CSVPA - Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts

Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts is part of the prestigious Cambridge Educational Group and since 1985, has been providing high quality studying for young professionals in the profile specialties of the Foundation course. In recent years, the list of educational programs has expanded significantly, and now students can enter undergraduate and pre-master's courses. Graduates of the college successfully enter prestigious conservatories, theatrical and creative universities all over the world, the school of design and the Academy of Art. The secret of the college is not only in the high quality teaching of academic disciplines, but also in the full, comprehensive disclosure of the potential of each student, in supporting any manifestation of talent and abilities. Here, every gifted student can find all the resources to show his vision, personality and create truly unique and valuable works of art.

The college in Cambridge cooperates with many well-known institutions of culture, design and art:

• The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art;
•  The London University of the Arts;
•  Kingston University and others.

The college occupies leading positions in the ranking of the best theatrical schools in Britain - graduates easily enter the most prestigious universities in the UK and the world.

The school has an established and fruitful cooperation program with RADA. Among the famous and successful graduates such celebrities are as:

• Sophie Okonedo
• Matthew MacFadein
• Ralph Fiennes
• Maggie Gyllenhaal
• Gemma Arterton
• Sir Michael Caine
• Shawn Bin
• Kenneth Brana
• Clive Owen and others.

The College cooperates with many well-known institutions of culture, design and art: the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London University of the Arts, Kingston University and others. The college is included in the list of the best theater schools in Britain - graduates easily enter the most prestigious higher educational institutions in the UK and the world. CSVPA is also a leader in the training of students in the field of art, fashion and design, music and vocals, cinema.

With RADA, the school has an established and fruitful program of cooperation. Among the famous and successful graduates are such celebrities as:

• Sophie Oconedo
• Matthew McFadean
• Ralph Fiennes
• Maggie Gyllenhaal
• Gemma Arterton
• Sir Michael Caine
• Sean Bean
• Kenneth Branah
• Clive Owen and others.

Pre-university training programs are developed and taught together with the University of the Arts London, bachelor's and master's courses received accreditation from Falmouth University (in 2017, three experts at once - The Sunday Times League Table, Guardian University Guide and Complete University Guide named it the best university in Europe and the UK in creative arts area). This allows BA and MA graduates to receive a double diploma - Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts + Falmouth University.

Available destinations:

• Acting
• animation
• architecture
• Brand Management
• Web Design
• Vocal
• Graphic design
• Accessory design
• Design and development of computer games
• Interior design
• painting
• illustration
• Fashion & Design
• music
• Musical theatre
• Creating a brand in the field of Fashion & Art
• photography
• choreography.

Training programs for each student are developed individually: the unique creative potential needs detailed, careful study and disclosure in order to ensure a successful career path. Groups in the classroom - no more than 15 people.

The teachers of the courses are professional, educated, well-known practitioners and theorists: designers, artists, musicians, actors who are ready to pass on their experience, skills and knowledge to the new generation.

Remco Weeda

Specialist in international admission of students in Russia and the CIS at Scarborough College

How are the top UK boarding schools ranked, and how accurate are these rankings today?

Typically, these rankings are based on GCSE and A-level exam results. With the growing number of IB schools in the UK, IB results are also gaining significance. Rankings mainly assess the number of candidates and their outcomes, so they're accurate in that sense. However, they don't necessarily reflect the quality of teaching and learning. Some elite schools have very stringent admission criteria, not accessible to all. 

The college's approach to education is focused on helping each student become the creative professional they want to be: classes develop creativity, critical thinking, research skills, contextual understanding, and trend analysis. Students gain practical skills and professional connections in the UK's creative industries through industry projects.

Courses are built around the individual needs of each student; classes are held in small groups with regular one-on-one meetings with tutors. Many tutors are active practitioners in the creative industries, and their experience shapes the structure and content of the courses. Language classes of up to five hours per week are available for students who need to improve their English.

Each student has a personal mentor — typically the program director or another full-time tutor. The mentor provides academic guidance and supports the student throughout their studies: a mentor is assigned at the beginning of the academic year, and the college aims to keep the same mentor with the student until graduation.

The college delivers its master's programs in partnership with Hearst Magazines UK: students work on live briefs from the publisher, including developing licensing proposals for the group's magazines, and spend a week at the House of Hearst office in London.

CSVPA prepares students in the fields of art and design, fashion, music, and performing arts — from pre-university programs to postgraduate study.

