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    University for the Creative Arts January 2027 Intake: Canterbury, Epsom and Farnham Courses Open Now

    By Lightning Enrolment Editorial TeamPublished Updated 7 min read

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    Quick answer: The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is open now for January 2027 starts across three campuses. Canterbury offers MA Interior Design and MA Visual Communication. Epsom offers the Global Masters in Business & Management and MA Fashion Business & Management. Farnham offers MA Filmmaking. Most routes ask for a Bachelor degree at 2:2 or above, IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each component, and a portfolio or showreel for the creative courses. All three campuses are outside London, so the visa maintenance rate is GBP 1,171 per month. Check your eligibility. For applications made from 30 November 2026, the London rate rises to GBP 1,570 per month (GBP 14,130) and the outside-London rate to GBP 1,203 per month (GBP 10,827).

    UCA January 2027 Courses by Campus

    CampusCourseLevel
    CanterburyMA Interior DesignMastersCanterburyMA Visual CommunicationMastersEpsomGlobal Masters in Business & ManagementMastersEpsomMA Fashion Business & ManagementMastersFarnhamMA FilmmakingMasters

    Canterbury: design and communication

    MA Interior Design works across spatial design, retail and exhibition environments and sustainable reuse of buildings. MA Visual Communication covers graphic design, illustration, branding and motion, with a studio led structure and a final major project you can take straight into a portfolio.

    Epsom: business, fashion and management

    The Global Masters in Business & Management is the route if you want a management qualification inside a creative university, useful for students moving from a non business first degree. MA Fashion Business & Management sits close to the London fashion industry and covers buying, merchandising, brand strategy and fashion marketing. Epsom is around 35 minutes by train from central London without London rent or London visa maintenance rates.

    Farnham: film

    MA Filmmaking at Farnham is a production focused Masters with access to studio, camera and post production facilities. Expect to graduate with completed short film work rather than only written assessment.

    Entry Requirements for UCA January 2027

  1. Academic: a Bachelor degree at 2:2 or above, or an equivalent overseas qualification. Relevant professional experience is considered on some routes.
  2. English: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, or an accepted equivalent.
  3. Portfolio: required for MA Interior Design, MA Visual Communication and MA Filmmaking. 15 to 20 pages or a short showreel is normally enough, and it should show process work, not just finished pieces.
  4. Personal statement: 400 to 600 words explaining why this course, what you want to make, and how the campus facilities fit your plan.
  5. Building a Portfolio That Gets an Offer

  6. Show process: sketches, iterations, tests and what you changed. Admissions tutors want to see thinking, not only polished output.
  7. Include 3 to 5 strong projects rather than everything you have made.
  8. Add a one line brief at the top of each project explaining the problem you set yourself.
  9. For filmmaking, include a 2 to 3 minute showreel plus one full short if you have it.
  10. Keep the file under 20MB as a PDF, or supply a link that does not need a login.
  11. The Visa Timeline for a January 2027 UCA Start

    Canterbury, Epsom and Farnham are all outside the London borough zone for maintenance purposes, so you show your outstanding first year tuition plus GBP 1,171 per month for up to 9 months (GBP 10,539), held for 28 consecutive days. Apply in September to November 2026, clear your conditions and deposit through November and early December 2026, then apply for your Student visa in December 2026. Creative courses fill faster than the calendar suggests because portfolio review adds time, so do not leave the application to the last week.

    Apply to UCA Through Lightning Enrolment

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  12. Start your UCA application
  13. Check your eligibility
  14. Browse all January 2027 courses
  15. Related Reading

  16. Cardiff Metropolitan University January 2027 intake
  17. January 2027 intake UK universities
  18. Why January 2027 saves time vs September 2027
  19. *Sources: University for the Creative Arts January 2027 course availability, UKVI Student visa guidance 2026.*

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is the University for the Creative Arts open for January 2027?+

    Yes. UCA January 2027 courses are open now at Canterbury, Epsom and Farnham.

    Which UCA courses start in January 2027?+

    Canterbury offers MA Interior Design and MA Visual Communication, Epsom offers the Global Masters in Business & Management and MA Fashion Business & Management, and Farnham offers MA Filmmaking.

    Do I need a portfolio for UCA January 2027?+

    Yes for the creative routes. MA Interior Design, MA Visual Communication and MA Filmmaking expect a portfolio or showreel showing process work as well as finished projects. The business routes at Epsom do not normally require a portfolio.

    What are the entry requirements for UCA January 2027?+

    A Bachelor degree at 2:2 or above, or an equivalent overseas qualification, with IELTS Academic 6.0 overall and no component below 5.5. Relevant professional experience is considered on some routes.

    How much money do I need to show for a UCA Student visa?+

    Canterbury, Epsom and Farnham are outside London, so you show your outstanding first year tuition plus GBP 1,171 per month for up to 9 months, which is GBP 10,539, held for 28 consecutive days.