The UAL student population is a rich mix from across the world and the UK. Read a summary of our TEF Year Two provider submission and learn how we are improving outcomes for all our students.
We are committed to ensure we reflect our diverse student body and our race equality work supports our destination data, with our TEF metrics for BAME graduates achieving a ++ flag in both employability measures.
- Our undergraduate overseas student population at 30% and EU at 11% are amongst the highest in the UK
- Of our UK students 29% are of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) heritage
- 22% of our students declare a disability
- 33% of our UK students are from NS-SEC classes 4-7
UAL reflects diversity in the curriculum in various ways. For example, UAL commissioned an Inclusive Curriculum Project to work with course teams to develop inclusive curricula. Developed by Aisha Richards, Director of Shades of Noir, and Dr Deborah Gabriel CEO of British Black Academics, this project supports staff in considering the student experience and the relationship between students’ sense of identity in relation to aspects of the curriculum, including how it reflects the diversity of the student body.
UAL has a well-developed dyslexia support network as we have a higher proportion of students with Specific Learning Difficulties (including dyslexia and dyspraxia) than the national average (10% UAL, 5% UK HE).
Employment and further study
UAL has won four Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher Education (one of only twelve universities with this number): the 2013 prize cited ‘major contributions to industry, commerce and the profession of design, both in the UK and internationally’. Competitive awards are an important part of art and design professional practice, and can be a vital boost for early career portfolios. Over 200 students win prizes each year including:
- The D&AD Awards
- Jury Prize at ARFF Berlin
- Castellinaria Film Festival
- Mare di Moda LINK Awards
- New Designers Awards
Attainment
We monitor attainment figures to identify trends and compare these nationally and internally. The proportion of 1sts and 2.1s awarded was 62% in 2007/08 and 62% in 2014/15 compared with the sector rise from 57% to 67% over that period.
It is worth noting that 47% of our graduates in 15/16 were non-UK nationals (44% - 14/15) and so UAL provides artists, designers, and media and fashion professionals across the world, with extensive influence: a recent article about the 10 top fashion designers in China included seven UAL graduates (‘Chinese Fashion Designers you Should Know’, The Culture Trip/Asia, Nov 2016).
Entrepreneurship
A wide range of entrepreneurial activities are offered to students including events, job opportunities, competitions, funding and awards. We run a Part-time Jobs Fair for students and we have placed over 1,000 students in part- time assignments through the ArtsTemps, our in house temping agency, with students undertaking a total of 124,101 hours of paid work last year providing them valuable work experience.
Local communities
UAL uses deep contacts with local communities to provide creative input while allowing our students and graduates to gain valuable experience. Under the LCC Talent Works programme, 15 LCC graduates worked with local Southwark social enterprises, charities and community groups offering them high quality design and communications talent.
Examiners
UAL uses its external examiners to ensure courses are well orientated to industry through the use of external examining teams that include academic and industry or professional examiners.
Read the UAL TEF Year Two provider submission (PDF 299KB).