What our students say about Cambridge School of Art

Undergraduate

Ian Wolter on ARU's "fantastic" BA Fine Art degree

"Just having three years to explore the subject for yourself, and be supported, and guided, and encouraged, and led, and inspired – it was absolutely magnificent."

Ian Wolter, BA (Hons) Fine Art graduate & award-winning professional artist

"I could research specific topics that really interested me, and the everyday experience we had in the studio isn’t something you're ever going to be able to experience again."

Eleanor Penny, BA (Hons) Interior Design

"I was in the studio all the time, taking out all kinds of different photography equipment because I really wanted to see how they work."

Aliz Kovacs-Zoldi, BA (Hons) Photography & Amateur Photographer's Student Photographer of the Year 2022

"ARU was my first choice in terms of facilities, equipment, environment, tutoring, and I particularly loved the printing room."

Francesca Gagni, BA (Hons) Fine Art

"Cambridge was such a wonderful place... To live in a place like that when your biggest passion is drawing is rather amazing."

Kristin Roskifte, BA Illustration alumnus & children's book author/illustrator

"Studying at ARU has been a fundamental part of my journey in providing guidance, support, and a well-rounded skill set."

Mardiya Aurangzeb, BA & MA Graphic Design

Jennifer - Falling for Fine Art at ARU

"Everything we made at university was really, really useful for our portfolios..."

Blessing Raimi, BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Ruta - What We Can Achieve With Art

'One of my major projects was a paid project, working with Kenyan coffee growers and farmers.'

Connie Esavwa, BA (Hons) Graphic Design

"Being able to have hands on experience in the photography studios gave me the skills and ability to run my business today."

Jemima Willcox, BA (Hons) Photography

Abbie - Combining My Passions at ARU

Guoste - ARU Open Day Sealed the Deal

Ella - How ARU helped me develop as an artist

"I have been incredibly lucky to have worked for a broad range of clients and projects including Google, The Los Angeles Times, the Barbican and The High Line Park, NYC."

Aleesha Nandhra, BA (Hons) Illustration

"It’s so independent. They let you run wild with your ideas, and what concepts you read into. They just pull you in with advice and guide you."

Ashleigh Robinson, BA (Hons) Fine Art

"It pushed me out of my creative comfort zone and let me grow and discover things about myself I never knew, all the while never trying to force me into any box."

Alice Nguyen, BA (Hons) Illustration

"The tutors were laid back, but also inspirational. They took an interest in our work outside of teaching."

Olivia Welsh, BA (Hons) Fashion Design

"As well as the amazing facilities, we had access to some really good illustrators who came in to talk to us and who influenced my decision to be an illustrator."

Catherine Rowe, BA (Hons) Illustration

"As an artist, my work has never been stronger and I am excited to be doing my dissertation on something I am truly passionate about."

Kira Barnard, BA (Hons) Fine Art

"It is a lovely artistic community to be a part of and coming here was the best decision I have ever made."

Lizzie Knott, BA (Hons) Illustration

"After a year I know the names of everybody in my year and we all work together to guide and push each other."

Tabitha Wall, BA (Hons) Illustration

Postgraduate

“My education gave me the tools I needed to choose what I would like to make of my career and life.”

Anna Dermitzaki, MA Fine Art graduate & Eden Project curatorial art team

“It’s a brilliant course because it allows you to find your own voice – whatever that may be – and fine-tune who you are.”

Kate Winter, MA Children's Book Illustration graduate & Klaus Flugge Prize 2024 winner

“I treasure every communication and contact I had with my Course Leader… I saw in her the love and persistence of an artist for art, but also the love and responsibility of a teacher.”

Rosie Ruoxi, MA Fine Art

"This course has really pushed me and given me the confidence that my work has a place in the graphic design field."

Lexi Curtis, MA Graphic Design

"I work hard, feel great and make progress. This is probably the most important thing that Cambridge School of Art has taught me."

Aining Wen, MA Children's Book Illustration

"The lectures narrowed the distance between students and writers. I could learn how real children’s book authors think, live and work."

Bo Yang, MA Children's Book Illustration

Rosie - How ARU Changed the Way I Drew

"Before I’d even graduated I was offered an internship by advertising and marketing agency Honest Ideas, which was then extended."

Dennis Amoah, BA (Hons) Graphic Design / MA Graphic Design & Typography

Winning at the World Illustration Awards

"Right from the first day I knew I was in the right place, surrounded by like-minded people."

Beth Waters, MA Children's Book Illustration

"The course facilities are amazing. I spent a lot of time in the print room, which had a huge impact on the development of my work."

Melissa Castrillon, MA Children's Book Illustration