Pre-university level:

• Extended Diploma programs Extended Diploma — two years, six trimesters, age from 16. Creative practice in art, design, and communication (in the second year — one of eight specializations), performing arts (drama), music performance and production (specializations: classical performance, pop music, and music production). The qualification is equivalent to three UK A-level examinations and earns points in the British university admissions system,
• Foundation programs — one year, three trimesters, age from 17. Drama (classical and contemporary acting), musical theatre, music, art and design with specializations in fashion, graphic design and illustration, 3D design, fine art and photography, film and animation. Final qualifications — a Level 4 Professional Diploma in Performing Arts or a Level 3 or 4 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design,
• Academic English language courses, short courses of one to two trimesters, and a summer school.

University level:

• Undergraduate — programs in fashion, fashion branding and creative communications, and graphic design. An integrated Foundation year is available before the main semesters,
• Postgraduate study and preparation for it: master's programs in art and design, the Graduate Diploma program — one year, starting in September for graduates of any discipline planning to pursue a master's degree in art or design. The Pre-Master’s program — one semester, starting in January. The Graduate Diploma and Pre-Master’s offer three specializations: art and design (fine art, industrial and spatial design, speculative design), fashion (fashion design, branding and creative communications), and visual communications (graphic design, illustration, animation, photography, moving image).

College students regularly receive industry awards:

• In 2024, an undergraduate student in the Graphics and Illustration program received the Disney Home Storyteller Award at the New Designers competition for his final project — a reimagining of a children's story written by his aunt,
• A duo of students from the same program took second place in the Colour in Design category with a collaborative project about the stigma surrounding food banks,
• At Graduate Fashion Week 2024, the fashion collections of two undergraduate students were selected for the runway, and one of them received the bronze Catwalk Award,
• Three students from the Fashion Branding and Creative Communications course presented their final projects at Graduate Fashion Week and each received at least one award nomination,
• The graduating collections of fashion students received coverage in the national press.

Accommodation is offered for the entire period of study and two types of accommodation are possible:

• Residence

The school offers a large selection of residences: depending on the age and type of rooms (most of which are single). All residences are within walking distance or a couple of bus stops from the college and city center. The process of placement of students is according to the age criterion - students of the same age are living next to each other, while adult students are distributed in the residences according to their age range, where they offer self-catering accommodation if desired.

• Family

This accommodation option is available only to adults. Students will have a great opportunity to live in a real friendly Cambridge family, to experience English culture. In brief about the placement:

• Fully furnished
• Advantage - immersion in British culture and traditions
• Safe and secure placement
• Regular inspection and monitor of host families
• Comfortable conditions
• Friendly host families
• Single rooms
• Breakfast and dinner in the family (lunch at the college)
• Access to the telephone and the Internet (upon request).

Subject list: GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN ART & DESIGN, UAL LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN ART & DESIGN, UAL LEVEL 4 FOUNDATION DIPLOMA IN ART & DESIGN - FASHION, UAL LEVEL 4 FOUNDATION DIPLOMA IN ART & DESIGN - GRAPHICS & ILLUSTRATION, Acting skills, Applied craft, Art, ART & DESIGN PRE-MASTERS, BA (HONS) GRAPHICS AND ILLUSTRATION, business, design, DRAMA FOUNDATION ACTING, DRAMA FOUNDATION MUSICAL THEATER (DANCE), EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN PERFORMING ARTS, Fashion, Filmmaking, graphic arts, MA ART&DESIGN, music, MUSIC FOUNDATION, photography, Preparation of portfolios, UAL LEVEL 4 FOUNDATION DIPLOMA IN ART & DESIGN - 3D DESIGN, UAL LEVEL 4 FOUNDATION DIPLOMA IN ART&DESIGN

A variety of group events (of different themes and formats) are organized weekly for students, as well as field trips to cities and regions of the UK. This is not only a great chance to find new friends and improve spoken English, but also a way to get new impressions, audience experience and knowledge that can be useful in teaching can be embodied in future works.

The end of the school year is marked by the final stage production, where students can show their talents and abilities, show all the acquired knowledge and skills. Teachers of the school are successful acting actors (mostly theatrical), who annually conduct large-scale castings in Cambridge and Oxford and select the most talented and promising students, give an opportunity to get a high-quality and sought-after education.

• Graduates work in the largest and most prestigious companies in the world: Christian Dior, Adidas, Nike, Louis Vuitton, Armani, often create their own brands, brands, corporations.
• Undergraduates are trained in Hearst Magazines UK: these are the most famous publications - Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Esquire, Cosmopolitan, House Beautiful and others. Some graduates receive a job invitation immediately after an internship (for example, last year it was Esquire).
• All CSVPA students are guaranteed to be able to participate in the annual show Graduate Fashion Week (London).
• CSVPA is open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, seven days a week.
• Each student is provided with an individual workplace, a studio space equipped with modern, the latest technologies. It is assigned to him for the entire duration of training.
• Students of graphics & Illustration directions receive iMas for work, Fashion students have a personal mannaken.
• Students are provided with absolutely all the necessary materials and details for work.
• The Foundation program provides from 25 hours of classes weekly (5 days a week) – more than the national average for this course
• Individual lessons on portfolio preparation (from 2 hours a week).
• Advice on admission to universities and colleges, assistance in submitting UCAS applications.
• A high percentage of admission to UAL (79% come after extended Diploma, 64% after Foundation).

