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Study costs

Last updated:
10 October 2024

During your studies, you may need to cover extra costs which are not included in your tuition fees. You might need to budget for materials and equipment specific to your course. You may also need a laptop or other digital tech/software.

Please don’t buy any course kit until we notify you that you can enrol.

Materials costs for your course or compulsory field trips will vary depending on the materials and techniques you use.

If your course requires specific equipment or materials, you’ll receive a detailed kit list before the start of your course. Remember, you may not need to buy everything on the list. We aim to keep costs as low as possible and you may be able to borrow some things from your College.

You can reduce the cost of materials by:

  • Using our Re-Use units to source anything from hard sheet materials to stationery, paints, adhesives and tools.
  • Visiting the SWAP SHOP at Central Saint Martins. You can find unwanted materials such as fabrics, wood, screws, electronics and more.
  • Experimenting first with a small amount of media or materials you’re unsure about.
  • Shopping around for cheaper alternatives.

Read our top tips for sourcing study materials on a budget.

As well as any course-specific materials, you may require the following digital kit list for your course.

Laptop/computer

For some courses, it may not be essential to have your own device. Laptops and computers are available to use within your College and will often have the relevant software for your course. You can also use computers in UAL libraries.

If your course recommends a laptop or computer with a minimum specification, we will send you detailed guidelines before the start of your course. Keep this in mind if you’re considering buying a new device.

Digital accessories

To work off-site, you’ll also need to have:

  • Stable internet connection
  • Ear/headphones which work with your laptop or desktop – preferably with an inbuilt microphone.
  • A standalone webcam if your laptop or desktop doesn’t already have one.

A camera (or phone camera) is a useful tool throughout your course to record research and development, document your design process and take behind-the-scenes images. A decent phone camera is good enough for these purposes. Some courses may require a DSLR camera, which you may be able to borrow from the loan store or kit room at your College.

Software

For many of our courses, students will benefit from using Microsoft 365 and the Adobe Creative Cloud suite. You can access Microsoft 365 for free with your UAL credentials. You can use Adobe CC on any UAL desktop in libraries and learning areas, or you can get your own discounted subscription through UAL.

Read the latest information on IT software discounts.

If your course requires specific software, your course leader will introduce you to these. You can access a lot of software for free or at a discounted rate.

You can borrow equipment at various sites across UAL: