UCA School of Fine Art, Crafts & Photography Guide

We know creativity makes our world more innovative, more joyous, and more human. We’re outside the establishment, standing for fresh perspective and originality. With us, you’ll be a name, not a number, as we deliver an education tailored to you and your future.

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UPRISING and be part of a 160-year tradition of doing things

“We want to encourage students who are part of this school to break themselves apart and put themselves back together with a new understanding and appreciation for who they are as artists, photographers, storytellers, and individuals. Students who are part of our school will be taken on a journey of artistic discovery which will leave them as experts in their craft.” – Professor Terry Perk, Head of School, Fine Art, Crafts & Photography

Success after graduation

Our graduates go on to amazing things – here’s just some of the career paths they’ve taken

Tracey Emin – Fine artist

– Simon Starling – Turner Prize winner

– Peter Ting – Ceramicist, gallerist, and designer

– Bruce Marks - Studio manager and resident artist (London Glass Blowing)

Stephen Webster MBE –Jewellery designer

– Ed Beale – Graphic designer

Will McGregor – Film and TV director

Natalie Hodgins – Founder (Visionary Pictures)

Natasha Caruana – Awardwinning artist

Luke Norman & Nik Adams - Artist duo and fashion photographers

– Isabelle Doran - CEO (The Association of Photographers)

– Eliel Jones – Curator and writer

– Charlie Evaristo-Boyce – Artist and printmaker

Jewellery by UCA alumni Stephen Webster

Course index

Course UCAS Code

BA (Hons) Art Theory, History and Contemporary Culture

BA (Hons) W105

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year W10A

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year W10C

BA (Hons) with Professional Practice Year W106

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W10B

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W10D

BA (Hons) Ceramics & Glass

BA (Hons) W266

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year W26A

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year W26C

BA (Hons) with Professional Practice Year W267

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W26B

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W26D

BA (Hons) Digital Art

BA (Hons) W690

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year W69A

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year W69C

BA (Hons) with Professional Practice Year W691

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W69B

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W69D

BA (Hons) Fine Art - Canterbury

BA (Hons) W100

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year W10F

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year W10H

BA (Hons) with Professional Practice Year W103

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W10G

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice W10H

Course

BA (Hons) Fine Art - Farnham

BA (Hons)

W101

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year W10K

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year W10M

BA (Hons) with Professional Practice Year W104

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W10L

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W10N

BA (Hons) Jewellery & Silversmithing

BA (Hons) W271

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year W27A

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year W27C

BA (Hons) with Professional Practice Year W272

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W27B

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W27D

BA (Hons) Photography

BA (Hons) W640

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year W64F

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year W64H

BA (Hons) with Professional Practice Year W644

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W64G

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W64J

BA (Hons) Visual Communication

BA (Hons) W215

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year W21F

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year W21H

BA (Hons) with Professional Practice Year W219

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W21G

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W21J

BA (Hons) Studio Practice – Fine Art (top-up)*

BA (Hons) W408

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

BA (Hons) W407

Credit: Sophie Lou

Credit: Stephanie Parrack

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.

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 galleries to working with artists between classes, you’ll get exciting real-world experiences that give you the chance to put your knowledge into practice.

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 yearlong placement related to your studies – in a design agency, museum or gallery, for example. Learn more on the course pages at uca.ac.uk

Live industry briefs

One of the most exciting features of UCA courses is the opportunity to take part in live industry briefs and competitions. For the School of Fine Art, Crafts and Photography there’s a range of local and national competitions and festivals to take part, like the EIZO Student Photography Award and the Festival of Making.

A foot in the door

Our students say...

“Working with Aviator was a mindblowing experience that I never thought I would obtain. I appreciated their faith in me as an artist. It meant a lot to be chosen out of all the submissions and to exhibit my artistic talents.”

Anita Loh, BA (Hons) Jewellery & Silversmithing

Priya Stamp, BA (Hons) Fine Art, Farnham, who won a competition to create art installations at a Hampshire hotel.

“During my time at UCA, I’ve entered a few competitions in the past that my tutors have recommended. The competitions and live briefs always have interesting prompts and often pushes me to consider different aspects of design such as wearability, audience, and uniqueness. Competitions are also a great way to practice presenting designs in a professional light.”

Welcome to

With its historic surroundings and its gorgeous café culture, Canterbury is a lovely place to live and experience while you study at UCA.

Our relaxed and friendly campus, featuring architecture studios, design labs and fine arts facilities, is located just on the edge of the city. The Cathedral and an array of shops, cafes and restaurants are just a short walk away. You’ll discover new things all the time, with a wealth of attractions, galleries and museums to explore – not to mention you’re just a short bus ride away from the Kent coastline for sunny days.

