Art and Design

This popular course gives you the knowledge and practical skills you need to become an art and design professional while studying in a supportive, collaborative studio environment. Working with live briefs, public projects and industry partners, you learn to present work to professional standards, including project production, and develop the skills needed to network, exhibit and build relationships in the creative community.

Facilities and specialist equipment

• Spacious studios in a creative environment, studying alongside students from other creative disciplines.

• 3D workshop complete with a laser cutter; 3D printer; digital pattern cutter; CNC machine; and a variety of drills, saws and other tools.

• Our print room offers a range of printing options including large-format fine art printing (up to A0); textile printing; risograph printing; and extensive screen-printing equipment.

• Vinyl cutter.

• Access to a 3D printer and CNC machine.

• Industry-relevant software, including an Adobe package with Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator, provided free of charge.

Career-powered links

Students work with our media, interiors, photography and graphics courses. You also benefit from regular, on-going involvement with our partners, Luton Culture Trust and The Hat Factory Arts Centre, offering opportunities for work experience, live projects, on-campus visits and more.

Your student experience

Learn from a staff team that includes internationally exhibiting artists, designers and photographers educated at top art schools including Central Saint Martins, Glasgow School of Art, Chelsea and Goldsmiths.

Work the way you would in the creative industry, collaborating in teams across disciplines in a studio environment, developing your wider creative thinking.

Gain real work experience through projects for the University, our sector partners and local businesses; we offer a volunteer programme that allows you to gain experience in your field while studying.

Extend your learning with talks from a different industry professional every week, mapping their journey from study to employment.

Benefit from regular, industry-relevant field trips and collaborations with local museums, arts centres and galleries such as Luton’s Hat Factory, Wardown Park Museum and Stockwood Discovery Centre.

Visit artist and design studios, galleries, museums and exhibitions throughout the UK. Study trips have included Tate Modern, the Royal Academy and Gagosian.

Our graduates have worked with Adidas; Stormzy; Sam Fender; U DOX Creative agency; The Design Museum; MK Gallery; Concordia University, Montreal; Estonian Academy of Arts; The Culture Trust; Arts Council; and Whitstable Biennale.

They have gone on to study at Goldsmiths, the Royal College, the Royal Academy and overseas institutions.

Course modules

Year 1
Context and ideas - Explore how art and design shape culture and society. Exploring materials and methods - Try out different tools, techniques, and materials in creative projects. Thinking through making - Turn your ideas into visual art using various media. Making images - Learn how to create still and moving images in studio and outdoor settings.

Year 2
Developing professional practice - Build a portfolio that reflects your creative work and industry awareness. Collaborative enterprise - Work independently and with others in real-world creative settings. Context and meaning – Explore global ideas and theories behind visual culture. Art and design: developing materials and methods - Strengthen your studio practice using focused creative techniques.

Year 3
Art and design: final major project - Create a personal body of work for public exhibition. Creative futures - Prepare for your career after graduation. Critical and creative contexts - Explore current ideas and debates in art and design.

Every effort is made to ensure this information is accurate at the point of publication on the UCAS website. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to our website.