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Course costs
Course costs
The fee you pay Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) provides the necessary equipment and training for you to complete your course.
In most cases, you don't need to buy any specific items of kit before you start the course. You may also choose to buy some items of personal equipment such as a laptop or tablet computer, but this isn't required – desktop and laptop computers are available for you to use in common study areas, including a loan system in the Library. It's usually better to wait a few months before buying a new device, because this gives you the chance to work out what’s most likely to be useful for you – your course team will also be able to advise.
Course-specific costs
It isn't possible to be precise about the likely additional costs that you may incur, because this will depend on the choices you make and the projects you undertake. The University provides some basic materials, and you'll be encouraged to work sustainably and to reuse materials where possible, but you should still expect to make some financial investment.
Most Level 4 and 5 students will be likely to spend around £350 per year on materials, although many will spend much less. At Level 6, you'll undertake your major project, and your portfolio of work will be important as you progress to a creative career. Some students may spend less than £50 on this project, but others may spend considerably more, with costs running over £1,000; students often engage in fundraising activities to support the most expensive projects.
You won't be penalised for choosing a less expensive project – the outcome is determined based purely on your academic performance.
Some courses offer educational visits, which may be within the UK or abroad. These aren't compulsory, and you won't be disadvantaged if you don't take part. The cost will depend on the location of the visit.
We've outlined some potential approximate costs that you may expect on the following specific courses. Please note: some courses only have negligible additional costs and haven't been listed below.
- How much will most Level 4 and 5 students be likely to spend on materials? – £50–200
- How much could a student spend on a project? – £50–200
- Where did the most recent overseas course trip take place? – Florence
- What was the estimated cost of this overseas course trip? – £250
- Any other unavoidable costs? – SketchUp Pro software on a student laptop – £65 per year. This software is available for use on campus machines.
- How much will most Level 4 and 5 students will be likely to spend on materials? – Depends on nature of the project
- How much could a student spend on a project? – £30–2,000+
- Where did the most recent overseas course trip take place? – Berlin
- What was the estimated cost of this overseas course trip? – £390
- Any other unavoidable costs?
- Additional portfolio sleeves above the 10 given along with your A3 portfolio will cost £2 each.
- Additional Chromira printing over your termly allocation, cost varies depending on quantity.
- Additional inkjet paper beyond the paper you're given at the start of Level 4 – £40 for 25 sheets A3
- How much will most Level 4 and 5 students be likely to spend on materials? – £100
- How much could a student spend on a project? – £0–300
- Where did the most recent overseas course trip take place? – Seville
- What was the estimated cost of this overseas course trip? – £450
- How much will most Level 4 and 5 students be likely to spend on materials? – £50 printing credit; extra fees will be incurred if subscribing to online software and AI models outside those offered by AUB
- How much could a student spend on a project? – £0–100+
- How much will most Level 4 and 5 students be likely to spend on materials? – £500*
- How much could a student spend on a project? – £50–200
*While there are no kit or studio fees, this minimum cost is mandatory, as if you don't have the right materials you won't be able to complete the practical components of the course.
- How much will most Level 4 and 5 students be likely to spend on materials? – £100
- How much could a student spend on a project? – £20–500
- Does this course require the purchase of a kit or any other mandatory fees? – Yes
- What is the cost of the kit or mandatory fees?
- Level 4 workshop materials: £200
- Level 5 workshop materials: £150
- How much will most Level 4 and 5 students be likely to spend on materials? – £30–50
- How much could a student spend on a project? – £100–1,000
- Where did the most recent overseas course trip take place? – Paris
- What was the estimated cost of this overseas course trip? – £332
- Any other unavoidable costs? – Quality fabric is expensive – the course buys bulk fabrics from deadstock providers and re-sells to you for cost price. We also organise a fabric-sourcing trip to Paris each year, where quality stock is sold at much-reduced prices from those of London. This is a supported trip with staff in assistance to avoid mistakes in purchasing.
- How much will most Level 4 and 5 students be likely to spend on materials? – £0 (see Additional Information below)
- How much could a student spend on a project? – £0–30
Additional information
Due to the nature of the BA (Hons) Fashion Communication course, there's no requirement for you to buy any materials or equipment. If you wish to spend money on assessments, we talk to you about the most economical way to do so and encourage you to be sustainable.
You'll be encouraged to visit exhibitions, landmarks and stores, but this is at your own discretion and not vital to assessed work.
- How much will most Level 4 and 5 students will be likely to spend on materials? – £150
- How much could a student spend on a project? – £50–300
- Where did the most recent overseas course trip take place? – Kraków
- What was the estimated cost of this overseas course trip? – £465
Additional information
The BA (Hons) Fine Art course runs a special lecture on how to make good art cheaply. Buying expensive materials isn't always necessary to activate creative meaning and questions in contemporary art.
- How much will most Level 4 and 5 students will be likely to spend on materials? – £30–70
- How much could a student spend on a project? – £10–20 minimum. If prototyping, you'll need non-course materials, e.g. metal, wood, 3D printing, etc.
- Where did the most recent overseas course trip take place? – Seville, Spain
- What was the estimated cost of this overseas course trip? – £500 per student; one museum/gallery visit was covered by course.
- Any other unavoidable costs? – you'll be expected to pay for any printing or prototyping that needs to be outsourced. This is on an individual basis and will depend on outcome of your major project.
- How much will most Level 4 and 5 students be likely to spend on materials? – £0
- How much could a student spend on a project? – £0–100
- Where did the most recent overseas course trip take place? – Seville (2025); Antwerp (2026)
- What was the estimated cost of this overseas course trip? – £400
Additional information
Due to the nature of BA (Hons) Illustration, you can access the curriculum and optional bespoke pathways without needing to invest in hardware or software – however, you aren't forbidden from investing money into materials, hardware or software.
- Does this course require the purchase of a kit or any other mandatory fees? – Yes
- What is the cost of the kit or mandatory fees? – £1,000–1,200
- How much will most Level 4 and 5 students be likely to spend on materials? – £20–50
- How much could a student spend on a project? – £5–300
Additional information
Costs will vary depending on the projects that you engage with.
Some costs will be higher if you fully engage in testing and experimentation, and this will vary depending on materials.
Prosthetics and wig projects will vary in cost depending on final application – for example, silicone is expensive; using human and synthetic hair will change costing.
Depending on the project (prosthetic/wigs/fashion) will completely change the student overall spending.
- How much will most Level 4 and 5 students be likely to spend on materials? – £50 printing credit; extra fees will be incurred if subscribing to online software and AI models outside those offered by AUB
- How much could a student spend on a project? – £0–100+
- How much will most Level 4 and 5 students be likely to spend on materials? – £50 printing credit; extra fees will be incurred if subscribing to online software and AI models outside those offered by AUB
- How much could a student spend on a project? – £0–100+
- How much could a student spend on a project? – £50–500
- How much could a student spend on a project? – between £0* and £600
- Any other unavoidable costs? – there are costs for stationery and printing, which are individual to each student
*Some students on the MA Historical Costume work on projects that are funded by external industry partners.