In 2014 Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) marks the start of its 170th year celebrations. NUA is an independent, specialist arts, design and media institution within the University sector with full responsibility for all course content. NUA was established in 1845 as the Norwich School of Design.
Under two hours from London, the contemporary city of Norwich combines a rich sense of history, including the stunning 900-year-old cathedral, with ultramodern developments such as the Forum. The campus is in the heart of the city centre in Norwich’s cultural quarter, just a ten minute walk from the railway station. Within minutes by car or train, or a little longer by bike, you can be out of the city into the beautiful surrounding landscape – including the lakes and rivers of the Norfolk Broads. The coast and some of the most spectacular beaches in the UK are just 30 minutes from campus.
The key focus of the application process is on your portfolio but all courses have minimum entry requirements. Visit the website for more information. Candidates for all BA courses must apply online through the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS). Application is online via the UCAS website, or call UCAS customer services on 0870 1122 211. 85% of graduates felt ready for work on graduation. (Creative Futures Creative Graduates Survey, 2009–10.) 97% student retention rate. Students who start at NUA stay here. 92% of graduates were in employment or further study within six months (DLHE 2012). NUA was rated the Top Specialist Arts, Design and Media University for Student Satisfaction in the 2013 National Student Survey. Top rated learning resources – our specialist facilities include the world-class media lab, industry standard digital design, editing and sound facilities, print and etching studios, a foundry, and wood and metal workshops.
NUA facilities (including studios, workshops, exhibition and learning spaces) are well equipped and rated highly by staff and students. The onsite public art gallery enables students to showcase their work and gain curating and exhibition organising experience. The library houses the largest specialist art, design and media collection in the eastern region, including 32,000 books, subscriptions to over 1,300 journals, over 3,000 DVDs and an extensive bank of electronic resources. Norwich was the UK's first city to experiment with free wi-fi. NUA continues to offer broadband wireless connectivity on campus. NUA has its own art materials shop, open daily, which sells a wide range of basic and specialist art supplies at discounted prices.
Renovation of The Guntons Building will lead, in early 2014 to the unveiling of a new glass atrium creating a fresh, contemporary entrance to NUA’s design studios. A multi-million pound investment in the Media Lab ensures students have access to all the latest industry standard software and equipment. Renovation in 2011 led to the opening of the photography studio, with all the facilities necessary for contemporary photography education housed in 13th-century monastic remains. The fashion studios give students an open-plan, riverside space in which to innovate and create. The Duke Street library and lecture theatre are located in a fully refurbished 19th-century building. Investment continues in the estate to ensure that students have access to the best possible contemporary facilities and resources to support their creative potential.