UCA Mini Guide 2022 by University for the Creative Arts

UCA Mini Guide 2022

Stansted Airport

Luton Airport

London Heathrow Airport UCA Rochester UCA Epsom Maidstone Television Studios

UCA Canterbury

UCA Farnham Gatwick Airport

Channel Tunnel

We are UCA UCA Canterbury New Dover Road Canterbury Kent CT1 3AN +44 (0) 1227 817302

UCA Epsom Ashley Road Epsom Surrey KT18 5BE +44 (0) 1372 728811

UCA Farnham Falkner Road Farnham Surrey GU9 7DS +44 (0) 1252 722441

UCA Rochester Fort Pitt Rochester Kent ME1 1DZ +44 (0) 1634 888702

Maidstone Television Studios Vinters Business Park New Cut Road Maidstone Kent ME14 5NZ +44 (0) 1622 620151

Welcome to UCA We believe creativity is vital. Why? Because it makes global communities more vibrant, more innovative, more human. If you want to use your creativity to drive change, overcome challenges and improve the lives of others, then this is the place for you. On our courses, you’ll meet all kinds of different people. You’ll forge inspiring partnerships, make work with purpose and build real solutions to human problems across the globe. And you’ll graduate with the skills and experience you need to build a successful career doing what you love, in a way that makes a difference. If that sounds like the kind of university experience you’re looking for, we can’t wait to meet you. Whatever you want to make, this is the place.

Make it here. 4

Our Courses Pre-degree and foundation courses

Campus

Access to Higher Education Diploma in Art & Design

CFR

Foundation Diploma in Art, Design & Media Practice

CFR

Degree courses

UCAS code

Campus F

BA (Hons) Acting & Performance

W410/W412

BA/BSc (Hons) Advertising

N561/N562

BA (Hons) Animation

W615/W616

BA (Hons) Architecture (RIBA/ARB Part 1)

K100

BA/BSc (Hons) Arts and Cultural Management

N820/N822

E E

BA/BSc (Hons) Business & Management

N200/N201

BA (Hons) Business Innovation & Management (top-up)

N100

BA (Hons) Ceramics & Glass

W266/W267

F F

BMus (Hons) Composition for Screen

W300/W301

BA (Hons) Creative Industries Management in Fashion (top-up)

N103

BA (Hons) Design for Theatre & Screen

W440/W441

BA (Hons) Digital Art

W690/W691

BA/BSc (Hons) Digital Marketing & Social Media

P304/P305

E E

BA/BSc (Hons) Digital Media & Magazine Publishing

WP25/WP26

BA/BSc (Hons) Events and Festivals Management

N821/N823

BA (Hons) Fashion Atelier & Tailoring

W237/W235

E E

BA (Hons) Fashion Branding & Communications

WN65/WN66

BA/BSc (Hons) Fashion Business & Management

N101/N102

BA (Hons) Fashion Design

W233

BA (Hons) Fashion Image & Styling

W239/W241

BA (Hons) Fashion Photography

W645/W646

E F

BA (Hons) Film Production

W600

BA (Hons) Fine Art

W100/W103/W101/W104

BA (Hons) Games Animation

W281/W282

F F

BA (Hons) Games Arts

W280/W283

BA (Hons) Games Design

I620/I621

BSc (Hons) Games Development

G450

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

W217/W216

BA (Hons) Illustration

W220/W222

BSc (Hons) Industrial Design

W245/W246

BA (Hons) Jewellery & Silversmithing

W271/W272

BA (Hons) Make-up & Hair Design

W452/W453

BA/BSc (Hons) Music Business & Management

W376/W377

BA (Hons) Photography

W640/W644

F E

BA (Hons) Printed Fashion Textiles

W231/W229

BA (Hons) Product & Furniture Design

W243/W244

BA (Hons) Television Production

P311/P312

BA (Hons) TV and Media Production

P321/P322

BA (Hons) Textiles

W234/W228

New courses for 2022 Degree courses

UCAS code

Campus

BA (Hons) Art History, Theory & Contemporary Culture

W105/W106

BA (Hons) Comic & Concept Art

W223/W224

BA (Hons) Film and Screen Studies

W605

BA (Hons) Interior Architecture

W255/W256

BA (Hons) Interior Design

W257/W258

BA (Hons) Studio Practice (Fashion Design) (top-up)

W400

BA (Hons) Studio Practice (Filmmaking) (top-up)

W401

BA (Hons) Studio Practice (Games) (top-up)

W402

BA (Hons) Studio Practice (Graphic Design) (top-up)

W403

BA (Hons) Studio Practice (Illustration) (top-up)

W404

BA (Hons) Studio Practice (Interior Design) (top-up)

W405

BA (Hons) Studio Practice (Product and Furniture Design) (top-up)

W406

BA (Hons) Studio Practice (Visual Communication) (top-up)

W407

BA (Hons) Virtual and Augmented Reality

I700/I701

BA (Hons) Visual Communication

W215/W219

BA (Hons) Visual Effects

W614/W619

BA (Hons) Web Design & Development

I301/1302

C - Canterbury | E - Epsom | F - Farnham | R - Rochester | M - Maidstone Television Studios All of our degree courses have the option to study an integrated foundation year or international foundation year at the start of the course. The majority also include a professional practice year option. 7

A Foot in the Door When thinking about your career, there’s only one thing as important as your education – building industry experience. At UCA, you’ll be able to get both at once, building hands-on experience while you study through a range of opportunities designed to help you enhance your CV. From live industry briefs and work placements through to optional Professional Practice Years, there’s an option to suit you. Professional Practice Years Many of our undergraduate courses come with the option of an additional Professional Practice Year. If you choose this route, you’ll take a study break between years 2 and 3 to go on a year-long placement related to your studies – in a design or marketing agency, an animation studio, museum or gallery, for example. Learn more on the course pages at uca.ac.uk Work placements If an entire year on placement isn’t what you’re looking for, rest assured that our courses will provide you with built-in work experience opportunities. From six-week placements in fashion to working on popular TV programmes between classes, you’ll get exciting realworld experiences that give you the chance to put your knowledge into practice.

