Freelance and business support
Are you interested in working for yourself? Do you have an idea for a creative business?
Our enterprise team can support you with many aspects of setting up and running a successful business or freelance practice.
We provide:
- Online business resources and events
- Enterprise one-to-ones
- Opportunities to showcase and sell your work
- Funding and awards
- Guidance on how to protect your intellectual property (IP)
Take a look at the resources on this page or email enterprise@arts.ac.uk with your questions or to request a one-to-one.
Support and funding
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Image courtesy of UAL
International start-up visa
Want to set up your own business? UAL can help you apply for a Start-up Visa to stay in the UK after graduation.
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Apply for the Creative Business Accelerator
Final year student or graduate with a business? This programme includes industry support, and a £6,000 bursary. Apply by 9 May 2022.
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Mustafa Boga, MA Fine Art, Central Saint Martins. Photo Alys Tomlinson.
Creative Enterprise Awards
Want to launch or grow your own business? Receive funding and business support through the Creative Enterprise Awards.
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Credit Illustration by Gracie Dahl
Join our Founders and Freelancers network
Work for yourself or want to in the future? Sign up to be part of our Founders and Freelancers group on The Dots! Join the waitlist.
Business resources
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Archive Research by Damilola Ayo-Vaughan. Photo Alys Tomlinson.
How to be self-employed
We explain the terminology and things to consider when planning and launching your own business.
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Daisy Hristova studying in the Library © Alys Tomlinson
How to work as a freelancer
Read our guidance on how to launch and maintain a successful freelance career.
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Photo by Unai Mateo
How to pitch
Read our tips to help you to feel confident and ensure your pitch presentation has impact.
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Image courtesy of UAL
Self-promotion and marketing
Get advice on self-promotion and marketing yourself as a creative professional.
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Selection of products from not just a shop. Photo Yeshen Venema.
How to price your work
Read our step-by-step guide to make sure you're charging the right price for your products.
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How to manage your IP
Read our tips and advice on how best to manage and benefit from the value of your intellectual property (IP).
Exhibit and sell your work
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not just a shop. Photo by Damian Griffiths.
not just a shop
If you're a student or graduate from UAL you can apply to sell your work in not just a shop through our open calls.
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Photo of designer Michelle Njeri Small talking to buyers at Top Drawer 2019.
Top Drawer trade show
Every year, UAL presents a stand of emerging student and graduate businesses at leading gift trade show, Top Drawer.
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Photo by Damian Griffiths
Exhibitions and trade shows
Find out how to choose the right opportunities and make the most from being at exhibitions and trade shows.
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Made In Arts Londone exhibition at Free Range
Made in Arts London
Made in Arts London is the Students' Union's selling platform. Current students can submit work to be considered for sale.
Enterprise events
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Skills swap speed networking
Join this session to understand how a skills swap works and meet other UAL students and graduates to network and collaborate with.
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Think big, start small
Struggling to find the perfect organisation to propel your career? Join to this online session to find out where to look and how to approach them!
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Business advice one-to-ones
Book a 25-minute online one-to-one business advice session.
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Pricing and positioning: How to charge what you are worth
Book a place on this workshop to help price your products, services or freelance work.
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