How Canadian Creatives can make the most of their UAL experience

I’m Bree, a Camberwell College MA Fine Art alum. As an international student, I wanted to get the most out of my UK university experience by seeking out practical work, volunteering and exhibition opportunities. Journeying from Canada to London myself, I wrote this article to share the transformative opportunities and unique experiences awaiting Canadian students at UAL.

Through my own research, the Post-Graduate Newsletter and my tutors, I found that UAL had lots of great resources for students and alumni to make industry connections through Arts Temps and Creative Opportunities. The visibility UAL provides through these platforms, graduate exhibitions and societies, was exactly what I was looking for as an emerging artist.

Your opportunities:

Arts Temps is available for all UAL students and alumni to apply for temporary paid positions, which are an excellent way to earn extra income during your studies. Many of these are creative roles, offering practical experience to boost your CV. Have a scroll and you will find roles in graphic design, content, events and more.

The Creative Opportunities platform highlights industry opportunities for when you are ready to take that next step in your career, offering many freelance and entry-level positions for you to filter through. Many courses also prioritize in-person opportunities for students to grow their professional networks with valuable guest speakers who lecture or lead hands-on workshops. This provides an insight into creative industries and offers real-life advice required to thrive in your pathway.

Your environment:

UAL serves as a true incubator for creatives. As the world’s #2 ranked institution for Art and Design, it naturally surrounds you with some of the most ambitious emerging artists and innovators, each on their individual journey. Stepping into this environment was incredibly inspiring. The level of talent lit a fire under me, pushing me to challenge myself and produce my best work.

Beyond the university, London is a global hub for creative talent, packed with free galleries, unique boroughs and a fast-paced energy. While the city's hustle culture can feel intense at times, having open access to the painting studios at Camberwell offered a nice oasis for me to reset and create alongside my course mates.

Your Visibility:

Your graduate exhibition is essentially the culmination of your entire degree, whether you are completing undergraduate or postgraduate studies. It’s where you get to show the world what you’ve been working on. In addition to the physical show, your final projects are featured on UAL’s Online Showcase, a platform that allows industry professionals to navigate your work and discover your talent, consider it your time to shine!

Following my own exhibition, I experienced an exciting influx of interest from professionals regarding scholarships, exhibitions and studio spaces; I was even offered my first solo show. I graduated in 2023 and the visibility I got from the online graduate show is still bringing me opportunities today (2026) in both London and Toronto.