Live industry briefs One of the most exciting features of UCA courses is the opportunity to take part in live industry briefs and competitions. Just recently, our students have created limited edition coffee tins for Nescafe Azera, collaborated on the design of an exclusive luxury collection from shoe brand Sheme, and worked with the CATTs charity to create short films encouraging young people to check for early signs of cancer. Our students say... “Being selected for the TikTok x GFF residency gave me a chance to create garments for a major brand, as well as building confidence in my practice. It taught me so many things that will aid me in my creative journey, leaving me excited for the next stage of my career.” Yasmine Cerbah, BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles “My placement at JW Anderson empowered me to use my initiative and not be so paranoid about my decisions! Tasks where I was able to be more creative, such as assisting on photoshoots, helped me realise that I want to pursue a creative role in my career.” Anna Hale, BA (Hons) Fashion Management and Marketing “Our placement at Haygarth was so beneficial. We learned so much in a short time and were surprised at how many people were willing to offer us advice and answer our questions.” Karin Kajabova and Leanne Shaw, BA (Hons) Advertising

Yasmine Cerbah

Anna Hale

Karin Kajabova and Leanne Shaw

Our Schools

Business School for the Creative Industries Ranked 7th in the Business table of The Guardian’s 2021 best UK universities list, our dedicated Business School for the Creative Industries at UCA Epsom is unlike any other. On a range of courses tailored specifically to the creative industries, we’ll train you to adapt quickly in response to the fluid and everadvancing nature of the UK’s fastest-growing sector. Canterbury School of Architecture & Design Are you ready to change lives with your imagination and design skills? Through a distinctive approach to architectural and spatial design education and research that builds on our rich art-school heritage, we’ll encourage you to take an activist’s approach, considering how you can make a positive impact on society through your work. School of Fashion & Textiles Our School of Fashion and Textiles runs courses with one aim – to teach you to make exciting new and traditional fabrics and materials, and use them to create innovative designs. We’ll help you find your style and provide expertise, industry links and world-leading facilities that will set you up for a successful career in the world of fashion and textiles. School of Film, Media & Performing Arts Graduates from our School of Film, Media & Performing Arts go on to great things. By joining a course here, you’ll be following in the footsteps of Gareth Edwards (director of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Chris Butler (director of Golden Globewinning animation Missing Link) and many other well-known and award-winning alumni. Along the way, we’ll give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to produce powerful and thought-provoking work, plus the industry links to get vital hands-on experience.

School of Fine Arts, Crafts & Visual Communication The courses in this school are designed to turn you into an artist, a photographer or a visual storyteller – and so much more. You’ll be challenged to re-evaluate your own work, research historical and contemporary contexts and theories, and experiment with a wide range of different processes and materials on your journey to becoming a true expert in your craft. School of Further Education If you’re seeking a springboard into a creative degree and career then you’ll find a pre-degree course to suit you in our School of Further Education (FE). Our diploma courses provide the chance to try a range of art, design, creative media, technology and fashion subjects, before choosing a specialism for your undergraduate degree or taking your skills into the workplace. With the freedom to experiment and discover new passions, you’ll be able to uncover their true potential. School of Games & Creative Technology Inventing new worlds and characters for play and creating new apps and websites for the digital and AR landscape are just a taste of what you’ll be up to on our courses in this school. With state-of-the-art facilities and some of the best in the business teaching you, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in this exciting and rapidly growing sector of the creative industries.

A student’s guide to UCA Canterbury UCA student Morgan Ruffell explains what he loved most about studying on our Canterbury campus. I just love Canterbury. It’s so cosmopolitan – a melting pot of people from all walks of life. It’s great that the UCA campus is so close to the city centre, just a short walk from all the sights, shops, cafés, restaurants and places to socialise. My friends who have stayed in halls or private accommodation have all had brilliant experiences – I think it’s a great place to really discover your independence. The campus itself is very welcoming and relaxing and it’s always open, so if you want to work on a project at any time, you can. And because it’s small, it feels personable – you get to know all the staff a lot better and they become friendly faces very quickly. Canterbury Cathedral

I particularly loved the library. The staff there were brilliant and it was a great place to socialise and study. What’s also handy is that there are two train stations and a great bus network, so everything around you is super accessible.

City Crepes ©Hayley Brown

A student’s guide to UCA Epsom Epsom Town Centre

Rosebery Park

Graduate Sophia Day on why she found UCA Epsom the perfect place to start university life. What I would say about Epsom is this – it’s the best place to live when you’ve just moved out of home for the first time. Moving out can be so overwhelming, but I’ve found that living here has been so easy and relaxed. It’s not a very big place really, but it has everything you need close to hand. It has all the high street shops, banks, hairdressers, nail bars, pubs, cafés and a doctors’ surgery. If you didn’t want to venture further, you wouldn’t need to.

But what I really like about it is that, if you do feel like doing something a little faster-paced socially or broadening your work experience options, then London, Guildford, Kingston and Woking are all super close and cheap to get to. A lot of students travel to UCA Epsom from London, and for that reason it’s got a nice vibe about it. The campus itself is small and compact – just like Epsom, really. Everyone is here to work hard, and you can feel it. It’s got a really positive energy, with everybody putting the effort in, which makes you want to work hard, too. The buildings are cool and the library is the best – it’s really friendly and a lot of students socialise as well as work there. 13

A student’s guide to UCA Farnham Graduate Katie Hinton tells us her favourite things about studying at UCA Farnham.

