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UAL tops global rankings for undergraduate art and design education

Three sculptures which are organic shapes. One sculpture in the middle is red, the two either side are bronze

Written byUniversity of the Arts London
Published date 06 March 2022

For the 4th year in a row, University of the Arts London (UAL) is top of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 for undergraduate art & design. UAL places 2nd overall behind fellow London institution the Royal College of Art, which is dedicated to postgraduate studies. UAL offers pre-degree, undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

In the past year, UAL has risen 31 places in The Times and The Sunday Times’ Good University Guide, 19 places in Guardian University League Table and 8 places in the Complete University Guide.

Since the release of the rankings in 2021, UAL has:

pledged bold action to reach comprehensive net zero by 2040
published its Anti-racism strategy and commitment that 30% of UAL staff will be Black, Asian and minority ethnic by 2024
launched the Climate Action Plan
been formally accredited a Living Wage Employer and committed to pilot the Living Hours standard in its new facilities management contract
published a new 10-year strategy to ensure the University lives up to its social purpose

We are delighted that we continue to be the highest ranked institution offering both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. London and the UK’s global reputation for art and design education should be a cause for celebration for all. Faced with the biggest challenges of our time – it will be creatives that are best placed to begin to imagine and design possible solutions. Through the quality of our research and teaching, we are connecting the country to some of the world’s great talents and innovators – placing the UK at the heart of a network of knowledge sharing which will have a hugely positive impact here and far beyond.

— James Purnell, President & Vice-Chancellor of University of the Arts London