University of the Arts London (UAL) will open its new pre-degree school in September at the historic Lime Grove campus in the
heart of Shepherds Bush, West London, marking a significant investment in the future of creative education.
The two-acre campus brings together UAL’s world leading pre-degree courses in art, media, design and fashion, offering young creatives
a vibrant space to explore and develop their talents. Applications for the 2025/26 academic year open from October.
The newly established UAL School of Pre-Degree Studies serves as a creative hub for students from London and around the world at the
very start of their career. Students will have the opportunity to experiment, innovate and refine their creativity, with successful graduates of the Foundation course in Art and Design progressing to undergraduate degree at one of UAL’s six prestigious colleges.
The school will offer students targeted support, expert teaching and industry-relevant skills, equipping them for future success in
both higher education and the creative industries. The School of Pre-Degree Studies will also create new opportunities for local communities and creative businesses, including boosting local businesses through student spending and retaining creative talent
within the local workforce. In addition, Lime Grove’s historic Grade II-listed building will be protected, enhanced and invested in, preserving the area’s unique heritage and enriching its cultural landscape.
40 Lime Grove itself is steeped in a long history of arts and culture, having provided creative education and technical skills to young
people for over a century. The site was originally home to three women’s trade schools specialising in dressmaking, millinery, embroidery and hairdressing, eventually merging into what became the now-renowned London College of Fashion, UAL.
Significant improvements to the Lime Grove site have been underway since the UAL School of Pre-degree Studies was announced. Earlier
this year, the University was awarded a government grant of almost £2 million to reduce carbon emissions and enhance sustainable operations at Lime Grove. The funding will be directed towards several proposed projects, including installing heat pumps, improving
insulation to reduce reliance on gas, and making accessibility upgrades, including new external lifts, ramps and step-free access. These efforts align with UAL’s net zero carbon targets as outlined in its
Climate
Action Plan.
Amanda Jenkins, Dean of UAL’s School of Pre-Degree Studies, said: “The move to Lime Grove underlines our commitment to making
creative education accessible to more people than ever before.
“The site will be a hub for students to hone their creative talents, with access to state-of-the-art equipment and guidance from expert
academics and skilled technicians. We are excited to welcome a diverse network of international and UK creatives in our first cohort of UAL pre-degree students and look forward to fostering an environment where unique and global perspectives meet and inspire
innovation.”
