Chelsea College of Arts Undergraduate Welcome Events 2026

Welcome to Chelsea College of Arts!

You will be able to join in our on-site activities, including an exciting orientation treasure hunt to help you get acquainted with the site (see event listings) and visit pop-up tables in the canteen area where you can meet Chelsea staff, local community, and student ambassadors. Enjoy freebies and refreshments while you get to know everyone.

Please note: These events are for new and returning UAL students only.

25 September

UndergraduateWelcomeTalkatChelseaCollegeof Arts

Lecture Theatre

25 September, 10am - 12pm

Please join us in the lecture theatre to meet key members of the Chelsea College of Arts staff team, and to find out more about the campus and support available to you.

The session will include a welcome from a variety of staff members and student groups including:

• College welcome led by members of the Executive Team
• School welcome led by senior leaders
• Introduction to Arts SU, your Student Union
• Meet the Student Contact Desk and Support Servies teams
• An introduction to your local library staff
• An introduction to Academic Support
• Explore professional practice and professional opportunities.

Bob and Roberta Smith guest speaker talk

Lecture Theatre

12:30-13:30pm

Bob and Roberta Smith is the artist name of London-based artist Patrick Brill. Known for bold, hand-painted text works that combine humour, politics and a strong sense of conviction, his practice has long explored creativity, education, public life and who gets to feel included in the arts. Working across painting, installation, music and advocacy, he has built a distinctive career by staying independent, outspoken and committed to making work that connects with people.

For this talk, Patrick will share images of recent work alongside reflections on the build-up of his activities and career. Through this, students will hear more about the realities of sustaining a long creative life; showing up, continuing to make, responding to change, and holding onto your ideas even when they do not easily fit established expectations.

Chelsea College of ArtsTreasureHunt

Chelsea Reception

2pm - 3.30pm

Join us at Chelsea College of Arts for an exciting orientation treasure hunt to help you get acquainted with the site! You will collect a passport from the Welcome Desk at reception that will guide you to collect stamps from different locations of the campus. You'll get to meet staff at different points and then return to the Welcome Desk for refreshments and gifts. Don't miss out on this great way to explore the campus and make new friends!

With Tea: Acts of Cleansing

A workshop by UAL Fine Art Alumnus N. H. Cietisoo Nguyen

3pm - 5pm, Red Room BG11

Beyond the cup, tea cleanses, tea heals, tea nurtures, carrying local wisdom across cultures.

In Vietnam, tea is re-used as a daily cleansing remedy. Gentle and satisfying, tea removes stubborn malodour from our hands, while leaving the skin moisturised and subtly scented. All natural.

And yet, this knowledge remains little known beyond its motherland.

Join us, in this hands-on workshop, where we will be enlivened and re-energised through this humble act of cleansing our hands with tea, and in sharing our wisdom around the diverse uses of this everyday material.

Dungeons and Dragons

3pm - 5pm, Billiards Room BLG15

Curious about tabletop roleplaying games?

This Welcome Week session offers an introduction to Dungeons & Dragons in a relaxed, supportive environment led by a university staff member. Participants will work together to create characters, explore a shared fantasy world, and solve challenges through collaborative storytelling and creative problem-solving. No previous experience is needed, and all materials will be provided. Whether you're interested in games, storytelling, or simply meeting other new students, this workshop provides an informal opportunity to develop teamwork, communication, and improvisation skills while taking part in a short adventure.

Life Drawing

2Bor Not 2B Collective

4pm-6pm, Banqueting Hall BG12

Community, Collaboration and Inclusion are essential part to your university experience. In addition to building your network. For this Welcome Week session, we partner with 2B or Not 2B collective, offering life drawing sessions for our students. This private company is London based and hold in person, online and hybrid sessions with one of the largest diverse life drawing reference libraries online. We focus solely on uplifting marginalised bodies such as POC, trans and disabled bodies. Click the button below to book tickets to our upcoming events.