Independent Studio Programme

We offer a small number of places to undergraduate affiliate students of proven ability and commitment to study on the full-time independent art programme, specialising in painting, sculpture or fine art media. 

Students are assigned to a tutorial group which meets regularly. They are expected to be highly motivated and, under the guidance of their personal tutor, able to generate and sustain their own programme of work. Members of the teaching staff of the undergraduate school are available for tutorials and students are expected to participate fully in crit and seminar programmes.

All BA students at the Slade attend courses in the history and theory of art and affiliate students may select a course according to their needs, in consultation with the head of taught courses in history and theory of art. They are expected to complete the assessed work for the course. 

Affiliate/exchange students will be part of our undergraduate third year cohort. Their main focus will be the studio practice. Affiliate/exchange students can optionally select one of our history and theory of art modules subject to availability. Affiliate/exchange students cannot select other UCL modules outside the Slade.

The Slade also organises a series of Contemporary Art Lectures featuring distinguished speakers from both the UK and overseas, which is open to all students.
There are three terms in the academic year and students may enrol on the affiliate programme for

1. the whole year commencing in September
2. for the autumn term only
3. for the spring and summer terms

Application procedure for Undergraduate Affiliate Study

Applicants for the Undergraduate Independent Studio Programme must discuss their course selection with their academic adviser in their home university to ensure that the Independent Studio Programme will provide them with an appropriate credit load and course content. For details of how to apply, see the Fine Art page in the Study Abroad at UCL section. Applicants must also send a portfolio of artwork to the Slade.

Applications should be submitted by the following steps:

1. Applying through the UCL portal by the 31 March 2025 – How To Apply
2. By the 2 April, you will be sent a link to submit your files through OneDrive. You will then need to submit a portfolio by the 23 April 14:00 GMT.

The portfolio requirements are:

• One PDF (max 5 GB)
• One optional showreel (max 5 GB).

Notes should be included for each image including the title of the work, size, date and materials. Applicants with time-based or performance elements to their work may include a showreel with a maximum duration time of five minutes in QuickTime, no bigger than 5 GB. The showreel should be uploaded as a separate file. DO NOT include links to online platforms such as YouTube, TikTok or Vimeo to show us films or performances, as we are not allowed to click external links in our selection processes.

The application form must be completed online. The deadline for applications for study commencing in September 2025 (Autumn term) is 31 March 2025.

The Slade offers students of outstanding quality, registered for research degrees in other institutions, the opportunity to study in the School for three months to one year a Visiting Research Student. Usually such applications are from students resident overseas for whom a period of study in London is an integral part of their research. Programmes and supervision are arranged on an entirely individual basis.

Further details about the research programme at the Slade can be found in the MPhil/PhD section. To apply, see MPhil/PhD Admissions.