Popular spots for students include The Penny Theatre pub, with its live sport, meal deals, karaoke and quizzes, and for a tasty snack on the go, Cite Crepes is a hit. You can see blockbusters alongside the best indie releases at the Curzon Cinema, or have a day out at Howletts Wild Animal Park for a change of pace.

A relaxing hang-out area for students is Westgate Gardens, which runs alongside the River Stour, and we couldn’t talk about Canterbury without recommending a visit to Canterbury Cathedral itself, with its incredible architecture and stained-glass windows.

Welcome to Farnham

With its market town charm and its excellent transport links to London, the South East and the South Coast, Farnham is a town with much to offer.

Our campus, with its extensive specialist facilities and large on-site halls community, sits on the outskirts of the town, a stone’s throw away from the iconic Lion and Lamb Yard and a host of cafes, restaurants, pubs and independent shops.

Student favourites include the Slug and Lettuce and The Lost Boy in the town centre, together with the Starbucks close to campus. For a bit of culture, you’ll find regular shows, standup comedy, films and activities at Farnham Maltings, and some lively nightlife is just a short bus or train ride away in Guildford, with venues like The Star Inn and Komo nightclub among the many places to have fun.

And for shopping, there’s plenty of choice, with a range of charity shops, bookstores, Elphick’s department store, Pullingers art supplies and 101 Collectors Records among the highlights.

You’ll also find stunning countryside walks close to Farnham, including Bourne Woods, where many blockbuster movies have been filmed, and Caesar’s Camp, which gives spectacular views across Surrey and Hampshire.

Meet our school community

Jeremiah Ambrose Senior Lecturer, Y2 Leader BA (Hons) Digital Art

“Our BA (Hons) in Digital Art focuses on helping our students respond to creative technologies, become ready for the creative industries, and recognise that disciplinary boundaries are not fixed. Our students develop digital literacy framed in a fine art context. We are a live course that adapts to students’ needs as artists working in the digital era. The three main things we focus on are: digital literacy, digital culture, and disruption (through practice and theory). All of which are framed around future-proofing our students for work in the creative arts, whilst helping them establish their own unique creative voice.”

“Campus is where the heart of our community is. It is where we share, we debate, we learnit’s where we are, all of us, together.”

Greig Burgoyne Senior Lecturer, School of Fine Art, Crafts & Photography

Adam Thomas Technician Creative IT in 2D Design

“I feel like I have found what I am supposed to do with this part of my life. I really enjoy helping the students on their journey and I also feel valued, and enjoy the companionship as part of the technical team.”

Gideon Fisher, Analogue Photography Technician, UCA Farnham

“This is an eclectic environment, free from commercial restraints - students create work just for expression alone, and I love that. It’s great to be there for practical support and for the emotional encouragement which is sometimes needed for a student to get their project over the line.”

“The space, time and support to make my own work was the greatest gift UCA gave me. The campus felt like an incubator for creativity, and all these creative individuals in one place, with access to kit and exposure to new ideas.”

“Being a student at UCA is amazing, it is like a big creative family. I studied jewellery at Farnham and I would love to study there again. The opportunities I had and the facilities I was allowed to use were incredible. I now have the title of Professional Goldsmith and run my own jewellery business. All this would not have happened without the amazing team at UCA the tutors, technicians, lecturers and support staff have made the university all it is.”

“I was continuously supported and encouraged to develop my own art practice in new and unique ways, and to explore the ever-changing contemporary art world. I’ve also had great opportunities and experiences, from visiting the Venice Biennale, curating and hosting our own exhibitions in London, and having well known artists visit our studios to discuss their own work and to help us with any questions we have. This has given me great confidence to know I will be able to pursue my chosen career.”

Will McGregor

BA (Hons) Digital Film and Screen Arts

Abigail Marsh BA (Hons) Jewellery

Abigail Jones

BA (Hons) Fine Art, UCA Farnham

Credit: Elena Portius

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.

Canterbury halls of residence

UCA Canterbury has on-campus halls of residence – costing around £150 per week (these are subject to change each year, but this gives you a rough idea of costs).

Ian Dury House

Our on-campus accommodation has nine self-catering flats which can house up to six students each. In each flat, you’ll find:

– Single rooms with en-suite bathrooms

A shared kitchen/communal area with cookers and fridge-freezers, and small appliances including kettles and microwaves

One washing machine and condenser tumble dryer

One television aerial socket

– Parking (for those with a special requirement)

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One flat is adapted for students with disabilities.

