Ravensbourne University London

Ravensbourne University London is a specialist public university located on the Greenwich Peninsula in London. Established in 1962, it focuses on digital media, design, and creative industries, offering a wide range of vocational courses in areas such as fashion, television, graphic design, animation, architecture, and music production. 

The university has around 6,555 students, with 4,545 undergraduates and 2,010 postgraduates, and it achieved university status in 2018. Ravensbourne is known for its industry-focused education and strong links with employers, which helps students gain practical skills and enter the creative workforce successfully.
 

The university offers various courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, and further education levels, including Foundation degrees, Bachelor's degrees, and Master's courses such as MSc Cyber Security Management, MA Fashion: Digital Futures, and MBA Fashion: Business and Entrepreneurship. All courses are designed with input from industry professionals and reflect current trends in the creative and digital sectors. 

The campus, opened in 2010 and designed by Farshid Moussavi, features award-winning facilities including high-definition digital broadcast studios, advanced 2D and 3D printing technology, and open-plan workspaces, providing students with a modern and supportive environment for learning.
 

Ravensbourne has a strong reputation for graduate employability, with 96.4% of students reported to be in work within six months of graduating in 2017. It is recognised as the top specialist university in the UK for creative graduate salaries and ranks among the top ten institutions in England overall. 


The university maintains close partnerships with over 100 creative technology businesses on campus and continues to produce highly skilled graduates who meet the needs of the growing creative industries. Ravensbourne's location in London, a vibrant cultural and creative hub, further enriches the student experience and career opportunities.

Ravensbourne University London traces its origins back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, formed through the merging of several local art schools. The Bromley School of Art opened in 1878 in Bromley, London. Beckenham School of Art, established around 1900, began as a technical school and expanded after World War I to include craft trades. Sidcup School of Art was founded in 1898. In 1959, Bromley College of Art merged with the Department of Furniture Design from Beckenham School of Art. This process culminated in July 1962 when Bromley College of Art, Beckenham School of Art, and Sidcup School of Art formally merged to create Ravensbourne College of Art and Design.

From 1965, Ravensbourne operated from a site on Bromley Common before moving in 1975 to a larger, purpose-built campus on 18 acres of private parkland in Chislehurst. The move was necessary due to development restrictions at the previous site, located in the Metropolitan Green Belt. In 1983, funding cuts in higher education led to the closure of the Fine Art course and a rebranding of the institution to Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication. The communications and television broadcasting department moved to the Chislehurst campus in 1991, consolidating the college's operations. Ravensbourne was an early adopter in converting traditional art and design diplomas into honours degree programmes during the 1970s, approved by the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA).
 

In 1989, Ravensbourne became a Higher Education Corporation. After the CNAA was dissolved in 1992, the college formed a validating partnership with the Royal College of Art, which lasted until 1996. Ravensbourne then became an affiliate college of the University of Sussex, a status reaffirmed in 2002. From 2009 to 2012, City University London validated its courses, followed by University of the Arts London from 2013 to 2017. In 2017, Ravensbourne was granted degree-awarding powers and, in May 2018, it gained university status, becoming Ravensbourne University London. In 2019, it began validating courses at the City and Guilds of London Art School.
 

The university relocated to its current campus on the Greenwich Peninsula in London in 2010. The building, designed by Farshid Moussavi, won the RIBA award for best Higher Education building in 2011 and has been praised for its sustainable design, including a chilled beam system for heating and cooling. The campus covers 17,000 square metres, housing facilities such as a £16 million high-definition digital broadcast centre, 2D and 3D printing suites, open-plan workspaces, and a roof garden with views over the River Thames.
 

Ravensbourne offers a broad range of courses at further education, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels. Subjects include animation and games, architecture, business management, computing, design, fashion, media, film, television, music, cyber security, digital marketing, and project management. Postgraduate courses are offered as MA, MSc, MBA, or MDes qualifications, often developed in partnership with industry. The university is known for its strong focus on vocational education and industry connections, hosting more than 100 creative technology businesses on campus that collaborate with students and staff.
 

