Find your community
There's always lots going on at UAL. Even before term starts, there are events to attend, groups to join and so many ways for you to explore your creativity with us.
Take a look at the Welcome events coming soon and find out more about the communities you can join, like the Arts Students' Union (Arts SU), the Black Creatives Hub or the Climate Emergency Network.
Events
From summer degree shows to seminars, workshops, talks and symposiums, there really is something for everyone in our schedule. Check out what's on during the Welcome...
Welcome Week
During Welcome Week, there will be many events and activities to join in as part of your UAL Welcome - possibly including some activities with your course. Welcome Week is a great time to meet people, make friends and get to know your College site before teaching starts.
This year there is a Welcome Week for Postgraduate students 14-18 September and a Welcome Week for all students on 21-25 September.
Welcome Fair
Run by Arts SU, the Welcome Fair is your chance to talk to our sports clubs, societies, and student-led networks, as well as UAL services, national brands and local businesses. It’s also a great place to get some freebies!
The fair is open to all UAL students and takes place at Central Saint Martins on Saturday 26 September from 10am – 6pm.
The first hour from 10am - 11am is an accessible hour and requires pre-booking to ensure the space is allocated to students who need it most.
Halls Life events
We run free and low-cost events for students at our UAL halls of residences and sometimes across the wider university.
The Halls Life welcome events kick off from 6 September: sign up at your hall when you move in.
What's on
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Central Saint Martins Library tours
Get to know the resources and facilities at your disposal with a guided tour of the CSM Library.
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Making and Mending with the CSM Library
Come to the CSM Library for a relaxed making and mending session; sewing, crochet, and papercraft materials provided.
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Badge and Zine making at the CSM Library
Join us at CSM library for a drop-in session where you can make your own badges and zines!
Communities
One of the best parts of starting university is the opportunity to meet people who have the same interests and beliefs as you. Get ready to meet your fellow creatives.
Arts SU
The Arts Students' Union (Arts SU) is an independent, member-led organisation. Arts SU is run by students, for students.
Every year you elect Full-Time Student Representatives (Sabbatical Officers) to direct Arts SU. They provide representation and support across 4 main categories: activities, campaigns, education and welfare.
Explore Arts SU's website for more information about their:
- events and campaigns
- academic representation
- independent advice
- leadership or creative opportunities
- funding for projects
- and more!
Welcome to Arts SU!
Sports and societies
With over 40 societies and 17 sports clubs to join, Arts SU can help you find your community. Their clubs and societies are one of the easiest ways to meet people that share the same interests and passions as you, from across UAL.
- Join a society. From curation to K-Pop, to chess, politics, faith or culture, there's something for everyone.
- Join a sports club. Whether you're interested in competing or just turning up to have fun, explore the clubs on offer.
- Can't find what you want? Start your own sports club or society.
Course Reps
As volunteers, Course Reps are students who represent their course at University and College meetings. They have a lot of influence over issues like curriculum design, facility access and opening hours.
Their efforts make sure students are heard. It's a great opportunity to work directly with Arts SU and UAL staff members to support the student experience and develop a variety of skills as a representative.
Each course will elect their Course Reps in the first few weeks of term.
Buddy up
Run by Arts SU's Advice Service, the Buddy Up initiative matches UAL students in pairs based on preferences that you provide when you apply. The scheme is a great way to meet other students if you don’t quite know how to get started.
Black Creatives Hub
In 2024 we launched an innovative online space dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the exceptional talents, achievements and contributions of our Black creative community.
The Black Creatives Hub is a platform celebrating and empowering UAL's Black creative community, building a sense of belonging and inspiring collaboration.
UAL's Post-Grad Community
Post-Grad Community
UAL’s Post-Grad Community is a space for postgraduate students to share work, find opportunities, and connect with UAL’s wider creative network. It provides a support network and gives you access to cross-College and cross-disciplinary opportunities and events.
- Sign up to the Post-Grad Community newsletter for details of events, opportunities, student articles and open calls for collaboration.
- Current students, check out the Post-Grad Community's Connect and Collab forum where you can find like-minded creatives to collaborate with.
UAL Climate Emergency Network
Join the growing community of students and staff who share the belief that urgent collective action is needed in the face of climate and ecological emergency. Open to all, the network is a collaborative of students and staff from across UAL.
The network publishes a regular newsletter, generates resources, curates exhibitions and organises events. It also lobbies the University and external bodies on matters related to environmental policy, practice and justice.