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Big Futures

Graduation design

Congratulations on graduating from UAL - top 2 in the world for Art and Design.

Even though your time at university is coming to a close, UAL will still be there to support you. As a member of the Alumni Association, a network of over 200,000 former UAL students, you are entitled to an exclusive range of benefits and opportunities. These are designed to support your career and grow your professional and social networks.

Professional development - making a living doing what you love

  • Big Futures skills patterns
    Big Futures skills patterns

    Develop your practical skills

    Want to develop the skills and knowledge you need to get the best jobs, go freelance, or start your own business? Take full advantage of UAL’s free careers events.

  • Big Futures jobs pattern
    Big Futures jobs pattern

    Find a job  

    UAL’s jobs board 'Creative Opportunities', is the perfect place for graduates to find work in the creative industries. It features hundreds of paid jobs and internships each month.

  • Big Futures support pattern
    Big Futures support pattern

    Support for artists  

    Artquest provides advice, information and opportunities for visual artists. Their free e-book Primer covers everything you need to know within your first couple of years after graduation.

  • Big Futures Mentor pattern
    Big Futures Mentor pattern

    LCF careers networking

    Dedicated careers support for LCF alumni.

  • Big Futures showcase patterns
    Big Futures showcase patterns

    Portfolio

    Show the world your work, share your creative skills and connect with peers from across UAL on Portfolio, UAL's online showcasing platform.

  • Big Futures temping pattern
    Big Futures temping pattern

    Get tailored careers advice

    UAL provides support for graduates for up to 5 years after graduation, helping you to make a living doing what you love.

  • Colourful painting
    Colourful painting by Mo Zhou

    Kick-start your career

    UAL graduates and alumni can apply for temporary and permanent job opportunities through UAL Arts Temps, London’s most inspiring and creative recruitment agency.

Funding to help grow your ideas

  • Big Futures Creative Enterprises pattern
    Big Futures Creative Enterprises pattern

    Creative Enterprise Awards

    Looking to start or develop a business? Apply for a grant of up to £5,000 plus a share of prizes including showcasing, industry mentoring and business training.

  • Big Futures not just a shop 2
    Big Futures not just a shop 2

    Sell your work - not just a shop

    Based in central London, not just a shop sells products and artwork created exclusively by UAL students and alumni to the public. Submit your work to be considered for sale.

  • Talk at MiAL Free Range Event

    Made in Arts London  

    A platform for students at any stage of their career to identify and try out ways of positioning themselves and their work once they leave UAL. You must be a UAL student at time of deadline.

  • Talk at MiAL Free Range Event

    Made in Arts London  

    A platform for students at any stage of their career to identify and try out ways of positioning themselves and their work once they leave UAL. You must be a UAL student at time of deadline.

Expand your network

  • Big Futures network pattern
    Big Futures network pattern

    International Associations and Groups

    Network with professionals from across the creative industries and meet fellow UAL alumni in your country, by joining an Alumni Association or Group.

  • Big Futures network pattern
    Big Futures network pattern

    Alumni of Colour Association

    A supportive community to help increase the visibility and representation of people of colour in the creative industries.

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    Enterprising Alumni Association

    Activities and events to keep you in contact with other creative leaders who have graduated from UAL.

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    Big Futures events pattern

    The Sustainability Network

    Connect with peers who are working in, or passionate about the climate emergency, and purposeful and responsible creative practice. Help encourage practical steps to achieve a fairer and sustainable future for all

Access to research and learning

  • Big Futures library pattern
    Big Futures library pattern

    Library access

    Continue to gain access to UAL's world-renowned libraries and e-resources by applying for the Alumni Library Access Card.

  • Big Futures showcase patterns
    Big Futures showcase patterns

    Short courses

    Develop your practice further by learning new skills on one of UAL’s highly respected short courses – you’ll receive a 10% discount.

  • Big Futures Progress pattern
    Big Futures Progress pattern

    Progression discount

    Receive a £1000 tuition fee discount towards a Master's degree. Read more on the criteria online.

Be inspired

  • Big Futures Gradual logo
    Big Futures Gradual logo

    Gradual  

    A podcast series that explores the big questions and challenges that many graduates will face. In each episode, we share unfiltered stories from creative graduates ‘who make a living doing what they love.’ Brought to you by Creative Shift, part of Careers and Employability.

  • Big Futures Inspire pattern
    Big Futures Inspire pattern

    Inspiring alumni  

    Be inspired and learn about alumni from across our six Colleges who are enjoying success in their specialist fields.

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    Freelance and business advice  

    Find useful advice and guidance on growing your freelance work or business.

--- Please be advised that this video may offend some viewers due to brief swearing --- Leading voice in contemporary art, whose work focuses on space theory and land development, sculpture and performance - Theaster Gates Junior gives an unforgettable speech to our #UALGrads.