Riverside Quarter

Built in 2022, UCA has acquired 120 purpose-built en-suite rooms within this student complex based in the heart of Canterbury. The rooms are part of a cluster flat of either six or eight bedrooms. In each flat, you’ll find:

– Single rooms with en-suite bathrooms

Communal kitchen space with seating areas and standard cooking and cleaning appliances

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Communal lounge area with TV for movie nights

A study area with booths/desks

A fitness suite featuring yoga mats, exercise balls and spin bikes.

Farnham halls of residence

Farnham has two halls of residence, both on campus and housing around 600 students. Prices ranged from £120-£180 per week at the time of going to print (these are subject to change, but this gives you a rough idea of what to expect).

University Walk

Our newest accommodation, located next to our Film & Media Centre and library, comprises five buildings and each is identifiable by its coloured feature window - Austen House is purple, Watts House is red, Swift House is yellow, Cobbett House is orange and Godfrey House is green.

Our stylish accommodation is home for more than 250 students to settle in, with each flat sleeping eight students in single en-suite bedrooms, along with a shared kitchen and dining area.

There are six fully accessible bedrooms for students with disabilities too.

Student Village

UCA Farnham’s Student Village comprises 45 purpose-built houses containing up to eight bedrooms each. Features include:

– Shared facilities – two showers and two toilets per house

– A single bed, bookcase/shelves, desk and chair, wardrobe and washbasin in each bedroom

A shared kitchen/communal area with cookers and fridge-freezers, and small appliances including kettles and microwaves

– There are 16 en-suite bedrooms, which are predominantly allocated to students with medical conditions and/or a disability

Internet access

– Student wardens on-site for out-ofhours needs

Private accommodation

If halls aren’t for you, or you don’t get a place in our halls, private accommodation is the way to go. There is a bit more to consider if you take this route, so preparation is key, as well as research and budgeting. We’ll help you with the process and finding the information you need.

Accommodation Guarantee

We’re proud to offer all first-year students a guaranteed accommodation offer –either through halls or privately – for 2023. To qualify, you must accept your offer from UCA by the UCAS deadline (usually mid-January). International students applying directly to UCA must apply by 30 April 2023 to qualify.

Here to help

You can find out more about our accommodation offering, our services, our contact details and more about our Accommodation Guarantee for first-year students, by scanning the QR code below.

Our facilities and resources

When you study a fine art, craft or photography course at UCA, nothing is off-limits. That means creating your work via traditional or modern means – experimenting and playing with form, texture, composition, materials and more. We expect you to smash your own expectations and boundaries as you begin to unleash your true creative identity.

Our facilities, across our Canterbury and Farnham campuses, will support you on this exciting journey. Our teams of technicians will guide you as you familiarise yourself with everything from printmaking and photoshop to clay firing and cinematography.

Facilities highlights

Canterbury

– Large, accessible machine workshop equipped with a mixture of hand tools and machinery including CNC routing and milling machine

Digital fabrication lab where you can use laser cutters and 3D printers

Print bureau with multiple options 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

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Printmaking studios for screenprinting, 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

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A photographic studio, where you will be able to book photoshoots and document your portfolio of work

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An animation suite with specialist software, high-end drawing tablets and scanners.

Facilities highlights

Farnham

– 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

Equipment to support hand and mechanical processes for working ceramic, glass, wood, metal, plastics and jewellery

– Painting and sculpture studios

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.

UCA’s

ceramics

Former UCA student and researching ceramicist Ben Pearey has become the latest in a long line of acclaimed UCA makers to reach the very top – and has been featured in a new book and exhibition about the future of the craft.

Ben, who graduated in 2018 and is now furthering his study at the University of Arkansas, has been featured in Contemporary British Ceramics: Beneath the Surface, by Ashley Thorpe, alongside UK greats such as Alison Britton, Martin Smith, Ken Eastman and Carol McNicol. Accompanying the book launch was an exhibition at Eton College.

We caught up with Ben to find out more about his work since leaving UCA and what it means to be included in such a prestigious publication.

Hi Ben, thanks for talking with us. How did it feel to be featured in this book and exhibition?

Ashley Thorpe, the author of the book, sent me a photo during the installation of the exhibition and my work on the wall was next to some vessels by Ken Eastman, whose work I have coveted for years and years! There are so many artists I have looked up to for inspiration in the show. Needless to say, it feels pretty exciting. It’s been a great thing to be part of, and I’ll be forever grateful to Ashley for everything he’s done, to Connor Coulston and the Eton team for facilitating the show, and to my mum for shipping the work too.”

To someone who might not be completely familiar with ceramics as a craft, why is it important?

“I think I can only answer this by explaining why I personally use ceramics. Firstly, it is such a versatile material, that allows me to build virtually anything I want. I have been able to play around with totally abstract forms, as well as fairly convincing mimicry. Secondly, the traditional ceramics process I learned - that is, taking clay from the ground, creating form with it, firing it, glazing it and firing it again - is so compelling. It is full of variables, risk, massive highs and lows that can be

completely out of your control. Thirdly, it has a very rich history with different uses from so many cultures and geographies. Some of my recent work has very directly referenced the use of functional ceramics objects in everyday life.”

