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Art's University Bournemouth

Welcome to Arts University Bournemouth (AUB)
Pink background with partial images of student, copy reads: Applications are open
Applications are open

Nurturing creativity. Engaging communities. Collaborating with industry. Making a difference.

Rachael Kolb - Commercial Photography
Rachael Kolb - Commercial Photography

AUB's latest news

Discover what goes on within and beyond our creative campus.

Making the best possible difference in the world starts with making your best possible self. We enable this through creative learning, supported by state-of-the-art studios and equipment and engaged, passionate staff.

Student looking through a magazine at the Library
Magazines in the library

Our Research

More than 12% of AUB’s research has now been classed as ‘world-leading’ with a further 42% being classed ‘internationally excellent’, according to REF 2021.

Creative people see the world differently. We learn differently. Which is why we've remained creative specialists since 1883.

Gradient background with text that reads: AUB Showcase
AUB Showcase
Witches and Folklore – Silicone Prosthetic earlobes and eyepiece with a handmade hair lace wig.
Witches and folklore prosthetic make-up
The model is wearing a sheer shirt with golden polka dots and a sparkling, pink midi skirt. Her head is covered by a vinyl record sliding out from its sleeve
Uncanny Fashion

AUB Showcase

Explore the incredible work of our freshly graduated 'Class of 2024' in our online AUB Showcase. Browse work by course, student or theme.

I felt like I could be myself because everyone else was themselves.
Nebras Jamali
BA (Hons) Acting, featured in BBC's Our Girl
Drawing Studio
Drawing Studio
Sustainability at AUB
Sustainability at AUB

Sustainability

We recognise our responsibilities and are committed to continuous environmental, sustainable and social justice improvement in both our curriculum and day-to-day operations. Our campus has also been awarded EcoCampus Platinum – the highest level of university accreditation.

text: nurturing your creativity
Commercial Photography
Commercial Photography
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December

We believe your university subject shouldn't confine you. Whatever level of study you choose, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate across disciplines in industry-level projects and productions.

Film Production
Film Production
Modelmaking at AUB
Modelmaking at AUB
Graphic Design and Visual Communication
Graphic Design and Visual Communication
Fashion at AUB
Fashion at AUB

Find your course

From those first steps at Saturday Art School right through to gaining your PhD, we've got a level of study to suit you. All our courses are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to succeed in today's changing economy.

I decided to come to AUB to do my MA in Film Practice because I knew that it was a university that promoted excellence and gave its students the freedom to express themselves artistically
Fanny Cerdan-Roy
MA Film Practice
Student Ambassadors

Our student ambassadors are here to answer any questions you might have on university life, our courses and all things AUB.

Chat on Unibuddy
Printmaking on campus
Printmaking on campus
Photography enlarger
Photography facilities
Inside the drawing studio
Inside the drawing studio
Fusion 360
Fusion 360

Facilities fit for anything

We mirror the creative industries, right down to having the proper tools for the job. We're always investing in the tech and spaces to help you thrive on your course.

Above all, AUB is a community of artists.

Campus Halls Exterior
Campus Halls Exterior
Campus Halls
Campus Halls
Inside our Halls
Inside our Halls
AUB Welcome Festival
AUB Welcome Festival

Accommodation

Just as you’re all studying different courses, we know our students like different styles of places to live. We have a range of halls of residence, each offering something unique – there's a home away from home for everyone. We've also got a team of Student Ambassadors to help you settle into university life.

ITV x AUB Fine Art
ITV x AUB Fine Art
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December

Collaboration with business, research, high skills development, prototyping, entrepreneurship, Knowledge Exchange and an Innovation Studio designed by Sir Peter Cook, sit at the heart of AUB.

Innovation Studio
Innovation Studio
Inside the Innovation studio
Inside the Innovation studio
Innovation exterior
Innovation exterior

Innovation Studio

The Innovation Studio operates as a lab for creative technologies and a hub for start-ups, regional enterprises and industry engagement.

The Talus Project’s continued development wouldn’t have happened without the support of the AUB Residency Programme – through business mentoring and the provided access to the necessary resources to continue its prototyping. Throughout my time on the Residency Programme my confidence both socially and with my skillset has improved dramatically and the collaboration has been invaluable to the projects ongoing success.
Ryan Elder
Innovation Studio Resident, SeaTalus
RNLI - AUB 24
RNLI - AUB 24
Studio Wood
Studio Wood
Digital fashion
Digital fashion
LUSH x AUB packaging challenge
LUSH x AUB packaging challenge

Our case studies

Check out some of our collaborative projects with external partners to get an idea of how the Innovation Studio and AUB support various industries.

Together we seek innovative solutions to the problems of tomorrow.

The Innovation Studio has given me a space to work on my designs where I can be inventive and creative. I have also had direct access to using machines to cut out my designs. I count myself very lucky to be around professional tutors and designers who are able to offer hands on advice and guidance as to the best methods and techniques to achieve my desired outcome.
Salwa Alsaka
Innovation Studio Resident
Industry standard equipment - VR
Industry standard equipment - VR
BA (Hons) Textiles
BA (Hons) Textiles
Industry standard equipment
Industry standard equipment

Industry-standard equipment

The Innovation Studio is part of AUB's Lab 4 Creative Technologies. Featuring state-of-the-art equipment and digital resources, plus the latest in digital and physical manufacturing technology.

text: engaging the community
Alice in Kings Land
Alice in Kings Land
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December
  • Book an Open Day – 7 December

AUB creates and enriches communities in our region and beyond.

TheGallery
TheGallery
MoDiP
MoDiP
Palace Court Theatre
Palace Court Theatre
The Library
The Library

Our door is open

We're home to some incredible resources. We boast the biggest creative specialist library outside of London; the Museum of Design in Plastics (MoDiP), with its unique Designated Outstanding Collection; two theatres, one on campus, the other in the heart of Bournemouth; TheGallery and multiple collections, like The Thorp Archive. In the summer months we turn into the largest gallery in the southwest, with our graduate shows.

Through live projects, voluntary work and student-centred activities, our staff, students and governors are deeply committed to making a strong socio-economic and cultural difference to the region we live and work in.
Professor Paul Gough
Principal and Vice-Chancellor, AUB
AUB Summer Shows
AUB Summer Shows

Our community

Our staff and students are passionate about supporting the community. From creating opportunities to widen access to creative education, broadening horizons with cutting-edge research or working together to make a difference with civic engagement, we've got some incredible stories to tell.

We're proud of the communities we're a part of, and rightly so. Our students, alumni, staff and the companies we partner with are all dedicated to making a difference, whether that's large or small, local or global.

Graduation on the Beach
Graduation on the Beach
Bournemouth Town Centre
Bournemouth Town Centre
Wonderland Carnival
Wonderland Carnival
FdA Music and Sound Production
FdA Music and Sound Production

Guide to Bournemouth

We love our location, so we've curated a guide to some of the best hotspots in the area. Whether you enjoy nature or nightlife, food festivals or air festivals, there's always something to draw creative inspiration from, right on our doorstep.