Organizer Information
Central Saint Martins (CSM) is a world-renowned arts and design college constituent of the University of the Arts London (UAL). Located in King's Cross, London, CSM is globally recognized for driving cutting-edge research, experimental practice, and critical inquiry in contemporary fine art, design, fashion, and performance. The College offers an immersive, interdisciplinary environment with access to world-class studios, workshops, and exhibition spaces like the Lethaby Gallery, positioning students at the heart of London's vibrant cultural landscape.
Key Information
- Official Program Title: MA Fine Art
- Program Type: Master of Arts (MA)
- Institution Name: Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London (UAL)
- Country / City: London, United Kingdom
- Academic Field: Fine Art, Contemporary Art, Interdisciplinary Practice, Cultural Studies, Media Art
- Language of Degree: English
- Number of Open Study Places: Max. 24 new students per cohort / seminar group
- Application Period: October – November (Round 1) / January – April (Round 2)
- Second Phase Remote Interviews Date: February – May (conducted online post-portfolio assessment)
- Announcement of Admissions Result Date: Rolling notifications (within 6–8 weeks of interview)
- Application Deadline: Round 1: Mid-November | Round 2: Early April
- Start of Studies Date: Late September / October
- Tuition: Home students: £10,800 – £12,000 per year | International students: ~£19,845 per year (2-year extended full-time mode)
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Accepted Academic Backgrounds: BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art, Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Photography, Performance, Moving Image, Digital Media, or related art, design, humanities, and social science disciplines.
- Preferred Disciplines: Painting, Sculpture, Performance Art, Video/Moving Image, Installation, Digital & Computational Art, Sound Art, Socially Engaged Practice, and Critical Theory.
- Interdisciplinary Acceptance Rules: Interdisciplinary candidates and non-traditional backgrounds are welcomed. Practical experience, a compelling personal statement, and strong portfolio demonstration of artistic practice can substitute for direct fine art academic credentials.
- Portfolio Relevance: Central to assessment. Acceptance depends primarily on the quality, conceptual depth, and commitment demonstrated in the digital portfolio and video task.
General Eligibility
- Who Can Apply?: Both UK (domestic) and international applicants.
- Age Restrictions: None.
- Professional vs Academic Eligibility: Evaluated holistically; both recent academic graduates and mid-career/practicing artists with significant professional experience are eligible.
- Portfolio-Based Eligibility Conditions: A 20-page digital portfolio, a 2–3 minute video task, a CV, and a personal statement/study plan are mandatory for consideration.
Educational Background
- Required Minimum Degree: Honours degree (BA/BSc 2:1 or equivalent international qualification).
- Accepted Fields of Study: Fine Art, Visual Arts, Art History, Humanities, Social Sciences, Architecture, or relevant creative disciplines.
- Equivalent Professional Experience Acceptance: Substantial professional artistic practice, exhibitions, or creative work experience may be considered in lieu of formal academic qualifications.
- Excluded or Non-Eligible Backgrounds: Applicants lacking both a tertiary degree and a verifiable independent creative practice/portfolio are ineligible.
Language Proficiency Requirement
- Required Language(s): English.
- Minimum Test Scores:
- IELTS Academic / UKVI: Minimum overall score of 6.5 (with no individual component lower than 5.5 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
- PTE Academic / Duolingo / TOEFL iBT: Equivalent standardized score as approved by UAL.
- Waiver Conditions: Applicants who are passport holders or have completed a full undergraduate degree in a majority English-speaking country are exempt from English language test submission.
Additional Eligibility Conditions
- Nationality Restrictions: Open globally to all nationalities.
- Work or Research Experience Requirements: Demonstrated independent studio practice, public exhibition history, or critical research background as detailed on the CV.
- Portfolio / Research Proposal Expectations: Portfolio must demonstrate technical competency, conceptual reflection, research methodology, and future artistic direction.
