BA (Hons) Body Art at University for the Creative Arts

Programme overview

Study the UK's only Body Art degree course at UCA Canterbury. Tattoo, drag, transhumanism, performance – studied together for the first time. When you study Body Art, one week you're studying the cultural history of body marking; the next, you're working with a drag artist, a bodybuilder, or creating sensory sculptures from scanned body parts. Taught at UCA Canterbury.

Duration: 3 years full-time | Study mode: full-time (optional placement year; optional integrated foundation year) | Intake: September 2027 | Location: Farnham, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

The BA (Hons) Body Art course offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary education that merges creative practice with academic inquiry, exploring body art as a powerful medium for identity, social commentary, and personal expression. This innovative programme critically examines the historical, cultural, and practical dimensions of body art, from its ancient origins to contemporary practices, including the emerging discourse on transhumanism and digital body modifications.

Career pathways

When you graduate from UCA, you’ll leave with both technical and creative expertise. The skills - such as digital design, performance art, and photography - that you gain on this course will open doors across the creative industries.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

The standard entry requirements for this course is one of the following: 112 UCAS tariff points Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3 or 4) Distinction, Merit, Merit at BTEC Extended Diploma / BTEC National Extended Diploma Merit at UAL Extended Diploma 112 UCAS tariff points from an accredited Access to Higher Education Diploma in appropriate subject 27 total points in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program with at least 15 IB points at Higher Level (HL) And four GCSE passes at grade 9-4/A*-C including English (or Functional Skills English/Key Skills Communication Level 2). Other relevant and equivalent Level 3 UK and international qualifications are considered on an individual basis, and we encourage students from diverse educational backgrounds to apply. We’ll need to see your portfolio for this course, please see the portfolio requirements section for more details. English language (IELTS or equivalent): 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section. UCAS course code W191 (institution code C93).

Domestic applicants: GBP 10,050 a year (2027/28). Tuition for the course as listed on the course page; UK home fee Source

International applicants: GBP 19,800 a year (2027/28). Tuition for the course as listed on the course page Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 3 years full-time

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