How would you describe your style – what do you hope people gain from seeing your work?

“I don’t know that I have a style, and if I do, I certainly haven’t quite come to terms with it. I do think that I have been working along some recurring themes for the last few years, albeit in quite different ways. I think about my relationship with the everyday a lot, particularly moments of interruption (discovery, surprise, serendipity, absurdity or out-of-the-ordinary) that occur within my everyday experience. A lot of my research involves just living my life and waiting for things to excite or intrigue me while I’m scurrying about in my apartment or walking to the studio. In regards to the viewer’s experience, despite my tendency to make work that is based explicitly on specific experiences from my own life, there is some universality in finding some meaning in the little things in life, and I am attempting to prompt consideration of that.”

What did you enjoy most and gain most from your time at UCA?

“Though I always felt like I was a ceramics rebel at UCA - ignoring typical ‘rules’ of ceramics - I gained the foundational skills and modes of thinking there that were so important in shaping how I think about my practice today - particularly things like my relationship with risk. This was in a large part thanks to the influence of the faculty and visiting artists there, who both challenged me and supported me when I needed it. Of course, exchanging ideas over drinks at the pub with my peers was also pretty great!”

You can see more of Ben’s work on his Instagram page. @benjamin_pearey

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

How Annie found her voice

With her vibrant artwork, full of shape, colour and texture, Annie Crawford makes a statement. And it has extra power because, as someone with autism and selective mutism, she didn’t speak a word while at UCA.

Annie studied BA (Hons) Fine Art at UCA Farnham, and her work reflects her life experience. We asked Annie about her practice, her time at UCA and how her autism and selective mutism both affects and inspires her.

Hi Annie, what are your art inspirations?   My art practice is about ‘Pre-speech’ - the internal formation of letters and words before they become external speech. I’ve developed a series of abstract shapes that represent words in their unformed state. I’m particularly interested in neuroscience and the study of linguistics. I think my own difficulties with the use and understanding of language have led me in this direction.

You’re very open about your autism – can you tell us more about how it affects you personally, and does it influence the way you approach your work?

I find the world a very confusing place and I prefer to have routines so I know what’s going to happen. A change in routine can be very distressing.

I also have sensory processing disorder, which means I may experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light, colours, temperatures, or pain.

Being autistic also means I have highly focused interests in specific subjects and have become very knowledgeable about them – for me it’s linguistics and art.

Autism definitely affects the way I approach my work. Having such a focused interested on my chosen subject has been very beneficial, and once I start a piece of work, I remain very absorbed in it –sometimes forgetting other tasks. However, there are other times when I struggle to get started, even though I’ve planned exactly what needs to be done. I’d also say that both my disabilities have an impact on the content of my work.

So how did you feel joining UCA – what made you choose us?

When I visited UCA at an open day I felt very comfortable, and I knew it was the right choice for me. The tutors were very nice, and the learning support team were very reassuring, they clearly explained how they’d be able to support me. But naturally I was quite anxious about starting

university, particularly because I didn’t know how people would react to my difficulties and the fact that I’m unable to communicate verbally. Selective Mutism isn’t a very well-known condition, so I always knew it would be challenging to get people to understand, whichever uni I picked. I’m so glad I chose UCA; I’ve met an incredible group of people on my course and everybody looks out for each other.

What advice would you give to people who might be considering a degree at UCA and may have a condition or disability that means they need some extra support?   I’d encourage them to declare their disability and apply for DSA before they start the course, so that the support they need is in place from day one. Let your tutors know, too – I emailed mine before starting the course and sent a copy of my support plan. Joining the freshers’ group on Facebook and getting to know some of the people on your course before the first day is also very helpful.

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

Behind the hijab

Through her own journey converting to Islam, and the response to her new appearance, UCA graduate Jodie Bateman is turning heads with her photography.

Jodie, who has just completed her twoyear MFA Photography degree, has seen her work showcased in the Photo Vogue Festival 2021 “Reframing History” and also in the latest issue of Photoworks for her intimate portraits of herself and her sister, Hannah, in their hijabs.

The project is called “My Hijab Has A Voice: Revisited” and seeks to explore the experience of Muslim women within the religion and within society as a whole.

“It started from my last year in the BA photography course at UCA,” she said. “I had just converted to Islam, and I just started to wear my hijab after researching about it and that is when I decided to do a project around my journey. I always knew there was negative stigma around the hijab in the media anyway, but I started to come across resources which had absolute hate for Islam saying terrible things about Muslim women and the hijab.

