In the south of England, there is a specialized art and design university called the University for the Creative Arts.

When the Kent Institute of Art and Design merged with the Surrey Institute of Art & Design, which already had degree-granting status, it was created in 2005 as University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone, and Rochester. Both constituent schools were created by joining the local art schools in Kent and Surrey, respectively. In 2008, it received university status, and the current name was adopted. It united with the Open College of the Arts in 2016.