Making Change
Do you dream of starting a career in art, design or media? Are you interested in doing a creative Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree or one of our one-year CertHE courses?
<p dir="ltr"><strong><strong>Ready to take your first steps to study art at university level?</strong></strong><br />Whether you’re looking to gain more experience, boost your confidence, or explore exciting new creative techniques before you start your degree, our <strong><strong>free two-week 'Making Change' course</strong></strong> 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.</p>
<p><strong><strong>Why Join the Making Change Course?</strong></strong></p><ul><li><strong><strong>Get an Art School experience</strong></strong>: Get a taste of university-level art education and connect with lecturers from the subjects that inspire you.</li><li><strong><strong>Develop Your Creative Skills</strong></strong>: Experiment with a variety of painting and fine art techniques, test your skills as a fine artist and get hands-on with materials, that bring your ideas to life.</li><li><strong><strong>Build Your Portfolio</strong></strong>: Create standout pieces to showcase your talent and support your university application.</li></ul>
<p><strong>This course has been designed to support you commencing your <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate">Undergraduate</a> or <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate">Postgraduate</a> studies with Arts University Plymouth in September 2026.</strong></p>
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.
Making Change student, April 2024
<p dir="ltr">During the course you will make, discuss and experiment with materials and ideas, whilst preparing for entry onto one of our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate"><strong>Undergraduate</strong></a> or <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate"><strong>Postgraduate</strong></a> courses. You will be supported in making an application, and you will improve your knowledge of the higher education sector. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Are you a mature student? </strong><br />Did you know that 31% of students at Arts University Plymouth are mature students? We pride ourselves on being a creative environment for all ages.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As well as support in completing your application, you'll be given advice and tips on how to prepare your portfolio, as well as comprehensive student finance advice. Previous graduates of our Making Change courses have gone on to study at degree level on subjects including <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-fashion-design">Fashion</a>, <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-textile-design">Textiles</a>, <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-fine-art">Fine Art</a>, <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-craft-material-practices">Craft and Material Practices</a> and <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-painting-drawing-printmaking">Painting, Drawing & Printmaking</a>, and across our range of <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate">postgraduate courses</a>.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">You don’t need to have a portfolio prepared - you just have to bring your enthusiasm and meet the following criteria:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Aged between 18 - 70 at the beginning of the course </p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Interested in studying at Arts University Plymouth in September 2026</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Want to explore higher education opportunities at an <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate">undergraduate</a> or <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate">postgraduate</a> level</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Eligible for at least two years of student funding or looking at self-funding a Higher Education course* </p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Planning on studying in the UK on a student visa (if not a UK citizen)</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Able to attend all six sessions (see dates below)</p></li></ul><div>*More information on whether you are eligible for financial support can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies</strong></a>. </div>
<p dir="ltr">This course takes place on campus at Arts University Plymouth with sessions from 10am to 3:30pm.<br /></p>
Week 1
Tuesday 7 April 2026
Wednesday 8 April 2026
Thursday 9 April 2026
Week 2
Tuesday 14 April 2026
Wednesday 15 April 2026
Thursday 16 April 2026
I loved every minute of the Making Change course: it was great to meet other people exploring their artistic practice, and I learnt a great deal and felt very encouraged. I loved the fact that it was not prescriptive, but that Dan [the tutor] was always on hand to advise and inform.
Making Change student, April 2024
<p>To make an application, please click the "<strong>Apply Now</strong>" button at the top of this page when applications open.</p>
<p>Please note due to high demand applying for this course does not guarantee acceptance, all applications will be reviewed and places will be confirmed before the course start date.</p>
<p>For further information or to request an alternative format, please email Becky Francis <a href="mailto:rfrancis@aup.ac.uk">rfrancis@aup.ac.uk</a></p>
Explore our Courses
<p dir="ltr">Please note that places on this course are limited and subject to fulfilling the eligibility criteria above. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Please note that submitting your application does not confirm your attendance, we will be in contact with you to discuss your application. </p>
<p dir="ltr">All courses are subject to participant numbers and will only run if sufficient numbers are achieved. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Arts University Plymouth reserves the right to cancel a course if insufficient participant numbers are recruited.<br /></p>