“I became very angry and hurt as I was falling in love with my religion and what it imposes and that’s how everything came together, I was determined to show a different narrative that people may not have had access to. Starting in my MFA, I knew the project wasn’t finished so I revisited the theme and continued it until it had blossomed to what it is today.

“I mostly hoped it would start new conversations and just give people the opportunity to have an insight into a converts’ journey to put on the hijab personally, rather than it being a symbol of oppression in the West. I hope people can see a different side to Islam and the hijab, a more positive one.”

So how did it feel to see her work featured in Reframing History, as one of 35 photographers picked from more than 2,500 around the world?

“It is such an incredible feeling, I was so lost for words and so weak at my knees when I got the recognition,” she said. “It’s such a hard field to get into with such great artists out there so, it’s really reassuring when you start to get the attention from these high-profile places especially after receiving so many nos.”

Jodie is about to start at UCA as an artistin-residence for a short while in order to build her portfolio further and continue her progress alongside her teachers.

“I don’t think there is a medium more powerful than photography,” she added. “I believe it can affect change by giving people voices who aren’t usually heard, it allows people to share their own stories in their own way and with no filter or rules, by being able to put something into the world where people can see it and read more into the meaning.”

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

At UCA, we understand that you might need to develop your portfolio and skills, or maybe you haven’t studied creative subjects at college. We don’t believe these things should stop you from achieving your dreams.

Which is why we offer our Foundation Years to those students who need it. The Foundation Year is designed to bridge the gap from where you are now, to where you need to be so that you can begin your degree with confidence. All of our courses feature a foundation year if you need to take one – whether you’re a UK or international student.

Integrated Foundation Year

For home students, the Integrated Foundation Year is designed to give you the skills you’ll need to start your

degree in the best possible way –with confidence, solid knowledge of creative practice, study skills and more. You’ll explore a range of creative techniques and develop your portfolio, with your chosen subject in mind. We’ll work with you throughout the year to ensure you’re on the right track and give you the tools to achieve your highest potential on your degree.

Integrated International Foundation Year

For our students coming from a nonUK educational background, your Integrated International Foundation Year is exactly the same as for our UK students – but with a few small changes to help you settle in and be the best you can be, including the English speaking and writing skills you’ll need to progress.

success

Our courses

BA (Hons) Art History, Theory & Contemporary Culture

Discover the contexts in which contemporary art emerged from modern and postmodern practices after the Second World War on our in-depth BA (Hons) Art History, Theory & Contemporary Culture degree at UCA Canterbury.

This course explores the growth of global contemporary art and the evolution of culture since the beginnings of decolonization in the 1950s, and the ways in which contemporary art has been made, consumed — understanding the roles played by museums, galleries, auction houses, educational institutions and more - and thought about globally over the last century.

You’ll graduate with extensive knowledge of the current state of contemporary art and its likely evolution.

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll learn how the term ‘art’ has been used in a variety of institutional and disciplinary ways, alongside an analysis of contemporary art ideas, theories and practices since the 1990s. You’ll explore the relationship between art movements and various works of art, find out about

the contemporary art landscape today — how it’s sold, consumed and disseminated — and you’ll learn the research and writing skills needed to present your arguments.

Year 2

In your second year, you’ll consider how art and theory are bound to a history of migration and international cross-cultural influences. You’ll explore the way in which art relates to humans and the relationships of humans within the environment. You’ll examine the profession of writing within art history, theory and contemporary culture, and you’ll collaborate with students on other courses on creative responses to build your expertise. Finally, you’ll complete a professional placement to broaden your experiences.

Year 3

Your final year provides the opportunity to work individually and collaboratively to present your ideas and findings. You’ll undertake prolonged research, peer discussion and exploration of emerging themes alongside your peers, before working alone on your final major project.

Credit: Denise West

Credit: Harshini Murugesan

BA (Hons) Ceramics & Glass

Discover how far you can take your passion for making on our BA (Hons) Ceramics & Glass course – and where better to be inspired than in the World Craft Town of Farnham.

You’ll discover how to blow glass, use the hot glass workshop, and create beautiful ceramic pieces using techniques such as wheel-throwing and kiln-firing. We encourage diverse approaches to craft, supporting you to explore all methods of ceramics and glasswork, including traditional and contemporary practices. You’ll have the opportunity to experience materials and processes across both disciplines, while focusing on your chosen specialisms.

Along the way, you will gain the confidence, knowledge and experience you need to take the next steps in your career, whether that means setting up your own studio and independent brand, or joining an established studio and working with others.

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll get to know both your own style through making and become familiar with your materials, your tools, your techniques and your setting in our studios.

