NCUK announces new partnership with University for the Creative Arts
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NCUK is pleased to announce its new partnership with University for the Creative Arts (UCA). This strategic partnership will expand opportunities for international students pursuing creative careers.
Through this partnership, students enrolled on either NCUK’s International Foundation Year or International Art & Design Foundation will gain access to UCA, the UK’s leading specialist creative arts university. UCA is renowned for nurturing creative talent and has been inspiring students for 170 years, with a legacy rooted in delivering exceptional creative education.
We are delighted to be joining NCUK’s global university network and look forward to welcoming NCUK students to the University for the Creative Arts. We look forward to working with NCUK and its Delivery Partners to support students from around the world as they join our creative community in the UK.”
Julian Henry, Assistant Director of Student Recruitment, University for the Creative Arts
As a specialist creative university, UCA has a proud history of supporting students to develop their creative identity, confidence and professional practice. This partnership will create new progression opportunities for talented international students as they prepare to take the next step in their creative education and future careers.
UCA offers a comprehensive range of creative disciplines including Animation, Architecture, Fashion & Textiles, Film & TV, Fine Art, Games, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, and many more. With access to specialised equipment, professional studio spaces, and cutting-edge technology, UCA provides students with industry-standard facilities designed to support their creative development. The university’s commitment to hands-on learning ensures that students can develop the practical skills and creative vision needed for successful careers in the creative industries.
As one of the UK’s top creative universities, UCA has produced influential alumni across diverse creative sectors, from fashion and film to architecture and digital media. The university’s strong industry connections and collaborative approach to learning provide students with valuable networking opportunities and real-world project experience.
Notable alumni include Dame Zandra Rhodes, one of the UK’s most influential designers, who built a globally recognised fashion empire known for her iconic textile prints and celebrity clientele including Princess Diana and Freddie Mercury.
She also founded the Fashion and Textile Museum in London. In film and television, William McGregor has directed BAFTA award-winning productions and stepped into the ‘Stranger Things’ franchise, filming promotional content with original cast member Millie Bobby Brown.
UCA graduates continue to make their mark across entertainment and design. Leo Tsao won season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race as Nymphia Wind, while architecture graduate Hamza Shaikh was named a Rising Star by the RIBA Journal for his innovative work combining architecture with social media and AI. Artist LUAP (Paul Robinson), known for his ‘Pink Bear’ series, creates paintings that blend photorealism with abstract mark-making, exhibiting alongside recognised artists like Tracey Emin and Banksy at prestigious venues including Christie’s and Fortnum & Mason.
We’re delighted to welcome the University for the Creative Arts into the NCUK network. This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for international students seeking to pursue creative careers in the UK. UCA’s 170-year legacy in creative education, its exceptional specialist facilities, and its deep commitment to nurturing creative talent align perfectly with NCUK’s mission to prepare students for success at university and beyond.
Through this collaboration, our students gain access to a globally respected UK creative institution – one that bridges traditional craft skills with innovative digital technologies to shape the next generation of creative leaders and practitioners.
Holly Searson, Head of University Partnerships, NCUK
With campuses in Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, and the renowned Maidstone TV Studios, students can study in inspiring creative environments across the South East of England. Each campus offers unique specialisms and state-of-the-art facilities, from broadcast-quality television studios to textile workshops and digital labs. UCA’s supportive and inclusive community of over 6,000 students from across the globe provides an environment where creativity thrives and students can develop both academically and personally.