New Ashgate Gallery

As an international student who arrived in the UK completely unfamiliar with Farnham, I have found it to be the most friendly and welcoming place. The UCA campus here is a bit of a labyrinth at first glance, but you do get used to it and it’s actually astonishing to see just how many incredible facilities it has, even for really niche subjects. The library is invaluable – to have such a vast range of books and magazines on every conceivable craft and design topic, all in one place, is just amazing. Everything in the town is so close to hand – all within walking distance. There are great links to London, so if you want to get some work experience or have a day of city culture then it’s easy to do. I love the community vibe of Farnham. There’s always something going on, and I really like the small-town feel. I come from a rural town, so I think I would find studying in a big city a bit overwhelming. Farnham is just the right balance between a big city and my home, and that, alongside the friendliness of everyone at UCA, has really helped me feel settled. 14

Gostrey Meadows

A student’s guide to UCA Rochester Paris Lucke explains why UCA Rochester was the campus for her. I really enjoyed my time in Rochester – it’s a nice campus and I really miss it! Because everyone who studies here is really creative and individual, no-one’s the same and it sort of brings you out of your shell a bit. It’s just really different to be around such a diverse group of people who are interested in the same things you are.

Rochester Cathedral

The campus is compact and easy to navigate, so it’s quite hard to get lost. The balcony and the library are great spots to hang out with friends – whether you’re grabbing lunch, studying together, or just taking a break for some fresh air with a drink. Overall, I picked UCA for the same reason a lot of people do – because it’s not an intimidating or strict place. It’s friendly, warm, relaxed and welcoming, which makes it a great place to learn. Rochester is best known for being home to the historic castle and England’s second-oldest cathedral. Christmas there is special, too – there’s a Dickens festival and Christmas market. The High Street has a lot of independent shops, including quite a few vintage ones, and you’re really close to Chatham and Gillingham for high street stores. London is about a 40 to 60-minute train ride away.

Baggins Book Bazaar

Rochester Castle

Maidstone Television Studios

If you’re considering joining our BA (Hons) Television Production degree course, you’ll be spending your time at Maidstone Television Studios. Here you’ll get a unique opportunity to study at the UK’s largest independent TV studios, network with industry professionals and work on shows like Strictly Come Dancing, This Morning, Celebrity Juice and This Time With Alan Partridge. You’ll also have access to a modern and spacious learning environment packed with all the facilities you need to hone your skills, from the studios themselves to live galleries, editing suites and screening rooms. Not to mention a fully stocked equipment store and library.

The town Maidstone is a vibrant town in Kent with plenty to keep you entertained. It has excellent shopping, museums, galleries and events throughout the year, as well as stunning local countryside. After hours, you’ll find dozens of restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs to choose from, and you’ll be just over an hour’s train ride from central London if you feel like exploring further.

Student life at UCA “Me and my silly smiley face at my stall at the Winter Market!! Thank you SO much to everyone who supported me today and bought my little creations - it makes me so so happy to see people enjoying my stuff as much as I do ”

“Thanks for the laughs over this past month, freshers was long but it's been ” great kids Paula Rae Gonzal BA (Hons) Graphic Communications (now BA (Hons) Graphic Design)

Sophie Colley BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles

#uca #handmade #wintermarket #handmadechristmas #pompom

“32 LGBTQ+ students, staff and allies from across the campuses marched at Pride in London for love and equality. The most we’ve ever taken to Pride This was only possible through the hard work of students and your donations to our Pride Fund. So thank YOU so much! We had a great time and we hope to take ” even more people next year UCA Students’ Union @ucasu

@unicreativearts @lgbtqsocietyuca #ucafarnham #ucaepsom #ucacanterbury #wecreate #weareuca #ucasu

“Awesome time at the Illustration society Drink & Draw tonight...Ended up with some pieces I really liked...the one time it's not in a sketchbook typical”

“Waking up every morning, knowing that I’m going to do what I love and what I’ve been dreaming of since I was 4 thank you @tanishajayx PRICELESS! ” for this amazing pic Lucia-Bianca Radoslav @luciabiancaradoslav BA (Hons) Make-up & Hair Design

Ryan Waddon @ryan_waddon_art BA (Hons) Illustration

#ucaillustration #ucafarnham #illustration #illustrationsociety #drinkanddraw #wecreate #bahonsillustration #promarker #sketching #drawings #drawing #doodles

“I’ve had so much fun running the Open Mic, Open Mind events with @soulflowsociety every month at UCA! It’s been brilliant to raise money for a different charity every month and awareness of issues and causes. And to also give people a chance to perform and share their work. My last one on Wednesday was so special. So much love ” Harry Evans @iamharryevans BA (Hons) Acting & Performance

We @miguelpangly and we’re very proud to have designed his lecture series poster. It was fantastic looking at his work again and learning about how he does it all. I NEEEED a copy of the Mister Black book!!!!! Constance Nash @connieconstancecontent BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Soon I will graduate from the @unicreativearts, I can’t believe how fast time is flying! I’ve gained so much knowledge and skill from my degree, and managed to get two amazing internships. Bring on the future Eve Riel Jappy @everieljappy BA(Hons) Fashion Management & Marketing

#professionalpractice #uca #fashiondegree #fmmuca #careergoals #careerdevelopment #timeisflying #finalprojects #futureplanning #fashionbusinessgraduate #fashionbusiness #fashionbuying

This week was my final major project I can’t describe how happy hand-in and proud I am! Maria Odara Fernandes @odarafernandess BA (Hons) Fashion

“ I’m Emily, the third member of the team running the yoga club this year. I’m a 3rd year Fashion Promotion & Imaging student and I started practicing yoga at UCA Epsom two years ago. I had never done yoga or meditation before and I encourage everyone to join as it is such an enjoyable experience :) can’t wait to get back into practice at UCA and keep making the club an amazing community” Emily Suiying @emilysuiying @ucasu BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion & Imaging

“I’ve never done cheerleading before. But... MY TEAM AND I WON!! 1st place in the Open Division (Complete Beginners)!! This is simply the icing on the cake for what has been a triumphant year! I’m made up! GO, HELLCATS!! ” Iona Gallagher BA (Hons) Business Innovation & Management (Top-Up)

#ucahellcats #cheerleadingstunts 19

Changing the face of fashion

Hannah Bamgbala

Young, Kool and African – Hannah Bamgbala

Every year, students from across our fashion courses are shortlisted for the annual Graduate Fashion Foundation (GFF) Awards, and a lot of their projects are about more than just clothes. We spoke to recent UCA grads Seyon Amosu and Hannah Bamgbala about their shortlisted projects, which grew out of their ambition to make fashion more diverse.