You’ll be introduced to both 2D and 3D software and processes and begin to develop your professional network and self-promotion methods.

Year 2

In your second year, you’ll develop your skills and personal style identity further, through investigating the inter-relationships between body, object and space, and through continual research, designing and making. We’d also like you to learn more about how to make your practice more sustainable. Finally, you’ll work in teams to organise, curate and present a group exhibition.

Year 3

In the final year, you’ll showcase your skills and practice through two major pieces of work – your preparatory project which will incorporate a body of exploratory research, including a written proposal, and your final major project which should have a professional impact suitable for public exhibition and/or industry focus. Concurrently you’ll also spend time preparing for your professional life after UCA.

Credit: Jaime Dunlop

Credit: Katie Hinton

BA (Hons) Digital Art

Our BA (Hons) Digital Art degree is at the forefront of innovative visual practice, leading the way in thinking through the creative and conceptual possibilities of working with moving image and hybrid creative digital practices.

Throughout this degree, you’ll work individually and collaboratively within the school, as you build your moving image and digital skills to develop innovative ideas fit for the industry. There are thematic core units that include critically informed research-led lectures, a range of practical workshops and introductory critical and creative tasks.

There’s also a strong focus on employability that runs across the curriculum, and we’ll support you to identify potential career trajectories and prepare you for your working life.

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll investigate core subjectspecific themes and ideas interpreted through the lens of ‘the real’, and ‘the body’. For ‘the real’, you’ll explore situations or communicate ideas about the social, political, and economic circumstances

that shape human experience, while for ‘the body’, you’ll be introduced to a range of genres, styles, and critical and methodological approaches which are related to or centred on the body and our relationship to the body. You’ll also undertake elective units to broaden your skills and also begin looking at your professional future.

Year 2

In your second year, you’ll explore spatial practices and their relationship to ideologies and systems of power and look at the ways in which moving image and digital cultures document, intersect, and subvert traditional approaches to space and place. You’ll also look into digital art as an expanded field of creative practice, and how it can open out across multiple mediums and engage with the world. You’ll continue working collaboratively across the school and build your professional experiences.

Year 3

Your final year gives you the chance to showcase your skills through the development and realisation of your final major project and outline your research interests through either the written or spoken word.

Credit: Jack Gunn & Grace Pryer

Credit: Jeevan Lakhay

BA (Hons) Fine Art – Canterbury

Build on your creative passions, gain new skills, experiment, and fine-tune your work, interests and thinking on our BA (Hons) Fine Art degree course at UCA Canterbury.

We want you to work with curiosity, develop ideas and themes, and consolidate your practice. With the support of our staff, you’ll experiment with a range of traditional and contemporary media, including painting, sculpture, installation, photography, film, sound, performance, animation and printmaking.

You’ll also develop a deep theoretical and critical understanding of Fine Art, and learn business and self-promotion skills. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet other students, make friends and to build a professional network that will give you a strong foundation on which to build your career.

This course will give you a wealth of transferable skills, distinguished by your creativity, ability to cope with change and hardworking, flexible attitude to work.

Year 1

Your first year is all about being experimental with your work, in both written and practical forms. You’ll take part in workshops covering art in all forms, from printmaking to photography, painting to woodworking. You’ll make work for the purposes of exhibition and work collaboratively on curating your art for the public.

Year 2

Your second year is all about refining who you are as an artist and developing your position in a professional context. You’ll work with tutors and external agencies to organise and hold an exhibition off-campus, and you’ll also be supported in applying for professional opportunities. You’ll also take part in a cross-school unit to broaden your skillset.

Year 3

Your final year is all about showcasing yourself as an artist through the development, proposal and realisation of your final major project, to be exhibited at the Degree Show. You’ll produce a series of art pieces, together with a written essay or audio-visual presentation.

Credit: Amy Hampson

BA (Hons) Fine Art – Farnham

On our BA (Hons) Fine Art degree course at UCA Farnham, you’ll become an artist – but you will also become so much more, with a wealth of adaptable skills to take with you into the career of your choice.

This course reflects the dynamism and attitude of contemporary art and is focused on experimentation, play and intellectual enquiry, which can be mediated through a range of final outcomes.

Throughout the course, there are thematic core units which include critically informed researchled lectures, a range of practical workshops and introductory critical and creative tasks.

And because Fine Art sits within an interdisciplinary programme alongside Photography and Digital Art degrees, you’ll have the opportunity to work across disciplines through elective units and across-course collaborations and learning opportunities. This will give you the chance to build your own learning programme around your research interests.

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll investigate core subjectspecific themes and ideas interpreted through the lens of ‘the real’, and ‘the body’. For ‘the real’, you’ll explore situations or communicate ideas about the social, political, and economic circumstances that shape human experience, while for ‘the body’, you’ll be introduced to a range of genres, styles, and critical and methodological approaches which are related to or centred on the body and our relationship to the body.

