Hammersmith & Fulham is now one of the best places in the country to learn creative arts following the opening of a major new campus in Shepherds Bush.
A one-year foundation course paving the way to myriad careers has launched in Lime Grove, in what were once historic TV and movie studios.
Doctor Who and Top of the Pops began there, and it was where – in 1935 – Alfred Hitchcock filmed scenes for The 39 Steps, but is now the most westerly campus of UAL – the University of the Arts London.
Refurbished, modernised and now wheelchair-accessible, the Lime Grove campus in W12 houses UAL’s School of Pre-Degree Studies.
And if you’re a Hammersmith & Fulham student, the one-year arts foundation course (after A-levels and before possibly moving on to a degree) is FREE.
No fees for local students
“There are no fees for students who live locally,” confirmed Amanda Jenkins, dean of the school of pre-degree studies.
“So, it’s the perfect testing ground for local young people who are creative, and who want to find out the thing they’re good at. Students will also be trained in ‘curation’; telling stories via objects.”
When the first phase opens on Monday 9 September, 1,000 students will be at the site – rising to 1,600 in September 2025 – and giving Shepherds Bush’s local economy a major boost.
Helped by a £2million government grant, it represents a huge investment by UAL at a time when many further education colleges are closing their arts foundation courses.
The two-acre Lime Grove campus brings together UAL’s pre-degree courses in art, media, design and fashion. Applications for the 2025-26 academic year open in October.
From film to jewellery, media to design
The new School of Pre-Degree Studies is a creative hub letting students experiment in choices ranging from fashion, textiles, communications, design, AI, media, painting and sculpture to set design, jewellery, virtual reality, photography, filmmaking and animation.
When they’ve finished their foundation year, students can progress to undergraduate degrees at UAL’s six colleges, or leave to pursue a career.
As a university, UAL is ranked Number 2 in the world for art and design. Skills learned during a foundation year are readily transferable into many other courses.
UAL is working with teachers in schools in H&F – so they are fully aware of the new option on their doorstep.
Turning the Grade ll-listed former film studios at 40 Lime Grove into a modern campus has been a challenge. Abandoned by the BBC soon after Television Centre opened in White City, the building deteriorated.
Heat pumps have been installed and insulation improved in keeping with the uni’s net zero targets, and accessibility has been upgraded with new external lifts, ramps and step-free walkways.
The restored and modernised building means not only that important cultural links with the past are preserved, but also that creative talent is being encouraged to stay in Hammersmith & Fulham.
