Origins Creatives 2026: Qualifications highlight

Each year, UAL Awarding Body’s Origins Creatives exhibition showcases the incredible breadth of creativity and talent from students across the UK and beyond.

As submissions open for #OriginsCreatives26, we’re shining a spotlight on creative work that deserves to be seen more often - encouraging students and centres to think differently about what creative work can look like - and why it deserves to be showcased on a national stage.

From self-directed films and live music recordings to theatre production designs and creative enterprise projects all forms of creativity have a place within Origins Creatives. It’s an opportunity to celebrate work that pushes boundaries and reflects the diversity of creative education today.

Below, you’ll find more information about the qualifications that we would love to see more of, ideas for what students can submit, inspiration from previous Origins Creatives exhibitions and space for new featured work and quotes exploring each qualification.

UAL Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

The UAL Level 3 Extended Project Qualification is all about independent thinking and creative freedom. Students are encouraged to develop a self-directed around a topic or idea they’re genuinely passionate about - which means no two projects ever look the same!

The creativity freedom often leads to some of the most unexpected, ambitious and original submissions featured at Origins Creatives.

What can you submit?

Because the qualification is so open-ended, submissions can take many forms. Students might choose to submit:

• Short films or documentaries
• Photography projects
• Publications or zines
• Fine art or illustration work
• Fashion or textile outcomes
• Installations or mixed media pieces
• Creative campaigns or design concepts
• Digital projects or experimental work

As Vicky Cull, Chief Examiner for Art and Design and Extended Project Qualifications, explains:

"EPQ is an amazing course, it supports students to explore any area of personal interest that they might have. It's inspirational to see the variety of exceptional outcomes that are produced on this course."

To see the full version of the examples of the previous Level 3 Extended Project Qualification work, please find them on our Origins Creatives Youtube playlists.

• Jonny Hourihan and Bessie Taggart, ‘Just People’, Level 3 Extended Project Qualification, Brentwood School
• Anastasia Vatkovsky, Sophie Dunlevey, Lois Eldridge, ‘Lights Out’, UAL Level 3 Extended Project Qualification, Brentwood School

UAL Professional Diplomas 

Some of the most diverse work at Origins Creatives comes from students studying UAL Professional Diplomas. These qualifications support students in developing industry-focused skills, collaborative practice and professional creative confidence. Available in Performance, Creative Enterprise, and Technical and Production Practice for the Creative Industries, these one-year qualifications encourage students to think creatively and professionally.

The work produced on these courses often blends disciplines, combining creativity, technical skills and professional thinking.

What can you submit?

We’re keen to see submissions that demonstrate both creativity and professional thinking. Students could submit:

• Branding and campaign work
• Technical production projects
• Creative business or enterprise ideas
• Collaborative projects
• Behind-the-scenes development work

Marc Mollica, Chief Examiner for Performing and Production Arts and Level 4 Professional Diplomas, explains:

"Origins offers a platform to demonstrate a broad skillset-from behind-the-scenes innovation to entrepreneurial thinking and creative outcomes. It highlights the collaborative and professional nature of the work, giving students the chance to share and engage with industry-relevant audiences."

Performing and Production Arts

UAL Awarding Body’s Performing and Production Arts qualifications span Entry Level through to Level 4 Professional Diplomas, covering areas including acting, dance, musical theatre and technical theatre practice.

While live performance can sometimes feel challenging to capture within an exhibition setting, Origins Creatives offers students an opportunity to showcase the creative process behind the final performance itself. We encourage students to think creatively about how they present live or collaborative work in a visual format.

What can you submit?

Submissions could include:

• Performance photography or filmed extracts
• Performance photography and videos
• Original scripts
• Costume and prop designs
• Props from the production
• Lighting concepts and set design
• Behind-the-scenes creative processes

The creative journey behind the performance can be just as powerful as the final piece itself.

As Marc Mollica puts it:

"Presenting work at Origins Creatives offers performing and production students a chance to gain recognition, share their artistic vision, and connect with audiences through visual or documented aspects of their work."

Music Performance and Production

Music Performance and Production students are constantly creating work that brings together sound, visuals, storytelling and identity - and Origins Creatives offers students the perfect opportunity to showcase that creativity beyond the classroom, rehearsal space or studio.

UAL Music Performance and Production qualifications span Levels 1-3 and support students in developing practical and technical skills across areas such as music performance, composition, sound engineering and production. Origins Creatives is the perfect place to share the sounds and stories that make your work unique.

What kind of work could be submitted?

Students could submit:

• Original tracks or EPs
• Recordings of live performances
• Music videos
• Podcasts or audio projects
• Sound design work
• Album artwork or visual identity projects
• Merchandise or promotional materials
• Studio documentation and process work

This year, we are also delighted to welcome submissions for live performances to be featured in Origins Creatives Live, which will take place on Friday 17 July. Students can submit original performance work - including a recording or video of their proposed performance - for the opportunity to be featured as part of the live event, giving students the opportunity to bring their creativity directly to a live audience.

Nicolas Sykes, Chief Examiner for Music Performance and Production, states:

“UAL Music Performance and Production qualifications develop the creative, technical and collaborative skills needed for today’s music industry. Origins is an opportunity to showcase bold, original work and celebrate the next generation of musicians, producers and creative talent.”

We know that creative work does not always fit into traditional exhibition formats - and that’s exactly why we want to see it. Origins Creatives is about celebrating the full diversity of creative education and giving students the opportunity to share their ideas, voices and talents with a wider audience.

If you’ve never submitted work from these qualifications before, this is the perfect year to get involved!