The UK is home to some of the most prominent art schools on a global level. British universities have achieved an impeccable global reputation, due to the rigorous approach to academic studies and practical projects.

When the choice is so immense, it gets difficult for students to decide: what school should they attend? The decision depends on their personal needs for type of education, precise location, and more. Each program is good on its own, but it works for different categories of students.

We’ll list some of the best-ranked British universities for artists, hoping to help you make a final decision.

Top 5 Art Schools in the UK

1. Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts
Lancaster University is one of the best art schools in the world. In The Complete University Guide 2021, it’s ranked first in the UK for student satisfaction in the category of Drama, Dance, and Cinematics. It also holds the third position in the category for graduate prospects in art and design.

Students can choose from undergraduate courses in different fields: art, architecture, film, theater, and design. Postgraduate programs are also available. This school works for those focused on both theory and practice. All professors are internationally recognized active artists and academics.

2. The School of Arts and Cultures at Newcastle University
This is a large school, which works for students who are after versatile programs and vibrant student life. There are three main subject areas to choose from: music, fine art, and media, culture, heritage.

Fine art is an especially attractive area, which covers creative arts practice, history, and digital cultures. Due to the high-quality courses and practical approach, this school regularly gets high student satisfaction scores in the National Student Survey.

3. Slade School of Fine Art at University College London
This school has a research-based experimential approach to the theories, history, and practice of contemporary art. Undergraduate students can choose from a BA and BFA program in Fine Art. MA, MFA, and PhD degree programs are also available.

The Slade School is perfect for students who don’t mind rigorous research requirements. Like most other universities in the UK, this one also imposes written projects. Foreign students, who aren’t used to the academic writing requirements in British schools, might need to rely on writix.co.uk. This is a service that offers writing assistance with all types of projects, including those on art topics. The school also requires practical work, so the students are ready to enter their field as soon as they graduate.

4. Edinburgh College of Art at The University of Edinburgh
The historic Old Town of Edinburgh is the perfect environment to inspire your artistic skills. It’s exactly where this school is located. The school offers programs in architecture and landscape architecture, design, music, history of art, and art. The school has five undergraduate and six postgraduate programs.

The program versatility is one of the main reasons why British and international students choose this school. It enables them to get a specific degree for the field they plan to focus on.

5. The Ruskin School of Art at The University of Oxford
When you’re wondering what school can offer an exceptional environment for research and learning, the name Oxford comes to mind. Currently, the university ranks fifth on the QS Global World Ranking list.

The Ruskin School of Art is relatively small, so it offers the perfect environment for dynamic and personalized studies. Top-ranked professors approach each student individually, assisting them in their research projects and helping them improve their artistic skills.

The school offers an undergraduate program, as well as an MFA (Masters in Fine Art) and DPhil program.

Choose a High-Quality Art Program in the UK
UK universities are internationally recognized for offering top-level education driven by innovation and creativity. The schools offer diverse programs, which allow students to focus on their chosen subject area. Whether you’re up for an analytical, theoretic, experimental, or practical approach in your studies, you’ll find a program to suit your needs.

The creative industries in the country are constantly expanding. If you plan to stay in the UK after graduation, you will get many opportunities to promote your work. A degree from a British university will be highly appreciated during that process.

BIO: James Collins has two main interests: art and writing. He visits all art shows he can fit in his schedule, and he shares impressions through his blog. James explores education, too. He is always willing to recommend the best options for students on an international level.