Seyon Amosu

Hannah Bamgbala Hannah joined UCA to get herself a job in editorial photography, but her game-changing final project shifted her ambitions: these days she sees herself as a creative stylist and disability campaigner. Hannah’s project, Young, Kool and African, was inspired by her sister, Mercy, who has Down’s Syndrome. And Mercy’s experience highlighted the way that black people and others from minority ethnic communities with disabilities are often under-represented in the wider media, and even by charities.

Seyon Amosu

“If you have Down’s Syndrome and are black — or from another ethnic minority background — there is no-one visible for you and your family to relate to, and that has to change, “ says Hannah. Hoping to help bring about that change, she created a website with instructional styling videos and fun features, and — tapping into Mercy’s love of fashion — styled a series of photoshoots with her, using the images to create stunning campaign posters. Her work caught the eye of the Down’s Syndrome Association on Instagram, and they’re now working with Hannah and Mercy to create even more content.

Seyon Amosu Seyon has a unique fashion vision that’s inspired by his own life experiences and Nigerian heritage, and his take on migrant and LGBTQ+ culture. His work is influenced by his religious upbringing, the 1980s New York black queer and ballroom scene, and the Noughties Nigerian Cinema aesthetic (Nollywood). His final project featured three photoshoots – the first exploring Nigerian culture and sex, the second looking at fashion in isolation, the third showcasing a range of hats. “My project really only speaks to a fraction of my experience as a queer African immigrant with a complex identity,” he says. “I wanted to tell our story and share those complex experiences that we face as African queers and African queer immigrants. “I believe that the industry needs more diverse cultural representation and richness, and that I can bring that to the table. Most importantly, I am me — my experience in life, from childhood, is what has led me to this moment. It is unique, and it informs my work and interests.”

Read more student stories at uca.ac.uk/blogs

“We’re hoping to help the charity create more diversity in its marketing and social channels,” she says. “If people see more people like them on these pages, it might open some doors for them.”

“ My time at UCA was transformative – I started the course very much still in a teenager’s mindset and graduated with a clearer focus and drive towards my creative career.” – Jasmine Haskell

Jasmine Haskell graduated in Design for Theatre and Screen at UCA Rochester in 2016 and is now a freelance set designer and puppet-maker.

My UCA story

“My UCA experience was life-changing – not only academically, but also personally. For the first time, I felt like I could really be myself and express who I was in an environment surrounded by like-minded people. All aspects of the course really prepare you to step outside into the world of work, which can be really daunting.”

“I’ve always been creative, but I had this overwhelming feeling that going into a creative career would leave me with no money (a belief instilled from secondary school). UCA, and my course, definitely changed my opinion. I began to trust in myself more and realised that I could make whatever career path I chose work for me.”

Craig Maxwell graduated in Graphic Design at UCA Epsom in 2016 and is now a professional designer, creating music industry tour posters and running his own brand, Maxwell Makes.

Hannah Cunningham graduated in Fashion Business and Management at UCA Epsom in 2016 and is a make-up and SFX artist who won 4th place in the BBC’s Glow Up.

“I absolutely loved my time at UCA. I loved that my course didn’t just focus on the design aesthetics of creating a brand, but also the thinking behind it, which I know has definitely played a part in getting me where I am today with my stationery brand, Note and Shine.” Kelsey Layne graduated in Graphic Communications (now Graphic Design) at UCA Farnham in 2016, and now runs her own stationery brand, Note and Shine, which is stocked in Oliver Bonas.

Running The Show Our BA (Hons) Television Production students on the perks of being based at Maidstone Television Studios, where they’ve been working on the latest Alan Partridge series. There are many roles within the world of television, and most people begin their journey building vital experience as a runner, helping out on set with anything a production’s cast and crew might need. But finding that opportunity to “get your foot in the door” in the first place can be tricky. “If you can get work experience while you’re at university, then you’ll graduate far better prepared,” says Laura Coull, Work Placement and Production Co-ordinator for our BA (Hons) Television Production course. This can often come down to having industry connections. Luckily, UCA’s BA (Hons) Television Production students have a unique opportunity to build their knowledge AND their network at the same time. As part of our long-standing partnership with Maidstone Television Studios, our students are based at the studios full-time throughout their degree, attending academic sessions in a dedicated learning area while getting hands-on experience on the studio floor. And last year the course was recognised as one of the best in the country for training work-ready graduates when it gained the prestigious ScreenSkills Select accreditation.

Laura works closely with the studios to help find and create placement opportunities for the students, both at the studios and beyond. Over the years, they’ve worked on shows like The X Factor, Blind Date, Catchphrase, Strictly Come Dancing, Watchdog, The One Show, This Morning, Take Me Out, Celebrity Juice, Don’t Tell the Bride, and more. “They gain a greater knowledge of what they want to do within the industry, and already have four or five professional credits under their belt by the time they graduate,” she explains. “That puts them in a far better position to launch their careers.” In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic actually presented some unexpected opportunities for our students, as the start of the new academic year coincided with the resumption of filming at many studios and sets (albeit with stringent COVID safety measures in place). So, in the autumn, Maidstone Television Studios became a hive of activity, with several exciting series’ and shows starring the likes of Steve Coogan and Paddy McGuinness being filmed there. And because those production companies needed skilled assistance, all our students have been getting experience on real shows while they learn. Most recently, they’ve been working on the second season of This Time with Alan Partridge.

