Working with HEG, UCA will open the UCA International College at its Epsom campus this autumn to help overseas students develop the communication and creative skills they need to study on a creative degree program in the UK.

“Growing numbers of international students are wanting to study creative subjects”

The courses are specially designed to be a stepping stone for students wanting to progress onto a postgraduate or undergraduate course at UCA.

UCA vice-chancellor Bashir Makhoul described the UK’s creative higher education provision as “the best in the world, which is why so many overseas students aspire to study here”.

“In fact, as a young man, I came to the UK as an international student from my native Palestine, because as far as I was concerned the UK presented the very best opportunities for me to realise my ambitions as an artist,” he said.

“As vice-chancellor of UCA, I am passionate about breaking down barriers in order to provide a truly international education for our students.

“The creative industries operate on a global scale and it’s important that our curriculum, culture and communities reflect this to give students the very best preparation for their future careers,” he added.

Christopher Nagle, director of Holmes Education Group added that the company is excited to make a strong contribution to the UK’s creative provision for international students.

“Growing numbers of international students are wanting to study creative subjects, but many don’t have the formal standard required for degree-level study,” he said.

“The new University for the Creative Arts International College will provide tuition that’s specifically tailored to the needs of students wanting to progress onto a course within the creative arts, business or technology.”

UCA’s International College will open its doors in September 2019 and is expecting to welcome around 120 new students from all over the world.