St George’s British International School Rome is delighted to confirm that it has been formally accredited to deliver the University of the Arts London (UAL) Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, one of the most prestigious pre-degree qualifications for aspiring creatives worldwide.

UAL is internationally recognised for its exceptional standards in creative education and encompasses globally renowned institutions such as Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts and Camberwell College of Arts. With this accreditation, St George’s becomes the first UAL Foundation Diploma centre in Europe outside the United Kingdom, joining a small and prestigious group of international providers in New York, Singapore and Seoul.

This achievement marks the culmination of a multi-year strategic ambition and an exacting accreditation process. It reflects the depth and maturity of the school’s creative disciplines, the expertise of its teaching staff, and the readiness of its evolving facilities to support advanced, pre-degree study in art and design.

Launching in September 2026, the UAL Foundation Diploma at St George’s will offer students a distinctive and immersive bridge year. Learners will follow UAL’s world-leading curriculum while drawing inspiration from Rome’s unparalleled artistic, architectural and cultural heritage. The programme is designed to enable students to develop strong, competitive portfolios and progress with confidence to specialist undergraduate degrees at leading institutions around the world.

Academically, the programme carries significant weight: a high-end pass on the one-year UAL Foundation Diploma is equivalent to a full IB Diploma pass in UCAS tariff points, underscoring its value as a rigorous and respected pathway into higher education.

Further information about the programme, including application details for September 2026 entry, will be released in January.