This Time with Alan Partridge. @ BBC/Baby Cow/Colin Hutton

Third-year students James Hunt and Ethan Urquhart both undertook ten days’ work experience as runners. By the end of his time on set, Ethan was shadowing the third assistant director. “It was all about making sure the cast was happy, and everything ran as it should,” says Ethan. “As time went on, I started to build relationships, making friends with cast and crew. I loved it.” James spent six of his ten days on location, working at various sites around Maidstone as the crew filmed external shots. “It was a great experience,” he says. “The longer you’re on set, the more you’re trusted just to get things done. I was surprised by two things — firstly, how quickly things happen. And secondly, the attention to detail that goes into sets and props.” As well as revealing the realities of working on a major show, the experience helped James and Ethan evaluate their own career aspirations.

“When I started this course, I wanted to be a cameraperson. But as the course has gone on, I’ve discovered how much I enjoy the producing side of things,” says Ethan, who has recently applied for the prestigious Channel 4 Production Trainee Scheme. “It’s been a complete change of heart. My work experience showed me how interesting the assistant director’s role is, so I definitely want to explore that further.”

Read more student stories at uca.ac.uk/blogs

James still wants to become a director, but says his work experience has opened his mind. “I’ve discovered there’s so much more you can do. I’d really like to explore the props and set design side of the industry, for example. I joined this course because of the amazing work experience opportunities, and I’m so glad I did.” You can watch This Time with Alan Partridge on BBC iPlayer now.

Living at UCA Moving away from home is a big moment. Wherever you’re staying while you study – campus halls of residence or privately rented flats, houses or lodgings – you’re about to have your first taste of independence in a diverse and tight-knit creative community, and we want to make sure you feel settled and happy. Here’s what you need to know about accommodation at UCA. 1. We offer an accommodation guarantee If you’re a first-year student on a higher education course and you apply before the January UCAS deadline, we guarantee that we’ll find you a place to stay in your first year – either in our halls or in other rented accommodation. 2. Our accommodation team are here to help Each campus has a team of staff who can help you with your accommodation needs. They’ll provide you with all the information you need and be on hand to help with any issues, from maintenance and emergencies to complaints and organising residents’ committees. 3. It’s best to apply for your halls place early We have a range of halls accommodation on offer – including brand new buildings at UCA Epsom and UCA Farnham – and offer rooms to as many new full-time students who want to live in halls as we can.

If you’ve firmly accepted an offer from us, you can apply for UCA halls accommodation through the Applicant Portal. Don’t wait for your exam results to come through first – applying ASAP will give you the best chance of getting the accommodation you want. We prioritise applications based on need. Students who have a disability, new international students, and those who live furthest from campus will have priority for places in halls. 4. It’s worth considering a private rental If you don’t want to live in halls, or aren’t offered a room there, you can rent privately. Our accommodation team works with a network of agents and landlords near each of our campuses, and we’ll find you a homely and safe place to stay. Private rentals are a great option if you want to live with a smaller group of people, or are looking for a little more independence. This accommodation is often slightly separate from the campus and more in the heart of town life, which may suit you better. “We’re here to make sure everyone looking for a place finds one, and will be on hand to help with information and advice.” says Hayley Rowe, Accommodation Officer at UCA Farnham. For more information or to learn about our accommodation guarantee, visit: uca.ac.uk/study-at-uca/accommodation/

Our facilities and resources

While studying with us, you’ll have access to our knowledgeable technicians and all the technology you need to complete your work. You’ll find workshops and resources dedicated to your course, but you’ll also be able to explore and experiment beyond these, with access to the full range of workshops and resources across your campus. All of our campuses have extensive studio spaces, with Macs and PCs running the latest industry-standard software, as well as an art shop stocked with a wide range of supplies at student-friendly prices. 28

Each campus also has an Equipment Hire department, where you’ll find an impressive selection of kit, including video and stills cameras, lighting and sound recording tools, projectors and much more. Our highly skilled technicians and tutors are on hand for support and can show you how to use any of the equipment. You’ll also have access to specialist equipment relating to the courses that are taught at your campus, such as photography studios and darkrooms, 3D printing and laser-cutting facilities.

The facilities you'll find at our campuses include: Canterbury

– Large, accessible machine workshop

equipped with a mixture of hand tools and machinery including CNC routing and milling machine

Epsom – A range of flexible teaching and learning environments with video conferencing and interactive AV resources

– Digital fabrication lab where you can

– IT environments configured for arts,

– Print bureau with multiple options

– A 250-seater auditorium with

use laser cutters and 3D printers

on finishing and papers, offering self-service and bespoke printing to professional standards

– Sculpture studios equipped with resins, kilns and facilities for moulding, casting, welding and plasma cutting

– Painting studio, where you will learn to construct frames and stretchers, as well as using traditional painting techniques and materials

– Printmaking studios for screen-

printing, litho, offset, lino cutting, and etching

– Three fully-equipped digital media suites with Macs and PCs running the latest software

– Colour and black and white

darkrooms for developing film, cyanotype and the use of industrystandard film processors

technology and business study conference-standard facilities

– Extensive fashion studios with sewing facilities

– Digital print studio with large and

small format printing, bookbinding, guillotine, perfect binding, vinyl cutting and dry mounting

– Screen-print studio for traditional printing

– Facilities for traditional oil-based print including intaglio, relief and hot metal letterpress equipment

– Sound studio with fully equipped sound booth

– W oodwork and plaster studios – Five fully equipped photographic studios

– Laser cutter and 3D printing facilities

– A Photographic studio, where you

will be able to book photoshoots and document your portfolio of work

– An animation suite with specialist

software, high-end drawing tablets and scanners.

Farnham – Multiple film soundstages with industry-standard lighting facilities

– Animation studios with Mac

workstations, lightboxes, Wacom Cintiq tablets, line testers and hispeed batch scanners

– Animation rostrum rooms set up to capture stop-frame animation on DragonFrame

– Dedicated games art IT studios with specialist hardware and software.

