Presented by TheGallery in collaboration with AUB Students’ Union (AUBSU), TheBUG, and AUB International, the AUB International Collective Exhibition 2026 celebrates the creativity and diversity of AUB’s international community. This is a unique exhibition embraces artwork created by students with different cultural and religious backgrounds.
AUB International Collective Exhibition demonstrates the range of skills and specialisms of international students currently studying at AUB, specifically those on a student visa. International students were invited to submit work across a whole range of disciplines with the final exhibition including pieces from ongoing projects, past work and new creations.
Now in its third year, the AUB International Collective is a unique collaboration that showcases artwork by students from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds. It's a testament to the talent, creativity, and innovation of our international student body, and highlights the strength and richness that global voices bring to AUB.
We're a community of makers that champions individuality and celebrates those who take risks and innovate. We also welcome diversity and provide space for everyone to become their creative self. With students and staff from over 60 countries, our community thrives on innovative thinking and global-minded perspectives.
The exhibition demonstrates the breadth of skills and specialisms of international students currently studying at AUB. Submissions span works in-progress, past projects, and new pieces created especially for this year’s show. The branding and submission process have been coordinated by AUBSU and the AUB International Student Representative, who leads the call-out for submissions, and design.
At its core, this exhibition is about community, belonging, and the importance of celebrating AUB’s international students.
Partnerships and collaborations at AUB
TheGallery at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) is an award-winning, internationally recognised space that provides a wide-reaching public platform for the arts within the region and beyond.
Promoting AUB’s values of being innovative, collaborative, connected and passionate, TheGallery curates a dynamic programme of exhibitions, events and projects throughout the year. Working with students, staff, and partners across education, industry and the cultural sector, it creates opportunities to showcase practice at every level.
Projects such as the AUB International Collective Exhibition demonstrate TheGallery’s collaborative approach, bringing together AUBSU, AUB International, and the curatorial expertise of TheGallery team to present ambitious exhibitions.
Through its work, TheGallery embodies the University’s commitment to civic and cultural engagement, ensuring that education and the arts remain accessible to all – at AUB and within the wider community.
Led by the President, Vice President and the Executive Officer Team, AUBSU exists to make sure that all students have the best possible experience while studying with us. All our students automatically become members of the Union when they enrol on their course.
As a Student’s Union at a creative university, AUBSU aims to provide platforms where students can showcase their talents and works within the university but also help you engage with the surrounding community.
AUBSU's BUG galleries provide a dedicated multimedia platform for showcasing AUB’s student and alumni talent.
The BUG contains three spaces dedicated to giving students and recent graduates the chance to host and curate their own exhibitions. Through TheBUG, students have been able to engage with and represent the creative community on campus.
If you're interested in booking out a BUG space, please email thebug@aub.ac.uk.
With such a diverse body of students and staff, our creative community thrives upon innovative thinking and global-minded individuals. In 2025, our international student community consists of over 700 students, and we have staff and students from over 60 different countries. Just in our International department, the team is made up of people from eight different countries and they can speak over 10 different languages between them!
We're deeply proud of our international community and we work to ensure they feel welcomed, at home and that they’re celebrated.
Stories from AUB's International students
Our creative community thrives upon innovative thinking and global-minded individuals. Check out some of the recent news and stories from our International student community.
BA (Hons) Fashion graduate wins place on Innovation Studio Business Incubator
Designed to support the growth of early-stage creative projects, the incubator programme offers desk space in the Innovation Hub...
Nancy John on Indian folklore, demons and becoming an AOI "Graduate to Watch"
This project was inspired by stories of demons from Indian folklore...
Sofia Mäkiniemi – "There was no test to be taken, no thesis to be written. I had to create."
I had an idea when I arrived at AUB that I wanted to be political and provocative...
Bhavana Rao – “Art exists in everyday actions, objects and experiences”
I distinctly remember a moment during my second unit when I realised why I make art...
Anisha Sanmugathasan – Diving into second-year Architecture at AUB
My time on the BA (Hons) Architecture course at AUB so far has been a genuinely rich and well-rounded experience...
Mitsuki Kawase – “AUB can become a second home for you”
To anyone out there thinking about studying abroad: AUB is such a wonderful place for international students...
AUB International community and events
At AUB, becoming part of our International community means so much more than earning a creative degree. It’s about gaining friends, experiences, and knowledge from across the world.
To help you feel at home, wherever you’ve come from, we host events throughout the year that bring students together, celebrate cultures, and foster support. From Lunar New Year and Norwuz to Holi and beyond, our calendar reflects what our students want to celebrate on campus.
Working closely with you and AUBSU, we make these events meaningful, vibrant and inclusive, so that every student feels welcome in our creative community.
Discover our previous exhibitions
The AUB International Collective Exhibition is now in its third year. Explore our previous exhibitions below.
AUB International Collective Exhibition 2025
This show demonstrates the range of skills and specialisms of international students currently studying at Arts University Bournemouth...
AUB International Collective Exhibition 2024
This show encapsulates the talent of AUB’s International members – specifically those who are studying on a student visa...
AUB International Collective Exhibition 2026 – formal opening and private view
We invite you and your guests to the formal opening and private view of the AUB International Collective Exhibition 2026 on 19 March 2026.
