UK Art and Design Courses

Art is a diverse subject that will help you turn your creative passion into a fulfilling career

International students applying to study art in the UK will need to think about which part of the subject they are interested in and then research the right art school or university to apply to. Each art school has different equipment and specialisations to help you learn.

Studio-based work is central to all art courses and can include painting, sculpture, installation, printing, photography and digital media, with students specialising in their own areas of interest.

Universities often invite professional artists and critics to talk to students, whose studio work often culminates in a public display of final year students' art.

Graduate Art and Design Careers and Salary

Art graduates will move into careers in multimedia, publishing, advertising, museums, galleries, fashion, and the film industry, doing a wide range of roles, including photography, illustration, graphic design, interior design and website design.

• Average starting professional salary: £19,000
• Average starting non-professional salary: £15,808

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency, Destination of Leavers from Higher Education 2016-17.

Art and Design Entry Requirements

Most courses do not specify what subjects you should have studied at school, but some insist on achievement in an art-related subject. Studying art and the history of art is recommended, and a personal portfolio of your collected work is a must.

• Typical International Baccalaureate requirements: Minimum 34 points.
• Typical A-level requirements: ABB and a portfolio of work.
• Typical IELTS requirements: 6.5 overall, with no lower than 6.0 in any one component.

Please note that entry requirements vary for each UK university.

Where can I study Art in the UK?

To learn more about the best art courses in the UK, find details on the top ten ranking Art and Design universities in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 below:

1. Royal College of Art
2. University of the Arts London
3. Glasgow School of Art
4. Goldsmiths, University of London
5. University of Oxford
6. Loughborough University
7. University College London
8. Imperial College London
9. Lancaster University
10. Manchester Metropolitan University

Study Art and Design in the UK

If you want to learn more about studying art in the UK, arrange your free consultation with SI-UK today. Don't forget the Premium Service will guarantee you at least one offer from a UK university.

Contact SI-UK about your art application