– V R and game testing areas – Colour and black and white darkrooms

– Photography studios with an infinity table

– FAB LAB, a digital fabrication

service with laser cutters and 3D printing facilities, offering a host of computer aided design and creation opportunities.

– Digital print bureau providing a

professional print and finishing service using an extensive range of materials, paper types, sizes, finishes and binding options

– Film & Media Centre featuring a

live performance room, control room for sound mixing, dubbing theatre, rehearsal studios and film soundstage with industry standard Arri film lighting rigs.

– 250 seat lecture and film screening theatre with 4K digital projection and online streaming capabilities

– P ainting and sculpture studios – Equipment to support hand and

mechanical processes for working ceramic, glass, wood, metal, plastics and jewellery

– A foundry for casting bronze and aluminium

– Newly established jewellery

workshop with 36 jewellers’ cut out workstations and video recording demonstration bench

– Digital and traditional looms for

woven textiles, and associated dye facilities

– Dedicated performance and rehearsal spaces

– Traditional printmaking workshop including equipment for intaglio, relief, screen printing and letterpress

– Three-camera digital television

studio, networked to our broadcast newsroom and using industryleading autocue software.

Rochester

– The Gerber suite, a unique ComputerAided Manufacturing (CAM) facility for fashion including the latest 3D Gerber Accumark software.

– Computer games spaces with professional multi-screen workstations.

– Workshops for ceramic, metal and

woodwork, casting resin and plaster.

– Theatre workshops with prop making

equipment, professional sewing machines and a costume department.

– Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

facilities for portfolio development, including a Digital Fabrication Lab with laser cutters and 3D printing facilities

– Photographic studios

– A dedicated makeup and hair design salon

– Colour and black and white

darkrooms for developing film, cyanotype and the use of industrystandard film processors

– Six digital media suites equipped

with the latest Macs and PCs running up-to-date, professional software packages

– Extensive design, pattern and sewing production studios

– State-of-the-art fashion textiles digital printing resource and traditional silk screen printing

– Dedicated area for large-format printing and hi-spec scanners.

To take a virtual tour of our facilities, visit uca.ac.uk 31

Supporting you at UCA Coming to university is exciting. But it can be a bit daunting, too. We know you might need some support to get the most out of your university experience. And whether that’s with learning, getting around, your finances or your wellbeing, we’re on hand to help. Student services Our student services teams, based in the libraries at each of our campuses, can provide information and advice on all aspects of your academic and personal life – from help with your research, language or study skills to confidential academic and personal support. They also offer careers guidance, as well as specialist support for care leavers, students in care and young carers. Disabilities and Specific Learning Differences If you have a Disability or Specific Learning Difference, we have a dedicated team on hand to provide any support you may need to excel. For general help settling into your new surroundings, you might want to sign up to our buddy scheme, or find out about relaxed welcome and orientation days.

Or for tailored support, you can speak to our learning support managers, dyslexia advisers, inclusion mentors and communications support workers, such as Teachers of the Deaf. The team can also help with physical access, in-studio assistance, financial advice and any support you might need to attend on-campus events. Mental health and wellbeing The University has several support options for anyone facing emotional or mental health issues. Our face-to-face and online counselling services are open to anyone who feels they need them, and as a UCA student you’ll also have access to our confidential TogetherAll online support service and the UCA MyWellbeing app. Find out more If you’d like to find out more about any of these services, please visit: uca.ac.uk/study-at-uca/studentservices/

Study abroad

Broaden your horizons If you’re looking to spread your wings beyond your new university surroundings, our study abroad programme could be for you. Through UCA’s links with partner institutions worldwide, you’ll have the option to spend part of your second year at an overseas university, continuing your course in another inspiring location. If you’re on a course in the School of Craft & Design, you might even choose to extend your degree by a year in order to spend a full International Year overseas. Studying and working abroad can be life-changing – you’ll experience new places, people, cultures and possibilities, not to mention developing your foreign language skills. And all this will pay off even more when you graduate with a strong and varied CV.

Study abroad destinations We know what you’re thinking – where could I go? Here are just a few of the places our students have chosen to study abroad:

– – – – –

University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

– – – – – –

ESDI Barcelona, Spain

Dankook University, Yongin and Cheonan, South Korea Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (NABA), Milan, Italy Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, `New Zealand aculdade de Belas Artes da Universidade de Lisboa, F Portugal IED Barcelona, Spain Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Spain Massachusetts College of Art and Design, United States LIM College, New York, United States ashion Institute of Technology (FIT), New York, F United States

– Maryland Institute College of Art, United States.

Next Steps We really hope you’ve got all the information you need and are feeling excited about starting the next stage of your journey with us at UCA. If you’d like to apply to become a student here, there are a few things you need to do. So we’ve put together this checklist of tasks for you to tick off as you go.

Applying □ For full time undergraduate courses, fill out an application form via ucas.com (deadline 26 January). The institution name is UCA, the institution code is C93, and campus codes are C, E, Fand M (for Maidstone TV Studios). OR □ For Further Education or part-time undergraduate courses, fill out an application form directly with us using the ‘Apply now’ link on the course pages at uca.ac.uk

Create a portfolio Depending on your course, you may need to create a portfolio of your work. Here are some tips (see page 33 for more): □ Include ten to 15 pieces of work, neatly presented. □ Put your show-stopping pieces at the beginning, to grab the attention of the tutor. □ Keep any clips of audio or moving image work to under two minutes long. □ Document your ideas in a sketchbook – this will show us how you think and approach projects. □ Find examples of your research that show how you have developed your ideas, and put them in a presentable and well-organised format. □ Show us your creative journey – let your personality shine through, and tell us what or who inspires you.

Come to your applicant day Your application □ Once you’ve submitted your

application, you’ll receive an email from us with your username and password for the UCA Applicant Portal.

□ You may be invited to an interview/

audition, where you’ll learn more about your course and meet the tutors.