In 2023/24, Ravensbourne had a total student population of 6,555, comprising 4,545 undergraduates and 2,010 postgraduates. The university’s annual revenue exceeded £60 million (around USD 72 million) in 2024. Ravensbourne is recognised for producing highly employable graduates, with 96.4% of students reported to be in work six months after graduation as of 2017. It ranks as the top specialist university in the UK for creative graduate salaries and is in the top 10 institutions in England overall. The university’s industry partnerships and location in London, a major creative and cultural hub, provide students with significant career opportunities.
 

As of 2025, Ravensbourne continues to evolve as a specialised, industry-focused university dedicated to training professionals in digital media, design, and creative industries. It maintains strong links with employers and technology companies, ensuring its curriculum aligns with the needs ofthe  growing creative and digital sectors. Ravensbourne’s campus and facilities support practical learning and innovation, helping students develop skills to enter a wide range of careers in design, media, fashion, broadcasting, and technology.

Ravensbourne University London offers a wide range of courses focused on digital media, design, and creative industries. These courses are available at further education, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels, each designed to provide practical skills and knowledge needed in the creative sector.
 

At the further education level, Ravensbourne offers the Diploma in Foundation Studies in Art & Design and Media, along with the BTEC National Certificate in Art and Design. These courses prepare students for higher education by building essential skills in creativity and technical work.
 

Undergraduate courses cover many subject areas including Animation and Games, Architecture and Built Environment, Business and Management, Computing, Design, Fashion, and Media, Film, TV and Music. For example, the BA (Hons) Games Design course teaches students about games mechanics, player psychology, and game narratives, with the flexibility to choose specialisms. The BA (Hons) Games Art focuses on 2D and 3D art creation to build game worlds and characters. Ravensbourne’s design and fashion courses equip students with industry-relevant skills, including digital fashion futures and luxury brand management.
 

Postgraduate programmes offer Master’s degrees in areas such as Design Communication, Digital Marketing, Cyber Security Management, Engineering Management, and Project Management. There are also specialised courses like MA Fashion: Digital Futures, MBA Fashion: Business and Entrepreneurship, and MSc Luxury Brand Management. These courses combine design thinking with business and technology to prepare students for leadership roles in the creative economy. Many postgraduate courses are offered as Extended Masters to support international students in progressing to full degree study.
 

Ravensbourne’s courses are developed with industry involvement, ensuring the curriculum matches current trends and employer needs. The university works closely with creative technology businesses on campus, giving students access to real-world projects and networking opportunities. Facilities include high-definition digital broadcast studios, 2D and 3D printing labs, and open-plan studios, which support hands-on learning.
 

The university also offers career support throughout students’ studies, providing tailored services to help with job applications, internships, and career development. Ravensbourne focuses on producing graduates who are ready for employment in digital media, design, fashion, broadcasting, and other creative fields.

• Ranked 201-240 in the QS World University Rankings (subject-specific)
• Placed 131st in the UK according to The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
• Recognised as the top specialist university in the UK for creative graduate salaries
• Among the top 10 institutions in England for graduate earnings in creative industries
• Winner of the RIBA award for best Higher Education building in 2011 for its Greenwich Peninsula campus

Ravensbourne University London boasts a strong graduate employment rate, with 89% of its graduates entering skilled employment or further study shortly after completing their courses. This figure highlights the university's commitment to preparing students for successful careers in the creative industries. The high employability rate reflects the practical skills and industry connections that Ravensbourne provides to its students. The university's focus on industry-relevant education, combined with its strategic location in London, contributes to its graduates' success in securing meaningful employment or advancing their studies. Ravensbourne's strong ties with the creative sector ensure that students are well-equipped to meet the demands of the job market.

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