Art. In 1896 it became known as the Royal College of Art and it was only after 130 years of operation that it gained the status of an independent university, setting its own educational standards. This year is therefore considered to be the birthday of the Royal College of Art in London.

The main difference between the Royal College of Art and other universities in the field is the absence of a bachelor's degree. In this part of the world, graduates of the University of the Arts receive the highest Master of Fine Arts degree. Most of the students at the Royal College of Art are people who have finally decided to choose their future career and know what they want.

The educational institution is structurally divided into several schools, each of which organises courses on the development of creative and critical thinking, and conducts research. The faculties are divided into the School of Design; the School of Architecture; the School of Communication; the School of Fine Arts; the School of Humanities and the School of Materials. The latter includes the School of Fashion, which was led for over 13 years by Wendy Dagworthy, former Dean of St Martin's and one of the founders of London Fashion Week.

The University's education is based on the implementation of individual creative projects and participation in various industrial competitions. These activities can play a key role in the students' career process: companies invite the best jobs. One of the main events held at the Royal Academy is the presentation of the projects of all the students who are working on them. Albums with sketches and sketches, lots of clothes, fabrics and other materials - all this can be seen here. The work being exhibited not only shows the end result of the students' work, but also introduces the creative process itself.

A student's Friday evening is usually not complete without a visit to the student bar. Teachers and students like to spend time there, communicating and getting to know each other in a more informal setting. And this, according to the Dean of the Dagvorfi College of Fashion Wendy, greatly contributes to the successful flow of the educational process.

Cardiff School of Art and Design

At Cardiff School of Art and Design, creativity is shaped by your experience. They offer you the opportunity to see things differently and to explore disciplines and cultures. They push you every day to expand your horizons and develop your skills.

As a CSAD student, you'll have a thorough and deep understanding of your chosen specialism, but you'll also go beyond your subject through their innovative courses. You collaborate with fellow students . Explore the ideas and theories behind your craft. Draw inspiration from anywhere and everyone - and see where it takes you.

Because when you see a textile project through the eyes of a photographer - or apply architectural thinking to fine art - you create something new that makes the world sit up and take notice.

Choose your own path. Develop new skills in the wide range of workshops. Create a business plan - or travel abroad. Experience professional life with the industry partners or critique the latest research.

Learn how to shape your future. So when you leave us - to become a practitioner, further your studies or build your own career - you'll be ready to change the world.

They work with students who are serious about art and design, ready to take control of their experience and their future. So if you're ambitious, curious and ready to pour your heart and soul into your university experience, they 'd love to meet you.

Cardiff School of Art and Design offers creative degree programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Choose from a wide range of disciplines, including architecture, fine art, photography and interior design.

Become one of the highly skilled graduates and prepare to join the leaders, thinkers and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

Collaborate with other artists, designers and cross-disciplinary makers to share skills, ideas and experiences.

Develop your skills and experience in the context of social responsibility, global citizenship, inclusivity, wellbeing and creating a sustainable future.

Central Saint Martins

Central Saint Martins, part of the University of the Arts London, stands as a towering figure in the world of art and design education. With a history that stretches back to the 19th century, this prestigious institution has been at the forefront of providing cutting-edge education and fostering innovation among its students.

Central Saint Martins was formed in 1989 from the merger of two renowned institutions: the Central School of Art and Design, established in 1896, and Saint Martin's School of Art, founded in 1854. This merger combined the strengths of both schools, creating a powerhouse that has continued to influence the fields of fine art, fashion, design, and drama. The school offers courses and programs dedicated to jewelry design, which include studying various techniques and materials, jewelry design, and developing a personal creative style.

The school offers a wide array of programs ranging from fashion, textiles, and jewelry design to graphic communication, fine arts, and theatre. These programs are known for their rigorous curriculum, which challenges students to push the boundaries of their creativity and technical skills. Central Saint Martins' approach to education emphasizes not only traditional techniques but also encourages exploration into new technologies and media.

Central Saint Martins boasts an impressive list of alumni who have made significant impacts in their respective fields. Among them are iconic fashion designers such as Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney, artists like Lucian Freud, and actors such as Pierce Brosnan. The success of its graduates is a testament to the school's ability to nurture talent and provide a fertile ground for creative growth.

The college's central location in London, a global hub for art and design, provides an ideal backdrop for inspiration and collaboration. The campus itself is a blend of industrial and modern architecture, offering students state-of-the-art facilities that include extensive workshops, studios, and libraries. Central Saint Martins also encourages collaboration with industries and other external partners, giving students a practical insight into the real-world scenarios they will face after graduation.

Beyond its educational offerings, Central Saint Martins plays a pivotal role in London’s cultural landscape. The school regularly hosts exhibitions, shows, and lectures that are open to the public, contributing to the vibrant cultural life of the city. These events not only showcase the innovative work of its students and faculty but also bring together leading thinkers and creators from around the world.

Central Saint Martins is not just an educational institution; it is a crucible of creativity. Its enduring commitment to fostering innovation and its central role in the art and design community make it an invaluable asset to the creative industries. For aspiring artists and designers, Central Saint Martins represents a gateway to a world of artistic expression and professional development.