Ready to take your first steps to study art at university level?
Whether you’re looking to gain more experience, boost your confidence, or explore exciting new creative techniques before you start your degree, our free two-week 'Making Change' course is the perfect way to prepare you to start university and gain support for your application. You will get an art school experience, and during the course you will get the chance to meet the lecturers for the subjects you are interested in studying.

Why Join the Making Change Course?

Get an Art School experience: Get a taste of university-level art education and connect with lecturers from the subjects that inspire you.
Develop Your Creative Skills: Experiment with a variety of painting and printing techniques, test your skills as a fine artist and get hands-on with materials, that bring your ideas to life.
Build Your Portfolio: Create standout pieces to showcase your talent and support your university application.

This course has previously prepared students to enrol on to a range of Arts University Plymouth Undergraduate courses, including our Extended BA (Hons) Degree, which is a four-year degree route. You can see a full list of the courses you could study here.

We have also had students from our Making Change course go on to study at a postgraduate level, and a full list of our postgraduates courses can be found here.

“Making Change lived up to its name in my case, marking a pivotal moment in my creative journey. I had very little art experience prior, not having done any in school or as a hobby. I embraced the experimentation, letting go of inner perfectionism and started enjoying the process rather than focusing on the end result. Being amongst a group of like minded people filled me with inspiration and cemented my desire to study at AUP [Arts University Plymouth]. Going from never drawing with charcoal, to creating pieces I am proud of in a span of 6 sessions boosted my confidence and made me feel ready to take on university. I felt right at home with the atmosphere and AUP [Arts University Plymouth] values. I progressed onto the Extended BA [course] which has been the best year of my life, and it all started with Making Change.”- April 2024 Making Change Student

With one-to-one support, advice and completing your application, alongside plenty of exciting artistic exploration, Making Change will help you discover your creative potential, and it is free!

Are you a mature student? Did you know 31% of students at Arts University Plymouth are mature students? We pride ourselves on being a creative environment for all ages.

You don't need to be the next Van Gogh to take part, you just have to bring your enthusiasm and meet the following criteria:

Aged 18-70 at the start of the course
Planning on studying in the UK on a student visa (if not a UK citizen)
Interested in studying at Arts University Plymouth in September 2025 or 2026
Looking to explore higher education opportunities at an Undergraduate or Postgraduate level
Eligible for at least two years of student funding or looking at self-funding a Higher Education course.
(More information on if you are eligible can be found at https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies. If you are unsure if you are eligible we can discuss this with you once you have applied.)

SCHEDULE

Monday 4th August
Tuesday 5th August
Wednesday 6th August
Monday 11th August
Tuesday 12th August
Wednesday 13th August

All courses will run 10am to 3:30pm at our Arts University Plymouth, Tavistock Place campus - PL4 8AT.

You must be able to attend all 6 sessions.

Please note due to high demand all applications will be reviewed and places will be confirmed before the course start date. We will be in contact with you to discuss your application.

Places on this course are limited and subject to fulfilling the eligibility criteria above. All courses are subject to participant numbers and will only run if sufficient numbers are achieved. Arts University Plymouth reserves the right to cancel a course if insufficient participant numbers are recruited.

FAQs

What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from Arts University Plymouth?

Arts University Plymouth is in the city centre and is within walking distance of all bus routes, as well as Plymouth train station. Alternatively, there are many pay and display car parks in Plymouth city centre, including the nearby Regent Street car park, and the Drake Circus shopping centre.

What should I bring to the course?

You are welcome to bring your own tools and art supplies but all necessary materials will be provided.

How can I contact Arts University Plymouth with any questions?

Please email our team on Brand@aup.ac.uk

Making Change August 2025