Year 2

In your second year, you’ll explore spatial practices and their relationship to ideologies and systems of power and look at the ways in which fine art documents, intersects, and subverts traditional approaches to space and place. You’ll also look into fine art as an expanded field of creative practice, and how it can open out across multiple mediums and engage with the world.

Year 3

Your final year gives you the chance to showcase your skills through the development and realisation of your final major project and outline your research interests through either the written or spoken word.

Credit: Noelle Genevier

Credit: Poppy Gentleman

BA (Hons) Jewellery & Silversmithing

Whether it’s traditional, contemporary or avantgarde, you’ll be able to create stunning work on our BA (Hons) Jewellery & Silversmithing course.

We encourage diverse approaches to jewellery and silversmithing, and with our fully equipped workshops and state-of-the-art jewellery studio, you’ll get the specialist technical and creative skills you need to develop your ideas and make them a reality.

You will gain valuable practical experience as you take part in international competitions, placements and industry projects. Our talented students have an excellent reputation in the profession, having won awards such as the Goldsmith’s Company Award, Bright Young Gems and the Guild of Enamellers’ Bursary Award.

Along the way, you’ll be taught by true experts in the craft - all your lecturers are established designers, makers or researchers, so you can be confident that everything you learn on the course will be relevant to real-life working environments.

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll get to know both your own style through making and become familiar with your materials, your tools, your techniques and your setting in our studios. You’ll be introduced to both 2D and 3D software and processes and begin to develop your professional network and selfpromotion methods.

Year 2

In your second year, you’ll develop your skills and personal style identity further, through investigating the inter-relationships between body, object and space, and through continual research, designing and making. We’d also like you to learn more about how to make your practice more sustainable. Finally, you’ll work in teams to organise, curate and present a group exhibition.

Year 3

In the final year, you’ll showcase your skills and practice through two major pieces of work – your preparatory project which will incorporate a body of exploratory research, including a written proposal, and your final major project which should have a professional impact suitable for public exhibition and/or industry focus. Concurrently you’ll also spend time preparing for your professional life after UCA.

Credit: Cheyenne McMurray

Credit: Zhiwen Hua

BA (Hons) Photography

If capturing a moment on camera is your passion, but you want to experiment more and try out different approaches, our BA (Hons) Photography course will help you push your photographic boundaries and produce fantastic work.

This course has a distinguished history stretching back more than 80 years, during which it has maintained an excellent reputation for engaging with new ways of understanding photography as practice.

You’ll have access to a wide range of digital and analogue facilities, and because Photography sits alongside Fine Art and Digital Art as an interdisciplinary group of courses, you’ll have the chance to take part in cross-course elective units and collaborative opportunities which will only serve to elevate your learning experience and build a programme around your research interests.

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll investigate core subjectspecific themes and ideas interpreted through the lens of ‘the real’, and ‘the body’. For ‘the real’, you’ll explore situations or communicate ideas about the social, political, and economic circumstances

that shape human experience, while for ‘the body’, you’ll be introduced to a range of genres, styles, and critical and methodological approaches which are related to or centred on the body and our relationship to the body. You’ll also undertake elective units to broaden your skills and also begin looking at your professional future.

Year 2

In your second year, you’ll explore spatial practices and their relationship to ideologies and systems of power and look at the ways in which photography documents, intersects, and subverts traditional approaches to space and place. You’ll also look into photography as an expanded field of creative practice, and how it can open out across multiple mediums and engage with the world. You’ll continue working collaboratively across the school and build your professional experiences.

Year 3

Your final year gives you the chance to showcase your skills through the development and realisation of your final major project and outline your research interests through either the written or spoken word.

Credit: Emily Light

Credit: Fabian Melby

BA (Hons) Visual Communication

Our BA (Hons) Visual Communication degree at UCA Canterbury gives you the chance to blend your graphic design, illustration, animation, moving image and photography skills in one amazing career.

Visual Communication is commercial, social, public, and political, shaping the meaning and impact of apps, websites, posters, books, magazine advertisements, games, logos, film titles, and countless other media.

Everywhere you look, designers are using words and images to persuade, inform and educate. This course encourages you to think conceptually and apply technical skills in all forms of design practice.

The key principles you learn will help you develop your skills as a professional visual communication practitioner.

Year 1

You’ll be introduced to the world of visual communications and be encouraged to develop an experimental approach to your work, through the acts of making, research and field visits. You’ll also begin to look at your position within a professional context and start building a portfolio of work to take with you into industry.

