Art and Design
Art and Design at Birmingham City University has a rich history dating back to 1843, when the Birmingham Government School of Design was founded as part of a national attempt to improve quality in design.
Established in 1843
iWe have a rich history of delivering creative arts education in Birmingham dating back to 1843.
Top 20
in the UK for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2024).
TEF Gold
BCU was awarded the highest possible rating of Gold for Student Experience in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023.
31,000+ students
from around 120 countries study at BCU.
Our Art courses are located at the School of Art in Margaret Street, which opened in 1885 as the UK’s first public art school. Neighbour to Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and just a five-minute walk from the Library of Birmingham and Ikon Gallery, the grade II Victorian listed building provides an inspiring space for flourishing artists to create in specialist workshops and studios.
The School of Art is also home to our monthly Night School – an evening of student led exhibitions, open studios, live performances and creative workshops, aimed at widening participation and developing creative communities in Birmingham.
Our Courses
Foundation Year courses
Our Foundation Years offer you an additional year of study to ensure progression to your chosen degree.
Undergraduate courses
Find out about our range of undergraduate courses for Art and Design.
Postgraduate courses
Take a look at the Art and Design postgraduate courses and research degrees available.
Explore BCU
Take a virtual tour of your subject facilities and spaces that would be part of your daily life as a student at Birmingham City University.
Our Research
We have a world-class environment for art-based research with a rich diversity of exhibitions, seminars, conferences, workshops and events animating our Margaret Street building throughout the year.
Explore Art and Design
Facilities
Take a look around the facilities available to you as an Art and Design student at BCU.
Our staff
When you study your degree with us, you will enjoy a wealth of expertise from those in your relevant field.
Our graduates
We're proud to boast an alumni community of more than 200,000 graduates in 120 countries across the world.
Working in industry
If you choose to study at BCU, you will get the chance to work with industry, where you'll gain valuable experience.
Blog
Check out our blog where we share our experiences and visionary ideas with each other, the industry and the world.
Inspired Festival
Inspired Festival is a showcase of work from students from the Faculty of Arts, Design and Media.
Portfolio Guidance
To support your application you will be asked to submit, or bring in, a portfolio. We've put together a range of useful tips and guidance to help you build one.
Night School
Night School is an evening of student led exhibitions, open studios, live performances and creative workshops, aimed at widening participation and developing creative communities in Birmingham. The event takes place monthly at our School of Art campus on Margaret Street and is open to the general public.
Our Heritage and History
We have a rich history of delivering creative arts education in Birmingham dating back to 1843. Our long-standing history means that we are an integral part of the city, with excellent industry links locally, nationally and internationally.
Find out more
News
There is always something happening around the University and our latest news is a great way to find out what's going on.
Placements
You may be required to undertake a placement as part of your course, or offered the opportunity to do so voluntarily during your time at BCU.
Living in Birmingham
Whether you’re moving to Birmingham or you’re a Brummie at heart, there’s so much to student life here to explore, no matter which campus you're based at.
Open Days
The best way to explore what's on offer is to come and see us. Our in-person events provide the perfect opportunity to chat to our staff and students, and check out our state-of-the-art facilities.