- Visa or Institutional Constraints: Non-UK students must meet Student Visa (formerly Tier 4) eligibility criteria, including proving financial support for living expenses and course fees.
Tuition
| Category | Details / Annual Fees |
| Home (UK) Tuition Fee | ~£9,800 – £10,800 per year (Subject to annual university adjustments) |
| International Tuition Fee | ~£19,845 per year (2-year extended full-time study duration) |
| Additional Mandatory Costs | Specialist art materials, fabrication tools, printing costs, and gallery visit expenses |
| Fee Waivers / Discounts | 10% UAL Alumni Progression Discount available for UAL graduates |
Funding & Financial Support
- Scholarships (Full / Partial):
- UAL International Postgraduate Scholarships: £7,000 – £50,000 awards based on financial need and academic potential.
- CSM College Scholarships: Subject-specific bursaries available for postgraduate fine art students.
- Grants / Stipends: Access to UAL Student Hardship Funds and postgraduate research support grants.
- Teaching or Research Assistantships: Opportunities to participate in workshop assistance, research projects, or student ambassador roles.
- Studio / Production Funding: Access to specialized college workshops (wood, metal, ceramics, casting, printmaking, digital media) included in tuition.
- Living Cost Support: UAL Hardship Bursaries and advice on external charitable trust funding options.
University Services & Academic Support
- Studio / Lab Access: Dedicated studio spaces at Central Saint Martins, high-end digital suites, 3D printing labs, metal/wood shops, and printmaking facilities.
- Research Supervision: Individual studio tutorials and critical seminars led by internationally practicing artists, curators, and theorists.
- Mentorship Programs: Access to artist talks, visiting lectures, professional practice seminars, and curator network reviews.
- Career Services: Dedicated guidance via UAL Careers & Employability, including art market navigation, grant writing, and gallery representation advice.
- Exhibition / Residency Opportunities: Final Degree Show exhibitions at CSM, Lethaby Gallery showcases, and external institutional collaborations across London.
- Library / Archive Access: Full access to CSM Library, UAL digital archives, Special Collections, and Museum & Study Collection.
- International Student Support Services: Immigration/visa advisory, academic English language support, and orientation programs provided by UAL International Student Advice Service.
Application Requirements
- Initial Application Form: Completed via the UAL online portal.
- Personal Statement: Maximum 500 words detailing your reasons for choosing the course, current creative practice, and future plans.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detailed record of education, exhibitions, publications, commissions, and relevant work/voluntary experience.
- Video Task: A 2–3 minute video clip introducing yourself, reflecting on a key portfolio project, and discussing your artistic motivations in English.
- Digital Portfolio: Maximum 20 pages submitted via PebblePad, containing finished works, works-in-progress, research references, and annotations.
- Academic Transcripts & Certificates: Scanned official copies of degree certificates and mark sheets.
- Reference: Contact details of one academic or professional referee.
- English Language Certificate: Official IELTS score report (if required).
How to Apply?
- Submit an initial application form along with your CV and 500-word Personal Statement through the UAL online application system on the official course page.
- Upon initial document verification, log into the UAL PebblePad portfolio portal to upload your 20-page digital portfolio and 2–3 minute video task.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a 15–20 minute online interview with the course academic team.
Deadline & Timeline
- Application Deadlines:
- Round 1 Deadline: Mid-November (Recommended for international applicants needing visas)
- Round 2 Deadline: Early April
- Second Phase Remote Interviews Date: February – May
- Notification Date: 6–8 weeks following interview completion
- Start of Studies Date: Late September / October
Location
In-Person: Central Saint Martins, Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, King's Cross, London, NC1 4AA, United Kingdom.
Additional Details
MA Fine Art at Central Saint Martins is delivered in an extended full-time structure running over two academic years (60 weeks total). This flexible pace allows students to maintain an independent studio practice or professional creative work alongside their studies. Applicants applying to multiple UAL courses may submit up to 3 course choices per academic year.