The campus of the institution includes 3 floors of equipped auditoriums and studios, including:

• 14 special classes
• 2 music studios
• Theater Hall
• Fashion and Textile Studio
• Sewing workshop with modern technology and machines
• 3D and graphics studio
• Room for practicing ceramics
• Special class for developing photos in a "wet" way, special room for drying
• Wood and metal working shops, profile workshops.

Pre-university programs run on a trimester basis, while undergraduate programs follow a semester schedule. Most courses start in September; some programs (select Foundation programs in design and the Pre-Master's program) begin in January.

Applicants to full-time programs pay a registration fee and a refundable deposit, which is returned upon completion of studies.

Categories of additional expenses during study:

• Application through the UK university admissions service (required for some programs),
• English language test for international students,
• Examination fees for qualifications,
• Airport transfer and escort of minors upon arrival,
• Medical insurance,
• Visa expenses, including the immigration health surcharge,
• Textbooks, some materials, and optional social activities.

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 300 GBP
• Deposit for a course/programme 2200 GBP
• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 100 GBP

Admission takes place in several steps:

1. Choosing a program and submitting an application: for pre-university programs and master's degrees — via the college's online form, for a bachelor's degree — through the British university admissions service. International students may also apply for a bachelor's degree online,
2. Document review: academic documents, a portfolio or audition results, and English language proficiency for international students,
3. Receiving an offer of admission — conditional (pending fulfillment of grade, English language, or document requirements) or unconditional. The offer must become unconditional before studies begin,
4. Accepting the offer by the specified deadline,
5. For international students: after accepting an unconditional offer and paying the deposit, the college issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies CAS for the student visa,
6. Before the course begins, the student receives information about enrollment and orientation events.

It is advisable to apply as early as possible to have plenty of time before the course starts. Smapse specialists will guide you through every stage of the admission process.

Academic results of students in University of the Arts London qualifications:

• In 2024, 83% of students on the Extended Diploma in Art and Design program received the highest grade of Distinction,
• 98% of students passed the Foundation Diploma and Extended Diploma in Art and Design,
• 55 graduates of these programs secured places at colleges of University of the Arts London — places were obtained at all six colleges of the university,
• 100% of students passed the Foundation Diploma and Extended Diploma in Music, Drama, and Musical Theatre,
• 73% of students on Drama and Musical Theatre programs received a grade of Merit or Distinction,
• In the Fine Art and Photography department, 100% of students passed the Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design in the 2024/25 academic year.

Successful completion of the Foundation Diploma guarantees progression to any undergraduate program at the college.

Documents and materials for admission:

• Academic documents from the final years of study,
• Portfolio or audition depending on the program,
• Motivation letter and, if required, an interview,
• For international students — proof of English language proficiency.

Requirements for pre-university level programs:

• Extended Diploma programs: completion of secondary education or at least three subjects at GCSE level with a grade of 4 (or C), preferably including a creative subject. English language test score of at least 4.5, with each component no lower than 4.0; for the drama program — at least 5.0, with the spoken component at least 5.0,
• Foundation programs: completion of upper secondary school or a Level 3 qualification (preferably in a creative subject, such as A-Level) and at least three subjects at GCSE level with a grade of 4 (or C), including mathematics and English, and at least one creative subject. English language test score of at least 5.5, with each component no lower than 4.0.

Creative programs require a portfolio of personal and academic work; performing arts programs require an audition. Graduate Diploma and Pre-Master’s programs also require a portfolio.

Candidates who do not fully meet the formal requirements are considered on an individual basis, with emphasis on their potential. In some cases, an interview and portfolio review may be arranged.

The college offers various types of scholarships and financial support both for students with outstanding academic results and for those who need assistance. Funding decisions take into account the applicant's circumstances, portfolio, or audition results.

International students in master's programs may be eligible for the Chevening scholarship, funded by the UK government — it:

• Covers tuition fees, travel costs, a portion of living expenses, and additional allowances,
• Is awarded on a competitive basis: academic results, leadership potential, and career goals are assessed,
• Is available to applicants from countries on the program's list who meet its criteria.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision