The 5 Best Art Schools in London Where Great Ideas Take Shape
Finding the right creative program can feel overwhelming with so many modern studios across the city. Whether you’re after a full-time fine arts degree or portfolio mentoring, choosing the right environment can shape your creative growth.
Fortunately, London is packed with creative inspiration, from famous art galleries to quiet local workshops. If you also love working with clay, checking out studios for pottery classes can expand your craft.
To make your search easier, we tracked down some of the top programs to help you find the best art school London has to offer. Keep reading to see which ones made the cut!
How much does art school tuition cost in London?
Art school tuition in London averages £9,250 to £9,790 per year for UK undergraduates, while international students pay between £20,000 and £41,350 annually depending on the institution and study level.
| Institution / Course Tier | Annual Home Fee (Great British Pound (GBP)) | Annual International Fee (GBP) |
| Standard UK Regulation (Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree Caps) | £9,250 to £9,790 | Not applicable |
| University of the Arts London (UAL) | £9,250 | £30,890 |
| Goldsmiths, University of London (BA Fine Art) | £9,790 | £30,500 |
| The Slade School of Fine Art (University College London (UCL) Master of Arts (MA) Fine Art) | £12,000 to £16,000 | £32,100 |
| Royal College of Art (RCA Postgraduate) | £11,000 to £14,500 | £29,000 to £41,350 |
| Independent / Private Academies | £9,000 to £12,000 | £20,000 to £26,000 |
1. City & Guilds of London Art School
Website: http://www.cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk/
Address: 124 Kennington Park Rd
Contact: +44 20 7735 2306 / [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Preserving historic craft is the central focus at City & Guilds of London Art School. Here, they offer rare degree paths in Historic Carving and Conservation that date back to post-war restoration efforts.
The faculty also includes respected specialists like Art Historian Viv Lawes, who brings deep insight into European and East Asian decorative arts.
You’ll gain rigorous practical training in stone carving, wood carving, and decorative surface repair. Plus, you can pursue full Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Master of Arts (MA) pathways, or take focused evening courses.
The main drawback is their strict international financial policies. Deposits and tuition become completely non-refundable once a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number is processed.
Customer Reviews
It’s overwhelming how fulfilled I feel by my learning experience
It’s overwhelming how fulfilled I feel by my learning experience at City & Guilds of London Art School. I continued from the Foundation Diploma to the BA Fine Art (Painting), and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It’s incredibly important to find a school that appreciates you. I am lucky enough to have benefitted from the generous donation made by the valued trustees, who support and believe in City & Guilds of London Art School; I was awarded the Painter-Stainer’s Scholarship, which has enabled me to focus on my practice without overbearing financial worries.
- Oliver Epp, Google Review
2. Sunny Art Centre
Website: http://www.sunnyartcentre.co.uk/
Address: Covent Garden, Kemble St
Contact: +44 20 8616 5990 / [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Preparing a standout admissions submission is easier at Sunny Art Centre, thanks to their dedicated portfolio preparation courses. These are designed to help students gain entry to top institutions like Central Saint Martins and the Slade School of Art.
During a recent studio consultation, we found the tutor’s approach especially helpful. They mapped out clear personal milestones from day one, making the process feel more focused.
Class sizes stay under 10 students, so you’ll get plenty of one-on-one attention from working professionals, including painter Nicolas Granger-Taylor and designer Joshua Millard. They even offer flexible packages, so you can book sessions week by week.
However, the scheduling rules are quite strict. You’ll need to give at least 48 hours’ notice to reschedule, or you could lose your lesson credit entirely.
Customer Reviews
All instructors are really talented, approachable, and patient
Had an incredible experience at Sunny Art Centre! I travelled from the US and spent my entire Spring Break doing oil painting classes. I am a complete beginner, so I bought the 20 credit package and I did 2-3 classes a day over a week and a half. It sounds like a lot but a two hour class moves quick when you are in a flow state!
All instructors are really talented, approachable, and patient. I highly recommend trying at least one class with all of them because they all have different teaching styles which enriches the learning experience.
- Vanessa Nicolle, Google Review
Very cozy art school and the customer service was 10/10
Amazing experience!
I have never painted I have no background in artes and Robin my tutor manage to teach me basics in 2 hours and show me how to start my first oil painting.
He was kind and knowledgeable and funny which made the experience very pleasant and less intimidating.
Very cozy art school and the customer service was 10/10.
I’d be back for more.
- Angelica, Google Review
3. Chelsea College of Arts
Website: http://www.arts.ac.uk/chelsea
Address: 16 John Islip St
Contact: +44 20 7514 7751 / [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Studying alongside a historic network of famous alumni, including Steve McQueen, Mariko Mori, and Chris Ofili, gives Chelsea College of Arts an inspiring creative energy.
As a constituent college of the University of the Arts London (UAL), they offer extensive studio facilities right next to Tate Britain. These facilities include professional casting foundries, photography suites, and project galleries like the Triangle Space.
The curriculum also focuses on critical thinking and public exhibitions, encouraging students to test their ideas in professional gallery spaces.
However, the main challenge for short-term and international students is the strict fee structure. Study Abroad courses require students to be at least 18 years old, plus there’s a non-refundable £500 cancellation fee.
Customer Reviews
I enjoyed the school trip, gallery tour, and having exhibitions too
I studied here for four years. 1 year in the foundation course and three years in BA Fine Art. I have experienced many things, not only doing arts but writing essay, attending the lectures, communicating people. What you’ll get here depends on how you interact. Tutors won’t teach us unless we try to communicate with them. I was hesitant in the beginning as this education system is quite different to my country, however, I gradually got used to it. I enjoyed the school trip, gallery tour, and having exhibitions too.
- T G.C-S, Google Review
4. London Fine Art Studios
Website: http://www.londonfineartstudios.com/
Address: Unit 94, Battersea Business Centre, 99-109 Lavender Hill
Contact: +44 20 7223 2360 / [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Tuesday, 9:15 AM – 5:00 PM | Wednesday–Friday, 9:15 AM – 4:00 PM
Mastering the human form through oil painting and life drawing is at the heart of London Fine Art Studios, an atelier founded by Ann Witheridge.
The school teaches classical techniques inspired by historic European studios, helping beginners build skills in proportion, gesture, and tone.
We spoke with a former student who completed the foundational term, and she praised how quickly the structured exercises improved her observational skills.
New students start with a required 10-week foundation course, while advanced painters can join weekly plein air landscape trips in nearby parks.
Unfortunately, cancellations made 14 days or less before the term starts aren’t eligible for a refund. Meanwhile, earlier cancellations still come with an £80 administrative fee.
Customer Reviews
For me it’s biggest strength is its variety of teaching and tutors
I have been studying at LFAS for four terms with the aim of becoming a full time professional artist.
For me it’s biggest strength is its variety of teaching and tutors. The tutors have been trained in ateliers and art schools across the globe. And the nice thing about this is that you are able to cherry pick the ideology and methods that work for you from the different tutors.
This ultimately leads to the school producing well rounded and adaptable artists that have a strong foundation that they can then build upon when they graduate.
- Johnty Robinson, Google Review
The ratio of tutors to students is great
The structured approach to learning the craft of drawing and painting offered by London Fine Art Studios is, for me, an essential foundation to my growing confidence in making art. All of the tutors I have had in my two years of studying part time here are excellent artists and teachers, with the ability to give insightful critique, advice and encouragement. The ratio of tutors to students is great and the setup, often with widely varying experience within a class, means that there is a great deal to learn from sharing one’s art journey with the other students.
- Phil Smyth, Google Review
5. art CLASS London
Website: http://www.art-class-london.co.uk/
Address: 502 Hornsey Road, Units 27 & 29
Contact: 07516 489 892 / [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Tuesday, Thursday, 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM | Wednesday, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Saturday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Sunday, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Independent artistic practice is the main goal at art CLASS London, an inviting studio school founded in 2010 to help beginners develop into confident, self-directed painters.
The structured 10-week terms here combine step-by-step demonstrations with plenty of relaxed studio time. Every student gets the chance to exhibit up to three finished pieces in the school’s curated annual gallery show.
You can even book flexible taster sessions to test the space before signing up for a full term, or choose private one-to-one tutoring.
The key drawback is that missed classes can’t be refunded or rescheduled once term starts. Open-dated taster vouchers also expire after 10 weeks if you don’t fix a date.
Customer Reviews
She is extremely encouraging and keeps me wanting to learn more
I’ve been attending the intro to drawing and painting course for a few terms now and it’s been a really good experience. it’s a well structured 10-week course and has taught me so much about art. Maddie is an incredible teacher who is really good at allowing you to explore your own art style while still providing guidance in a way that’s kind. although I’m a beginner, still learning so many new things, she is extremely encouraging and keeps me wanting to learn more.
- Megha, Google Review
Maddie is a great teacher
I took the ‘intro to drawing and painting’ course led by Maddie this term. It was a really well designed 10-week course, covering several impressionist & post-impressionist painters, learning new techniques, while giving freedom to develop my own style and ideas in the 4-week final project. Maddie is a great teacher with an excellent sense of will help you improve, but does so in a way which is engaging & makes you want to keep trying out new things! Highly recommend!
- Hugo Hammond, Google Review