UCA - University for the Creative Arts

About the university

The UCA team firmly believes that creativity enhances the vitality, innovation, and humanity of global communities. That is why the university has been a fervent supporter of creative research and teaching for the past 160 years.

Architecture, crafts, fashion, graphic design, illustration, fine art, photography, film, media, the performing arts, and creative business are among areas of study offered by the university. Employers in the creative sector hold a high regard for this programs because of their excellent teaching standards.

Our goal

We want to inspire people to use their creativity to drive change, overcome challenges and improve the lives of others.

So we’ve designed our university to be an inclusive, dynamic environment. Our campuses across Surrey and Kent, our Institute for Creative Innovation in Xiamen, China, and our homes within partner organisations such as the Maidstone Television Studios all have one thing in common:

They are places to forge inspiring partnerships, make work with purpose and build real solutions to human problems across the globe – whether that’s as part of our vibrant teaching and research community, or as a student on one of our courses.

Our successes

• 1st: The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide has ranked us top for teaching quality across our Communications & Media courses with a score of 91.6%, while The Guardian has ranked us fifth for these courses too.
• 1st: The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide has ranked us top for teaching quality across our Business and Management courses with a score of 86.9%, while The Guardian has ranked us eighth for these courses too.
• 3rd: The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide has ranked us 3rd for teaching quality across our Architecture courses with a score of 91%, while The Guardian has ranked us seventh overall for these courses too.

Strategy & Vision

Our vision is to be known as a global authority on creative arts, creative technologies, and creative business.
This is accomplished through our strategic plan 2018-28, which focuses on several key areas:

1. Realization of a common vision through effective teams
2. Create and implement a business plan that is stable financially
3. Make the "Business of Creativity" a reality.
4. Expanding our influence and global presence
5. Improving our educational offering

Research at UCA

Research is one of the biggest strengths at UCA.

Seven internationally renowned research centers, spanning the creative fields of crafts, design, and animation, are located in our univercity. While integrating theoretical study and creative practice in a setting with top-notch creative facilities, our research degrees provide graduates an unmatched opportunity to work with renowned creative experts.

Where we stand

We feel that leading by example in the following areas is one of our responsibilities as a university:

• Environment and sustainability
• Equality and Diversity
• Health, safety and wellbeing
• Data Privacy
• Quality assurance
• Freedom of Information