Read your offer email carefully

Apply for a student loan

□ If your application is successful,

□ To apply, visit: gov.uk/student-finance

you’ll receive an offer email from us that explains the full terms and conditions of your offer. You can also find details of your offer in your UCA Applicant Portal.

Confirm your accommodation Accept your offer □ For UCAS applications, accept by logging into UCAS Track.

□ For direct applications, accept

using the link in your offer email.

For halls or local accommodation, make sure you’ve: □ Made your advance payment (we ask for £300 upfront when you accept your room offer. This is deducted from the first month’s rent). □ Confirmed your moving in date.

International students:

□ Pay your tuition fee deposit. □ Receive your CAS number. □ Use your CAS number to apply for a visa.

Apply for accommodation □ As soon as you can apply for

accommodation, we’ll contact you to let you know. This is usually in March for courses starting in September.

Take your place at UCA □ Settle into your accommodation. □ Enrol on your course. □ Meet your new friends. □ Enjoy your creative journey!

Portfolio Advice

At UCA, we’re know you’re about more than just grades. To us, exams are only part of the picture – your creativity and what you can do are just as important. Which is why, when you apply to most of our courses, we ask to see a portfolio or invite you to an audition. Your portfolio is a collection of your best work; you might want to show us sketches and paintings, digital art and design, photography, fabric swatches or patterns, sound work, musical compositions, short films, or even essays and creative writing.

At our Applicant Days (or in an online interview if you submitted your portfolio digitally), you’ll get the chance to talk us through your portfolio and find out more about us, and we’ll get the opportunity to meet you and learn more about you as a person. They usually take place between December and March, and are a fun, informal next step in the application process. We want to see what inspires you, what you create and what makes you unique. And if your course doesn’t ask for a portfolio but you still want to show us your work, we’d love to see it anyway.

Portfolio tips

1. Share your thoughts We’d like to know how you approach your work – what inspires you, how you come up with ideas, how you research them and what plans you put in place to make them a reality. A sketchbook (physical or digital) is a good way to do this. 2. Take us on a journey Show us your work’s journey from start to finish. Include drafts, unfinished products, edits. If you feel a particular project shows off your strengths, then put it in – even if it didn’t work out how you expected.

4. Keep it tidy A professional-looking portfolio will help you make a positive impression. Include about ten to 15 pieces of work and, if you’re compiling a physical portfolio, mount each piece on white or off-white board, and keep your portfolio either entirely portrait, or entirely landscape (it’s best not to mix). If you include any audio or video in your portfolio, it should be under two minutes long.

Remember that we’ll want you to talk us through your portfolio at your Applicant Day or interview, so prepare some notes, too.

5. Prepare to get digital If you can’t come to an Applicant Day, you can upload your portfolio to your Applicant Portal. Once we’ve received your application, we’ll let you know about next steps.

3. Put your best work front and centre Don’t save your show-stopper for the last page – get your favourite pieces in early. We want to be wowed by you! We’d also like you to put your work into some kind of order – perhaps arrange it chronologically, or by theme.

6. Steal the show For some courses, we’ll invite you to an audition, where you’ll be asked to perform a monologue. It’s best to pick the text you feel most comfortable with, as you’ll need to memorise it and be prepared to perform it in more than one way. More questions about your portfolio or audition? Visit uca.ac.uk/study/portfolio-advice or drop in to a portfolio advice session at one of our Open Days. 37

Funding your studies Going to university is big investment in your future, but you’ll need to consider how you will fund it. We’re here to help you through the process. Tuition fees: what to expect Your main outlay will be your tuition fees – if you’re an undergraduate student, you’ll be asked to pay an annual fee, or if you’re over 19 years old and have a full Level 3 qualification, there’s a one-off fee for pre-degree and foundation courses. For almost all UK undergraduate students, the Student Loans Company (SLC) will lend you the money for your fees, so you don’t have to pay up-front. There are two types of loans:

– Tuition fee loans are not means-tested, and all UK

students can apply to cover the full cost of tuition.

– Maintenance loans are designed to help you with living costs, like accommodation, food, supplies and travel. These are means-tested, with the amount you borrow based on where you live.

You’ll only start to repay your loan to the SLC when you start earning more than £27,295 a year. This works similarly to how you pay tax – repayments are taken out of your earnings before you receive your net pay, and the more you earn, the more you repay. The website gov.uk/student-finance will help give an idea of how much you could borrow and what your future repayments might look like.

What will it cost? Although 2022 figures hadn’t been released at the time we went to print, the 2020-2021 (pre-degree and foundation) and 2021-2022 (undergraduate degree) figures in the tables opposite will give you a rough idea of what to expect. For the latest information about our fees, visit uca.ac.uk/ study-at-uca/fees-finance Additional costs There will be other expenses to consider on top of your tuition fees, such as the cost of mandatory trips and exhibitions and materials. We’ll tell you as much as we can about these when we offer you a place. When you’re planning your finances, remember to consider other outlays, such as accommodation, groceries and food, utility bills, equipment and art materials.

Pre-degree fees in 2020-2021 One-year pre-degree/foundation course

Undergraduate fees in 2021-2022 BA/BSc (Hons) Degree

UK students aged 16-18

UK students aged 19+

£0

£3,928- £5420* (total)

UK students £9,250 (per year)

*You will not have to pay fees if you are aged between 19 and 23 on the 31 August immediately preceding the start of the pre-degree course, and will be studying for your first full level 3 qualification. If you study on our Access to HE Diploma course and are required to pay fees, you will be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the cost. If you progress on to an undergraduate degree at the end of the course, you will not have to repay this loan.

Entry requirements When looking at whether to offer you a place on one of our courses, we’ll consider your academic credentials alongside the creative talent shown in your portfolio. You can learn more about how to put a portfolio together on page 32. Here’s a breakdown of the usual academic requirements for each of our courses. Access to Higher Education Diploma – Art & Design (one year) You don’t need any formal qualifications for this course – we offer places based on how well your interview went and the ability and commitment that you’ve shown in your portfolio or body of work. Diploma in Art & Design – Foundation Studies (one year) – One A-level (or two AS-levels) adding up to a minimum of 32 UCAS tariff points, preferably in art, design, media or a related creative subject.

