Camberwell College of Arts: Drawing, Making, and Conservation in South London

Camberwell College of Arts is one of the six colleges of the University of the Arts London and one of the most distinctive in the UAL family. Located on Peckham Road in South London, Camberwell has developed a particular identity around three areas that set it apart from its UAL siblings: a deep commitment to drawing as a foundational and independent practice, a strong tradition in book arts and conservation, and a location in South London's rapidly developing creative community that gives it a different character from the central London colleges.

Founded in 1898, Camberwell has spent more than a century developing its programs in fine art, design, and conservation, and it has built a strong reputation in all three areas. The college's Conservation programs are among the most respected in the United Kingdom, training conservators who work on paintings, works on paper, and books and library materials in museums and private collections worldwide. The Drawing programs reflect a conviction that drawing is not merely a preparatory skill but a complete artistic practice in its own right, and this conviction shapes the culture of the entire college.

Fine Art and Drawing

Camberwell's BA Fine Art is a three-year program that covers painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media practice with a strong emphasis on drawing as a foundational discipline. The program does not divide students into medium-based specializations; instead, students develop their practice across disciplines, with drawing as the common thread that connects different approaches and media.

The college's commitment to drawing is reflected in its dedicated Drawing programs, which treat drawing as a complete artistic practice rather than merely a preparatory skill. Students in the Drawing programs develop their practice across a range of approaches, from observational drawing to conceptual and performative work, and they engage seriously with the history of drawing as an independent art form. This emphasis on drawing as a primary practice distinguishes Camberwell from most other art schools and attracts students who are genuinely committed to the discipline.

The BA Illustration program is one of Camberwell's strongest, producing graduates who work across editorial, publishing, animation, and gallery contexts. The program combines technical training with conceptual development, and its graduates are represented in major publications, galleries, and studios worldwide. The program's emphasis on drawing as the foundation of illustration practice reflects the college's broader commitment to the discipline.

Book Arts and Conservation

Camberwell's Book Arts programs are among the most distinctive offerings at any art school in the world. The college offers programs in bookbinding, letterpress printing, and the broader field of artists' books, treating the book as both a craft object and an artistic medium. Students develop technical skills in traditional bookbinding and printing techniques alongside conceptual development of the book as a form of artistic expression.

The Conservation programs are among the most respected in the United Kingdom, covering the conservation of easel paintings, works on paper, and books and library materials. These programs combine scientific training in materials analysis and conservation chemistry with deep knowledge of historical techniques and materials, and they prepare graduates for careers in museum conservation, private practice, and conservation research.

The Conservation of Easel Paintings program is particularly well regarded, with graduates working in major museums and private collections across the United Kingdom and internationally. The program's combination of technical rigor and art historical knowledge produces conservators who can engage with both the material and the cultural dimensions of the works they care for.

The South London Context

Camberwell's location in South London gives it a character that is genuinely different from the UAL colleges in central London. The Peckham and Camberwell area has developed into one of the most active arts neighborhoods in London, with galleries, studios, and artist-run spaces that provide a stimulating context for student work. The South London Gallery, one of the most respected contemporary art spaces in London, is a short walk from the college, and its program of exhibitions and events provides a direct connection to the contemporary art world.

The area's relatively affordable rents compared to central London have attracted a large concentration of working artists, and the creative community that has formed around the college is genuinely active and supportive of emerging practice. Many Camberwell graduates choose to remain in South London after graduation, contributing to a creative community that has been shaped by the college's presence for more than a century.

The UAL Context

As part of the University of the Arts London, Camberwell students have access to the resources of a university that includes five other specialist arts colleges. Cross-college projects, shared facilities, and the broader UAL community give Camberwell students a wider network than a standalone college could provide. The UAL's connections to the London art and design industries provide students with access to internships, professional networks, and career opportunities across the full range of creative disciplines.

The UAL's Awarding Body provides the academic framework for Camberwell's degrees, and the university's research programs support faculty and doctoral students working at the intersection of practice and theory. The college's own research culture is particularly strong in the areas of drawing, book arts, and conservation, reflecting its distinctive areas of expertise.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition for UK students at Camberwell is approximately £9,535 per year for undergraduate programs and £12,000 per year for most postgraduate programs. Overseas students pay significantly more, with undergraduate fees around £26,500 and postgraduate fees around £28,000 per year. UAL and Camberwell offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for both UK and international students, and the college actively encourages applications from students with financial need.

The Bottom Line

Camberwell College of Arts is one of the most distinctive colleges in the UAL family, with a deep commitment to drawing, a strong tradition in book arts and conservation, and a location in South London's vibrant creative community. Its programs in Conservation are among the most respected in the United Kingdom, and its emphasis on drawing as a primary practice gives it a character that is genuinely different from more conceptually or commercially oriented art schools. For students who are drawn to the material culture of making, to drawing as a complete practice, or to the technical and intellectual demands of conservation, Camberwell offers an education that is both rigorous and distinctive.