Year 2

In this year your work will be steered in various directions – incorporating visual storytelling, or how it fits within a physical or virtual space. You’ll conduct more research through field visits and either a placement or industry case study, and you’ll continue your professional preparations.

Year 3

Your final year is the culmination of your studies, and you’ll showcase your skills in your final major project, which comprises a written project proposal, and a body of work that demonstrates a high level of maturity through its clarity and focus.

Credit: Jasmine MacLeod

Credit: Marie Cole

BA (Hons) Studio Practice (Fine Art) BA (Hons) Studio Practice (Visual Communication)

Our Studio Practice top-up course in Fine Art will give you a fantastic fast-paced introduction to university education in the UK and prepare you for a postgraduate fashion course.

The course is aligned with the final year of BA (Hons) Fine Art, so you can progress to a Master’s in a streamlined way.

You’ll get right into the action from the start, undertaking research and practical projects, working on collaborative activities, building your portfolio skills, knowledge and confidence.

Our Studio Practice top-up course in Visual Communication will give you a fantastic fast-paced introduction to university education in the UK and prepare you for a postgraduate fashion course.

The course is aligned with the final year of BA (Hons) Visual Communication, so you can progress to a Master’s in a streamlined way.

You’ll get right into the action from the start, undertaking research and practical projects, working on collaborative activities, building your portfolio skills, knowledge and confidence.

Credit: Daina Kaselionyte

Credit: Cristina Ene

Next steps

1. Apply

For full time undergraduate courses, fill out an application form via ucas.com (deadline 25 January). The institution name is UCA, the institution code is C93, and campus codes are C, E, F and M (for Maidstone TV Studios).

OR

For 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

2. 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.

3.

Create a portfolio

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.

4.

Come to your applicant day

Depending on your course, you may need to create a portfolio of your work. Here are some tips (see page 56/57 for more):

Include 12-20 pieces of work, neatly presented

Lead with your show-stopping pieces

Show us how you think –document your ideas in a sketchbook

– Present examples of your research that show idea development

Let your personality shine through and tell us what or who inspires you

For some courses, we would love to see design examples, collage, graphic design, photography and 3D models

And make sure your portfolio is organised – it’s got to clearly represent your artistic development.

You may be invited to an interview, where you’ll learn more about your course and meet the tutors.

5.

Read your offer email carefully

If your application is successful, 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.

Accept your offer

For UCAS applications, accept by logging into UCAS Track

OR

For direct applications, accept using the task in your Applicant Portal.

International students: Pay your tuition fee deposit

Receive your CAS number

– Use your CAS number to apply for a visa.

7.

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.

8.

Apply for a student loan

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

9.

Confirm your accommodation

For halls or local accommodation, make sure you’ve: Made your advance payment

– Confirmed your moving in date.

10.

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 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.

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), 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

For all Fine Art, Photography, & Crafts courses we’ll ask for 12-20 examples of your current work which shows off your experience, interests, aspirations, and passion for the subject.

We’re looking for enthusiastic and motivated students with a desire to learn. Your portfolio should be organised so that it presents a clear visual representation of your artistic development to date, through both study and personal work.

Your work may include free-hand sketches or finished works; notes, sketchbooks, photographic documentation of largescale work, examples of essay writing, and other preparatory work would be welcome.

For Ceramics & Glass, and Jewellery & Silversmithing, we’d like to see how you research ideas, photographs, models, maquettes, materials samples, as well as examples of written work, essay, review, critique.

For Photography, show us your photographs but also think about how you can give us something else – perhaps design examples, collages or incorporated graphic design.

In Art History subjects, we would love to see your interest and commitment to this subject area through written or digital work relating to art history, theory, and contemporary culture.

If it’s not practical to bring physical work, photograph it, add it to a memory stick or upload it online. When uploading any work digitally, remember that if it’s a password protected site, we will need access. Try to use a platform that doesn’t require a login.

More questions about your portfolio?

Scan to find out more.

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 54/55.

Here’s a breakdown of the usual academic requirements for each of our courses.

Integrated Foundation Year 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)

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)

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)

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

Other qualifications

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

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.

Open Days

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 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.

Chat to a student: uca.ac.uk/chat

Explore our online talks: uca.ac.uk/ events/future-students

UCA Open Days

2022/23

Saturday 26th November 2022

– Wednesday 18th January 2023

Wednesday 26th April 2023

– Saturday 17th June 2023

Saturday 1st July 2023

Book your place

UCA Farnham

Heathrow Airport UCA Farnham

London

Channel Tunnel

Maidstone Television Studios

UCA Canterbury Gatwick Airport

UCA Epsom

Heathrow Airport

CONNECT WITH US

@unicreativearts

UCA

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

Join us at #UCAlive

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.

Chat with our students

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