– Or BTEC/UAL Extended Diplomas, Extended Certificates, Subsidiary Diplomas adding up to a minimum of 32 UCAS tariff points

Year zero of a BA/BSc (Hons) degree:

– A-level results adding up to 64 UCAS tariff points – Or a Diploma in Art & Design – Foundation Studies (Level 3 or 4) with a Pass

– Or a BTEC Extended Diploma/BTEC National Extended Diploma with Merit | Pass | Pass

– Or a UAL Extended Diploma with a Pass – Or a combination of accepted Level 3 qualifications adding up to 64 UCAS tariff points – Or an IB (International Baccalaureate) with a score of 24 or above.

And:

– Four GCSE passes at grade 9 to 4 and/or A* to C,

including English (or Functional Skills English/Key Skills Communication Level 2)

BA (Hons) Architecture

– A-level results adding up to a minimum of 128 UCAS tariff points.

– Or 128 UCAS points from an Access to Higher Education Diploma in an appropriate subject

– Or a combination of accepted Level 3 qualifications adding

– Or a Diploma in Art & Design – Foundation Studies (Level 3

– Or an IB (International Baccalaureate) with a score of 24 or

– Or a BTEC Extended Diploma/BTEC National Extended

And:

– Or a UAL Extended Diploma with a Merit – Or a combination of accepted Level 3 qualifications adding

or 4) with a Merit

up to a minimum of 32 UCAS tariff points

Diploma with Distinction | Distinction | Merit

above

– Five GCSE passes at grade A* to C and/or grade 9 to 4,

including English and maths. UK students aged 16 to 18 with a grade 3 or D in GCSE maths may still be able to study the course, but will be required to study and fully attend GCSE classes as part of the course.

up to 128 UCAS points

– Or an IB (International Baccalaureate) with a score of 29-32 (at least 16 IB points at Higher Level)

And:

– Five GCSE passes at grade 9 to 4 and/or A* to C, including maths and English or Functional Skills English/Key Skills Communication Level 2

BA (Hons) Business Innovation & Management (Top Up)

– 240 credits from a relevant degree (120 credits at level 4

and 120 credits at level 5), with a minimum of 55% overall

– Or a Foundation Degree in a relevant subject – Or a Higher National Diploma in a relevant subject Other BA/BSc (Hons) degrees – A-level results adding up to 112 UCAS tariff points

– Or a Diploma in Art & Design – Foundation Studies (Level 3 or 4) with a Pass

– Or a BTEC Extended Diploma/BTEC National Extended Diploma with Distinction | Merit | Merit

– Or a UAL Extended Diploma with a Merit – Or an Access to Higher Education Diploma – Or a combination of accepted Level 3 qualifications adding up to 112 UCAS tariff points

– Or an IB (International Baccalaureate) with a score of 27–30 (at least 15 IB points at Higher Level).

BA/BSc (Hons) Music Composition & Technology – Applicants will need an A-level in music or music technology, or Grade 5 Theory (ABRSM, LCMM, Trinity College, Rockschool or others recognised by Ofqual) BSc (Hons) Games Technology

– Applicants will need five GCSE passes at grade 9 to 4 and/ or A* to C, including English language, maths (grade B/6) and science or physics (grade B/6)

International students International students can view typical entry requirements by country on our website. If your first language is not English, you will be required to provide evidence of your English language ability – usually a total score of 6.0 on the IELTS for UKVI Academic or IELTS Academic tests, with no less than 5.5 in any component. More information on our English language entry requirements and other evidence we can accept is available at: uca.ac.uk

– Four GCSE passes at grade 9 to 4 and/or A* to C,

Other qualifications We can consider other relevant and equivalent UK/EU/ international qualifications on an individual basis.

Some of our courses have additional subject-specific requirements as follows:

Sometimes, we make offers with lower entry requirements to students who have faced difficulties that have affected their performance, and who were expected to achieve higher results.

And: including English (or Functional Skills English/Key Skills Communication Level 2)

Come to an Open Day Coming to an Open Day - whether virtually or in person - is a great way to find out more about UCA, the courses we offer, and whether this is the right place for you. Whether you visit us in person or attend our online events, you’ll get a feel for life in our creative community and a taste of how our courses can help you turn your passions into an exciting and impactful career. In-person Open Days If you decide to come to an in-person open day, you’ll need to book a place on our website. It’s easy and free to do, and you’ll be able to register for any talks you’d like to go along to at the same time – from course-specific presentations to more general ones about life at UCA, putting a portfolio together and funding your studies. There will also be campus and accommodation tours, and a subject exhibition where you can meet lecturers and chat to our student ambassadors about what life here is really like. To browse Open Day dates and book your place, visit uca.ac.uk/opendays

UCA Open Days 2021/22 Saturday 25th September 2021 Saturday 16th October 2021 Wednesday 10th November 2021 Saturday 2nd April 2022 Saturday 25th June 2022 Chat to a student: uca.ac.uk/ask-our-students Explore our online talks: uca.ac.uk/live

Connect with us

@unicreativearts /ucreativearts search UCA on Messenger @unicreativearts /unicreativearts

All information is correct at time of print. For the latest information please visit uca.ac.uk

Join us at #UCAlive

Chat with our students

We run live Q&A sessions where you can ask us anything you like about what it’s like to live and study here at UCA. Visit our website and follow us on social media to find out about our next #UCAlive session.

If you’re looking to find out more about student life at UCA, our Unibuddy scheme gives you the chance to chat with people who are studying here right now. To chat with a student in your subject area, visit: uca.ac.uk/chat

#MakeItHere

enquiries@uca.ac.uk + 44 (0) 1252 918291 uca.ac.uk