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University of the Arts London

Reporter
World University Rankings 2025
Reporter
Young University Rankings 2024
201+
European Teaching Rankings 2019
272 High Holborn, London, Camden, WC1V 7EY, United Kingdom

About University of the Arts London

The University of the Arts London is Europe’s largest higher education institute dedicated to the study of fashion, art, design and the performing arts.

UAL actually comprises six separate colleges, the most famous of which is arguably St Martins, which has produced some of the art and fashion world’s most recognised names, including Stella McCartney, Louise Wilson, John Galliano and Alexander McQueen. 

The other five colleges are: The Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon Colleges of Arts; the London College of Communication; and the London College of Fashion. The colleges were founded between the mid 19th and early 20th century.

Formerly known as the London Institute, UAL gained full university status in 2003, and took on its current name in 2004. In 2011, Central St Martins moved to a new custom-build complex.

Remarkably, more than half of the winners and nominees for the Turner Prize - a prestigious annual UK arts prize which started about 30 years ago - are alumni of UAL. In addition to this, more than half of the recipients of British Designer of the Year also studied at the institution.

More than 50 per cent of the fashion designers who had shows at the prestigious London Fashion Week in the autumn / winter of 2016 had studied at UAL, and its alumni have also won awards including the BP Portrait Award; the Jerwood Prize; and the Minerva Medal.

Central St Martins has museum status thanks to its extensive collection of work by both past and present students of the university, and by its staff.

Across all of UAL’s campuses, there are seven professional, public galleries, which showcase what the university describes as a “diverse programme of cutting edge interdisciplinary exhibitions”.

Explore rankings data for University of the Arts London

All ranked institutions have an overall score and 4 pillar scores. However for each pillar, only institutions ranked in the top 500 overall or the top 500 in this pillar have a publicly visible score

Compare universities on their key stats

Key statistics

  • 19,720
    Number of FTE Students
    (1)
  • 16%
    Proportion of ISR Publications
    (1)
  • 76 : 24
    Student Ratio of Females to Males
    (1)
  • 11.5
    No. of students per staff
    (1)
  • 59%
    Percentage of International Students
    (1)
Based on data collected for the (1) 2025 World University Rankings

Subjects taught at University of the Arts London

  • Arts & humanities

    • Art, Performing Arts & Design
    • Architecture
  • Social sciences

    • Communication & Media Studies
  • Psychology

    • Psychology
  • Business & economics

    • Business & Management
  • Computer science

    • Computer Science
  • Clinical, pre-clinical & health

    • Other Health